Wat Saket and The Golden Mount in Bangkok

Wat Saket is one of the oldest temples in Bangkok, was built by King Rama I in the late 18th century. The first Golden Mount was built by King Rama III but the soft soil led to its collapse. The Golden Mount which is seen today, created by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V).

Wat Saket is major feature is the Golden Mount, dating from the 1800s, which overlooks Ratchadamnoen Avenue. The golden chedi houses relics of Lord Buddha and offers a panoramic view of historic Bangkok.

Admission to Wat Saket is free except for the final approach to the Golden Mountain summit; which costs 10 Baht.

Wat Luang Ta Bua - The Tiger Temple in Thailand

Wat Luang Ta Bua, well known as Tiger Temple is located about 40 km from Kanchanaburi. The temple is a rescue center for animals especially wild animals and a home of wild tigers, deers, wild pigs, apes etc..

The tiger are taken out from cage during 1530hrs. - 1700hrs. that you can see them closely and able to touch the tigers!! Wat Pa Luangta Bua Yannasampanno Forest Monastery was established by the Abbot-Phra Acharn Phusit (Chan) Kanthitharo in 1994.

Since its opening Wat Pa Luangta Bua gained a reputation as a wildlife sanctuary. It started with an injured wild fowl given to the monk by the villagers, then peacocks came attracted by the calls of by then rather large colony of wild fowl. An injured wild boar stumbled in to the monastery and the monks cared for him until he could be released back into the forest. The next day he came back followed by his family group of about 10 animals. By now a countless number of boar find shelter in the monastery. Villagers also started to bring in unwanted pets: four species of deer moved in, followed by buffalo, cow, horses, wild goat and gibbons. All these animals are roaming the grounds of the monastery freely.

Wat Rajabopit Sathitmahasimaram Rajaworavihara - Special Temple in Bangkok

Wat Rajabopit Sathitmaha Simaram Rajaworavihara (Wat Rajabopit) is situated between Fuang Nakhon Road and Usadang Road ( Khlong Ku Muang Derm Road ) near the Ministry of Interior in Bangkok. King Rama V ordered its construction in 1969.

The phra ubosot, phra chedi and phra vihara have curving walls that are covered with beautiful glazed colored tiles. The doors to the phra ubosot and phra vihara are inlaid with mother of pearl, the work of master craftsmen.

In the temple there are eight stone pillars each surmounted with a covering of the Buddhist Wheel of Law (Dhammachak), one of each of the eight directions, hence the name "Mahasimaram" (Great Boundary Pillars). On the gate shutters of the Thailand temple are carved soldier of the Corps of Royal Pages attired in European - style uniforms instead of traditional dresses. On the entering of temple compound of the front entrance the phra ubosot, phra chedi and phra vihara can be seen raised above ground level on a platform.

The exterior of the phra ubosot is constructed in the Thai style. Inside the design is partly European and partly Thai. It was decorated by M.C. Prawit Chumsai. On the gable there is carving of a seven - headed elephant holding up a tray containing a royal seal. The doors are inlaid with mother of pearl design depicting the various royal decorations, the craftsmenship of Prince Thiwakornwongprawat.

With in temple ground on the Usdang Road side there is a royal cemetery which was ordered constructed by King Rama V to make merit for his mother, wives, sons and daughters. It consists of several repositories for royal remains in the form of chedi, prang, and European - style building. These are set in a small garden, which is open to the public.

[Source from; dhammathai.org]

Wat Sothon Wararam Worawihan - Population Temple of Thailand

Wat Sothon Wararam Worawihan is located on the west bank of the Bang Pakong River in Amphoe Muang approximately two kilometers south of Sala Mang (the City Hall). This monastery houses Phra Phutthasothon or as commonly called by the local folk "Luang Pho Sothon".

This is a very sacred Buddha image and is most revered by the people. The image in the attitude of meditation having a lap width of 165 centimeters and 198 centimeters in height.

