Wat Phra Si Ratana Satsadaram ( Wat Phra Kaew )

Wat Phra Kaew ("Temple of the Holy Jewel Image"), also spelled Wat Phra Kaeo and commonly known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, is located on the ground of the Royal Palace in Bangkok. It is the most revered Buddhist shrine in Thailand.
Central to the temple is the Emerald Buddha, a dark green statue standing about 2 feet tall. No one is allowed near the statue except the Thai king, who conducts rituals at the temple throughout the year.

History

According to popular belief, the Emerald Buddha is ancient and came from Sri Lanka. Art historians, however, generally believe that it was crafted in 14th-century Thailand.
The much-revered Buddha image has traveled extensively over the centuries. The story goes that the Emerald Buddha was once kept covered in plaster in a monument in Chiang Rai, but a damaging lightning storm in 1434 uncovered the treasure.
The king of Chiang Mai tried very hard to procure the statute, but three times the elephant transporting the statute stopped at a crossroads in Lampang. Taking it as a sign from the Buddha, the statue was placed in a specially-built monumental temple in Lampang, where it stayed for 32 years.
The next king of Chiang Mai was more determined, succeeding in bringing the Emerald Buddha to his city. It was housed in a temple there until 1552, when Laotian invaders took it. The statue stayed in Laos for 214 years, until General Chakri (later King Rama I) brought it back to the Thai capital at Thonburi after his successful campaign in Laos.
In 1784, when he moved the capital across the river to Bangkok, King Rama I installed the precious figure in its present shrine, where it has remained as a tangible symbol of the Thai nation. It is feared that removal of the image from Bangkok will signify the end of the Chakri dynasty.

What to See

The Temple of the Emerald Buddha sits within the grounds of the Bangkok Grand Palace, surrounded by walls more than a mile long. Inside, it contains some of the finest examples of Buddhist sculpture, architecture, painting, and decorative craft in Thailand.
The Emerald Buddha sits atop a huge gold altar in the center of the temple. It is a rather small, dark statue, just over 2 feet tall, made of green jasper or perhaps jadeite ("emerald" refers to the intense green color, not the specific stone).
Like many other Buddha statues in Thailand, the Emerald Buddha is covered in a seasonal costume, which is changed three times a year to correspond to the summer (crown and jewelry), winter (golden shawl), and rainy months (gilt robe and headdress).
The costume change is an important ritual and is performed by the Thai king, who also sprinkles water over the monks and the faithful to bring good fortune during the upcoming season. The two sets of clothing not in use at any given time are kept on display in the nearby Pavilion of Regalia, Royal Decorations and Thai Coins on the grounds of the Grand Palace.
The Emerald Buddha is housed in a magnificent bot (the central shrine in a Buddhist temple), which is used by monks for important religious rituals. The interior walls are decorated with late Ayutthaya-style murals depicting the life of the Buddha, steps to enlightenment, and the Buddhist cosmology of the Worlds of Desire, Being, and Illusion.
The cycle begins with the birth of the Buddha, which can be seen in the middle of the left wall as you enter the sanctuary, and the story continues counterclockwise. Also note the exquisite inlaid mother-of-pearl work on the door panels.
The surrounding portico of the shrine is an example of masterful Thai craftsmanship. On the perimeter are 12 open pavilions, built during the reign of Rama I. The inside walls of the compound are decorated with murals depicting the entire Ramakien, the Thai national epic, painted during the reign of Rama I and last restored in 1982, in 178 scenes beginning at the north gate and continuing clockwise.
There are several other monuments on the temple grounds, among the most interesting of which are the three pagodas to the immediate north of the ubosoth (main building), representing the changing centers of Buddhist influence. Phra Si Ratana Chedi, to the west, is a 19th-century Sri Lankan-style stupa housing ashes of the Buddha.
Phra Mondop, in the middle, is a library built in Thai style by Rama I, known for its excellently crafted Ayutthaya-style mother-of-pearl doors, bookcases containing the Tripitaka (sacred Buddhist manuscripts), human- and dragon-headed nagas (snakes), and statues of Chakri kings.
The Royal Pantheon, to the east, was built in Khmer style during the 19th century. It's open to the public for one day in October to commemorate the founding of the Chakri dynasty.
To the immediate north of the library is a model of Angkor Wat, the most sacred of all Cambodian shrines. The model was constructed by King Mongkut as a reminder that the neighboring state was under the dominion of Thailand.
To the west of the bot, near the entry gate, is a black stone statue of a hermit, considered a patron of medicine, before which relatives of the ill and infirm pay homage and make offerings of joss sticks, fruit, flowers, and candles.
Scattered around the complex are statues of elephants, which symbolize independence and power. Thai kings went to battle atop elephants, and it is customary for parents to walk their children around an elephant three times to bring them strength. You can rub the head of an elephant statue for good luck – note how smooth it is from being touched by millions.

Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimolmangklararm Rajwaramahaviharn

Wat Pho, or the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, is the oldest and largest Buddhist temple in Bangkok. It is home to more Buddha images than any other Bangkok temple and it shelters the largest Buddha in Thailand.

History

Wat Pho was built as a restoration of an earlier temple on the same site, Wat Phodharam, with work beginning in 1788. It was restored and extended in the reign of King Rama III (1824-51), and restored again in 1982.
Wat Pho is the birthplace of traditional Thai massage. Even prior to the temple's founding, the site was a center of education for traditional Thai medicine, and statues were created showing yoga positions.
During the Rama III restoration plaques inscribed with medical texts were placed around the temple, while in 1962 a school for traditional medicine and massage was established.

