In Bangkok, BTS Skytrain is one of the most important transportation method that the public use for daily transportation.
When its fucking jam on the road, I will take BTS Skytrain to the nearest drop off point and secondly, with a cab to reach my dinner or shopping destination.
I’d say its pretty convenient for backpack travelers or holiday makers.
The most important thing is, they won’t come late like what our Keretapi Tanah Melayu did.
The above image is a exchange platform for two routes. If I can remember, its at “SIAM Station”
The shrine is located by the Grand Hyatt Erawan hotel, at the Ratchaprasong intersection of Ratchadamri Road and in Pathum Wan district, Bangkok, Thailand. It is near the Bangkok Skytrain’s Chitlom Station, which has an elevated walkway overlooking the shrine. The area has many shopping malls nearby, including Gaysorn, CentralWorld and Amarin Plaza.
History
The Erawan Shrine was built in 1956 as part of the government-owned Erawan Hotel to correct bad omens believed to be caused by laying the foundations on the wrong date.
Construction of the hotel was delayed by a series of mishaps, including cost overruns, injured laborers and the loss of a shipload of Italian marble intended for the building. In addition, the Ratchaprasong Intersection had been used in years past to put criminals on display.
An astrologer was brought in to provide solution to the bad luck, hence the shrine. The Brahma statue was designed and built by the Department of Fine Arts and enshrined on 9 November 1956.
The hotel construction then proceeded without problem. In 1987, the hotel was demolished and the site used for the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel.
Shrine Vandalized
In the early hours of 21 March 2006, the Brahma statue was vandalised by a Thai man who was believed to be mentally ill. After smashing the statue, the man, identified as Thanakorn Pakdeepol, 27, was beaten to death by angry bystanders. Two street sweepers who worked for the Pathum Wan district office were arrested for the beating.
Witnesses said the man stood on the base of the statue, holding a large hammer in his hands, and smashed the hollow statue to pieces. The deity’s four-faced head, torso, six arms and weapons were fragmented. Only the part of lap and base of the statue were left intact. The incident occurred at about 1 am.
A white cloth was put up to conceal the absence of a statue. The shrine was closed to the public for time, but officials later reopened the site, displaying photographs of the statue so that worshippers could continue to pay their respects.
The new Brahma statue was completed and placed in the shrine on 21 May 2006 at 11:39 a.m., the time the sun was shining directly above the shrine. According to officials with the Religious Affairs Department and the Maha Brahma Foundation, it was made of plaster, mixed with a mixture of gold, bronze and other precious metals, along with pieces of the old statue. Another statue, made wholly of metal, was cast from the same mold, and will be kept in the National Museum.
Brahma/Phra Phrom
In Hinduism, Brahma is believed to be the creator of all things of the world. He is cool-tempered and possesses the highest moral principles. He is full of kindness, mercy, sympathy, and impartiality. These four precepts comprise the “Conscientious Behavior” corresponding to Buddhist teaching which instructs Buddhists of the four Dharma. Besides creating the world, Brahma also creates heaven and human beings.
The features of Phra Phrom usually depict him with four faces and a pair of hands. Many people in Southeast Asia commonly refer him as the “Four Face Buddha”. In fact, in the records of Buddhist literature, he belongs to the class of devas and not of the buddhas.
The significance of the four faces of the Brahma were to offer help to the people who come to him from all directions. It is also believed that there are special significance to the religions items held by the hand and its posture. The significance of the items interpreted are believed to be as follows:
Sutra: Represents knowledge
Beads: Controlling karma
Spear: Will power
Flower vase: Wish fulfillment
Conch shell: Wealth and propserity
Mystic position of hand placed on the chest: compassion
Flying wheel: To avert disaster and calamities, suppresses evil.
Cintamani: (a kind of fan used by monks for blessings): Power of blessings.
Chatuchak Market, is always famous for some weekend shopping. It attracts a lot of locals & also tourists.
Going for a shopping at Chatuchak Market, you must remember to do good bargains on the items. It can be at least about 30-40% of offered price.
At the city center, you can take Subway to the station called “Chatuchak Park”.
Once you get down from the subway, you will have to pass by a very big park which you will see these birdies.
At Chatuchak Weekend Market, there are total of 32 GATES located at different entrance. Each of the entrance was so crowded with locals & tourists.
Some tips, you can see the Chatuchak Map by going to the 1st Gate.
In Chatuchak Weekend Market, you can even find cute dogs at very, very low price. It’s just the matter of how are we going to bring it back to Malaysia?
At Chatuchak Weekend Market, its a very entertaining place with entertainers sitting at the side of the main street playing some rhythm.
Remember to print out their map to show it to the taxi driver as most of the drivers do not understand english. Otherwise, get a local Thai who can do english-thai translation.
