100-Year Old Baan Mai Riverside Market in Chachoengsao

Located on Suphakij Road, along Bang Pakong River is the more than 100-year-old Baan Mai Thai-chinese Riverside Market. It was called "Talad Rim Nam" where Tai Yai people settled in for a long time. The Old Baan Mai Floating Market consisted of two communities: Talad Baan Mai and Talad Bon community. The river flows from Chachoengsao through Prachinburi River with distance of 230 kilometers. So, it can be said that the main venue for trading and exchanging materials is the area along Bang Pakong River. In the past, the water trade was very flourishing. However, its importance went down when the roads were constructed and people turned to use more land transport. Further, the new generation went to study and work in the Bangkok. The town has been changed a lot as well as there are new markets opening in town. The boat ride was replaced by the car ride and the market area was abandoned.  In the course of the preservation of this nostalgic market, the market was revived in cooperation with  the Office of Tourism and Sports Chachoengsao and Tourism Authority of Thailand  the market. On October 23rd, 2004 the official opening ceremony took place.

Nowadays, the unique old traditional lifestyle is preserved. This place is a living museum where the new generation can learn about life culture, reflecting the old Chinese community such as Yuu Kub Kong, Nang Nak, and Chao Sua Siam.

Very impressive are the charming old-style houses constructed in King Rama VI reign (Rattanakosin Kingdom). The houses are  two-story row houses built next to each other, which was the prominent style since King Rama VI period. Moreover, many types of delicious food and desserts are available.

Chachoengsao Province Miracle 1 - Route 2: Wat Weera Choti Dhamaram

Chachoengsao Province

Miracle 1 - Route 2

Wat Weera Choti Dhamaram Temple

Originally called "Sumnak Song - Thong Dhamachoti" in the area donated by people to build a temple. There is a high standing Buddha statue named "Luangpor Ngoen Laima Tema" for people to worship and inside the temple there are Buddha image duplicated from Golden Buddha image in Bangkok with a life-size-image of Luangpor Ruesee Lingdum, Wat Thasung Uthai Thani.

Contact:
Moo 4, T. Khlong Luang Phaeng, Chachoengsao

Phone: 08-4977-3339, 08-4923-0309, 08-6885-3778

Wat Arun the "Temple of the Dawn" in Bangkok

Because of its riverside location Wat Arun is one of the best known of Thailand's landmark. The temple is locally known as Wat Chaeng and also called “Temple of the Dawn”, because of it's absolutely stunning at sunset, particularly when lit up at night. Majestically its towering over the water of the Chao Phraya River.  Uncountable tiny pieces of coloured glass and Chinese porcelain were placed delicately into intricate patterns decorated spires.

The temple derives its name from the Hindu god Aruna, often personified as the radiations of the rising sun. Although the temple had existed since at least the seventeenth century, its distinctive prang (spires) were built in the early nineteenth century during the reign of King Rama II (*1767, †1824). A Buddhist temple had existed at the site of Wat Arun since the time of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. It was then known as Wat Makok, after the village of Bang Makok in which it was situated. According to the historian Prince Damrong Rajanubhab, the temple was shown in French maps during the reign of King Narai (1656--1688). The temple was renamed Wat Chaeng by King Taksin when he established his new capital of Thonburi near the temple, following the fall of Ayutthaya. 

The temple enshrined the Emerald Buddha image before it was transferred to Wat Phra Kaew on the river's eastern bank in 1785 and was located in grounds of the royal palace during Taksin's reign , before his successor, Rama I, moved the palace to the other side of the river. It was abandoned for a long period of time until Rama II, who restored the temple and extended the pagoda to 70m.

Location: Bangkok Yai district, on the west bank (Thonburi) of the Chao Phraya River, almost directly opposite Wat Pho.

Opening hours:

Daily from 08:30 AM to 05:30 PM

Detail of the Phra Prang, the central tower of the Wat Arun,

showing Indra on his three-headed elephant Erawan (Airavata).

