Saturday 23 November 2024 Revisiting a favorite temple Wat Chedi Luang Wat Chedi Luang is a very old and important temple to the Thai people. The 3-Sis guesthouse where I stay is directly across the street from Wat Chedi Luang, so I see busses of tourists, many Thai, arriving every day while I am eating breakfast. In years past, I would do my morning meditation at the base of the large chedi before breakfast. When […]
Tuesday 19 November 2024 Full Day in Bangkok 4 – Wat Saket Wat Saket the Golden Mount Temple I have been to Wat Saket on one of my first winters in Thailand (about 11 or 12 years ago). I remember well not feeling a strong connection when I visited then. It is a Royal Temple of the Second Class, so considered rather important in the Buddhist Religion in Thailand. Being a 15-minute walk from Wat […]
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 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 […]
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 2024 Three temples on Tha Phae Road I walk past three temples on Tha Phae Road often as I walk to the Story 106 co-working space for coffee and to work on my blog. Since I have visited these temples many times in the past, I generally ignore them and walk by. Since seeing these temples is part of my daily routine, and they are very different with different histories, I thought […]
James the Intrepid Pilgrim 