Things to do (closed): August 2018

Wednesday, 29 August 2018

Wat Bowonniwet Vihara วัด บวรนิเวศวิหาร

The Wat Bowonniwet Vihara was a Wat that I found in the Wat Bowon Niwet Area - which also encloses other places to visit.

On entering I was taken aback with how peaceful it was, and this was outside it.

The feeling continued when I entered - then on walking around I was taken aback with how this Wat was serene.

With an enormous Golden Chedi in it.

I wandered around quite aimlessly and simply admired what there was to see - I loved the coloured stone figures but I do not know what each represent?

Then there were the Chinese buildings close by and inside.

I could not express how lovely this was...

Not sure what this rock meant - there were others - an original?

And the area was recognised as special.

And when I had left the Wat I discovered this wonderful and informative blog about Wat Bowen Niwet.

Sunday, 26 August 2018

Pom Mahakan

Once the city of Bangkok was encircled of walls, 14 forts and 16 gates. As time progressed the walls did not last - leaving only parts of it still intact.

The area between the wall and the rivers became home to a number of people over six generations. There was talk of the area being turned into an 'eco-tourism' spot but this ran into a lot of opposition.

However the eviction and demolishing of homes has slowly been taking place with instructions of 'places not of historical interest'. Here is some information that has been collected - http://seajunction.org/gallery/glimpses-of-southeast-asia/people-mahakan-fort/.

I did not enter the the villages as it was not clear how to get there and I did not want to seem too nosey.

Thursday, 23 August 2018

Parusakavan Palace Police Museum (closed)

Parusakavan Palace Police Museum was somewhere I came upon on a Bangkok Walk. I found it at the back of the area with the amazing colonial style house - the Parusakavan Palace.

As I write this I read that it has been closed...

I wonder why?

Monday, 20 August 2018

เมืองบาดาล วัดใต้น้ำ - Kanchanaburi

We took a trip to Kanchanaburi and one of our places to visit was เมืองบาดาล วัดใต้น้ำ and is recognised as part of Unseen Thailand. In the pouring rain this building was in the middle of rising water - it looked liked it peaked out of nowhere!

We stepped out of the boat into low water. Immediately it was clear that this was certainly a special site - there were people selling animals to be released and other article for worship inside เมืองบาดาล วัดใต้น้ำ.

We walked in to the building past the place of respect outside

and into the one inside.

After paying respects inside we came out the other end.

We walked around the outside.

The water had begun to subside at the front and the bell was now uncovered.

Certainly an interesting place to visit.

Friday, 17 August 2018

Ganesha and Trimurti shrine

There are two shrines outside of the Central World - the Ganesha and Trimurti Shrine - the large elephant and multi-faced statue.

The Trimurti Shrine has a story

The Trimurti Shrine was built in 1989 and if you look carefully you can see that the statue is three different Hindu deities standing cheek by jowl on a raised platform and protected by a decorated dome. It is a popular location on Thursdays in the late evening for single women because this is the time that the deities will descend from heaven to hear their prayers.
You may have love and are looking for fertility.

So this is why there are flowers?

Adjacent to this is the Ganesha Shrine.

Another fine example.

Tuesday, 14 August 2018

The Chao Phraya River in Bangkok

The Chao Phraya River in Bangkok is an interesting place to travel along. There is so much to see as you are on the Chao Phraya River - and this is certainly not the complete list - and all these photographs are without getting off!

I have always got the orange ticket ferry. This is starting at Saphan Taksin - BTS and on the east side of the river.

Suwannaphum Seminary - https://goo.gl/maps/SJhzd29hRCq