The Metal Castle in Bangkok
When I drive down Ratchadamnoen Klang Road towards the Democracy Monument, I often noticed this strange structure in the grounds of Wat Ratchanatdaram. It is marked on some tourists maps as simply “The Metal Castle”. It is really a remarkable structure. As the name suggests, it is indeed made of metal. King Rama III ordered construction of Loha Prasat in the early 19th Century in honour of his granddaughter, HRH Princess Somanas Vadhanawadi.
Luang Pho To in Bang Phli
One of the most revered Buddha images in Samut Prakan Province is Luang Poh To which can be found at Wat Bang Phli Yai Nai. During the annual Rub Bua Festival, usually in October, a replica of this image is taken out on a boat on the Samrong Canal for local people to worship. They line both sides of the canal and throw lotus flowers towards the boat. After about half an hour the Buddha image is buried in lotuses up to its neck.
Buddhas at Wat Yai Chai Mongkon
One of the most impressive temples in Ayutthaya is this one called Wat Yai Chai Mongkol. Like many of the others, a lot of the buildings and Buddha images were destroyed by the Burmese during the sacking of the city in 1767. However, the big chedi still remains. The remainder, like these Buddha images, are replicas.
Reclining Buddha in Bangkok
The Temple of the Reclining Buddha is just south of the Grand Palace in Bangkok and most tourists visit both in one day. The full name is Wat Phra Chettuphon Wimon Mangkhlaram Ratchaworamahawihan, but most Thais just call it Wat Pho. The temple is one of the oldest in Bangkok. The highlight for visitors is of course this 46 meter long reclining Buddha. But the temple is also famous for its school for traditional Thai massage. There are also many statues showing various yoga positions.
Wat Phrathat Hariphunchai
One of the most beautiful and also important temples in Lamphun Province in Northern Thailand is Wat Phrathat Hariphunchai. According to legend, the Lord Buddha himself once came to this area to collect alms. A local Lua tribesman offered him some "samor", a kind of fruit. The Buddha predicted that a man would later erect a great city on this spot and would call it Hariphunchai Nakhon. This temple is also important for people born in the Year of the Rooster.
Thailand's Most Beautiful Buddha
Probably the most beautiful Buddha image in Thailand is "Phra Buddha Chinnarat". It can be found at Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahatat Woramahawihan in Phitsanulok. It is believed to 700 years old and it is very distinctive with its halo above the head. I sometimes stop here when I am driving up to Chiang Mai. Some people from Bangkok even visit here as a day long merit making trip.
Washing the Feet of Buddhist Monks
In Thai society, the head is considered both clean and sacred. In contrast, the feet are considered dirty. It is considered an insult to wave your feet at someone while sitting down or use to your feet to push something to one side. In this picture, devout Buddhists feel honoured to wash the feet of novice monks on their retunr from receiving alms.
Scattering of Ashes
This is a picture of a Thai family scattering the ashes of a deceased relative in the Gulf of Thailand. Traditionally, Thai families either keep the ashes at home, at the temple or scatter them on the waters or a combination of all three. Many people travel to Paknam in Samut Prakan to scatter ashes at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River as it is believed to be an auspicious location.
Reclining Buddha in Angthong
This large Reclining Buddha can be found at Wat Khun Inthapramun in Angthong Province in Central Thailand. It is 50 meters long. Some guidebooks mistakenly say that it is the longest in Thailand. However, I know one at Wat Bang Phli Yai Klang in Samut Prakan that is 53 meters. This Reclining Buddha is believed to have been built during the Sukhothai period. The temple was later burned to the ground and left abandoned for more than 100 years.
Buddhist Hell
Near Bangsaen Beach in Chonburi, there is a temple called Wang Saen Suk where they have an interesting garden which shows visitors very clearly what will happen to them if they sin. For example, if you tell a lie you will have your tongue wripped out. If you have an affair with another man's wife you will be forced to climb a thorny tree,
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