Also called Chao Mae Tubtim Shrine, Lingam Shrine is a unique quick-stop while downtown. Next to a canal, the shrine is very small and consists of innumerable phallic offerings. Believers visit Lingam shrine to honor the female deity Jao Mae and ask for fertility, luck or good fortune. The phalluses come in every shape, size and material imaginable and definitely provide for a light-hearted cultural site.
Over 200 years old, Wat Pho is one of Bangkok’s largest and oldest temple complexes. For an entry fee of 50 baht, visitors can roam the grounds with or without a guide, stopping along the way at numerous notable temples and sites. The most famous of Wat Pho’s relics is the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, wherein lies an impressive 46 meter-long gold-plated image of a reclining Buddha. A first grade royal monastery, Wat Pho is also Thailand’s oldest learning center and the birthplace of traditional Thai massage.
As old as the city of Bangkok itself--also known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha--this wat lies in a complex that covers 1.5 square kilometers and features more than 100 buildings, including those of the Grand Palace. Highlights include the recently restored murals of scenes from the Ramakian (the Thai version of the Indian Ramayana) and the 75-centimeter-tall jade Emerald Buddha itself, the most highly revered Buddha in the country. Audio cassette tours are now available for hire. Dress appropriately (cover shoulders and arms).
Formerly under Dutch management—when the service was rather more attentive—Harmonique's setting, food and convenient location (if staying near the Chao Phraya River) still make a trip here more than worthwhile. This elegant wooden restaurant faces onto a green, leafy outdoor area, which creates a feeling of tranquility. Make sure you do wander around the house to inspect the antiques. The menu features great traditional Thai food with an emphasis on fresh seafood. The mixed seafood steamed with Thai herbs is outstanding. Beer and wine are available or you can bring your own wine.
Akbar
Cuisine: Indian, Middle Eastern & North African, Asian, Thai
Serving tourists and locals for two decades, this 70-seater restaurant has a reputation for serving good food at very reasonable prices. The menu features Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Arabic and vegetarian dishes. There is a small selection of Kormas on the menu, but plenty of delicious Tikkas and Tandoori dishes. A favourite with the locals is the Akbari Chicken. The bar serves local and imported beers, spirits and a limited selection of wines.
Smack in the heart of the city lies Lumphini Park, an oasis of nature within bustling Bangkok. The first of its kind in Bangkok, plans for the public park began in 1925. Lumphini Park is named after the Buddha’s birthplace and covers approximately 58 hectares, gracing the city with greenery and waterways for picnics, pick-up sports and paddleboat rides. Early mornings are unforgettable: hordes of fitness group regulars engage in synchronized aerobics, while others jog peacefully and practice tai chi. Lumphini Park is a great place to take a timeout during a long day of sightseeing.
A global organization of Buddhists, whose Thailand headquarters lie behind Benjasiri Park. On the first Sunday of every month, it holds a Buddhist forum and free meditation instructions and practices for English speakers. On selected Sundays there is also a dhamma talk--a brilliant opportunity to experience Buddhist instructions from world experts. The forum is an open discussion on a topic of spiritual interest.
This Wat is made of white Carrana marble, hence it is also called The Marble Temple. Constructed by King Rama V in 1901, it employs European ecclesiastic details, such as stained-glass windows and contains a superb cloister collection of bronze Buddha images. These images (33 originals and 20 reproductions) represent famous images and styles from all over Asia and other Buddhist countries. This is an excellent place to watch religious festivals and processions. Unlike most other temples, monks do not go out seeking alms but are instead visited by merit-makers from 6a-7a.
In the middle of the glitz and traffic of downtown commercial Bangkok stands Erawan Shrine, a very unique place of worship that is a must-see. Devoted to the Hindu god Brahma, Erawan Shrine was built in 1956 to honor the spirits that once resided in trees that were chopped down during construction of the nearby Erawan Hotel. Nowadays, the shrine is constantly flooded with worshippers praying for good fortune as they burn incense, light candles and place carnation garlands at offering tables. Traditional Thai dancers perform on a stage around the clock, and tourists are welcomed to partake in the spirituality. The open-air fills with pleasant scents and the good vibes are abundant. Erawan Shrine is a Bangkok must.
Judging from the beauty and magnificence of Wat Arun, there is no surprise that it is one of Bangkok’s most important cultural and religious landmarks. Built of stucco-covered brick and adorned with beautiful Chinese porcelain, the temple’s towers evoke the Hindu cosmology, with the tallest center “Phra Prang” representing Mount Meru. Ascending up Wat Arun, various representations of animals, gods and ancient soldiers decorate the terraces, and the area surrounding the towers is full of gardens and houses a monastery from the Ayutthaya period. Also called “The Temple of Dawn”, Wat Arun is perhaps most spectacular during the first light of morning, when the sun sparkles off the towers, or at dusk in the shadow of the sunset.
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