Fort Santo Domingo is a historical fortress in Tamsui District, New Taipei City, Taiwan. It was originally a wooden fort built in 1628 by the Manila-based Spanish East Indies of the Spanish Empire, who named it in Spanish: el Fuerte de Santo Domingo, lit. 'the Fort of Saint Dominic'.
After refurbishing it in stone, the initial fort was repeatedly ordered to be dismantled and withdrawn from around 1637 for economic downsizing and retrenchment, which their rival Dutch East India Company (VOC) of the Dutch Empire soon found out and later invaded in 1641 and won by the Second Battle of San Salvador in 1642.
After the battle, the Dutch rebuilt a fort in the original site in 1644 and renamed it in Dutch: Fort Antonio, after Antonio van Diemen, the then Governor-General of the Dutch East India Company (VOC).
In 1724, the Qing Government repaired the fort, and built a perimeter wall with four gates. From 1868 onwards the fort was leased to the British government as its consulate, and a new ...
Wat Chomphuwek วัดชมภูเวก also spelled Wat Chumpoo Wek is a Thai Buddhist temple in the Mahā Nikāya sect, located in Nonthaburi Province, central Thailand. It is considered one of the oldest and most prominent temples in Nonthaburi. It is over 350 years old as well having some amazing historic murals painted on the inside of the ancient halls. The architecture of the buildings is some of the most beautiful you will see from this period.
Wat Chomphuwek is a monastery that was believed to have been built by a Mon monk named Poh Phu Si Chomphu พ่อปู่ศรีชมภู in the late Ayutthaya period corresponding to the reign of King Narai the Great around the year 1682. Originally, it was called Wat Chomphuwiwek วัดชมภูวิเวก but later people just called it Wat Chomphuwek.
Its name means "Lonely Temple of Chomphu", or may translate as "High Temple of Chomphu" because it is located on a small hill.
The wall in the old ordination hall is ...
Nestled along the Noi River in Wiset Chai Chan District, Ang Thong Province, San Chao Rong Thong Market ตลาดศาลเจ้าโรงทอง is a charming, over 100-year-old riverside market that embodies authentic Thai-Chinese heritage. Just 60–70 km north of Bangkok (about a 1-hour drive), it’s a peaceful escape from urban hustle, blending daily trading with cultural strolls.
Famous for rare Thai sweets, street food, and weekend pedestrian vibes, it’s ideal for day-trippers seeking local flavors without the crowds—think wooden shophouses and small community atmosphere.
Originally called “Ban Phai Cham Sin,” the area transformed in 1877 during King Rama V’s era, when Ang Thong Province was officially established, drawing waves of Chinese immigrants. By the early 20th century, it became a vital trading hub for rice, fish, and goods transported via water taxis along the Noi River (then teeming with pufferfish and edible catches).
The market endured a devastating fire ...
Wat Ton Son, Amphoe Muang. Located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, opposite Ang Thong Technical College, this temple is one of the oldest in the province, built in the late Ayutthaya period.
The temple is well-known for it's Buddha image seated in a meditation posture, called "somdej" Phra Sri Muang Thong". Measuring 13.7 meters wide across the lap and 19.5 meters in height. It's magnificent size makes it the first largest Buddha image to be made of metal. The quality of this Buddha images design also earns it recognition as a beautiful piece of art.
Other highlights in the temple include the Somdej Phra Sri Muang Ngern Buddha Image and a life-size cast image of one of Thailand's most revered monks, Somdej Phra Buddhajan To.
Stories have it that the temple was built in the Ayutthaya era. Due to its lack of venerable objects like many other temples, it was almost deserted until a former leading abbot of Ang Thong started expanding the temple in 1945. By constructing the giant ...
