Phra Indra Shrine

Share

  

Eat, pray and shop are the buzz words for #Ratchaprasong - there is so much many places to do all of this along this road - follow them on #Facebook for promotions - https://www.facebook.com/HeartOfBangkok

There are eight sacred shrines here that connect
modern Bangkok to ancient Hindu gods and goddesses - http://bkkdowntown.com/pray/.

The God of Goodwill in front of Amarin Plaza - http://www.amarinplaza.com - is the bringer of daylight, the force that makes water flow and the champion of the earth, wind and sea.

 

Wat Bumpen Nua - วัดบำเพ็ญเหนือ

Share

Wat Bumpen Nua is near the river running into Bangkok in the river is the Kwam-Riam Floating Market and the market adjacent to this.

The Wat is in an absolutely wonderful location with so much happening around it but this means that you need to keep your camera ready and be prepared to stay here longer than you anticipated.

People are here to enjoy the river on the weekend - the river was not a 'working one' so there were no river taxi there.

There were also people there to make offerings. 

But the inside was very quiet.

I had a sudden vision of somewhere in London that has these two monuments of children reading - not what I usually see outside a Temple.

More like this?

After working in Bangkok I have been asked to share on Social Media the work of the Thai Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (TSPCA) - and I would raise the question of the ethical treatment of animals around Wats - for people to release such as the bags above.

Roadside Shrines

Share

Scattered all over Bangkok are the shrines that people have made and they really are special. These are different from the shrines which are being deposited - Spirit House Graveyards.

This particular shrine is next to a bus stop where I live and it is looked after very well - every day.



There is always something more here.

Something very special about these places.

Thank you to the unnamed people who look after them all...

Mariamman Temple

Share

Sri Maha Mariamman Temple is also known as Maha Uma Devi Temple in Silom. This was a wonderful place tucked into the corner.

It is a Hindu Temple which was (I read) built by Hindu's who no longer wanted to live in India under colonial government so they left.

There are many reasons but this is a place that you really must visit.

However you must be aware that visiting here for the opportunity to take photographs is not permitted

Despite this the Hindu temple is worth visiting for the wonder the I felt when I walked in.

Remembering to buy my offering outside first of course though.

Here is a site with some photographs inside.

Jim Thompson House

Share


The importance of Jim Thompson in the silk trade is something that has been written about and is an interesting tale to be read.


The Jim Thompson House is a wonderful tale of History. In fact after all this time there are still unanswered questions regarding his life in Thailand.

The house was next to a oblong at at the end of a long road - which meant that it was very peaceful.  I waited for the tour group to leave - it was at this time that I learnt that we were not allowed to take photographs inside.

The tour itself was certainly very interesting to be told a lot of things about Jim Thompson's life in Thailand. A note to self - I may have purchased a book whilst I was there but I did not notice if there were any. 

I listened to the carefully rehearsed talk whilst looking at all the interesting things in the home - you really must make a visit if you find the culture and history of Thailand interesting.

The home was surrounded by carefully looked after gardens and a number of statues with links to Buddhism and culture.

Opening Hours: Mon - Sun 9:00-18:00 

Location: Soi Kasemsan (2) Song, opposite the National Stadium on Rama I Rd

Tel: 66 (0)2 216 7368 

Price Range: Adult 150 Baht. Students (under 22 years old) 100 Baht