Wat Khao Phra Baht is the Best Famous Temple in Pattaya

Khao (Mountain) Phra Bat is the hill to the south of Pattaya, the famous beach town in Thailand. I have to admit that I had a very negative feeling about even driving to Pattaya, after all the bad things I had heard. So, visiting this temple on the first attempt was so full with negative energy, that I just had to come back in the following week. After all, this was a temple with a replica of Buddha's footprint! It's not a big temple but it still has many beautiful statues, a mondop building and some great views over the bay of Pattaya.

Wat Khaow Phra Baht on bank of PhraTumnak mountain. It's Temple without Buddhist Monks. It 's just Shrine for people in Pattaya City to pray and worship. At Wat Phrabaht position the Foot Mark of Buddha, it's age about 200 years.

Moreover there is an acient Buddha Image of Au-thong art style which were invited respectfully from Suphanburi. There are many Buddha Images You can find here. As Wat Phrabaht is located on top of Mountain you can have view of Pattaya Bay from here,IT is not far from south Pattaya just couple minutes to reach here.

[Source from; chimburi.com]

Wat Chalong Special Temple in Phuket

This Buddhist temple located on the southern outskirts of Phuket Town, is greatly respected by the local Buddhist community. Considered the most beautiful on the island, it contains a gilt statue of Luang Por Cham, the monk who became a hero when he helped quell the Chinese Coolie rebellion of 1876, during the reign of King Rama V. The wat also has a statuette of the famous abbot Luang Por Gluam.

Wat Chalong is Phuket’s most important Buddhist temple and is the biggest and most ornate of Phuket’s 29 Buddhist monasteries. The architecture is typical of wats found throughout Thailand. Wat Chalong is associated with the revered monks, Luang Pho Chaem and Luang Pho Chuang, both of whom were famous for there work in herbal medicine and tending to the injured. During the tin miners’ rebellion of 1876 they mobilized aid for the injured on both sides. They also mediated in the rebellion, bringing the warring parties together to resolve their dispute. Statues honoring them stand in the sermon hall (viharn). Many Thais come here to be blessed by the monks and receive a good luck charm in the form of a string tied around the wrist, which they believe protects them from injury and illness.

Wat Chalong, Phuket
Address; Bypass Road, off Vichit Songkram Road, Chalong, Phuket, Thailand

Wat Jedee Luang (Wat Chedi Luang) at Chiang Mai

Wat Jedee Luang on Prapokklao Road is the side of a formerly massive pagoda that was unfortunately destroyed in the great earthquake of 1545. The Jedee Luang temple was originally constructed in 1401 by the orders of King Saeng Muang Ma (Thailand). In 1454, reigning King Tilo-Garaj enlarged the jedee to a height of 86 meters.

After the earthquake, the jedee lay in ruin until 1991, when it was reconstructed at a cost of several million Baht. The reconstructed jedee was finished in 1992, and it is every as impressive as it was when it was first built.

[Source from; chiangmai-chiangrai.com]

Ancient Temple is Wat Dusidaram Woravihara in Bangkok

Wat Dusidaram Woravihara ( Wat Dusid ) was founded in the Ayutthaya period and The Thai temple is located on the bank of the Chao Phraya River, near the mouth of the Bangkok Noi Canal and the approach to the Pin Klao Bridge on the Thoburi side. It was an ancient temple called originally Wat Sao Prakhon. Somdej Phra Chao Boromawongther Kromluang Srisunthornthep, a son of King Rama I, had the temple reestablished. Krom Phrarajawang Boworn Mahasenanurak renovated the temple in 1913 and rename it Wat Dusidaram . A small, neighboring temple which was abandoned, called Wat Phumarin Rajapaksi, was also incorporated into Wat Dusidaram.

In the reign of King Rama VI, Somdet Krom Phraya Vachirayanvarorod ordered Wat Bhumin rajpaksi, which had only one monk , to merge with Wat dusidaram. In World War II, Wat Dusidaram and wat Noithongyu were damaged in an air raid, so there temples were also merged.

