Koh Kret เกาะเกร็ด is a small island in the Chao Phraya River in Nonthaburi Province, Thailand. It is around 3 km long and 3 km wide with an area of over 4.2 square kilometers. It has seven main villages, the largest and most populous being Ban Mon. The island is best known for Thai-Mon people who make pottery for a living. The island is only accessed by ferries.
Koh Kret was originally a meander located on the Chao Praya river. Due to Chao Praya river's curvy path, ships would take longer to reach Ayutthaya, Siam's capital at the time.
During the reign of King Thaisa, the king wanted to reduce shipping time and improve the kingdom's economy. He planned a canal which would bypass the meander and act as a shortcut for maritime transport. The canal was dug in 1722, requiring around 10,000 men and taking over a month to complete. After the canal was dug, shipping to Ayutthaya became faster and the canal was called "Klong Lat Kret" by locals. As time passed, the canal became ...
Wat Saket, also known as the Golden Mount or Phu Khao Thong, is a historic Buddhist temple in Bangkok, Thailand, with a rich history dating back to the Ayutthaya period (1350–1767). Originally named Wat Sakae, it was renovated and renamed by King Rama I (r. 1782–1809) when Bangkok became the capital of the Rattanakosin Kingdom.
The name “Saket” is said to derive from a legend that King Rama I stopped to bathe and wash his hair at the temple before entering the city after a war.
Key Historical Points:
1. Ayutthaya Era Origins: Established during the Ayutthaya period, Wat Saket is one of Bangkok’s oldest temples. It initially served as a crematorium for the poor, reflecting its early role in community welfare.
2. Cholera Outbreak and Dark Past: During the reign of King Rama II (r. 1809–1824), a cholera epidemic struck Bangkok, leading to the cremation of tens of thousands of bodies at Wat Saket. The temple couldn’t keep up, and bodies were left in the open, attracting vultures, earning ...
Wat Yai Chom Prasat (วัดใหญ่จอมปราสาท) is an ancient Buddhist temple located in Tha Chin, Samut Sakhon Province, Thailand.
• History: Presumed to have been built during the Ayutthaya era (approximately 400 years ago), possibly during the reign of King Maha Chakkraphat.
King Maha Chakkraphat (also spelled Maha Chakraphat, Thai: สมเด็จพระมหาจักรพรรดิ) was a significant ruler of the Ayutthaya Kingdom in Thailand, reigning from 1548 to 1569. His reign was marked by intense military conflicts, particularly with the Burmese, and internal political challenges.
It was registered as a national ancient monument by the Fine Arts Department on September 27, 1936. During King Rama V’s reign, it was named Wat Yai Sakorn Buri and elevated to a royal temple.
• Architectural Features:
• The temple showcases a blend of historical and renovated elements. The Viharn (sermon hall) retains its original Ayutthaya-era brick structure, left...
The Grand Palace is a sprawling complex in Bangkok, Thailand, serving as one of the city’s most iconic landmarks and a symbol of Thai monarchy, architecture, and culture. Located on the eastern bank of the Chao Phraya River, it encompasses ornate buildings, temples, and halls that blend traditional Thai, European, and Chinese architectural styles.
At its heart lies Wat Phra Kaew, also known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, which is Thailand’s most sacred Buddhist temple and houses the revered Emerald Buddha statue—a small figurine carved from a single block of green jade (often mistaken for emerald).
The entire complex covers about 218,000 square meters and attracts millions of visitors annually, functioning today primarily as a tourist site and venue for royal ceremonies, though it no longer serves as the king’s primary residence.
Wat Phra Kaew is unique among Thai temples as it lacks living quarters for monks, emphasizing its role as a royal chapel dedicated to the Emerald Buddha.
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