Chao Phraya River, Bangkok - Thailand

River ferry at Chao Phraya River, Bangkok.

The Chao Phraya (Thai: แม่น้ำเจ้าพระยา) is one of the most important river in Thailand. It flows through Bangkok and then into the Gulf of Thailand and is home for more than 6 million people.  Known as Krung Thep for local or the City of Angels, one of the greatest south-east Asian city where people using it every day for many activities. The canals that run to this river also become important characters of this river. There are many things surrounding the river include beautiful temples, the palaces, old and new buildings and also local houses. Not to forget the famous floating markets.

                                              

One of the most important things to see is the Royal Barge National Museum that house the king’s ceremonial barges used for state occasions such as at the end of rainy season. The ancient temples that can be found by the river are Wat Kaeo Fa, Wat Amphawan and Wat Suwannaram. While there are few places that have a river market where there can be surprising things can be found here – including souvenirs, foods and various other things.

The view from the sky.

Famous Temple of Dawn by the river.

The lower Chao Phraya underwent several man-made modifications during the Ayutthaya period. Several shortcut canals were constructed to bypass large loops in the river, shortening the trip from the capital city to the sea. The course of the river has since changed to follow many of these canals.

There’s a small island Ko Kret that houses Wat Paramai Yikawat and Wat Phal Lom. Visitors also can see potters at work here and the Ancient Mon Pottery Centre. The best way to travel to the former capital Ayutthaya also is by the Chao Phraya River.

There are many activities during the day and night. Try the dinner cruises in the evenings where it will be one of the luxury experiences during your visit here in Bangkok. It will help you to understand how important the Chao Phraya river to the people in Bangkok.

Night river cruise.

Luxury Dinner Cruise

                                                  

The Grand Palace, Bangkok

The best way to approach the Grand Palace complex is from the Chao Phraya River. The palace complex and Wat Pra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) are set within almost 10 ha (25 acres) of flat surrounded by a white wall that belies the unbelievably colorful wat within.

The Grand Palace itself is not lived in by the king, but used by on ceremonial occasions. The four buildings that make up the complex are not open to the public, but you can admire their exterior architecture. The largest building, the Grand Palace Hall was built by British architects in the late 1880s.

The Grand Palace by night.

The King will change the Emerald Buddha's attire.

The surrounding area.

Nothing could prepare you for your first sight at Wat Pra Kaew. The colors of Theravada Buddhism are red, green, orange and yellow and along with masses of gilding and gold leaf, lotus bud patterns and columns encrusted with gleaming mosaics, these colors are everywhere – so bright they almost hurt the eye.  The stupas are gilded and the swooping layers of the roofs are tiled in shining orange and green tiles. The Thai version of the Ramayana story is illustrated in its entirety around the interior walls.

The Emerald Buddha is tiny in comparison to many if the famous Buddha statues in Thailand, but it is of immense significant. Its origin is surrounded in mystery, but it was first recorded in Chiang Rai, in the fifteenth century. Laotian invaders removed it to Luang Prabang and then Vientiane, but it was recovered and returned to Thailand in the eighteenth century by Rama I, the founder of current Chakri dynasty. It sits high up in a glass case in a huge shrine that was built specially to house it.

Temple of Emerald Buddha.

The sculptures.

Ayutthaya, Thailand

An old city since 400 years ago (1350 AD), Ayutthaya was the capital of Siam, and the home of 33 kings. Wealthy and powerful, merchants from all over the Europe and the Far East came here. During a brief Burmese invasion in 1767, the city was all-but destroyed and the new capital was established at Bangkok. The ancient city is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a canal has been built to connect the three rivers that join where it stands, thus creating an island.

They’re many ruined temples scattered across the site, and there are others on the river’s edge too. The main temples can be visited on foot, but if you hire a bike you will be able to see much more of this extensive site. Wat Phra Si Sanphet was the largest temple in Ayutthaya, and also served as the palace. Built in the fourteenth century, it has three magnificent stupas. The adjoining Wat Mongkhon Bophit contains one of Thailand’s largest Buddha figures, which was cast in bronze in the fifteenth century.

Some of the temples are built in Khmer Style. Many are ruined but still magnificent, and there are a great many Buddha figures, including one in Wat Phra Meru from Sri Lanka that is said to be 1,300 years old. Sadly, many figures were damaged by the Burmese invaders, and more recently art thieves have stolen some of the heads. Nevertheless, this is a sacred site for Thais, who dress many of the Buddha figures in yellow robes, scatter flower petals and burn incense sticks reverently at their feet.