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Suan Pakkad Palace is a museum in Bangkok, Thailand. It is located on Sri Ayutthaya Road south of the Victory Monument. The museum has Thai antiques on display, including Ban Chiang pottery over 4,000 years old. Originally the home of Prince Chumbhotpong Paripatra and his wife, they converted in into a museum which opened in 1952. The museum features eight Thai houses. There are groups of four traditional Thai houses with covered hallways between them.
The name Suan Pakkad translates as “Cabbage Patch”, but the museum’s collection of five traditional pavilions is one of the best examples of traditional domestic architecture in the city. The Lacquer Pavilion is the most striking building, and is over 450 years old. |
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| Several pieces of Thai musical instruments belonged to the late H.R.H. Prince Paribatra, a son of His Majesty King Chulalongkorn, Rama V are displayed there, such as 6 big drums, Thai three - stringed fiddle, alto xylophone and the models of the Thai musical instruments made of ivory.
The upper level of the house, contains a lot of fine specimens such as three Buddha images, the U-Tong, the Gandharan style, and the Burmese style, a standing stone torso of Uma, and standing stone torso of Ardhanarisvara.
In the next room, there are several excellent stone sculptures of Khmer art. Among them is a torso of Uma [consort of Siva], found by Princess Chumbhot near The Cambodian border and dating from the 7th century, a standing stone sculpture of Ardhanarisvara, there is also a large painting on cloth from the early Bangkok period showing the Buddha descending from Tavatimsa Heaven. |
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This house displays some fine pieces of the family items belonged to their Royal Highnesses Prince and Princess Chumbhot of Nagara Svarga such as howdah, and book cabinets is painted in gold on black lacquer. On the wall, there are commemorative fans, concerning Paribatra family. In addition, there are traditional Thai furnitures, food container with cover, decorated with mother-of-pearl and ivory cover-boxes for lip-salve. |
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There are some interesting pieces of pentachromatic porcelain called Bencharong, nielloware, and niello silverware.
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| There is a panel of mother-of-pearl inlaid work of late Ayudhya style. One room in this house contains a large collection of Buddha images such as Buddha subduing mara of U-tong style, walking Buddha in the attitude of dispelling fear, Sukhothai style, 14th century A.D. and beautiful painting on cloth about Buddha. In a special room called “The Cave of Ali Baba” on the ground level is an extensive collection of minerals. |
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House 5 displays glassware, silverware and porcelain that belonged to the late H.R.H. Prince Paribatra and H.R.H. Prince Chumbhot of Nagara Svarga, and a collection of Thai coins and foreign currencies and Sukhothai figurines.
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| This house contains a remarkable collection of Sawankalok wares, Sukhothai style terracotta sculptures, and clay figurines. |
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| This house is the Khon Museum displaying several art forms and the crafts in the context of the great epic, “the Ramayana” which presents scene movement of Kumpakan. There are full-size khon masks, puppets, clay figurines. Audio-visual presentations and the computer kiosk are also available for interesting visitors.
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| House 8 is devoted to the prehistoric arts of Ban Chiang such as painted pottery, bronze bracelet, bronze axe, arrow-head, and beads. More minerals as well as a collection of shells and fossil fish are displayed on the ground floor. |
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The Lacquer Pavilion, situated on the edge of the lawn at the far end to the south of the Palace. This Pavilion is the master piece and landmark of Suan Pakkad palace. This building was originally in Ayudhya and is believed to have been built by a member of the royal family around the mid-17th century. There were actually two buildings: a library for keeping scriptures, consisting of a room with a veranda around it, and a lacquer pavilion, made of wood with wall panels on three sides painted in gold on black lacquer. |
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| The body of the barge is odorata hopea while the roof and sides of the living quarter are made of teak. This one passed down through successive generation from the era of the H.R.H Prince Paribatra Sukhumbandhu to Prince Chumbhot, ancestor of the Paribatra family, and it was used in Royal River processions of King Chulalongkorn. |
| Location : |
Sri Ayutthaya Road south of the Victory Monument, Bangkok |
| Date Time |
Daily 9.00 a.m.-4.00 p.m |
| Admission Fee : |
Foreigner 100 baht each
Thai 50 baht each |
| Contact |
(+662) 245-4934
(+662) 246-1775-6 ext. 229
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| Website |
www.suanpakkad.com |
| Reference : Suanpakkad |
Tags: Bangkok, Palace, SuanPakkad, Thailand, Travel Posted in Bangkok, Palace
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Everyone has heard of Jatujak the center of a great variety of goods, lots of shops, and Thai products, wholesale market for farmers products and local handicrafts. Furthermore, this place is a big market for Thai local products export.
