Monday 10 October 2011

Wat Phra Kaew, Bangkok

Wat Phra Kaew, Bangkok

Yesterday we visited the Wat Phra Kaew, the most revered temple in Thailand. It was probably 16 years ago or so that I visited last time and o go here his time around with the family it was a new experience and different point of view. For the children it was the first time and they were very impressed.

View from the entrance

It's a very impressive sight and a big compound with lots of things to see. Near the entrance is also an interesting museum of 'Regalia, Royal decorations and coins', which is included in the 400,-THB entrance fee! For Thai nationals entrance is free to the Wat/Temple but the Museum is only 10,-THB! The Temple grounds close at 4.30pm.

Yak supporting a pagoda

It's a great place for taking pictures with plenty of amazing views and opportunities for shooting. Lots of statues, decorations, doors, look throughs and plenty of more things to see and shoot.

We also went to see the Emerald Buddha, possibly the main attraction within the Temple complex but photo taking is not allowed this buliding.
Yak

Once you're here in this part of Bangkok, there are plenty of other things to visit which are really nearby, like the Sanaam Luang, Wat Pho with the reclining Buddha and also the Grand Palace (which is on the same grounds and entrance is included in your ticket of the Wat Phra Kaew). Easily a full day trip.

Guards

We had a very enjoyable morning at this very favorite tourist attraction and it's well worth your time and well worth the entrance fee. Enjoy your visit!

Camill

4 comments:

Miriam said...

Hello. I am planning to be in Thailand (Bangkok, Phuket, Koh Samui) in the next 2 weeks and after seeing the news about flooding, I searched for information on the internet and found your blog. I noticed that you don't mention the floods.

Would you mind sharing any information you have about the flooding and expected problems in the next week? Particularly, the news mentioned the greatest danger to Bangkok is Oct. 16-18th.

thank you for any information you can share.

Miriam

Camille said...

Hi Miriam,

Bangkok is about to be hit by some serious flooding from the 15th onwards, although not all the city is expected to be flooded. It will depend on where you will stay, especially the Eastern part of town is threatened. Most tourist areas I would expect to be fine.

Phuket and Samui should be just fine, maybe some occasional rain but no flooding.

Hope this helps for now.

Miriam said...

Thank you so much for the helpful information. One more question - is the airport within the threatened area? I'm debating whether to change my flight from BKK to HKT from the 16th to the 15th.

Sorry for the trouble, and again, many thanks!

Camille said...

Hi Miriam,

To the best of my knowledge the Suvarnabhumi airport area should not be affected by floods but keep an eye out on the two English newspapers in Bangkok, The Nation and the Bangkok Post, they will have daily updates.

I’m back on Koh Samui right now and won’t update news on Bangkok anymore, unless something major happens there.

Hope this helps for now.