Prang Phon Songkhram is a Khmer ruin located in Ban Phon Songkhram, Tambon Phon Songkhram, Amphoe Non Sung, Nakhon Ratchasima Province in northeastern Thailand. It stands as one of the 102 arogayasala, or hospital temples, constructed during the reign of King Jayavarman VII of the Khmer Empire, who ruled approximately from 1181 to 1218.
These structures formed part of an ambitious public welfare initiative that combined medical care with Buddhist spiritual practices, reflecting the king’s deep commitment to alleviating suffering among his subjects as inspired by Mahayana Buddhist ideals.
Jayavarman VII, who shifted the empire’s religious emphasis toward Buddhism after periods of Hindu dominance, ordered the building of these standardized facilities across his vast territory, which included parts of modern-day Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos.
An important inscription at Ta Prohm temple in Angkor, dated to 1186, records the establishment of these 102 hospitals, each equipped to provide free healthcare ...
Indy Night Market Chatuchak, known in Thai as ตลาดอินดี้จตุจักร, is a medium-sized evening market that takes place in the same general area as the famous Chatuchak Weekend Market but offers a distinctly different experience once the sun goes down.
Located along Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road in the Chatuchak district of Bangkok, it draws a predominantly local Thai crowd seeking a more relaxed and independent atmosphere focused on trendy fashion, handmade accessories, vintage finds, and small-batch items created by individual vendors rather than large commercial operations.
The market features folding tables, good lighting, live music often in the form of solo performers or small bands playing Thai indie sounds, and a laid-back energy that makes it easy to wander without the intensity of the daytime weekend market. It is positioned as part of the broader Indy Market concept found in several Bangkok locations, emphasizing an independent spirit and support for local ...
Wat Thepthidaram Worawihan or popularly known as Wat Thepthidaram is a third class royal Buddhist temple located in the area known as Pratu Phi or official name Samran Rat, Bangkok, near Mahakan Fort and Wat Ratchanadda.
It is a historic temple, formerly named Wat Phraya Krai Suan Luang. King Nangklao (Rama III) founded the temple in 1836 in honour of his eldest daughter Princess Vilas, the Princess Apsorn Sudathep. The princess was a favorite of the king.
Construction was completed in 1839 and a new royal name was bestowed as Wat Thepthidaram ("the temple of the celestial daughter" ). Princess Vilas herself also contributed personally to the construction of the temple.
The ordination hall contains the principal Buddha image. The image was carved form pure white stone, King Rama III brought it from the Royal Grand Palace to this temple. It got the name Luang Pho Khao (white reverend father).
Another interesting attraction of this temple is there are 52 images of bhikkhunīs (female monk) in the ...
The River of Life festival, formally known as River of Life: Preserving Rattanakosin Heritage under Royal Benevolence, takes place across Bangkok’s historic old quarter from 24 to 31 July 2026.
Organized under the guidance of royal initiative projects and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, the event centres on Mahakan Fort Park beside the Golden Mount and extends along the canals that encircle Rattanakosin Island, including Khlong Lot, Ong Ang and Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem. It runs daily from roughly 9 a.m. to 9.30 p.m. and has drawn thousands of local residents and visitors, with the boat almsgiving ceremony alone described as one of the largest religious gatherings ever staged on Rattanakosin Island.
Although presented as a special celebration marking the birthday anniversary of His Majesty the King on 28 July, the festival draws on Bangkok’s deeper relationship with its waterways. For centuries the city’s network of canals earned it the name Venice of the East, serving as ...
