Th 10 - Last Team Will Be Eliminated

"The marble not yet carved can hold the form of every thought the greatest artist has."

- Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni (1475 - 1564)

Wat Benchamabophit Dusitvanaram
วัดเบญจมบพิตรดุสิตวนารามราชวรวิหาร

The final temple of the day was Wat Benchamabophit Dusitvanaram or famously known as the 'Marble Temple' built by King Chulalongkorn on 1899. It is one of Bangkok's most beautiful temples and a major tourist attraction.

Inside the Ordination Hall (Ubosot) is a Sukhothai-style Buddha statue named Phra Buddhajinaraja, cast in 1920. The ashes of King Chulalongkorn are buried beneath the statue.

The temple's name literally means the Temple of the fifth King located nearby Dusit Palace. It was designed by Prince Naris, a half-brother of the king, and is built of Italian marble.

Trivia : The temple was featured in the famous The Amazing Race 9 as the 10th and final elimination pit-stop.

Scene of the Marble Temple

One of the 52 Buddha statues surrounding the temple collected by Prince Damrong Rajanubhab for his king.

Th 9 - Swing to Death!

"To be idle is a short road to death and to be diligent is a way of life; foolish people are idle, wise people are diligent."
- Siddhārtha Gautama Buddha (563 BC - 483 BC)

The Giant Swing
เสาชิงช้า
Sao Ching Cha

One of the ritual that have been stopped in view of numerous casualties was the Ceremony of Tri-yampawai or the Swinging Festival done at the Giant Swing. The Giant Swing was originally constructed in 1784 in front of the Devasathan shrine by King Rama I.

The Swinging Festival usually occurs at about Christmas time. Processions bear the 'mock king,' who is an official of high rank, to the big swing. Brahmin priests lead him to a carpeted platform where he sits with one foot placed on his knee to observe the unfolding events. He is attended by four Brahmin priests, two on his right and two on his left, until the three rounds of swinging have ended. This can take about two hours. If he touches the floor with his raised foot before the games are ended, the Brahmins were allowed to strip him of his property and clothes and chase him through the streets. Nowadays, he has to pay a hefty fine to the Brahmins instead.

Old picture of the Swing Ceremony

Four or five men, who are dressed in white with tall conical hats, mount the swing and urge it towards a bamboo pole on which a bag of money is hung. The nearest man on the swing tries to grab it with his teeth. This is somewhat difficult and dangerous as the swing supports are 75 feet high. The first set of swingers who succeed get twelve ticals, the second eight, and the third four. After the third set has proved successful the Brahmin priests then sprinkle water as a blessing, and everyone returns to the palace.

The Swing Ceremong are based on the story from an ancient Hindu epic - after Brahma created the world he sent Shiva to look after it. When Shiva descended to the earth, Naga serpents wrapped around the mountains in order to keep the earth in place. When Shiva found the earth solid, the Nagas moved to the seas in celebration. The Swing Ceremony is a re-enactment of this story. The pillars of the Giant Swing represent the mountains, while the circular base of the swing represents the earth and the seas. In the ceremony Brahmins swing, trying to grab a bag of coins placed on one of the pillars.

Maybe it takes courage or even stupidity to revive back this fatal ceremony. Wat Suthat - the royal temple on the background.

Th 8 - Temple for Princess

"A good person can make another person good; it means that goodness will elicit goodness in the society; other persons will also be good."
- King Rama IX Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Wat Ratchanaddaram
วัดราชนัดดาราม
View from Loha Prasat

From left : Infront the Loha Prasat; model of Loha Prasat based on the first structure built by female devotee of Visakha.

Wat Ratchanaddaram or literally means 'Royal Niece' located at the Ratchadamnoen Klang and Mahachak Roads, in the Phra Nakhon district of Bangkok. I went to this temple with tuk-tuk from Wat Pho. Need to change route as a local told me that the Grand Palace was closed in view of the death of the King Rama IX's sister. Initially I didn't know much about this temple but after being told that this is one of the temple that shouldn't missed - I proceed. And futhermore it's free!

Loha Prasat or Iron Monastery

This temple built on 1846 by King Rama III. It is best known for the Loha Prasat means 'Iron Monastery' and the name refers to the 37 metal spires on the pagoda. These 37 spires represent the 37 virtues that lead to enlightenment.

Metal Spires of the pagoda

Loha Prasat it is presently the only metal-based Buddhist construction left in the world, making it a viable candidate for Unesco World Heritage Site status in 1995. It derived its name from the first structure of this kind built in India by a female devotee of Visakha, There were only 3 temples built based on the structure - each in India (the original), Sri Lanka (built by King Dutthagamini of Anurajapura in 161 BC) and in Thailand. However the first two have become ruined.