The variety and lively atmosphere of Jatujak Market has added colour to the weekend for Bangkok people for long time. This place has helped create careers and added wealth to thousands of people and attracts huge numbers of foreign tourists. Jatujak has a long history of being the largest market in the world, covering 68 rai (1 rai = 1,600 square meters) and made up of 27 sections. It has 10,000 shops and 300 vendors. |
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P. Phibulsongkram, a prime minister, had a policy to set up market fairs for all provinces in 1948. First, Sanam Luang was chosen as the place of the market in Bangkok. Less than a year later, the market was moved to Saranrom Park and later to Sanam Chai.
Then in 1958 back to Sanam Luang again. Because of the policy in 1978 to use Sanam Luang as a place of recreation, The State Railway of Thailand gave Bangkok some land at Phahonyothin area, The place was developed for vendors and moved from Sanam Luang at the same time.
Finally in 1982 the market was completed and renamed Phahonyothin. The place was developed for vendors and moved from Sanam Luang at the same time. Finally in 1982 the market was completed and renamed Phahonyothin Market and then changed in 1987 to Jatujak Market to match Jatujak Park, its present name. |
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The clocktower -
the central point of the market |
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| Clothing & Accessories Zone: 2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23 |
| Handicraft Products Zone: 8, 11, 13, 15, 27 |
| Ceramics & Pottery Zone: 7, 15, 17, 19, 25 |
| Art & Galleries Zone: 5, 7 |
| Food & Beverages Zone: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 20, 21, 26 |
| Plants & Gardening tools Zone: 3, 4 |
| Decorations & Furniture Zone: 2, 3, 7, 8, 10, 14, 23, 24, 25 |
| Pet & Accessories Zone: 9, 11, 13, 15, 17 |
| Books Zone: 1, 27 |
| Antique & Collectibles Zone: 1, 25, 26 |
| Miscellaneous & Used Clothing Zone: 8, 11, 13, 15, 27 |
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| Getting to Chatuchak Weekend Market early will give you the advantage of getting there before the crowds, and escaping the heat… Stalls start opening from as early as 08:00, while things literally heat up from 11:00 onwards. We strongly advise you to get there as early as possible. Also, use the Kampheng Phet MRT station rather than Chatuchak Park station (the former takes you right to the market). |
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| Open : |
08:00 - 18:00 on weekends and Fridays (wholesale day).
Plant shops are open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 07:00 - 18:00. |
| Transport : |
Ordinary buses
3, 8, 26, 27, 28, 29, 34, 38, 39, 44, 51, 52, 59, 63, 77, 96, 104, 108, 122, 134, and 182
Air-conditioned buses
26,44, 59, 63, 77, 157, 183, 509, 512, 517, 518, 521, 524, 529, and 547
Skytrain (BTS)
Mo Chit station - Sukhumvit Line
Subway (MRT)
Kampheng Phet station (exit 3)
Private Cars
There are three parking areas around the market.
- Park & Ride parking place for more than 1,500 cars on Kamphangphet2 Road serving clients for Jatujak Market with 20 passenger transfer buses between car park and the market for only 40 Baht a day.
- MOF Market on Kamphangphet Road charged at an hourly rate.
- Mo Chit BTS Sky Train Station on Phahonyothin Road free of charge from 05.00 - 24.00.
