Tuesday 19 November 2024 One Full Day in Bangkok Part 3 – Wat Suthep Wat Suthep When looking at the list of Thai royal temples of the first class in Bangkok (a short list of ten), I noticed Wat Suthat and realized (1) I had never been there, and (2) it was not terribly far from Wat Pho. Being a Royal Temple of the First Class, my interest was peaked. I learned that the construction […]
Tuesday 19 November 2024 One Full Day in Bangkok Part 2 – Wat Pho Wat Pho Wat Pho is known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, and its official name is Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimolmangklararm Rajwaramahaviharn. Wat Pho is first on the list of ten temples in Thailand classed as royal temples of the first class. Wat Pho was built under the reign of King Rama I in the early 1800s. The most significant […]
Tuesday 19 November 2024One Full Day in Bangkok Part 1 – Wat Arun My plans for today will be very similar to my one full day in Bangkok last year, so this post will be quite similar to that from last year and years past when I was only in Bangkok for one full day. Bangkok is a large city, about the size of Los Angeles with twice as many people. It has a frenetic […]
Tuesday 30 January 2024 Wat Chedi Luang Wat Chedi Luang is an old and historically important Buddhist temple in Chiang Mai. Wat Chedi Luang History The construction of Wat Chedi Luang began in 1391 by King Saen Muang Ma to hold his father’s ashes. The chedi was not completed until 1475, much of its completion was managed by King Saen Muang Ma’s wife, the queen after the king passed away. It was finally completed under […]
Tuesday 20 January 2024 Wat Pan Tao Wat Pan Tao (sometimes spelled Wat Phan Tao) is a very old temple in the old city of Chiang Mai, on Prapokkloa Road next door to the more famous Wat Chedi Luang. It was founded in the 14th century and originally used as living quarters for the monks of Wat Chedi Luang. The name Wat Pan Tao is said to translate to “temple of 1000 kilns” referring to […]
Tuesday 20 January 2024 Wat Chang Taem Wat Chang Taem is next door to See You Soon, where I am staying for the last two weeks of this visit to Chiang Mai. I was at The 3-Sis for the first two months, so named because it is owned by 3 sisters (Poppy, Ice, Uhey) and their parents. The family also owns other properties in Chiang Mai. Poppy, one of the sisters, runs The 3-Sis and […]
Tuesday, January 30, 2024 Wat Muen Tum Across Prapokkloa Road and only 50 meters or so north of Wat Jed Lin is Wat Muen Tum, sometimes spelled Wat Muen Toom. Almost all Buddhist temples have the main entrance on the east side. The viharn (worship or prayer hall) doors open to the east to greet the rising sun honoring the beginning of the day. On the west, or setting sun side of the viharn is […]
Tuesday, 30 January 2024 Prapokkloa Road Leaving Wat Fon Soi and walking north on Prapokkloa Road, just 80 meters further is Wat Jed Lin, sometimes spelled Wat Chet Lin, Wat Jet Lin, or Wat Nong Chalin. Wat Jed Lin Wat Jed Lin is a beautiful, serene temple beside a large pond with lotus flowers, lily pads, fish, and fairly large turtles. Sitting in one of the bamboo pavilions, relaxing beside the pond, it’s hard to […]
Tuesday 30 January 2024 Prapokkloa Road The walled old city of Chiang Mai is approximately square, very close to 1600 meters square on each side. It is remarkable how accurate the layout is, given that this was constructed more than 700 years ago. And 1600 meters is very close to 1 mile. Within the 1 square mile of the old walled city of Chiang Mai are at least 50 Buddhist temples. I pass by many […]
Sunday 21 January 2024 Revisiting Wat Jed Yod I have been to Wat Jed Yod many times over the eleven years visiting Chiang Mai. The temple grounds are large with many trees, almost like a park with a serene atmosphere. There are always tourists here, but not many, and I feel like I have much of the temple to myself. I like the many chedis at Wat Jed Yod, all old and rustic looking and […]
Sunday 21 January 2024Three temples on Tha Phae Road Wat Chetawan About 200 meters east of Tha Phae Gate on the north side of Tha Phae Road is Wat Chetawan, directly across Tha Phae Road from Wat Mahawan. Wat Chetawan seems to be in a constant state of renovation and/or reconstruction for as many times I have noticed this temple in my many visits to Chiang Mai. The sign over the main entrance appears temporary […]
Sunday 21 January 2024Three temples on Tha Phae Road Wat Mahawan About 200 meters east of Tha Phae Gate on the south side of Tha Phae Road is Wat Mahawan, directly across Tha Phae Road from Wat Chetawan. Wat Mahawan is a little rustic and appears well-worn, and while some cleaning and/or restoration might be in order soon, the temple is quite appealing. There being many plants gives the temple a larger, garden feeling, while […]
James the Intrepid Pilgrim 