Wat Mangkon Kamalawat - Known in Chinese as Wat Leng Nui Yee, Bangkok

At the heart of Bangkok's Chinatown is the Chinese-Buddhist temple of Wat Mangkon Kamalawat, known in Chinese as Wat Leng Nui Yee. The temple is the center of festivities during important festivals such as Chinese new years and the vegetarian festival.

You enter the temple through a passageway off Charoen Krung Road. The temple is a low rambling structure with the requisite dragons playing with a pearl on the roof. Inside you'll find a labyrinth of courtyards and passages connecting various alters to Buddha as well as Taoist deities. All the while, the smoke of hundreds, perhaps thousands, of sticks of incense fills and swirls about the courtyards.

If you make your way back far enough, you'll find one courtyard with cases full of standing gilded Buddha images on either side.

Outside of the temple building is a small chedi, as well as a place to burn paper offerings for ancestors. Unfortunately, the temple's forecourt is often filled with parked cars.

Getting There

A visit to the temple should be park of a general walking tour of Chinatown. The district is easily accessible by boat. Take the Chaophraya Express Boat to Ratchawong pier. From the pier, walk up Ratchawong road to Charoen Krung, turn right and Wat Mangkol Kamalawat will be on your left a little more than one block down.

[Source : thailandforvisitors.com]

Makha Bucha Day - The Full Moon Day of The 3rd Lunar Month

It was 9 full months after the Buddha got the Enlightenment, on the full moon day of 6th lunar month, 45 years before the Buddhist era. On the full moon day of the 3rd lunar month, Makha, of the year, 4 special events happened:

1. There were 1,250 Sangha followers, that came to see the Buddha that evening without any schedule.

2. All of them were "Arhantas', the Enlightened One, and all of them were ordained by the Buddha himself.

3. The Buddha gave those Arhantas the principles of the Buddhism, called "The Ovadhapatimokha". Those principles are: - To cease from all evil, - To do what is good, - To cleanse one's mind;

4. It was the full moon day.

At this time in the evolution of Buddhism and Buddhist principles in Thailand, it is important to understand how the majority of Thai people view Buddha and the Buddhist philosophy.

[Source : watthaidc.org]

How to Visit a Temple in Thailand

Take special care in learning the proper ritual for visiting a temple in Thailand.

Instructions

Step 1: Buy incense or a flower from a stand outside the temple.
Step 2: Approach the temple door and remove your shoes.
Step 3: Enter the temple without speaking.
Step 4: Be careful not to touch any of the statues or the symbols once inside.
Step 5: Place your offering, either incense or flower, at the base of the Buddha statue.
Step 6: Remain silent.

Tips and Warnings

-The Thai word for temple is "wat."
-The Thai people consider sleeveless shirts, shorts and short skirts inappropriate. Always cover up before entering the temple.

Source : .ehow.com

Wat Suthat Thepwararam Bangkok, Thailand

Its a bit off the tourist trail these days, but Wat Suthat is still a very important temple to the Thais. This is the home of the Brahmin priest who oversee royal rituals such as the ploughing ceremony held at the traditional beginning of the growing season.

In front of the temple is the huge chinese-red frame of the giant swing. The swing was the center of an annual ceremony where teams of young men would try to swing high enough to retrieve a sack of gold tied to a pole about 75 feet (25 meters) in the air. So many men died in the attempt that the ceremony was banned in the 1930s.
Cloister

Wat Suthat was built in the early 19th century to house the huge 25-foot tall Phra Sri Sakyamuni Buddha statue, which was bought all the way from Sukhothai by boat. The Wiharn housing the Buddha image sits in a large cloister. The outer wall of the cloister is lined with more than 150 Buddha images. The statues are in various states of repair, since each is "adopted" by a patron to make merit for a departed loved one, who may in fact be interred in the base or the wall next to the Buddha.


Be sure to have a look at the doors to the cloister in the middle of each of the four walls. They are painted and gilded with quite colorful scenes from the Ramakien.

The courtyard between the Buddha gallery and the wiharn is full of chinese statues reported to have been shipped from China as ballast in rice boats during the reign of Bangkok's first king.