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| Contact : |
Jatujak Administration Tel: 0-2272-4440
Jatujak Plaza Office Tel: 0-2272-5382-3
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Tags: Bangkok, Chatujak, Jatujak, Market, Shopping, Thailand, Travel, Weekend Market Posted in Bangkok, Market, Shopping
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| China town is situated in one of the oldest areas of Bangkok. Originally, it was gradually settled up by Chinese traders who came by junks to trade with Siam during the Sukhothai era. By the end of 1891, King Rama V had several more roads cut through the area, which are Songwat Road, Phatsai Road, Anuwong Road and Yaowarat Road. Therefore, China town does not consist only Yaowarat Road, but also cover some other roads: Charoen Krung Road, Songwat Road, Songsawat Road, Chakkrawat Road and the Wanit 1 area. However, Yaowarat Road is the center of the area. |
| According to the Feng-Shui principle, the shape of Yaowarat Road is curvy like the dragon’s curvy body, making it an ideal location for business. Many prospering businesses in Thailand originated and are still thriving in this age-old downtown. What visitors can find here vary from leading gold shops, textiles, garments, souvenirs, second-hand parts and equipment, electric goods, computer parts, antiques, imported musical instrument and definitely local delicacies. In this year of 2003, it will be the 111th anniversary of this legendary road. |
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| China town is the paradise of food lovers who quest for Chinese cuisine. Both sides of its main street are flanked with restaurants and food vendors throughout the day. Local delicacies include Dim Sum, Teachew-style steamed Chinese mullet, shark fin in red sauce and various single noodle and rice dishes such as stir-fried noodles, casserole pork in noodles soup, rice with boiled chicken, rice with crispy pork or duck toppings, rice with curry and etc. Other appetizers and sweets are stuffed sheet noodles, pork sate, dumplings, bird’s nest soup, soybean milk, lotus root juice and toasted chestnuts (locally called Kaolat). Ask for map of food shops and restaurants around the area from the tourist center on Petchaburi Road on Monday to Friday and Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue everyday from 8.30am to 4.30pm. |
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There are more than 130 gold shops along Yaowarat Road. It is why it is called the ‘Golden Road’. Originally, there were four tycoon gold shops: Seng Heng Li, Hua Seng Heng, Tung Jin Aeng and Tung Toh Gung even though new gold shops are still burgeoning on both sides of the road. Most shops are members of the Gold Merchants Association. Gold products here are not only recognized of high standard and quality with the purity of 96.5% or approximately 23 karat gold, but also of hand-made beautiful intricacy. |
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| Talat Kao has been the marketplace for China town for over a hundred years. It is the center of all kinds of specialties, ranging from fresh to preserved food. Chinese chefs from restaurants around Bangkok flock here each day to find the best ingredients. It can be said that it is the paradise for those who shop for fresh foods. Just right at the opposite is Talat Mai or Talat Krom Phu-tared (New Marketplace), selling the same kinds of food and products found in Talat Kao. |
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The area is usually called Sampeng within which retailers and wholesalers of textile are located. Here is Bangkok’s center of textile wholesalers that sell everything about clothing making such as buttons, zippers, laces, sewing equipment, gifts, souvenirs & stationery and children & teenager products. |
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| Chiang Kong is located in the area of Tala Noi (Noi Market). It is the hub of spare parts of cars, machinery and cheap second-hand steel products. |
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It is where shoppers can find a variety of electronic products and components of sound equipment, computers, game players, calculators and watches. Most sellers are vendors who sell their items at a fairly cheap price. Bargaining can be done here. |
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| The area is a cluster of antique shops and imported musical instrument shops. Also, other products include kitchenware such as coconut-grating machine, coconut milk squeezer, brass pans and water pumping machine. |
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| There are numerous shrines in China town. Among them, there are four oldest shrines of the area: |
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1. Leng Buai Eie Shrine.
