THAILAND… BEYOND AMAZING! (Wats in Bangkok) Part 2 of 5



Custom shaped porcelain tiles of vibrant hues gave this tower in Wat Arun its jaw dropping beauty



WATS it all about

Pointing to the heavens here and there were the Wats or Temples of Thailand. I would advice to bring water wherever you go and to wear comfortable shoes preferably slip-ons and since you might be as well at it, put decent socks on and there are no but’s about it as Wats require visitors to remove shoes out of respect. Wats are not few and far between, with a mind blowing 33,902 in use out of 40,717. So allow me to share some Wat abouts you can count with your fingers sparing you the toes I have explored.  

WATS in Bangkok

L-R: Statues of Buddha welcome worshipers, Incense offerings, Mythical creatures by the temple's doorway

Wat Traimit at the end of Chinatown’s Yaowarat Road the Buddha sits 5 meters high weighing 5 1/2 tons.


The 5.5 ton Buddha sits serenely in Wat Traimit

It was a surprising feast for the eyes as this intimidating sculpture is something I didn’t expect in such a modest nook. Wat Traimit had a certain calm inciting contemplation.

A monk in Wat Traimit in contemplation

Wat Phra Kaew

Some of the many attractions of the Grand Palace

Wat Phra Kaew is located in the grounds of the Grand Palace. The emerald Buddha was carved from a block of jade dating 15th century AD. It was like trying to get a glimpse of a rock star on stage. The sea of people all trying to pay homage was a challenge to pull off. I urge tourists not to miss out on the Grand Palace, sort of an exotic Disneyland in terms of its complex.

Gold is used to accent statues and even wall paintings

Miniature version of Angkor Wat at the Grand Palace, Bangkok

Established in 1782 it is the royal residence, and houses government offices, galleries worked on by master artisans, mansions, miniature Angkor Wat, museum, the golden chedi a pagoda which is fully covered in gold leaf and the magnificent emerald Buddha.

A closer view of the lion guards of the scale model of Angkor Wat

At the Grand Palace, statues, buildings and even paintings are adorned or covered with gold

Wat Pho or the Temple of the Reclining Buddha is within vicinity just behind Wat Phra Kaew. I found myself wondering where the reclining Buddha was peering intensely through openings as I stood in queue. All I got to see were heads and glimmers of gold.

The reclining gold Buddha in Wat Pho dwarfs its visitors

I took my first step inside the temple I was aghast by the luster and enormity. A narrow walkthrough took me from the Buddha’s head to its toes. All 46 meters long covered in gold leaf and the feet 3 meters long intricately decorated with mother of pearl.

Wat Suthat (Bangkok Great Swing) was where thanksgiving ceremonies for good rice harvests took place. Young men rode in full swing suspended 80 feet from the ground in order to grab a bag of silver coins with their teeth.

The Bangkok Great Swing

Ceremonies with the swing are discontinued now but are still celebrated. To see what is left from the giant swing and imagine the dangers and perils of being suspended at 80ft …well I’ll just leave it at that. Aside from the relic of a scary ride, it is famed for its beautiful roofline with its elegantly pointed teak arches, a 25 feet tall bronze Buddha for which Wat Suthat was built, fresco sculptures and splendid wall paintings that left me captivated and made me lose track of time.

WAT ARUN was named after the Indian God of Dawn Aruna. It commanded attention sitting pretty on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya River.

L-R: Wat Arun's tower with Chao Phraya river in the background, Climbing the steep stairs, One of the towers kissed by the afternoon sun

To look at Wat Arun from afar inspired romantic innuendos especially at sundown. Here’s the thing, from the ground up Wat Arun seemed like a manageable climb but as I went up the small steep steps I started to hang on to dear life.

Intricate mosaic work done on the dieties and the whole tower

Every stage of the climb made my knees wobblier than before. Mid climb I was caught in a fork, I tried to convince myself that the view from where I was would still be the same when I go up yet do I suck it up even if the winds started to pick up nudging from all sides. I think I left hand prints. A crowbar would not be able pry my hands off the bars I held ever so tightly.

As if supporting the whole structure, these magnificent art/religous decos have stood the test of time (Wat Arun)

Reaching the top was a relief and a triumph for me. The gold flags waved furiously as I reached the summit and the world looked like an ant farm from above.

The colors of Wat Arun become dramatic at near sunset

Elated with the sights and the experience I thought the worst was over but the challenge of inching myself down was twice more horrific but if the 80 year olds I was next to can do it, well, muster courage I did and safely got to the ground. It was exhilarating, remarkable and unforgettable.


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