One of UNESCO's World Heritage List candidate

Th 7 - Be Amaze with Largest Reclining Buddha

"There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting."
- Siddhārtha Gautama Buddha (563 BC - 483 BC)

Wat Pho (วัดโพธิ์)
Wat Phra Chetuphon (วัดพระเชตุพน)
The Temple of the Reclining Buddha
noted Belfry - the time teller of every monastery and in Buddhism it symbolizes “awakening for the noble-truth and the feeling of peace”.

The largest single Buddha images: the Reclining Buddha (Phra Buddhasaiyas) is 46m long + 15m high and heavily decorated with gold plating on his body.

My next stop - Wat Pho famous for its thousands of Buddha image - with the centre attraction is 'the largest reclining Buddha' and the famous massage school. The temple just a few minutes walk from the Tien pier. Wat Pho is one of the largest and oldest temple in Bangkok.

From left : “Lan Than Nai Tvarapala”- Chinese rock giants holding weapons in hands, standing on both sides as the gate guardians; Sala Rai or satellite pavilions.

Her full name is Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimolmangklararm Rajwaramahaviharn, built as restoration of an earlier temple on 1788. The temple complex consists of two walled compounds with the northern walled compound is where the reclining Buddha and massage school are found. The southern walled compound, Tukgawee, is a working Buddhist monastery with monks in residence and a school.

Notes : Admission fee = THB 50 and it open from 8.00am till 5.00pm.

From left : the soles of the statue's feet are inlaid with mother-of-pearl showing the 108 auspicious signs of the Buddha; mural paintings from Akanibart Jataka (550 lives of the Lord Buddha).

You can even try your luck where you put a handful of Thai coins one into each bowl. There is better explanation for this ritual but again - no notes taken during the explanation given. Sigh ...

Th 6 - Temple of Dawn

" However long the night, the dawn will break"
- African proverb

Wat Arunratchawararam Ratchaworamahavihara
วัดอรุณราชวรารามราชวรมหาวิหาร

My first stop was at the Tien Pier. From here you can see the Wat Arun on the other side of the river. You can take across river ferry to Wat Arun that cost less than THB 5. Admission fee of THB 50 applied for foreigners and it open from 8.30 am till 5.30 pm.

From left : Wat Arun from the river; beautiful Chinese porcelain decorated it's wall.

Wat Arun or her full name Wat Arunratchawararam Ratchaworamahavihara originally since the days of Thailand's ancient capital of Ayutthaya. It have changed her name several times by the Kings and once become the temple for the King inside the Royal Palace. It also once a place for the Emerald Buddha statue before it moves to Wat Phra Kaeo in the current Grand Palace compound.

The demons (Thai: Yaksha) at the entranceway to the ubosot are from the Ramakien. The white figure is named Sahassa Deja and the green one is known as Thotsakan, the Demon Ravana from Ramayana.

Even without the Emerald Buddha, this temple still gained numerous visitors from in and outside Bangkok. The architecture that resembles Mount Meru attracted thousand visitors and worshippers every month.

From left : The satellite prangs are devoted to the wind god Phra Phai; the central prang was supported by yakshas (demon) and kinnari (half-human).

Up to the central prang. Notice that every Buddha or Hindu temple - they will built narrow steps to ascend. Might be to show that every time you want to see God - you should bow your head.

Th 5 - Cruise Along Menam Chao Phraya

The river is constantly turning and bending and you never know where it's going to go and where you'll wind up. Following the bend in the river and staying on your own path means that you are on the right track. Don't let anyone deter you from that.
- Eartha Kitt (1927 - 2008); an American actress, singer and cabaret star.

Mae Nam Chao Phraya
River of Kings
แม่น้ำเจ้าพระยา

For tourist, most of us start the journey through Chao Phraya river from the Central Pier reachable from Saphan Taksin BTS Skytrain station. Here you can buy a day river pass for THB 150 - same concept as the day pass of BTS Skytrain : anywhere anytime on that day!

MeNam or Mae Nam literaly means 'Mother' and 'Water', whereas Chao Phraya is a Thai's feudal title that means General or Lord. So, the 'River of Kings' really suited the river since its the major river in Thailand and used even by the Kings to travel around the city. It is Bangkok's major transportation artery with vast network of ferries and water taxis, also known as longtails.