It is the Teachew Chinese shrine that houses the big bell constructed in the 23rd year of the Seng Phi Dynasty and the bell donated by King Rama V. |
2. Bunyasamakhom Shrine (Rong Je Trokkrai)
was named by King Rama V. |
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3. Ah Mha Geng Shrine
is dated back more than 150 years. Inside, it houses Goddess Thapthim who is highly revered by local people. |
4. Wat Mangkon Kamalawat or Wat Leng Nei Yi
The first Mahayana Buddhist temple in Thailand. It was constructed during King Rama V by donation from the Chinese living in Sampheng area. |
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Since China town is a very bustling area; parking space is scarce. The best way to reach there is by the public transport.
By Taxi
Take a taxi or a ‘tuk-tuk’, a motorized tricycle, and get off at Trimit Road, east of Yaowarat Road, or Charoen Krung Road, parallel to Yaowarat Road at its north. Then walk towards your destinations in the China town.
By Bus
Take buses no. 1, 4, 7, 25, 35, 40, 53, 73 and 501.
By Boat
Get on the boat on the Chaophraya River and alight at Ratchawong Pier. Then walk up Ratchawong Road, passing Songwat Road and Sampeng Lane (Wanit 1 Road) to reach Yaowarat Road.
Best time to go there
During 4 important festivals:
Chinese New Year Festival approximately on January or February
Nguan Chioew Festival held 14 days after the Chinese New Year Festival
Chinese Sart Festival on August
Chinese Lunar Moon Festival usually held a month after the Chinese Sart Festival.
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Tags: Bangkok, China Town, Food, Shopping, Thailand, Travel, Yaowarat Posted in Bangkok, Food, Shopping
For me, I consider one of the nice place in Bangkok that you can perceive, that place even though located in downtowm but it’s full of the nice environment at 100 years ago. This place, you will find the west architecture in east land.
This place I will introduce to you is the Vimanmek Palace,a former royal palace in Bangkok, Thailand. It is also known as the Vimanmek Teak Mansion or Vimanmek Mansion. It is located in the Dusit Palace complex, nearby Dusit Zoo in Dusit district.
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| Vimanmek Mansion is the world’s largest golden teakwood mansion with its elaborate architectural style reflecting a western influence. The building has two right-angled wings, each wing is 60 meters long and 20 meters high, and is three-storied except for the part where King Rama V resided, which is octagonal and four-storied. Although the ground floor is brick and cement,the upper floors are built of beautiful golden teakwood. Altogether there are 31 exhibition rooms, with the bedrooms, the throne room and bathrooms maintaining the atmosphere of the Thai past. Some display house exhibitions of Thai art including silverware, ceramics,crystal ware, and ivory.
Vimanmek Palace was built in 1900 by His Majesty King Rama V by having the Munthatu Rattanaroj Residence in Chuthathuj Rachathan at Ko Sichang, Chonburi, dismantled and reassembled in Dusit Garden. It was used as a royal palace by King Rama V for five years until the completion of Amphorn Satharn Villa in 1906. In 1932, Vimanmek Palace was used only as a storage place of the Bureau of the Royal Household |
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This building is a two-storey wooden structure with highly ornate fretwork on the pediment and eaves. The building now houses collections of pictures of royal rites and ceremonies ranging from the ceremony for laying a one-month-old royal infant in a cradle, royal state procession and royal barge procession, the triyampawai ceremony; Giant Swing ceremony or a Brahmin rite to welcome the god Siva. Moreover, it also houses photographs of activities of HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn. |
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This was originally the residence of HRH Prince Asdang Dejavudh, a son of H.M. King Chulalongkorn. At the present time, His Majesty the King has graciously permitted the Fine Arts Department and the Dusit Palace to set up a display of his oil paintings in this building. |
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| These buildings are situated close to the Suan Hong Residential Hall. They feature 23 royal carriages that have been used from the days of H.M. King Chulalongkorn. Among the exhibits is the Royal Landau coach; a two-seater vehicle from England, it was used for the royal khathin ceremony or the offering of saffron robes to Buddhist monks, or certain royal celebrations. The most interesting is a Royal State coach. This was formerly used as a royal vehicle for the opening of Parliament . |
| Location : |
Vimanmek Mansion, Ratchawithi Road, Dusit, Bangkok 10300 Thailand |
| Date Time : |
Every Day 09:30 - 16:00 , Close on the public holiday |
| Admission Fee : |
100 baht |
| Contact : |
(662) 628 6300-9 |
| Fax : |
(662) 628 6049 |
| Email : |
PR@VIMANMEK.COM |
| Tips for Visitors : |
Proper Dress in The Vimanmek Palace for Visitors
Visitors are requested to be dressed properly and appropriately upon entering the ground of the Vimanmek Palace.
