Sunday 28 January 2018

Visit the Dusit Thani Hotel

 

After reading in Bangkok 101 regarding the forthcoming demolishment of the Dusit Thani I had to make a visit.



The Dusit Thani was a hotel that I remember visiting maybe 30 years ago with my parents and I was daunted by it's opulence...



This year I made a quick visit to see what was going - and it was still majestic - and I popped downstairs to the cafe for a cappuccino.



Go whilst you still can - you will not regret it.


 



Thursday 25 January 2018

Wat Lak Kaen


 Wat Lak Kaen is some where that I visited when I was traveling from Phang Nga to Phuket.



We nearly missed it but it is just beside the road.

"Wat Lak Kaen is a temple in the Takua Pa district, and it is south of Khao Lak. At least parts of it were destroyed by the 2004 tsunami, including the ubosot, which is the holiest building in a temple complex and is the place where new priests or monks are ordained" - text courtesy of Aleenta.



 Wat Lak Kaen was empty when I visited which meant that it was a little spooky...




I did enjoy looking at the murals that were painted on the buildings.



If you want to read more about the Wats in Phang Nga this is the site to read.

 


Friday 19 January 2018

Straits - Born Chinese Cemetery สุสานจีนบาบ๋า


Straits - Born Chinese Cemetery สุสานจีนบาบ๋า - this is another half abandoned Chinese cemetery on Silom Road in Bangkok. 



On looking on the Internet I was unable to find much more about it - but it was registered on foursquare.  


 



Saturday 13 January 2018

Erawan Shrine - พระพรหม เอราวัณ


The Erawan Shrine - พระพรหม เอราวัณ is somewhere you really must visit whilst you are in Bangkok.


During the mid 1950’s, the government decided to build the deluxe Erawan Hotel on this location. However, the first stages of the construction met with so many problems that the superstitious workers refused to continue unless the land spirits were appeased. After consultations with astrologers, the erection of a shrine to honour the four-faced Brahma God, Than Tao Mahaprom, was considered to be most auspicious. A magnificent image of the Brahma God was especially cast and gilded by the Department of Fine Arts and placed on November 9, 1956. The Erawan Hotel opened to acclaims and enjoyed worldwide fame for 30 years. Towards the end, the property could not compete with more modern facilities and was replaced by the private sector-owned Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok in 1991.

Than Tao Mahaprom is believed to be a Brahma god full of kindness, mercy, sympathy and impartiality. Each virtue is represented in the four faces of the image, radiating serene grace. As the shrine was originally constructed to grace the old Erawan Hotel, the location became known as the Erawan Shrine.

Since Buddhism in Thailand has always been influenced by the Brahma beliefs, the Erawan Shrine made an immediate impact as evidenced by the unending streams of people paying respects from early morning till late at night. Thais, and even foreign visitors, make ceremonial offerings from floral garlands, fruits to teakwood elephants in the hope that their wishes will be fulfilled. Judging from the flowing multitude of believers, those wishes were indeed granted. Cash contributions are managed by a Foundation who distributes funds regularly to various charitable organisations and equipment for needy hospitals in the provinces.

For some, such reverence may seem to be only a superstitious belief. However, during misfortune or ill health, all of us need a spiritual uplift to help us through hard times. The Erawan Shrine has supplied that inner strength to many people and made their lives easier to bear while struggling to overcome their problems.


To feel the aura of reverence while watching the joyful celebration of a graceful Thai Classical Dance troupe or a lively Chinese Lion Dance is an experience to be added to your many memories of exotic Bangkok.

Text above is from Erawan Bangkok 



The Erawan Shrine is a golden statue of the four- faced Hindu god Brahma - there are a number of Hindu god statues in this area - eat, shop, pray and pray.



It would be a good idea to look at the Erawan Shrine from a different number of locations - make sure you have a look from above and the skytrain. 



But many times I visited it was very busy and sometimes people will pay for dancing to be done.



 Don't forget there are no street sellers on a Monday (well there weren't when I was writing this).

There are still sellers for you to release the birds outside.

Previous Visit
 1) June 2017  

 


  



Wednesday 10 January 2018

Tha Rua Chinese Shrine


Tha Rua Chinese Shrine - ศาลเจ้าท่าเรือ - is a Chinese Shrine which you pass on the way to Phuket Airport - but I doubt many of us stop.


  So we did - it was beautiful...

Previous Visit 
 1) 2014 




Thursday 4 January 2018

Wat Dit Hong Saram - วัดดิสหงษาราม




Wat Dit Hong Saram is near where I work and after a particularly difficult morning I decided to visit a Wat and this was the closest to me - at the end of a long road. Quite a simple but always impressive entrance.


The Wat was a very peaceful place and I tried to walk all the way around it - 



but quickly found that it backed onto a canal - so I couldn't go that way! I tried to walk into the temple from the side but I quickly hear the barking of dogs - so I walked calmly away.


This was a wonderful retreat for me and fulfilled what I needed - I even tried the noodle stand in front - tasty.




There was a popular statue in the corner of the temple - but I am not sure who it is.




After the noodles I left to return back to work - thank you. Here's some information and location.