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 ...
Thean Hou Temple
Thean Hou Temple is a prominent six-tiered Chinese temple located on Robson Heights in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, overlooking. Dedicated to the Chinese sea goddess Mazu, also known as Thean Hou or the Heavenly Queen, the temple serves as a significant place of worship for the Hainanese community and attracts both devotees and tourists. It was constructed between 1981 and 1987 at a cost of approximately RM7 million and officially opened in 1989.
The temple is a syncretic structure that blends elements of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, reflecting the diverse spiritual traditions of the Chinese community. Its grand architecture features imposing red pillars symbolizing prosperity, intricate dragon carvings, ornate pagoda-shaped roofs, and elaborate decorative details.
The main prayer hall on the fourth level houses three altars dedicated to the three principal deities: Mazu, the Goddess of Mercy (Guanyin), and the Goddess of the Waterfront (Shui Wei Sheng Niang).
The temple complex also...
Central Market Kuala Lumpur
Central Market, also known as Pasar Seni, is a historic public market and cultural landmark located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, situated at Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock (Foch Avenue) and the pedestrian-only section of Jalan Hang Kasturi (Rodger Street), adjacent to the Klang River and just a few minutes from Petaling Street.
Established in 1888 as a wet market by the British during colonial Malaya, it served Kuala Lumpur citizens and tin miners.
The current Art Deco-style building was completed in 1937, following several expansions in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The site was saved from demolition in the 1970s due to the intervention of the Malaysian Heritage Society, leading to its designation as a Heritage Site. It underwent a major renovation from October 1985 to April 1986, transforming it into an air-conditioned cultural center known as Pasar Budaya, popularly called Pasar Seni, inspired by London's Covent Garden.
Today, Central Market is a vibrant...
Kl tower
The Kuala Lumpur Tower (KL Tower), also known as Menara Kuala Lumpur, is a 421-meter-tall (1,381-foot) telecommunication tower located in Bukit Nanas, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
It is the seventh tallest telecommunication tower in the world and the tallest in Southeast Asia. The tower features an antenna that contributes to its total height of 421 meters, with the roof of its pod situated at 335 meters.
It serves multiple purposes, including telecommunications, acting as an Islamic falak observatory for sighting the crescent moon to mark the beginning of Muslim months, and offering tourism and adventure experiences.
The tower was officially opened to the public on 23 July 1996, following its completion in 1994, and was inaugurated by former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on 1 October 1996.
Visitors can access the tower via four elevators and a stairwell with 2,058 steps. The upper levels include a revolving restaurant, Atmosphere 360°, providing panoramic views of the city, and ...