Wat Pho (Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimolmangklararm Rajwaramahaviharn) in Bangkok

"Chedi Rai" near Phra Rabieng Cloister

Wat Pho is one of Thailands's must-visit tourist attractions and also one of the six Thailand’s temples that classified under the highest royal grade. As one of Bangkok’s largest and oldest monastery with the city’s first university, it contains the most Buddha images and the largest reclining Buddha in the country. Wat Pho is an important landmark in the Ko Rattanakosin area.

The official name of Wat Pho is Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimolmangklararm Rajwaramahaviharn. The temple regarded as the most important one during the reign of King Rama I of the Chakri Dynasty. The importance of this is due to the King having managed the restoration of Wat Phodharam, an old monastery from the Ayudhya period, it re-established as a royal monastery located near the GrandPalace. Some ashe of King Rama I was kept under the pedestal of the principal Buddha image known as Phra Buddha DevaPatimakorn in the main chapel. The monastery is located on the area of 20 acres the south of the Grand Palace, with Thai Wang road in the north, Sanam Chai road in the east, Setthakan road in the south and Maharat road in the west. Separated by a tall white wall on Chetuphon road, the monastery has two main quarters : the sacred (or the chapel section = Buddhavas) and the residential (or the monk’s living section = Sangghavas).

It is said in a stone inscription that, after moving to the Grand Palace, King Phra Buddha Yod Fa The Great (King Rama I) recognized that there were 2 old temples along both sides of the Grand Palace : Wat Salak (Wat Mahatart) in the north, and Wat Phodharam in the south. He ordered his noblemen from the department of the Ten Crafts to restore Wat Phodharam in 1788. This first restoration took 7 years 5 months and 28 days. Then there was a celebration in 1801 and the King named it “Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimolmangklavas”, which was changed to “Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimolmangklararm” during the reign of King Rama IV. The great restoration, Had been taken 16 years and 7 months, was done during the reign of King Rama III, by extending both the South Vihara and West Vihara where the large reclining Buddha image is kept, the Missakawan Park,Phra Mondob (Library Hall) and teachinglearning hall as nowsaday. Although there was another restoration before the Bangkok Bicentennial Celebration in 1982, no more other major work has been done on the monastery, except for some minor repairs.

From the bypaths of history in the great restoration during King Rama I and King Rama III, It is said that all best craftsmen from the Royal Palace, outside the palace, all art work specialists, and the monks devoted themselves in creating this elaborately decorated monastery. It was done to fulfill the King’s ambition of using this Wat as the centre of Thai arts and knowledge, where descendants can study indefinitely. In “The Ubosot of Wat Pho” book, Chakrabhand Posayakrit who is a famous artist of Thailand said on October 10, 1999 “The fine arts in Wat Pho are bounteous wealth of knowledge. These enormously valuable resources can stimulate and enhance youthful enthusiasm for attaining artistic excellence and distinction.”

Location: 2 Sanam Chai Rd, Khwaeng Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Khet Phra Nakhon, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10200

Phone: 02 225 9595

Opening hours:
Daily from 08.00 AM to 06.30 PM

Phra Vihara of the Reclining Buddha (the assembly hall) lies on the Northwest within the monastic area of Wat Pho

Medicine Pavilion

Illustrations with descriptions of the body at the Medicine Pavilion

The Gardens of Dinsor Palace in Bangkok

The Gardens Bangkok’s Dining Escape is a perfect place to unwind and escape the hustle and bustle of Bangkok right in the heart of Bangkok. You will find a restaurant, surrounded by swans pond, white peacocks, rabbits and more. The modern and chic Thonglor Restaurant-and-café blends seamlessly into its surroundings. The restaurant is divided into four zones: Bakery & Cafe, Indoor Dining, Private room with private balcony, and Gardens with fountain.

