Tonle Sap Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. Also called Boeung Tonle Sap, it has one of the world’s most vibrant ecosystems. There are different species of wildlife in and around the lake, which helped to sustain and grow the ancient Khmer civilization. It's also famous for its fascinating local communities and their floating villages.
Located in Siem Reap, the massive lake is 250 km in length and 100 km across at its widest point, making it seem like an inland ocean because it is impossible to see the opposite shore from ground level. It's fairly shallow, with a maximum depth of only 10 meters.
There are several floating villages in and around Tonle Sap Lake and they are all somewhat different. Naturally, many of these villages depend on the lake for the natural resources it provides.
The best time to visit Tonle Sap Lake is during the rainy season (June to October). Water in the Mekong causes the Tonlé Sap River to reverse its flow which, combined with with ...
Wat Ko Kaew Ketsadaram (วัดเกาะแก้วเกษฎาราม), located north of Ayutthaya’s historic city island in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, Thailand, is an active Buddhist temple with roots in the late Ayutthaya Kingdom and significant developments during the Ratanakosin period.
Known as the “Monastery of the Crystal Island,” it reflects the region’s spiritual and cultural heritage, enhanced by its serene setting near the Pa Sak River. The temple’s history intertwines with military campaigns, royal patronage, and early 20th-century conservation efforts, with its mural paintings serving as a key artistic feature preserved under King Rama V’s initiatives.
Wat Ko Kaew Ketsadaram was formally established in 1868 (BE 2411) by Phraya Yamarat, the governor of Korat (modern Nakhon Ratchasima), following his victorious military campaign in Luang Prabang, Laos. Historical accounts suggest Phraya Yamarat rested in the area at Ban Chang Saeng and founded the temple to ...
Port FC (currently 5th in the Thai League 1 standings with 19 points from 10 matches: 6W-1D-3L, GD +7) hosts Muangthong United (9th with 10 points from 10 matches: 3W-1D-6L, GD -9) in a crucial Round 11 clash at PAT Stadium in Bangkok.
Port aims to solidify their top-half push after a mixed run, while Muangthong seeks an away upset to escape the relegation scrap. Head-to-head: Balanced with 10 wins each and 3 draws in 23 meetings; recent form gives Port the edge, unbeaten in their last 3 vs Muangthong (2W-1D). Port’s home record is strong (5W-0D-0L so far), but Muangthong has drawn 4 of their last 5 away games.
As always Port has a huge home field advantage with a capacity crowd to see their crosstown rivals for a Friday night game. The crowd was treated to a suspenseful game with the winner being scored late in the second half.
Port FC vs Muangthong United: Thai League 1 Matchup - October 24, 2025
The Hagia Sophia in Istanbul’s Fatih district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (inscribed 1985), is a 6th-century architectural marvel. Built in 537 AD as a Byzantine cathedral under Emperor Justinian I, it became a mosque in 1453 after Ottoman conquest, a museum in 1935, and a mosque again in 2020.
Its massive dome (31m wide, 55.6m high), supported by pendentives, revolutionized architecture, influencing Ottoman mosques. Featuring Byzantine mosaics and Ottoman calligraphy, it symbolizes Istanbul’s Christian-Islamic heritage.
Byzantine Era (537–1453): Constructed in just five years (532–537) by architects Anthemius of Tralles and Isidore of Miletus, Hagia Sophia (“Holy Wisdom”) was the largest cathedral in Christendom for nearly a millennium. As the centerpiece of Constantinople, it hosted imperial coronations and Christian ceremonies, symbolizing Byzantine power and faith.
• Ottoman Era (1453–1935): After Sultan Mehmet II’s conquest of Constantinople in 1453, it was converted into a ...
