Thailand

Buddha image and beautiful tower roof top in the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand's capital city.

Guardian statues at the Grand Palace.

One of the beautiful buildings with bell-shaped chedi.

Traditional houses along the mighty Mae Nam Chao Phraya (Chao Phraya River). In the central region of Thailand, the Chao Phraya River is regarded as the bloodline of the Thai people. It has its origins in four rivers flowing from the northern region of the country. The four tributaries, namely the Ping, Wang, Yom and Nan, meet at Pak Nam Pho in the Muang District of Nakhon Sawan Province. The Chao Phraya River is 370 kilometers long. Much of Thai history can be traced along the banks of the Chao Phraya River.

Ayuthaya was founded around A.D.1350 by a Prince of U-Thong. Ayuthaya was the capital of Thailand, the second Siamese capital after the Sukhothai, until 1767 when it was completely destroyed during the war with the Burmese. The capital was subsequently moved to Thonburi, then Bangkok. Ayuthaya was used to be one of the richest cities in Asia by the 1600s, exporting rice, animal skins, ivory, etc. Nowadays the historical site of Ayuthaya is a UNESCO world heritage center.

A Buddha image at Wat Phra Mahathat.

A Buddha head in a tree at Wat Mahathat is the most photographed Buddha in Ayuthaya.

The 29m sleeping Buddha at Wat Lokkya Sutha, Ayuthaya.

Originally built by King Prasattong, Bang Pa-in Palace was the resident of all the kings in the Ayuthaya period but it was let unoccupied when Bangkok became the capital. The Palace comprises a collection of buildings of various ages and architectural styles surrounded by a lake.

A quiet spot at the Bang Pa-in Palace.

Wat Arun is on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya river. Thonburi was the capital of Thailand after Ayutthaya was destroyed by the war with the Burmese before the capital was moved to Bangkok.

The Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is a good place to see the old style and traditional way of selling and buying fruits, vegetables and other produces from boats. The Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is located at Damnoen Saduak District, Ratchaburi Province, about 105 kms from Bangkok. The market is generally packed with tourists from Bangkok. It is advised to go there the night before to get a good glimpse of the quite market in the early morning.

Women in straw hats selling fruits from a boat at the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market.

Lots of straw hats for sales.

Same point of view

Life on mucky water

Fired banana treats from a busy market.