Location:

Soi Chumbala Sukhumvit Road (between Soi 59 & 61)and just a short walk from Thong Lo BTS Station

Opening hours:

From 8am daily

Phone: +66 2-714-2112 +66 93-124-7730

Chachoengsao Province Miracle 1 - Route 2: Wat Kon Khaew Temple

Chachoengsao Province

Miracle 1 - Route 2

Wat Kon Khaew Temple

This over hundred year old temple was built around 1912. In the temple the holy Buddha image can be seen and an uncorrupted body of Phrakru Suwanasilajam or Luangpor Thong, who died in 1983 and is kept there in a glas coffin.

Contact:
Bang Talat, Amphoe Khlong Khuean, Chachoengsao 24000

Luang Pu Thuad (*1582, † 1682)

Luang Pu Thuad also known as Luang Pu Thuat, Luang Por Tuad, Luang Phu Tuad was born in 1582 and died 1682. He is a revered Buddhist monk who lived in Siam and it is said to have performed miracles. Luang Pu Thuat ordained as a novice at the age 15 and as a monk at the required as age at Nakorn Si Thammarat province. He decided his pilgrimage travel to Ayutthaya province to gain more experience and study the Buddhist scriptures. Both of his parents were devout Buddhists, and they were likely delighted when their son began to express an interest in spirituality an early age.

The first miracle should have happened when he was just six months old. According to legend, when Luang Phor Thuad was a baby hanged in the cradle between two shady trees near the paddy field, he was nearly attacked by a large snake curled around him. His parents were working in the rice fields, and they left their baby lying on a blanket, under the shade of a tree. At noon his mother returned to find her son had a large reticulated python curled around him. At first she panicked, but then she noticed that her baby did not seem to be in any discomfort. She then remembered a story from her childhood of how the gods can sometimes come to Earth in the form of a snake. Instead of trying to chase the snake away, which would have been too dangerous anyway, she found some flowers and put them in front of the reptile. After a while, the snake spit out a crystal ball of manifold colours on the baby’s chest and slithered away, everyone's surprise he was remained unharmed. 

Another miracle was that Luang Pu Thuad changed the seawater into drinking water.

Luang Pu Thuad is mentioned in the early regional histories of southern Thailand, but his life is mainly preserved in oral traditions. Stories of the famous monk were passed on by word of mouth for centuries. As a result, it is a mixture of Buddhist elements: early signs, alleged magic, travel, study, meditation and eventual “sainthood.” His movements throughout the southern Thai peninsula constitute a path of pilgrimage for many of his followers. 

In his old age he returned to south to resided at Wat Pha ko, Songkhla. He passed away in 1628 (some  sources say he died 120 years old).His disciples held his cremation at Wat Chang Hai, Pattani province.

  

His sacred amulets are very popular and sought after. Many people in Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia believe that amulets depicting Luang Pu Thuad hold great protective powers granting safety in times of distress, especially saving the lives.

So it is said that his sacred amulets have saved countless lives of people be it the battlefield, with car accidents, with armed robbery or more.

Amulet with the image of Luang Pu Thuad

Khao Hin Son Royal Development Study Center in Phanom Sarakham

Khao Hin Son Royal Development Study Center is the education center for new agricultural development, focuses on novel agricultural developments facilitated by the cooperation of public and private sectors. Established with the Royal Initiatives of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Khao Hin Sorn Royal Development Study Center serves as the centre of learning, testing, researching and improving cultivated land. The centre was a success as it has revived the environmental condition of Khao Hin Sorn with natural approach. The large plot of land was once barren, but with the development of water sources, forest conditions, land and animal husbandry, the area has been completely transformed. Now the area serves as a model and an example for development for other areas. For example, green manure, compost, manure, etc. Further, thatch has been grown to prevent soil erosion. Reservoir was built to support agricultural activities. There are also orchid and aromatic plant farming, alongside the ‘New Theory of Agriculture’ dem as well as breeding stations for fishes and frogs. onstration plots, and agricultural livestock, as well as breeding stations for fishes and frogs.