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| Reference : Vimanmek |
Tags: Bangkok, Mansion, Palace, Thailand, Travel, Vimanmek Posted in Bangkok, Mansion, Palace
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The Jim Thompson House is the home of James H.W. Thompson, a self-made American entrepreneur who was the founder of the world renowned Jim Thompson Thai Silk Company. Thompson’s achievements during his 25 year stay in the Kingdom of Thailand have won him much fame as the “Legendary American of Thailand”. For his contribution to the development of the Thai Silk industry, Jim Thompson was awarded the Order of the White Elephant, a decoration bestowed upon foreigners for having rendered exceptional service to Thailand. Thompson’s success story in Thailand has become one of the most popular postwar legends of Asia.
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| In 1967, Jim Thompson went on holiday with friends to the Cameron Highlands in Malaysia. There he set out for a walk in the surrounding jungle but never returned. Thus began the Jim Thompson legend. Since his disappearance in 1967, little has changed in the home that was the ‘talk of the town’ and the ‘city’s most celebrated social center’. Even today, the charming Thai style house continues to be a key stop for visitors to Bangkok.
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| The house consists of a complex of six traditional Thai-style houses, teak structures that were purchased from several owners and brought to the present location from various parts of Thailand. Construction of the Thai house was completed in 1959. |
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| Other collectible items |
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 Mouse House |
| 17th century French map of the Kingdom of Siam and the neighboring countries. |
A quaint little 19th century house in which white mice were kept as pets. White mice running about in the mouse house would keep the children entertained for hours on end. |
| Location |
: Soi Kasemsan (2) Song, opposite the National Stadium on Rama I Rd. |
| Opening Hours |
: 09:00 to 17:00 everyday with the last Guided Tour at 16:30* |
| Admission |
: Adult 100 baht; Students 50 baht
* Compulsory guided tours around the house. |
| Contact information |
:Jim Thompson House 6 Soi Kasemsan 2, Rama 1 Road, Bangkok Tel: (662) 216-7368 Fax: (662) 612-3744 |
| Reference : Jim Thomson House |
Tags: Bangkok, Silk, Thai House, Thailand, Travel Posted in Bangkok, Thai House
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Jim Thompson or James Harrison Wilson Thompson was born in Greenville, Delaware in 1906. He attended public schools in Wilmington, went on to boarding school at St. Paul’s and attended Princeton University, the family university, from 1924 to 1928.
Although Thompson had a keen interest in art, he chose to become an architect and went on to study architecture at the University of Pennsylvania. He was a practicing architect in New York City until 1940.
With the escalation of the war in Europe in the early 1940s, Thompson volunteered for service in the United States Army, an important turning point in his life.
During the Second World War, Thompson was assigned to the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), forerunner of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), a move which offered him an opportunity to see more of the world.
Thompson as a member of an OSS group was assigned to work with French forces in North Africa. His assignments also took him into Italy, France and Asia.
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| However the war ended abruptly as Thompson and the other OSS men were en route to Bangkok. A few weeks later, he assumed the duties of OSS station chief. In late 1946, he received orders to return to the States to receive his military discharge.
Thompson was confident that with peace restored and the expansion of air travel, there would be a significant increase in leisure travel to the Far East. Upon their arrival in the capital, these travelers would need acceptable accommodation.
Few hotels in Bangkok could then even be considered of international standard. Only one had an ideal location — the old Oriental, a former palace overlooking the Chao Phraya River that flowed through the capital.
