BKK油鸡

Another 3 days... and I’ll be walking, eating, shopping.. and sweating in Bangkok town!!! Looking forward and feel like couldn’t wait longer to go!!

And here some sight-seeing pictures taken during my last trip to Bangkok! Just to complete my previous BKK油鸡 (travel diary)..

The fifth day in Bangkok was a sight-seeing day to visit places along Chao Phraya River and Chinatown.

Saphan Taksin BTS station is located walking-distance from Central Pier, Sathorn (Taksin), where we took the boat trip along Chao Phraya River (13THB). It was the cheapest way to explore the city view along Chao Phraya River, high rise buildings, hotels, Buddha shrines, church, temples, pagoda, Chinese temple, and you will never miss the famous Wat Arun on the west side of the river. We got down at Tha Chang, where we walked to the Grand Palace.

Walking under the white wall surrounding the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo, there is only one gate for entering the Palace, Viseschaisri Gate. Proper dress coat is mandatory to pay respect to the Grand Palace; or you may have the salong provided to wrap around your waist. Tourists, monks and amazing buildings came into my eyes once passed the gate. The first building that caught my eyes was the marvelous Phra Si Ratana Chedi.

The entrance ticket was more expensive than expected, 350THB per person. It includes tickets for the Pavilion of Regalia, Royal Decorations and Coins, Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo, and a ticket to Vimanmek Mansion Museum, which I had not visited in this trip.

Even though it was not in our plan to visit the Pavilion of Regalia, we spent some time in there before we found the entrance gate to Wat Phra Kaeo, Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

After the entrance, we came to the statue of hermit doctor. Hor Phra Rajphongsanusorn is on our right and Hor Phra Rajkoramanusorn is on the left and the Royal Monastery of the Emerald Buddha behind the statue.

You may also enjoy what on your left the galleries with wall mural paintings depicting stories of Ramakien, which you will soon find a pair of Thotkhirithon, giant demon statues guarding the left and right of a gate.

In front of these giant statues are three spiky stupas in a row – Phra Si Ratana Chedi, Phra Mandop, the library, and Prasat Phra Dhepbidorn, the Royal Pantheon.

It was funny to see a statue looked like the Chinese Guan Ti before walking up the steps to Phra Si Ratana Chedi, a magnificent golden chedi. Seven headed naga is used to decorate steps of Phra Mandop.

An interesting monument to note is the model of Angkor Wat in front of Phra Mandop. Scattered around are statues of elephants, mythical creatures, Buddha statues, smaller chedi and small shrines.

Some modern features are spotlights, lamp posts, rubbish bins, and tourists with digital camera.

Walking down the upper terrace, we visited Phra Viharn Yod and took photos with Nok Tantima (Tantima birds) and Chinese lions that are guarding the building.

I took some time to appreciate the beauty of the rooftop decorations of Hor Phra Naga and Hor Phra Monthian Dharma, after which we came to the two golden chedis supported by many monkey or demon statues before Prasat Phra Dhepbidorn, the Royal Pantheon.

After a photo of the famous Ramakien mural, we walked down to a place where we saw many people praying.

Thais and foreigners praying at Hor Phra Gandhararat were carrying various Buddhist rituals paying respect to their beloved Buddha.

I surprisingly found statue of Goddess Guan Yin at the other side and also took a chance to pay respect to my beloved godmother (40THB for joss sticks, candle, lily flower, praying oil and a piece of gold foil).

My next move was into the Royal Monastery of the Emerald Buddha. People were found blessing themselves by dotting their head with tip of lily flower dipped in the holy water at the entrance to this temple.

Khmer lion statues and the garudas and nagas decorating the corridor were some of the noteworthy features of the temple.

After visited the Emerald Buddha, we visited the mural paintings nearby, seeing some artists doing restoration works on the murals. Then, we walked pass the belfry, and had some mango drink outside the wall of Wat Phra Kaeo.

We walked into areas of the Phra Maha Monthien Group of buildings. Chinese statues again were outstanding.

The Chakri Maha Prasat, nice building which still serves many purposes today, was guarded from entering.

When you reached this area, it may probably be the hottest time of the day.. at least I felt that the time I was there!

After the Chakri group, Dusit group was the last before we came out from the Grand Palace. And if you are interested to know a bit more, visit the Museum just after the exit!

This is long enough I think.. But for sure, my day did not end here.. Coming up next, pictures from Wat Pho, Wat Arun and Chine Town!!