Nowadays, experiments in agriculture as well as demonstration plots are available to visitors and farmers looking to learn other projects cover the complete fields of land development, livestock, fishery and herbs. A botanical garden, the “Eastern Botanical Garden”, is an interesting location for the study and research of beneficial plants and herbs. Inside the main building, there is an exhibit and a demonstration plot on how to cultivate herbs.In addition it is found a rice-mill by The King's initiative, a round-trip tram transport, a seminar hall a food center and a rest area.

Location:

Chachoengsao-Kabin Buri Road, Tambon Khao Hin Son, Phanom Sarakham, Chachoengsao Province

Phone: 280-6198 – 200 or (038) 59-9105-6.

Operating day: Saturday – Sunday from 8.00 – 16.00

Chachoengsao Province Miracle 1 - Route 2: Wat Udom Mongkol Temple

Chachoengsao Province

Miracle 1 - Route 2

Wat Udom Mongkol Temple
Wat Udom Mongkol Temple was named after Luang Por Udama or Praraja Udom Mongkol from Sangkhla, Kanchanaburi who initiated to build this temple with his devoted disciples. After his death, the new abbot and local people joint to built his biggest statue in Thailand on the great hall with Buddha Relics, placed inside to worshipping.

Contact:
4 Tambon Khlong Nakhon Nuang Khe, Chachoengsao 24000

Phone: 08-7070-5147

Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall in Bangkok

A fascinating tourist attraction alongside the traditional Thai architecture in the old city of Bangkok is the western-looking building "Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall", which is of a unique, wonderful Italian architecture. 

Built in the early 19th century, the throne room is the royal reception hall within in Dusit Palace, which was the new palace of King Chulalongkorn or King Rama V (* 1853, + 1910). The king preferred a larger and more modern palace and asked the famous Italian architects Mario Tamagno and Annibale Rigotti to write the blueprint of this marvelous throne hall. It is completely western architecture, Neo-classic and Renaissance style. Mr. Mario Tamagno also designed the Bangkok Railway Station Hua Lamphong.

Ananta Samakhom was made of marble imported from Italy. At the top is the largest dome in the middle, surrounded by six smaller domes. All of them were made of copper and its color changed from red to green through the oxidation process over time. Inside the throne room are frescoes depicting the famous Chankri dynasty or the king's family of famous painters such as Professor Galileo Chini and Carlo Riguli.The constructuion started in 1906 and the building was finishedin 1915, during the reign of King Vajiravudh (Rama VI).

In the time of the absolute monarchy, the throne room was used for the royal ceremonies. After the revolution of democracy in 1935, however, the People's Party used this place as a governmental assembly. Today Ananta Samakhom is a museum and houses the permanent “the Arts of the Kingdom” exhibition, where various kinds of hand made traditional Thai crafts are on display made by people working for the SUPPORT foundation.

The SUPPORT foundation was initiated more than 40 years ago by the Queen of Thailand, Her Majesty Queen Sirikit. It aims to give people in rural areas the skills that provides additional income and also to preserve the Thai traditional handicraft skills and Thai cultural heritage. A wide range of arts and craft items from silk, cotton, carved wood, gold and silver can be seen here, including several rare and unique masterpieces, like the magnificent Suphannapetra golden junk.

Please note the royal premise: 

Politely dresses are regulation. The dress code for ladies is a floor-length skirt and no revelation. Men must wear pants.

Opening hours:

Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall is open every day except Monday from 10 am until 6 pm. It is closed on a number of Thai public holidays like New Years day, Songkran (April 13-15), the King’s birthday (December 5) and the Queen’s birthday (August 12).

Location:

71 Uthong Nai Alley, Khwaeng Dusit, Khet Dusit, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10300