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  1. #1
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    Bangkok - A visit to some Thai temples...

    Recently, I decided to visit some well-known Thai temples here in Bangkok. It had several years since my first visit and wanted to see what had changed. The first temple I visited is called Wat Arun or the Temple of Dawn.

    Wat Arun, commonly known as Wat Jaeng or the Temple of Dawn was formerly Wat Makok in the Ayutthaya period. When King Tak Sin made Thomburi his capital and decided to build his palace on the West bank of Chao Phraya River, Wat Makok was made the palace temple and renamed Wat Jaeng. King Rama lV later changed the name to Wat Arun Ratchavararam as it is called today.

    BTW, I did not know these facts offhand, I just copied from the brochure.


    First came the warnings. It seems some tourist guides are not always what they seem to be.
    Last edited by hillbilly; 25-06-2006 at 11:31 AM.

  2. #2
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    The temple gives tours available both in Thai and English. Even if you can speak Thai fluently, I would advise the English tour. I took the Thai route and was soon overwhelmed by historical words and facts that I realized my Thai is not that great.


    The following photos show what can be seen.
    Last edited by hillbilly; 25-06-2006 at 04:04 PM.

  3. #3
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    Inside one of the temples.


    Not sure what these bells are for but they are fun to ring.

  4. #4
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    Talk about an entrance!


    Tourists everywhere.

  5. #5
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    Some displays of Bhudda images.


    The urns of people are stored below.

  6. #6
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    The big green guy is the Thasakhan giant.


    This project only took 9 years to build.

  7. #7
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    We decided to climb this mammoth beast. Luckily,I had left my Barbie dolls at home.


    Pretty impressive. You can not walk to the top anymore because to many people kept falling off.
    Last edited by hillbilly; 25-06-2006 at 11:05 AM.

  8. #8
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    We then decided to take the ferry (for 2 baht) across the river to visit Wat Po.


    I wanted to ask a few questions, but...

  9. #9
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    The main attraction is the Reclining Bhudda.

  10. #10
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    Very big and impressive!

  11. #11
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    Still there were warnings everywhere.


    Towards the end for a 20 baht contribution one could placed satangs in the bowls. This is what these tourists from Ozzie land were doing.


    Overall, while both of these temples are heavily visited, it is still worth the trip!
    Last edited by hillbilly; 25-06-2006 at 04:02 PM.

  12. #12
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    I've not yet made it to Wat Arun.

    Maybe next year...

  13. #13
    A bladdy woman
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    Me neither.

  14. #14
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    I have never been to any tourist attractions in BKK other than Nana and two nights on KSR.

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