Wat Prakaew : Bangkok

The Wat Phra Kaew (English Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Thai: วัดพระแก้ว; full official name Wat Phra Sri Rattana Satsadaram, Thai: วัดพระศรีรัตนศาสดาราม) is regarded as the most sacred Buddhist temple (wat) in Thailand. It is located in the historic center of Bangkok (district Phra Nakhon), within the grounds of the Grand Palace.[1]

The construction of the temple started when King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke (Rama I) moved the capital from Thonburi to Bangkok in 1785. Unlike other temples it does not contain living quarters for monks; rather, it has only the highly decorated holy buildings, statues, and pagodas.

The main building is the central ubosoth, which houses the Emerald Buddha. There are three main doors used to enter the temple, however only the King and Queen are allowed to enter through the center door. Even though it is small in size it is the most important icon for Thai people. Legends hold that the statue originated in India, but it first surfaced in the vassal Kingdom of Cambodia and was given as a gift to the King of Ayuttaya in the 15th century 1434. The image disappeared when Burmese raiders sacked Ayuttaya and the image was feared lost. A century later, the 'Emerald' Buddha reappeared in Chiang Saen, after a rainstorm washed away some of its plaster covering. It was then moved to Chiang Rai, then Chiang Mai, where it was removed by prince Setatiratt to Luang Prabang, when his father died and he ascended the throne of that Siamese vassal state. In later years it was moved to the Siamese vassal state of Vientiene. During a Haw invasion from the North, Luang Prabang requested Siam's help in repelling the invaders. The King of Vietienne tratoriously attacked the Siamese army from the rear, so the 'Emerald' Buddha returned to Siam when King Taksin fought with Laos and his general Chakri (the later King Rama I) took it from Vientiane, which at that time had been brought to its knees by the Thai Army. It was first taken to Thonburi and in 1784 it was moved to its current location. Wat Preah Keo, in Phnom Penh, is considered by many modern Cambodians as its rightful resting place, whereas, Haw Phra Kaew, in Vientiane, is considered by many Lao people as the Emerald Buddha's rightful place.
The wall surrounding the temple area – from the outside only a plain white wall – is painted with scenes from the Thai version of the Ramayana mythology, the Ramakian. Several statues in the temple area resemble figures from this story, most notably the giants (yak), five-meter high statues. Also originating from the Ramayana are the monkey kings and giants which surround the golden chedis.

The Temple also contains a model of Angkor Wat, added by King Nangklao (Rama III), as the Khmer empire of Cambodia and the Thais share cultural and religious roots.

Despite the hot weather most of the year in Bangkok, long trousers are required to enter the wat. This rule is strictly enforced. The facility offers the rental of proper trouser wear.

The grand palace
The Grand Palace (พระบรมมหาราชวัง) adjoins Wat Phra Kaew in a common compound, and is where you will end up after exiting Wat Phra Kaew. Despite the proximity of the two, there's a distinct contrast in style between the very Thai Wat Phra Kaew and the more European inspired designs of the Grand Palace (the roof being the exception). The Grand Palace is nowadays used only for occasional ceremonial purposes and is no longer the royal residence. The present King Bhumibol (Rama IX) lives in Chitralada Palace (also closed to tourists), which is located not too far away in Bangkok's Dusit district. Though the interior of most of the buildings remain closed to the public .
Locate BANGKOK : Highlights of it are:
- Boromabiman Hall, built by King Rama VI and every king since has lived here at some time.
- Amarinda Hall, the original residence of King Rama I and the Hall of Justice. Nowadays it's impressive interior is used for ceremonial occasions and coronations. It contains the antique throne, used before the Western style one presently in use.
- Grand Palace Hall / Chakri Maha Prasat. Visitors are allowed inside the spacious European style reception room. This building has not been used for royal residence since the mysterious death of King Rama VIII (the older brother of the current King), found shot dead in his room in 1946. The reverence for the monarchy in Thailand means that, even today, this remains a completely taboo subject to talk publicly about in Thailand.
- The impressive Dusit Hall, rated as perhaps the finest architectural building in this style.
- The Museum, which has information on the restoration of the Grand Palace, scale models of the Wat and Palace and numerous Buddha images. Labels are in Thai only, but there are free English tours available frequently. Entrance is 50B.
Details
The combined compound is open 8.30am to 3.30pm everyday. Cost is 200B (if you are Thai, it's free), and includes admission to Vimanmek Mansion and Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall, both in the Dusit area of the city, the Coin Museum in the compound, and so-so free guidebook. The entrance to the compound is on Na Phra Lan road, on the north side.
Don't listen to anyone on the street as you try to enter telling you it's closed for a 'Buddhist holiday', 'cleaning' etc, or asking if you want to see the 'Lucky Buddha' instead - it's all part of a sophisticated gem scam.
As Wat Phra Kaew is Thailand's most important temple, you are expected to dress appropriately or risk being turned away. Signs put up around the entrance show you are not permitted to enter wearing shorts, sleeveless shirts, singlets or any form of open ended shoes. Sarongs and long trousers are usually available for loan should you forget.
Other attractions easy to reach from here are Wat Pho, Wat Arun, the National Museum, others sights in the Ko Rattanakosin area, and the Banglamphu district.