The wiharn is one of Bangkok's tallest due to the need to house the huge Buddha statue. The walls are painted with murals depicting the last 24 lives of Buddha. The columns are also painted with murals showing the early life of Bangkok. Check out the column nearest the door on the right. It depicts scenes of the early westerners who came to Siam.

On a large median in the road running next to Wat Suthat is a small Vishnu shrine.

Wat Suthat is not far from the Golden Mount and Loha Prasat in Wat Ratchanada. See our walking tour which takes in all of these temples and the sights around them.

[Source : thailandforvisitors.com]

Wat Saket (Temple of the Golden Mount), Bangkok

The grubby yellow hill crowned with a gleaming gold chedi is also known as the Golden Mount, or 'Phu Khao Thong'. It rises within the compound of Wat Saket, an unusual temple that houses Buddha relics within its 58-metre-high chedi surmounted by a golden cupola. Built by King Rama I just outside the new city walls, the late-18th century temple served as the capital's crematorium. During the following 100 years, the temple became the dumping ground for some 60,000 plague victims.

The Golden Mount was added to the compound in the early 19th century, when King Rama III built a huge chedi which collapsed into a hill of rubble. Buddhist belief holds that religious buildings cannot be destroyed, and many years later King Rama V topped the debris with another chedi in which he placed relics, believed by some to be the Buddha's teeth.

Visit the temple and then climb the 318 steps to the cupola. Watch religious visitors place flowers near the date of the month they find auspicious and light candles. As you climb to the top, enjoy magnificent panoramic views of Bangkok. The cupola is covered with small golden squares reflecting in the sun and giving the place the name of Golden Mount.

Wat Saket hosts an enormous annual temple fair in the first week of November, when the mount is illuminated with coloured lanterns and the compound turns into a massive fun fair. Admission to the chedi costs 10 baht.

Open: Daily 8:00 - 21:00
Location: Between Boriphat Road and Lan Luang Road

Source : bangkok.com

Tamboon Sai Baat in New Year Day

Tamboen Sai Baat

Thai. To perform a good deed or to make merit (tamboon) by giving an offering into (sai) the alms bowl (baat) of a Buddhist monk. Sometimes in temples several alms bowls are arranged in a long row in which small coins, usually 25 satang (fig.) are offered. This form of tamboon may occur in combination with Buddha images as in the phra prajamwan system (fig.). See also sai baat.

Tamboon

Thais. Het brengen van offers of het verrichten van goede daden voor religieuze doeleinden, waardoor men verdiensten wil verwerven, hetzij voor zichzelf of voor derden. Dit kunnen offerandes zijn in tempels (fig.), het voeden van bedelmonniken (sai baat), tijdelijk verblijf in een tempel, een gebed (fig.), enz. Soms ook -als in het Engels- tamboon getranscribeerd.

Sai Baat

Thai. 'Offering into an alms bowl'. Making merit by putting food into the alms bowl of Buddhist monks. See also tamboon sai baat (fig.) and bintabaat.

Baat

Thais. De bedelkom van een monnik. Bedelkommmen worden reeds gedurende meer dan 2.500 jaar gebruikt voor de bintabaat of bedelronde van monniken in de vroege ochtend, een traditie die tot op heden voortduurt. Het produktieproces van een bedelkom is erg tijdsrovend waardoor er slechts enkelen per dag kunnen worden vervaardigd. Ze worden samengesteld uit acht stukken metaal, die de acht spaken van de dhammachakka, het boeddhistische Wiel der Wet, en het Achtvoudige Pad vertegenwoordigen. Een eerste metalen strip wordt in een ronde vorm geslaan om de rand van de kom te maken. Vervolgens worden drie stukken in een bolle kruisvorm geslaan om het skelet te vormen, waarna vier driehoekige stukjes de zijkanten vervolledigen. De bedelkom wordt vervolgens in een oven aaneengesmeden en gevormd. Nadien wordt ze herhaaldelijk glad gewreven en verwarmd om het oppervlak glanzend te maken. Bedelkommen worden tegenwoordig nog steeds vervaardigd in Bangkok's Ban Baat of 'Bedelkom Dorp', in de achterstraatjes van Bamrung Meuang Road in het district Pomprap Sattruphai.

