Wat Phra Thong (or Wat Prathong), meaning ‘Golden Buddha Image Temple is a very old temple with an incredible legend behind it, the kind of story that irresistibly attracts people. It’s not very big or impressive, but everyone first wants to see the famous half-buried golden Buddha.
A long time ago in Thalang, a boy tied the rope of his buffalo to a piece of wood sticking out of the pasture ground. This was a ‘finial’, the conical shape at the top of a very large Buddha image almost entirely buried. The boy became ill and soon died, as well as his buffalo. Following a dream he had, the boy’s father went to have a look at this stick to find out what it was. Villagers tried to free the statue, but the diggers were attacked by swarms of hornets coming out from the dug-up earth, while the spectators were left unharmed.
Later, during the invasion of Thalang town by the Burmese Army, Burmese soldiers tried to excavate the statue to take it back to Burma. But this time, they were ...
Wat Suan Phlu (วัดสวนพลู) is a serene Buddhist temple located in the Bang Rak district of Bangkok, Thailand, near Charoen Krung Road and close to Saphan Taksin BTS station and the Shangri-La Hotel.
The temple was established around 1797 AD (พ.ศ. 2340) during the early Rattanakosin period. It was originally named Wat Khlong Lom (วัดคลองล้อม), due to a large canal (Khlong Silom) that once surrounded it, wide enough for Chinese merchant boats to turn around. The name later changed to Wat Suan Phlu, meaning “betel garden temple,” reflecting the betel nut plantations grown by Chinese immigrants in the area during the early Bangkok era—betel chewing was popular for strengthening teeth and facial beauty.
It received its wisungkhamasima (consecrated boundary) in 1848 AD (พ.ศ. 2391). Note that some sources confuse it with older Ayutthaya-era temples sharing similar names, but this Wat Suan Phlu dates to the late 18th century.
This small, peaceful community...
For decades, Trok Mor morning market has been going strong right under the noses of travellers in the historic Rattanakosin district. For most travelers they never get a chance to explore some of the narrow sois (streets) in Thailand. If you adventure out you get to see scenes like this being played out everyday, at all times of the day as well, in Bangkok.
The market along Trok Mor (aka Soi Thesa) quietly takes place every morning within easy walking distance of Bangkok’s biggest tourist attractions. Many of the vendors have spent a lifetime here.
Trok Mor looks and feels like it was frozen in a time before glossy highrises and shopping malls came to define much of Bangkok.
You are near Khao San Road but free of the hustle of people trying to sell you a tour or something you are not interested in. Prices seem 15 years behind the rest of the city as well as free from the oppressive atmosphere you find in more touristy places.
Trok Mor Morning Market - Soi Thesa - Bangkok Thailand ...
Gurdwara Siri Guru Singh Sabha Sikh Temple is the 2nd largest Sikh temple outside of India. It’s located in the “old town” of Bangkok in what is known as Little India.
The gold dome of the temple stands out and is difficult to miss. The entrance is a bit more hidden but it is close to the Pahurat Market. This market sells colorful textiles on the streets as well as a 4 story mall near the temple. The temple is open to the public everyday and closes at 10:00 am.
The temple is well worth a visit if you are in the area and is a nice addition to a holiday especially if you’ve already done a few Thai temple tours. From the 6th story of the temple you can see some nice views of the area and see up into nearby Chinatown.
This construction has some historical and cultural value in that it actually dates back to 1932 and is the second largest Sikh temple outside of India.
The temple has something of a reputation for being welcoming, a fact made obvious by the daily buffet of vegetarian food ...