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| The Chao Phraya River (the' River of the Kings') |
The right bank of the Chao Phraya River in Thonburi remains a hideaway from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok city life. A quick ferry ride across the river transports you into another sphere. Quiet, quaint with no car around, it makes you feel you are miles away out in a country village.
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| The new look of Wat Arun |
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| The sitting Buddha at Wat Kalayanamit |
Built by a Thai-Chinese nobleman in 1825, Wat Kalayanamit is a mix of Thai and Chinese culture. The main Thai viharn has a huge Buddha image which is 15.44 meters tall.
This section of Thonburi is inhabited by Chinese descendants. This is why there is also a traditional
Chinese temple nearby called Kuan Yin Shrine dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy. It has some exquisite murals and has kept its original Chinese atmosphere.
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| Kuan Yin altar |
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| Temple side door |
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| Wall decoration at Kuan Yin Shrine |
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| Street scene at Kudichin |
The nearby
Kudi Chin Community is another quaint, historical area. They are the descendants of the Portuguese community that came to settle here after the fall of Ayutthaya. The
Church of Santa Cruz - the oldest Portuguese church in Bangkok - stands in the middle of this settlement. The newly opened
Baan Kudichin Museum keeps this heritage alive. Talking with one of the community descendants, she recalls her 236 years old ancestry making her the 6th generation.
The narrow sois (alleys) of this community remain an interesting sight to enjoy and explore.
Still further away, there is another landmark worth seeing:
Wat Prayoon (1828). Its huge white
chedi is 80 meters wide at the base and is said to contain relics of Lord Buddha himself. Although this temple is still not a UNESCO World Heritage site, it has received a special award from the cultural organization (
UNESCO-Award of Excellence 2013 ).
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| Wat Prayoon interior structure |
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| Inside the chedi of Wat Prayun |
Wat Prayoon has another asset: an enclosed garden designed as a blend of Eastern and Western architecture. It is called Turtle Mountain and is in the shape of a melting wax candle. The pond around the central rock is home to hundreds of turtles waiting to be fed by visitors.
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| Turtle Mountain |
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| House built above a khlong (canal) |
Other existing Blog links on Thonburi:
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