Source : thailex.info

Sanam Luang or Royal Field in Bangkok, Thailand

Sometimes known as the Royal Park or Royal Field, Sanam Luang is right in the centre of the Rattanakosin (Old City) part of Bangkok. A large oval-shaped park, Sanam Luang has a number of royal connections and is where the King appears during his annual 5 December birthday celebrations. Royal cremations are also held here and it is also the venue for the annual Royal Ploughing Ceremony. From February to May you can see Kite Flying at the park. There are often competitions for the most ornate and most beautiful kites. It's very interesting to walk around Sanam Luang in the early evening you can see fortune tellers (Mor Doo), people selling a variety of wares, and even masseurs offering traditional massage in the open!

Details: Sanam Luang is right in the centre of Bangkok's main tourist attractions and you can see many of them from the park nearly Wat Phra Kaew and The Grand Palace. It is about 15 minutes walk to Khao San Road from the park.

How to get there: There are no BTS or MRT stations in this area. Probably the fastest way to get there is Express Boat stopping at Banglampoo Pier.

The following buses will get you there:

Bus number: 3, 15, 30, 32, 43, 44, 59, 64, 70, 80, 123, 201
Air-conditioned bus number: 6, 7, 12, 39, 44

Source : discoverythailand.com

Wat Phra Rattanasatsadaram - Temple of the Emerald Buddha

The Temple of the Emerald Buddha or Wat phra Rattanasatsadaram (Wat Phra Kaew) is the most sacred structure in the Kingdom and the repository of the spirit for all the Thai people. The history of the Emerald Buddha itself dates back more than 600 years and also represents the struggle of the Thai people to maintain their independence from foreign aggressors.

When King Rama I established Bangkok, or Rattanakosin, as his capital in 1782 he added the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in the eastern section of the Royal Grand Palace in order to install the Emerald Buddha. During its two hundred year history the Chapel had undergone several renovations, restorations, and additions. The Royal Chapel thus incorporates no less than two centuries of Rattanakosin craftsmanship which is an expression of the essential entity of the Thai people.

A visit to Bangkok is not complete without a visit to this very Important Temple(Wat). We will show you the many spectacular buildings along with a history of the Emerald Buddha itself which we hope will give you a better understanding of Thai history and its people. The related stories listed below are just some of the many spectacular building and monuments inside the grounds of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha(Wat Phra Kaew).

Souce : .bangkokmag.infothai.com

Wat Phra Kaew - First Impressions in Bangkok

Wat Phra Kaew Bangkok Thailand, A lot of first time visitors aren't quite sure what to expect when first arriving in the capital of exotic Thailand, and some may be disappointed by their first impressions on the way into town - endless high rise buildings, busy expressway flyovers and billboards of western companies advertising in English. Yet while Bangkok has undoubtedly embraced westernization and modernization, you only need to look a little under the surface to see that it remains undeniably a Thai place at heart. In between the skyscrapers and sophisticated shopping centers there's still the remarkable Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace , the Temple of the Dawn and many more. Traditions live on too: don't be surprised, for example, to find a large dedicated spirit house built for good luck alongside almost every major building, or to see files of Buddhist monks making their early morning alms round - and it's surely one of the only major cities in the world where seeing an elephant paraded round the streets hardly even ranks as being unusual.

Wat Phra Kaew Bangkok Thailand, Amidst all of this is what many find one of Asia's most interesting and exciting cities, but it does have it's fair share of problems also - not least of which is the heat. Due to it's location in the tropics, Bangkok's average day time temperature is rarely much below 30 degrees centigrade at any time of year and the night time temperature is not much cooler. The maximum temperature can occasionally top 40 degrees during the hot season in April / May, when it is, not surprisingly, the low season for tourism. Despite the temperature, it is not all that sunny in Bangkok and most days are grey and overcast - meaning many visitors are surprised when they first walk outside Bangkok airport and discover that what appeared to be a cold, cloudy day is actually uncomfortably hot.