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| It was a meeting place for travelers and a social center for the foreign community. Charlie Chaplin, Noel Coward and Somerset Maugham were just a few of its famous patrons. Excited by the prospects presented, Thompson became actively involved in the reorganization of the Oriental Hotel.
By this time, Thompson had developed a certain fondness for the country and its people. He began to seriously contemplate settling down and going into business in Thailand. He foresaw a promising future for the country and wanted to be a part of this process. He decided that upon leaving the service, he would return and take up residence in Thailand permanently. |
The ‘old’ Oriental Hotel |
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Soon after his return to Bangkok, Thompson turned his attention to Thai silk.
With his natural flair for design and color, and driven by his single-minded dedication to reviving the craft, Thompson soon gained worldwide recognition for his success in rebuilding the industry, for generating international demand for Thai silk and for contributing to the growth of the silk industry.
During the Easter weekend in 1967, Thompson disappeared while on holiday with friends in Cameron Highlands, a northern Malaysian resort. An extensive and extended search failed to reveal any clues about his disappearance.
By then, Thompson had been in Thailand for nearly 22 years.
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| Jim Thompson and the Thai Silk Company he established, saved a dying craft and transformed it into a world-class designer brand.
For Thompson, ‘the real measure of the success of the Thai silk industry was not so much the profits of his own company as in the rival companies that began to spring up all over Bangkok.’
Thompson’s development of the Thai silk industry is often cited as one of the great success stories of postwar Asia.
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Thai Silk, a hand-woven fabric, is noted for its exceptional luster, texture and its striking complement of contrasting colors — such as emerald green and magenta, or deep blue and shocking pink — coexisting in perfect harmony. |
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| Thompson officially moved into the Jim Thompson Thai house on April 3, 1959. This historic move was in many ways symbolic of his success. It heralded the most active and most successful period of his life in Thailand.
By this time, Thai silk had won international acclaim. It was world-famous.
In the motion picture epic, Ben Hur, the producers used Thai silk for all the principal costumes.
In the movie, Kind Sir, paintings elegantly mounted in silk had such an air of elegance about them, it immediately caught the attention of movie-goers.
In London, Savoy Hotel suites sported a silky finish.
Silk was also used to refurbish the Canaletto Room in Windsor Castle.
Heiress Barbara Hutton used silk throughout her residence in Mexico, and in all her other homes.
Reynolds Metal Company in America decorated its executive offices in silk interwoven with aluminium thread.
The Hong Kong Hilton used Thai silk in its ballroom and its suites.
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Tags: Bangkok, Silk, Thai House, Thailand, Travel Posted in Bangkok, Thai House
| Due to there are many interesting place in “Wat Pho” , Today I also introduce the other things more over than the previous blog. |
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Sala Rai or satellite pavilions. Along the main chapel yard both inside and outside (separated by the monastery wall) stand many rectangular platformed pavilions. At first, there was no veranda and was just an open hall (the open area for model hill). The present type of building was later reconstructed I the reign of King Rama III by extending a veranda around with two steps in thee sides (front and both walls). |
| North Pavilion is the lirary of the Thai traditional massage inscriptions. There are 32 drawings of massage positions posted on the ceiling of the veranda. At the back, there are inscriptions of Supasit Phraruang (The first Thai proverbs), Kritana Sorn Nong (Thai literature), and portrait of The Royal Kathin Procession.
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South Pavilion (Mae Chua Kumaravej Boran Pavilion) is the collection of inscriptions about the angel who protects babies. It described the illness in babies and how to cure. In the back of this pavilion, there are inscriptions of Ramayana, the episode of Pali Sorn Nong and the painting of the Royal Barge Procession.
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| It is the herbal garden near the south of Vihara. King Rama I let to gather Thai traditional medical and arts and sciences. By adaptation and mixing Thai yoga styles for relaxing and healing. Thai yoga styles first had 80 styles. Nowadays remains 24 styles. |
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| The WatPo Thai Traditional Medical and Massage School (Wat Po TTW) was opened since 1955. WatPo TTM is the first Thai Medical school under controlled of The Ministry of Education of Thailand. From starting, WatPo TTm offers 4 basic courses of Thai medical that are Thai pharmacy, Thai medication, Thai midwifery and Thai massage. During the past five decades, a lot fo Thais and foreigners have passed our courses and employed in healthy, massage and spa businesses all over the world. Treatments such as thai massage and foot massage offerint at WatPo TTM are one of the most well-known massage treatments in Thailand.