What to See

The Wat Pho complex consists of two walled compounds, bisected north-south by Sanamchai Road running east-west. The northern walled compound is where the reclining Buddha and massage school are found.
The southern walled compound, Tukgawee, is a working Buddhist monastery with monks in residence and a school.
Wat Pho is the largest and oldest wat in Bangkok and is home to more than 1,000 Buddha images, more than any other temple in the country.
It also shelters the largest Buddha image in Thailand: the Reclining Buddha (Phra Buddhasaiyas). Created as part of Rama III's restoration (1824-51), the Reclining Buddha is 46 meters long and 15 meters high.
His body is covered in gold plating and he is decorated with mother-of-pearl inlay on his eyes and the soles of his feet. The bottoms of the Buddha's feet are intricately decorated with 108 auspicious scenes in Chinese and Indian styles.

Wat Arunrajawararam Rajaworamahavihara

Wat Arunrajawararam Rajaworamahavihara ( Wat Chaeng ) is situated on the west, or Thonburi bank of the Chao Phraya River opposite Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimonmangkhalaram (Wat Pho). Originally it was named Wat Makok, and later, Wat Makok Nok, as it was paired with Wat Makok Nai (Wat Nuan Noradis). It is said that after fighting his way out Ayutthaya, which was besigned by a Burmese army, King Taksin arrived at this temple just as down was breaking. He later had the temple renovated and renamed it Wat Chaeng, the Temple of the Dawn. During his reign, which is called the Thonburi Period, WatChaeng was the chief temple, and for time, there were enshrined the Emerald Buddha and another important Buddha image, the Phra Bang, both of which had been removed from Vientiane.

During the Bangkok Period, the temple has been renovated and extended, and it was given its present name by King Rama IV.

The most prominent structure, which stands in the front, is the phra prang. This is a Khmer-style chedi which is 81 meters high. Adjacent to this at each of four cardinal derection are smaller prang and mondop. All of these structures are decorated with brightly colored pieces of porcelain. Tourist often climb the stairs of the prang to gain a panoramic view of the city and the river. In days gone by when visitors from other lands arrived by sailing up the river, the prang was the landmark telling them they had at last arrived in Bangkok.

There is a great deal of interesting art in the temple. The murals in the phra ubosot were executed by artists during the reign of King Rama V. Around the phra ubosot are many Chinese statues as well as statues of elephant, and near its entrance are the statues of Nai Nok and Nai Reuang, two men who immolated themselves to attain anlightenment.

Guide to Bangkok Tuk Tuks

Tuk tuks! They're colorful, three-wheeled vehicles used for transporting people and goods and they're all over Bangkok. Tuk tuks can be an inexpensive, convenient way to get around, but you can also get taken for a ride if you're not careful!

Bangkok tuk tuks are part of the informal public transportation system and function a lot like taxis.

Foreigners will often find themselves besieged by tuk tuk drivers looking for a fare, but if you need to hail one, just flag a passing tuk tuk down by waving your hand.

Tuk tuks are typically used for shorter distances and do not travel on highways.

There are no seat belts in tuk tuks.

Tuk tuks are great when you have lots of stuff, since you can pile plenty of bags and other things into them.

Tuk tuks aren't so great in heavy traffic since they aren't air conditioned and are exposed to heat and exhaust fumes from other vehicles.

Make sure you negotiate your price before you get in. In touristy areas, tuk tuk drivers are notorious for asking exorbitant prices! Keep in mind that a short taxi ride will cost 50 baht or less when you're negotiating.

International Wax Sculpture

While candlelight processions are not uncommon for Buddhist holidays, this one is the one where candles take the center stage. While the celebration of Asanha Puja to commemorate the Buddhas first sermon is carried out throughout the kingdom, it’s in Ubon Ratchathani that the event is most spectacular. Visitors during this period have a number of celebrations to attend and join in, beginning several days before the main event when the locals work on crafting their candles. On the days of the celebration, events and activities include alms-giving for Asalha Puja and the Khao Phansa Buddhist ceremony, a parade of the candles which are then showcased in the city park before being moved to nearby temples, and finally the ceremony of welcoming His Majesty the King’s royal candle and the international candle-carving competition featuring candles from various countries. Visitors can also taste “Pha Khao Laeng”, a local food especially prepared for tourists. In addition to candles, however, the locals of Ubon Ratchathani have evolved the ceremony to include wax sculptures that are now top attractions for visitors

Welcome to ToThailand...

In the midst of dynamic modern growth, Bangkok miraculously manages to preserve its cultural heritage to a marked degree. The soaring roofs and gleaming spires of the Grand Palace and the city’s many historic temples Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Temple of Dawn and other evocative shrines present the visitor with a picture of medieval Oriental wonder; the very stuff of Eastern fairytales. And contained within Bangkok’s monuments and sights are treasures of the nation’s artistic and cultural endeavour that typify the land and the people.
    The influence of the past and the enduring threads of the social fabric are not limited to the static. They continue to pervade daily life. Files of saffron-robed monks making their early morning alms round, for example, present an image unaltered in essentials by the passing of time. Today’s backdrop of highrise buildings serve only to emphasize the exotic and timeless scene, while the city draws definition from it.
    Indeed, there is much to discover, and in addition to the city’s most famous monuments there are numerous lesser known sights of great interest. The Chapel of the Emerald Buddha, which enshrines the national palladium, rightly tops the sightseeing list, but Bangkok numbers more than 400 temples, many of which have their own fascination.
    A similar selection can be made with museums. The National Museum is excellent and comprehensive, but as impressive in their own way are the Jim Thompson House, Vimanmek Mansion and Suan Pakkad Palace, all of which house fine art collections within noteworthy settings.
    Not least, cruising the Chao Phraya river and the remaining canals which once made Bangkok the “Venice of the East” offers a glimpse of traditional riverine lifestyles, affording insights into the history and character of this wondrous city