The heat, combined with the humidity and pollution, makes walking a sizable distance in Bangkok almost impossible, and breaking into a sweat after only a couple of hundred meters almost inevitable. The Thai people themselves will rarely walk any significant distance and there's a very large number of cars, buses, taxis and tuk-tuks to help them get about.

Source : into-asia.com

Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, Bangkok

Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, is one of Bangkok's best know landmark. It stands on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River in Thon Buri. Wat Arun is best seen from the opposite bank of the river; it glistens in the sunlight during the day and stands dark and noble at dawn or dusk. A visit to the beautiful, peaceful monastery complex surrounding the familiar towers is very worth-while. These towers, the "Phra Prang," although best known, the only part of Wat Arun. It also contains narrow lanes; elegant, old white buildings; shrines, pools of turtles; and two fine giants, " Yuk Wat Jaeng," mortal enemies of the " Yuk Wat Po" across the river.

The central balcony commands an impressive view of Bangkok across the river. From here one can see the Grand palace, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha(Wat Phra Kaew) and the spacious Wat Pho.

Wat Arun figures in one of Thailand's most colorful festival, the Royal Tod Kathin. Then His Majesty the King travels down the river in a procession of Royal barges to present new robes to the monks after their three-month lent period.

LOCATION: West bank of the Chao Phraya River.
OPENING HOURS: It's open daily from 8.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.
ADMISSION: Admission is 30 baht for foreigners and free for Thai people.

Source : watarun.org

When You go to Bangkok, Don't miss The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew

The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew really are places you must visit while you are in Bangkok. Both have considerable historical significance and are extremely beautiful places to see.

The Grand Palace was built in 1782 by King Rama I who established Bangkok as Thailand’s new capital. The palace was to be bigger and grander than palaces built in the Sukhothai and Ayutthaya eras to underscore the significance of the change of capital. The result was a palace of jewels and gold and splendour the like never seen before in Thailand. The Grand Palace remained the Royal Family’s official residence from 1782 to 1946. The last king to live there was King Chulalongkorn.

Wat Phra Kaew was built to house the Emerald Buddha which was returned to Thailand after Thailand’s the capture of Vientiane in 1778. The Emerald Buddha is the most important representation of the Buddha in Thai Buddhism. To pray before the Emerald Buddha is to make merit, and although this is an important place on any visitor’s itinerary, it is important to recognise that this is a place of worship and should be respected as such.

Details: Admission fee is 200 Baht for foreigners, but Thais are admitted free (remember – to Thais this is a place of worship, not a tourist attraction!). The fee also includes tickets to the Coin Pavillion, Vimanmek Mansion and Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall, all of which are worth seeing in their own right. The site is open 8:30-12:00 and 13:00-15:30.

How to get there: The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew are in the Banglamphu area of Bangkok – the ‘Old City’. To get there you can take a taxi, which from the centre of Bangkok will cost about 80 Baht.

Bus Number: 1, 35, 44,47, 123, 201
Air-conditioned Bus Number: 2, 3, 7, 8, 12, 25, 39, 44, 82

Source : discoverythailand.com

Wat Phra Pathom Chedi, Nakhon Pathom Thailand

On coming toward the Nakhon Pathom city, the first glimpse of the towering Phra Pathom Chedi is overpowering. lt is one of the largest pagodas in the world and in Thailand, by far the most holy of all Buddhist structures. The original pagoda was constructed more than 2,000 years ago in the stupa design of an upside down bowl shape. A replica of the original pagoda stands south of the present one. ln the year 1853, King Rama lV commanded the reconstruction of a new huge pagoda covering the original one. lt has a height of 120.45 metres and a total length of 234,75 metres around the base. A nearby museum contains a wealth of priceless relics and many of the stone carvings found in and around Nakhon Pathom. At the four points of the compass in the outer courtyard are four Wiharas (halls) containing images of Buddha in various postures.

Location: Nakhon Pathom, Central Thailand.

Source : thaibuddhist.com