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Another charm of Wat Pho Tour is the beautiful rockeries and rock giants found as gate guardians and in the parks. They made from Chinese stony or cement. It isn’t beleiveable that they are ballast from the ancient trading travels from China. It was intelligence of the ancient Thai applying these ballast for decorations in many places of this monastery. At Wat Pho has many styles ballast ie. warriors nobleman, political nobleman, chinese monk , philosopher, workman, chinese ladies and also many animals (lion mouthing a ball). Wat Pho is the temple that has most ballast, more than 1000 items.
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| Location : |
Sanam Chai road and Maharaj road next to the Grand Palace |
| Date Time : |
Every Day 08:00 - 17:00 |
| Admission Fee : |
50 Baht |
| Contact : |
(662) 225-9595, 622-0100, 221-1375 |
| Fax. : |
(662) 222-9779 |
| Transportation : |
1. Bus Nos. 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 25, 32, 43, 44, 47, 48, 51, 53, 82, 103.
2. Air-conditioned bus Nos. 1, 6, 7, 8, 12, 44
3. Chao phraya Express boat. Get off at Tha Chang pier, Tha Tien Pier or Pak Klong Talad Pier, then walk through Thai Wang Road entrance. |
| Tips for Visitors : |
- Please keep calm and be polite.
- Traditional or polite dress (shorts above the knees are prohibited for woman) is required.
- Take off your shoes and put them on the shelf before entering every religious building. |
Thai Traditional Medical Science School and body Massage
* Open daily during 08:00 - 17:00 hrs.
* Massage service fee 250 baht / hour .
* Herbal Massage service fee 350 baht / hour.
* FOOT MASSAGE fee 250 baht / hour .
For more information please contact :(662) 221-2974, 221-3686, 622-3550-1
Fax: (662) 225-4771
E-mail: WatpoTTM@netscape.net
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| Reference : WatPho |
Tags: Bangkok, massage, Temple, Thailand, Travel, Watpho Posted in Bangkok, Temple
| The Thai temple I invite you to visit today is the one of most famous temple in Thailand and all over reconize through foreigner. This temple can be looked upon as the first Open University of Thailand. Inside the temple compose of the prominent Reclining Buddha, Chinese rock giants or ballast, Phra MahaChedi Si Rajakarn, Thai Body Massage etc. This place has many beautiful scenes so that miss universe (2005) chooses this place to promote Thailand Tourism. This is the guarantee of the interesting and famous of Wat Pho. Recently UNESCO has recent addition of the medicinal inscriptions on Wat Pho to the UNESCO Memory of the World . |
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This temple is the “Wat Phra Chetupon Vimolmangklararm” or the common name is “Wat Pho”. It is the old monastery from Ayudhya period names “Wat Phodharam”. Later, King Rama I of Chakri Dynasty has managed the restoration and re-established as a royal monastery. |
Start to restoration in 1788 and great restoration having taken 16 years and 7 months was done during the reign of King Rama III.
From the by-paths 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. This was done to fulfill the King’s ambition of using Wat Pho as the centre of Thai arts and knowledge, where descendants can study indefinitely.
The famous and interesting places inside Wat Pho as follows: |
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| The Vihara of the Reclining Buddha or Phra Buddhasaiyas (Viharn Phranorn), the building is constructed for containing the important Buddha image, the Reclining Buddha. King Rama III told his nobleman, Krom Muen Pumintarapakdi (Prince Laddawan), the head of department of the Ten Crafts as a construction team leader.
After having noulded the image of the Reclining Buddha, the team continued with the hall.The image was made of stuccoed bricks gilded with gold leaves. This statue is 46 metres long, with the dimensions at the face of 15 metres high and at each foot of 3 metres high and 5 metres long.