On the tourist boat - that operated by Chao Phraya Express Boat Company, a tourist guide will introduce you the interesting places around the river and where you can stopby. Excellent service and convinience to the tourist. Besides tourist - they to charter the locals around Bangkok. A good way to avoid jams especially during peak hour.

From left : The Bangkok Oriental Hotel owned by Mandarin Oriental established in 1876 - one of the oldest hotel in Bangkok with many famous person had stayed here such as George HW Bush, Mel Gibson, Queen Sofia of Spain, Princess Diana and Prince Charles, Omar Sharif and Elizabeth Taylor; Holy Rosary Church or Kalawario (a Thai transliteration of Calvary) built b Portuguese in 1786

From left : one of the government building - I can't remember the name ~x(; Wat Arun or famously known as the Temple of Dawn.


From left : Wichaiya Prasit Fortress named after a foreign high-ranking official Constantine Falcon - advisor to King Narai of Ayutthaya period; if I'm not mistaken a new Wat - may be a State Wat ?


From left : the Chinese Foundation for Morality Propagaton for Welfare; Phra Sumane Fort near to Banglampu canal


From left : a mosque located side by side with a Chinese temple; there are space allocated for monks in the boat - the Thai respect their monks very much and they even no need to pay any fees for the transportation. Lucky!

Th 4 - My Respect to Rama VI

Lumphini Park - created by King Mongkut in 1920. The name taken from Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha in Nepal.

I totally forgot to change my money to Baht. Unlike in Cambodia that you can use US Dollar, in Thailand you have to use their currency unless you're doing your shopping in big malls. So, I decided to walk around my hotel area to look for the money changer early in the morning after breakfast. I've bought myself a day pass on BTS Skytrain and walk till the Lumphini Park.

Lot of people jog here at the park that situated in the city centre. Here a statue of King Mongkutklao erected and public do come here often to pay respect on him. King Mongkut (the name that I learned during my school time : History lesson - remember you guys!); was a King of Siam from 1910 till 1925. His real name is Vajiravudh and he used the name of Rama VI with reigning title of Phra Mongkut Klao Chaoyuhua. He succeeded his father - the famous King Chulalongkorn and continued the modernizations introduced by his father, whose achievements were difficult to follow by others.

OK from here - I've already found the place for money changer. Hmm, where should I go first? From the map better to go to Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun since these are landmarks of Bangkok. To Saphan Taksin stops and then change to the Chao Phraya ferry!

King Mongkut or Rama VI (1881 - 1925); involved in the first revolt in Siam history where 7 Army officers attempted to overthrow King Rama VI in 1912. However the revolt ended unsuccesful and the King did initiate many reforms to prevent this event happen again. He tried his best to save his country’s finances and pulled the ancient Kingdom into the Modern age, with mixed success. His reign was known as one of the most peaceful and culturally vibrant period in Thai history.

Th 3 - Public Transport

MRT Station of Silom, near to Lumphini Park

One of thing that I love Bangkok its their public transport services. Compared to Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok has 8 times more population and that makes it's a difficult task to arrange the mode of transportation for its people. However despite this number, Bangkok has offer a vast option to be choose from based on your budget and how fast do you want to move around.

Being known as 'the Venice of the East', most of the places still connected with boat / ferry. For tourist like me, having a chance to travel on it - its different experience. This mode not necessary fast, but it is fun and enjoyable.

From left : one of the boat soaring through Chao Phraya river - the ferry are colour-coded with flags so that you know which ferry to take; tuk-tuk parked near to the Grand Palace.

The most famous mode of transportation - the 'tuk-tuk' give you a whole lot different excitement. Ride through the traffic - it is fast, cheap and thrill! The down part of it - that you've been exposed to the air pollution of the city and in quite rare occasion - scams! I've once have been left by my tuk-tuk driver in one of the temple just because he got his petrol voucher after he brought me to one jewellery shop. As if I need the diamonds! Lucky I haven't paid for the ride and I got another tuk-tuk to ride. The told me that they got the petrol voucher when they brought customer to these gems shops and its much worth it compared to what we pay for them.

If you didn't want to ride boat or tuk-tuk, there's other options like buses. MRT and SkyTrain are cheap, fast and more convenience. But if you want comfortable - you can choose taxi to move around.

Don't worry - to travel around Bangkok it's convenience. Most of the tourist attraction places are well connected with the public transport that you no need to book any other. It is one of the most tourist-friendly city! No wonder people keep coming here.

From left : if yellow synonym with New York - the pink taxi are the colour of Big Mango's taxi; BTS Skytrain - you can buy a day pass that cost you THB 150 to travel to any station anytime on that day.