Wat Kalayanamit Woramahawiharn วัดกัลยาณมิตรวรมหาวิหาร Thonburi is a second class royal temple under the Woramahawihan class. It is considered a priceless temple of Thon Buri and was constructed during the reign of King Rama III on the bank of the Chao Phraya River at the mouth of Khlong Bangkok Yai.
Initially, Chao Phraya Nikhon Bodin (To Kalayanamit) donated his house and land to King Rama III and bought additional land nearby to build a temple in 1825. The King bestowed the name Wat Kalayanamit. Later, the King built and bestowed both the royal Wihan and the principal image for the royal Wihan, which is Phra Phuttha Trai Rattananayok (Luangpho To) that is highly evered, especially among the Chinese called Sam Po Hut Kong or Sam Pho Kong.
It is a stucco Buddha image in the subduing Mara posture, which the lap width is 10 meters and a height of 14 meters. It is located in the large wihan in the center of the temple. In the middle between the small ...
Thai long boat racing, known as reua yao, is one of the country’s oldest living traditions, with roots stretching back more than six centuries to the Ayutthaya Kingdom. In those days the long, narrow wooden craft served first as war canoes and later as a form of military training that built strength, coordination and courage among soldiers.
Over time the practice moved from the battlefield into the heart of community life. After the end of the Buddhist rains retreat, when rivers and canals ran high, villages would gather to race, make merit, honour the spirits of the water and celebrate the unity of their people.
The boats themselves were carved from single great logs of hardwood, treated with reverence and blessed through rituals that still open every major race today. What began as preparation for war and a religious festival evolved into a cherished national sport, now contested for royal trophies and watched by thousands along the banks of Thailand’s waterways.
This same spirit of tradition...
The ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026, also known as the 2026 ASEAN Championship, features Thailand and Malaysia in a key Group B encounter on Saturday, August 1, at Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok, kicking off at 20:00 local time.
This matchup pits the seven-time champions Thailand, coached by Anthony Hudson, against a resurgent Malaysia side under interim coach Tan Cheng Hoe, who returns to the venue where his team earned a memorable 2-2 draw in the 2018 semi-finals that helped propel them to the final on away goals.
Entering the fixture, Malaysia sit atop Group B with a perfect record of two wins from two matches, having scored six goals and conceded just one for a +5 goal difference and six points. They opened with a 2-1 comeback victory over Myanmar, powered by a brace from captain Paulo Josué, before thrashing Laos 4-0, with Josué adding another goal alongside contributions from Endrick, an own goal, and Wan Kuzain.
Thailand, meanwhile, have played one fewer match and sit second with three points ...
The shopping district of Hanoi’s Old Quarter is a dense network of narrow historic streets centered around Hoan Kiem District, where trade has taken place for centuries. Many of these streets remain active into the evening, with shops, small stalls, and food vendors creating a lively nighttime atmosphere even outside of any temporary market setups. Visitors often stroll the area after dark to browse clothing, silk goods, jewelry, handicrafts, and everyday items while the streets fill with locals and travelers.
Hang Gai, long known as Silk Street, continues to draw people in the evening for its selection of fabrics, scarves, ready-made garments, and custom tailoring shops that stay open later. Nearby Hang Bac, or Silver Street, offers jewelry and silverwork in a more traditional setting.
Other lanes such as those around Hang Ma specialize in decorative and festival items, while clothing, bags, and accessory shops line several connecting streets.
Dong Xuan Market itself, the large covered ...