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The soles of the statue’s feet are inlaid with mother-of-pearl showing the 108 auspicious signs of the Buddha. This is the largest and most beautiful piece of fine arts of the Buddha image in a reclining position found in Thailand.
The mother of pearl inlay at the feet of the image is of Thai-Chinese style, as indicated by 108 auspicious signs portraying natural scenes of both Indian and Chinese influences.
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The principal Buddha image is “Phra Buddha Deva Patimakorn” in a gesture of seated Buddha on a three tiered pedestal called Phra Pang Smardhi (Lord Buddha in the posture of conoentration), and some ashes of King Rama I are kept under the pedestal. The mural paintings in the hall depict Mahosatha Pandita (The Great Bachelor of Mithila City), The heavens, and Phra Etadagga a disciple. On the middle tier there are two images of the Original Disciples, while the eight effigies of the Holy Priests stand on the lowest pedestal. Inside panels of the windows are decorated with lacquer work of the seals of these monastery dignitaries (in the reign of king Rama III). |
| The 2 nd Buddhist architecture is called Phra Uposatha, (the main chapel or Bot or the Assembly Hall – a hall used for performing the monastic ritual). For Buddhists, the main chapel is the heart of the monastery, as without a main chapel, it would be a monk center and not a monastery.
The main chapel was constructed in the reign of King Rama I in Ayudhya style. It was then reconstructed and enlarged during the reign of King Rama III. All sheltered windows and doors are made of hard wood with crown–like spires and colour-glazed tiles. Inlays of mother–of–pearl on the outer side of the entrance door panels depict episodes from the Ramakien (the Thai version of the Ramayana – the world famous Indian epic); while on the inner side are painted specimens of ecclesiastical fans of rank which are presented to the monk sovereigns. |
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A group of four hugh pagodas surrounded by white wall with Thai-Chinese style sheltered gates decorated with colour-glazed tiles and Chinese rockeries guardians. Each pagoda is 42 metres high, twelve or added notched-rim structures ending in a tall spire and elaborated with colourful mosaics.
Constructed during the reign of King Rama I to cover the ruined image of Buddha ‘Phra Srisanpetch’ where relics of Lord Buddha are kept, represents the reign of King Rama I. The ruined standing Buddha is 16 metres high and was brought from the Royal Palace in Ayudhya.
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Phra Maha Chedi Sri Sanpetdayarn - representing the reign of King Rama I, green tile mosaic.
Phra Maha Chedi Dilok Dhammakaroknitarn - representing the reign of King Rama II, white tile mosaic.
Phra Maha Chedi Muni Batborikharn - representing the reign of King Rama III, yellow tile mosaic.
Phra Maha Chedi Song Phra Srisuriyothai - representing the reign of King Rama IV, dark blue tile mosaic.
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Phra Maha Stupa or Phra Prang , there are 4 pagodas at the corners of outer-side of the chapel yard. This kind of pagoda is specially termed “Phra Agghiya chedi”.
Each is tiled with marble, with 4 Khmer-style statues, tin gilded with gold leaves and decorated with glass inlay, of the so-called “Catulokapala” – the Guardian Divinities of the Four Cardinal Points- on its 4 corners. |
| Kampaengkaew or the chapel boundary wall refers to the double marble walls around the main chapel. There are 8 sheltered gates and 8 sculpted boundary stones (or BaiSema). The Outer side of this boundary wall is mountains, trees and animals.
The Outer side of balustrades around the main chapel is decorated with a series of 152 selected bas-reliefs depicting scenes from the Ramayana as described by Thai verses. These bus-reliefs were the wish of King Rama III to maintain the art of the shadow show, which was a famous Thai style entertainment since the beginning of Ayudhya period. The art was less popular during Rattanakosin period because there were other kinds of entertainment such as khon (Thai classical dance drama) and drama, and with the reason that only skillful players can make a good performance. By duplicating the shadow show as bas-reliefs the art will survive for generations and also reveal the finest craftsmanship to the World. |
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