I have had this seafood dinner with my Austrian client during my last visit to Bangkok last week. This place can be found and accessible easily from the main road. It’s just about 10-15 minutes from the city by taxi.
Recognize the motto of “If it swims, we have it!”.
The moment you walk into the restaurant, you will see colorful interior with some fish ‘flying’ on your head.
At this restaurant, the first thing that you must do, is to do some shopping on live seafood. A pretty uniformed lady will push the trolley for you and what you need to do is just to have them to pick the fresh seafood for you.
Alaska King Crab
Black Lobster
Lobster
Lobster
Rock Lobster
Fresh Water Prawn
Black Tiger Prawn
Meat Crab
These crabs are just like Sauron’s Army in Lord of The Rings! It’s just that they are being tied up.
This is the papa & mama crab, which they are too big and I believe they are pretty juicy too!
Oysters
Mussels
And this is our catch of the night!
Secondly, proceed to the counter to make payment and your live seafood is ready to be cooked!
While tasting the wine, the food to be cooked & being prepared in less than 30 minutes, and it was being prepared without monosodium glutamate!
Our food comes to our table in less than 30 minutes time …
Remember the last visit to Bangkok is in October 2008, you can still find some blog post in this blog by searching for the keyword “Bangkok” using the search field at the upper right corner of this site.
After visiting Wat Po (Reclining Buddha), you will need to walk for a short distance to the Jetty. (Ask people where is Wat Arun and they will point you the way)
You will come to a place like this.
Take the boat at RM0.30 and you will need to cross a river to go to the opposite in order for you to reach Wat Arun. (Temple of the Dawn).
Remember, if you are being offered with a boat trip, don’t take any of them. There is nothing much to see, except Wat Arun.
Well, I know that I am wearing company’s tshirt. The morning before this trip, I was at convention centre meeting my client and make sure everything is done before leaving. Thats part of our scope.
Wat Arun has 3 layers in total. Accordingly to my uncle, it has the meaning.
After taking photos at Wat Arun, we took the ferry back to the opposite shore at RM0.30.
The famous Wat Phra Kaew also known as Grand Palace.
We spent half a day at Grand Palace taking photos and prayed.
From Bangkok City, you can take cab which will cost you about Rm20.00. Tell the taxi driver “Wattttt Phhhrraaaa Keoowwwww” and they will send you here.
The Grand Palace was protected with 4 walls at each side.
You will have the only entrance going into the Grand Palace. Please also bear in mind that you will need to pay a certain amount in order for you to enter to the Grand Palace.
This is the famous Wat Phra Keow! It’s a huge golden plated temple.
The entrance to the temple.
If you can remember my post about my countdown to Bangkok, this is where they took the photo from.
This is a cropped image from a high pixel photo.
I love the golden color. It looks so brand new striking!
Take a big round and you will see this. Everyone prays the buddha and make their wish here.
Wat Phra Keow is definitely a heaven for photography lovers!
The Buddha sits behind the wall.
This is where people meets and pray the Buddha. Photography is not allowed in this hall, and I took this photography with the zoom feature from outside of the hall.
There are so many people standing outside the hall taking the photos of the Buddha.
After meeting the Buddha, you will have to dip your head with the holy water to significant good luck and brand new life.
After coming out from the temple, I was with these people who can’t move for the day. They were paid to stand the whole day without moving any single centimeter. It becomes one of the main attraction for the tourists who love to take photos with human sculptures. I am one of them.
This is a place where you are going to get your cheap stuffs, remember always to bargain with at least 10-40%.
Don’t fight, bargaining is just an art.
Also, this is where the place that I’ve gotten the souvenirs for you. They have a lot of special handmade stuffs.
A gentle reminder again, no matter what, don’t opt for a taxi which offer a price.
We walked for a short distance to this - Bangkok Night Bazaar.
The place where people have their dinner and beer, the attraction for tourists.
Do you call the above as a romantic dinner?
At Bangkok, they have various brands of beer.
Accordingly to my colleague, this Tom Yam Gung is not as nice as our resort’s one.
The grilled squid, to be served warm.
The cockles salad, guaranteed with the level of spicyness and sourness. Imagine how it tastes like when you put one cockle into your mouth.
You will need to purchase coupons and everything is on self-service basis. Buy your coupon and order the food, pay with the coupon and bring the plate of food to your own table.
2 Days Later: Pat Pong, this is where you see the so called ‘Tiger Show’
My name is Benghan, also known as Ben Ho. I am a Project Executive in a Global Event Marketing Company. Welcome joining my blogsphere and this is a portal for me to share my knowledge, discoveries and experience related to my daily life and work. I can easily be contacted at me@benghan.com.
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