Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

The market is a labyrinth of narrow khlongs ( canals).

The small wooden boats are paddled mainly by female traders,

some of whom are dressed in traditional blue farners'shirts - mobom

and conical straw hats. The fresh produce, including fruit , vegetables , and spices,

comes straight from the farm.

For the benefit of the tourists, some boats sell souvenir straw hats and refreshments.

The floating market actually consists of three markets.

The largest, Ton Khem, is on Khlong Damnoen Saduak.

On the parallel khong is Hia Kui, where structures anchored to the banks function as ware houses selling souvenirs to large tour groups.

To the south, on a smaller khlong, is Khun Phitak, which is the least crowded market.

The best way of getting around the three markets is by boat , trip can be taken along the khlong or to see nearby coconut plantations.

The best time to arrive is between 7am. and 9am. , when the Floating market is in full swing.

Pratunam

Although it is off the beaten tourist track, Pratunam district is worth a brief visit.

The lively and coloful 

Phatunam Market is a vast maze of stalls, stores and workshops,

trading mostly in everyday goods such as fresh produce and clothing.

Just west of the market is the Modernist Baiyoke Tower, wich reigned briefly as

the tallest building in Bangkok from 1987 until 1995.

Despite evidence of settling in the surrounding ground, permission was granted for construction

of the adjacent Baiyoke Tower II, which will have twice as many stories

                                                                  

The legend of the emeraild buddha

          In 1434 lightning struck the chedi of  Wat Phra Kaeo in Chiang Rai in Northern Thailand, revealing a simple stucco image. The abbot of the temple kept it in his residence until the flaking plaster exposed a jadeite image beneath. Upon learning of the discovery, the king of Chiang Mai sent an army of elephant to bring the image to him.The  elephant bearing the Emerald Buddha, however,refused to take the road to Chiang Mai, and , treating this as an auspicious sign, the entourage re-routed to Lampang. The image was moved several more times over the next century , then was taken to Wat Pha Kaew in Laos in 1552, It was not until General Chakri (later Rama I) captured Vientiance in 1778 that the Emerald Buddha was returned to Thailand. It was kept in Wat Arun for 15 years, before a grand river procession brought it to its curent resting place on March 5,1785.

Royal White Elephants

The importance of the white elephant ( chang samkhan)

in Thailand derivers from a 2,500 year old tale.

Queen Maya, once barren, became pregnant with the future Buddha after dreaming of a white elephant entering her womb.

Ever since the 13th century, when King Ramkamhaeng gave the animal great prestige,

the reigning monarch's importance has been judged in part according to the number of white elephants he owns. Indeed,

the white elephant's status as a national icon was symbolized by its presence on the Siamese flag until 1917. The origin of the phrase " white elephant",

meaning a large, useless investment, lies in the Thai tradition according to which all white elephant must belong to the king.

They cannot be used for work and, therefore, have to be cared for at huge expense.

Though refered to as white, the elephants are not fully albino.

But tradition states that seven parts of their body- the eyes, palate, nails, tail hair, skin, hairs, and testicles-must be close to white.

The Swing in Action

Sao Ching Cha, the ' Giant Swing' at Wat Suthat,

was built in 1784 by Rama I.

During ceremonies- Brahmin in origin teams of four would swing in 180

degree arcs up to 25 m ( 82 ft) high.

One participant would try to bite off a event,

linked to the god Shiva swinging

in the heavens,

caused many deaths and wad abolished in 1935.

A River View of Bangkok

          The two great rivers of the Nort, the Ping and the Nan,

join at Nakhon Sawan in the Central Olains to form the Chao Phraya ( river of kings) ,

Thailand's most important waterway.

This vital transportation link drains some of the country's most fertile rice-growing land.

The stretch shown here is actually a canal, built in the 16th century

as a shortcut at a point where the Chao Phraya took a huge meander along what is now Khlong Bangkok Noi and Khlong Bangkok Yai.

Along this busy "royal mile" you can catch glimpses of the Grand Palacem, temples,

and colonial buildings, and experience a flavor of old Bangkok's colorful riverfront.

Introducing Bangkok

Thailand's capital city, straddling the great Chao Phraua River, 20 km ( 12 miles) upstream from the Gulf of Thailand , is an exuberant, enhilarating, infuriating metropolis of seven million people. 

Founded by Rama I in 1782, this relatively young city is know to Thais as Krung Thep ( city of angels) a shortened form of a full name in excess of 150 letters.

Bangkok may be a lesson in the dangers of uncontrolled urban expansion, but it is also one of the world's most exciting cities. Its lively nightlife and markets, shops and restaurants, and magnificent wats, museums, palaces, and parks, have something for everyone.

             

                Wat Phra Kaeo

         is Bangkok's premier tourist attraction. The sacres Emerald Buddha, or

         Phra Kaer, is housed in one of many splendid buildings.

           

              Wat Pho  

        is one of the oldest temples in the capital, dating originally from

        the  16th century. it ia also a famous center for traditional medicine

        and contains the much respected institute of massage

               

              Jin Thompson's House

        is a beautifully decorated series of teak buildings, was once home to

        the famed American silk merchant

             

               Chinatown

         is one of Bangkok's most hectic, colorful, and intoxicating districts.

         Narrow streets overflow with markets and shops, such as this

         religious goods emporium.