There's plenty of options for getting to the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew. Ordinary buses 44, 47 and 91 stop on Thaiwang road between Wat Pho and Wat Phra Kaew. Ordinary buses 1, 25, 44, 47, 82 and 91 also stop on Maharat road, on the west of Wat Phra Kaew. On nearby Sanam Luang, north of Wat Phra Kaew, ordinary buses 3, 15, 30, 32, 43, 44, 59, 64, 70, 80, 123 and 201 all stop, as well as aircon 6, 7, 12, 39 and 44. The Tha Chang river express boat stop is also very near. If you're staying in Banglamphu, it's possible to walk there via Sanam Luang. It's only about a 1 km walk, but involves crossing some large and busy roads which don't have any obvious crossing places.

Thailand is the most popular tourist destination in South-East Asia, and for a reason. You can find almost anything here: thick jungle as green as can be, crystal blue beaches that feel more like a warm bath than a swim in the ocean and food that can curl your nose hairs while tap dancing across your taste buds. Exotic, yet safe; cheap, yet equipped with every modern amenity you need, there is something for every interest and every price bracket, from beach front backpacker bungalows to some of the best luxury hotels in the world. And despite the heavy flow of tourism, Thailand retains its quintessential Thainess, with a culture and history all its own and a carefree people famed for their smiles and their fun-seeking sanuk lifestyle. Many travelers come to Thailand and extend their stay well beyond their original plans and others never find a reason to leave. Whatever your cup of tea is, they know how to make it in Thailand.
A Family Vacation Getaway In One Of The Best Luxury Hotels In Krabi Thailand by: Peter R Stewart
So far as luxury hotels go anywhere in the Far East, the Rayavadee in Krabi Thailand is as good if not better than most other luxury hotels.

It is a great beach vacation hotel, with 77 rooms, perfect for a family vacation getaway, and equally fantastic for a honeymoon vacation special deal.

The Rayavadee has to be seen to be believed and everything from the staff to the accommodation, to the grounds, the beaches, and the food are close to being perfect. Krabi is possibly one of the most beautiful places on earth so it is just the perfect position for the Rayavadee.

You have to get to Rayavadee by boat, and the first thing that will strike you is the boat. White leather upholstery and the crew all in matching sailors uniforms. Initial impressions are lasting ones, and this certainly makes you feel you are going to a luxury resort. Moving from the speedboat to reception, the impression continues with details all being taken whilst sitting down with hot towels and drinks, which beats standing around a crowded reception area any time.

The accommodation is top class, and if you are on a family vacation getaway there is the family villa with two bedrooms, one on the ground floor, the extra bedroom being the only difference from the De Luxe Pavilion

A two storey villa, and it is so well equipped with all mod cons. It is the small touches like the bathroom own brand products, the bottles of water everywhere, tea, coffee, and biscuits replaced every day. More food and drinks in a huge sideboard, and chocolates left every night by the bed.

A huge bath which holds two, is a feature of the bathroom, and a huge bed are all part of the ambiance.

A great luxury resort has great food, and on a family vacation getaway with hungry kids to feed, this is a very important consideration. If the reader is considering the Rayavadee for a Beach honeymoon vacation special then food is probably high on your agenda.

You will find the restaurants at the Rayavadee are all of the very best, with impeccable service in each of the four different restaurants. It is fair to say that food is not cheap but the views are just out of this world, and you may find it sensible to go down the beach and eat instead, where you will pay perhaps $15 instead of $100, and get genuine Thai food. It’s perfectly safe and worth the effort.

If you want to be active, then there is lots to do from kayaking through the sea caves hiking, swimming, snorkelling, tennis.

The service from the staff could not be more helpful, you will be treated like royalty.in every way. The only downside is the service by the pool which seems to be on the slow side of slow, but always extremely polite.

They are exceptional apart from that small point in every way, and are a big part of the success of the Rayavedee.

Words cannot do justice to the incredibly beautiful beaches, especially the Phranang and Railey beaches which have powder white sand and views of islands in the distance with little caves to explore. Beware however of the monkeys, who although friendly are everywhere!!

All in all there is no doubt that the Rayavadee in Krabi is one of the best luxury hotels in the Far East. It is an ideal spot place for a family vacation getaway on some of the best beaches anywhere. It would also be a good choice for a honeymoon vacation special, so look out for some great honeymoon vacation deals.

Light and Sound in Phuket
It is not probably not to overstatement to say that Phuket never sleeps.As soon as the sun sets,the sound of music that lifts up our spirits and the the neon lights from entertainment vennues uddenly enliven the city .Anyone who fancies expereincing Phukets nightlife should keep themselves physique fit for the adventure
that awaits them.Patong Beach is the first name that crop up when thinking of nightlife and all nooks and corners along the road opposite the beach that suddenly wake up together to illuminate the night as soon as the sun sets .

The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition | Date: 2008
Phuket , island, 206 sq mi (534 sq km), a province of Thailand, in the Andaman Sea, off the west coast of the Malay Peninsula. The town of Phuket is the capital. Flat, with isolated hills, the island was one of Thailand's chief tin-mining regions, but now resort tourism is the main industry. Phuket also produces mainly rubber, coconuts, and pepper. The population is mainly Chinese and Thai; the Chinese mined tin there since ancient times.

Phuket town was founded in the 1st cent. BC by colonists from India. European merchants began trading there in the 16th cent. The island, contested by the Siamese and the Burmese during their 18th-century wars, was finally incorporated into Thailand in the 19th cent. Phuket was known to the Malays as Ujong Salang (Cape Salang) and to early European voyagers as Junkceylon. In the 1980s and 1990s it experienced rapid development as tourism expanded. Parts of the island's coast were devastated by the Dec., 2004, Indian Ocean tsunami.

Author not available, PHUKET., The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition 2008