tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50177047580967316362024-03-07T23:38:42.870-08:00Bangkok Chao Phraya River Boat TripA self-guided boat trip on Bangkok's Chao Phraya rivercafavierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075493143248948150noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017704758096731636.post-37196155382306623182018-12-06T23:11:00.000-08:002019-01-21T02:55:55.711-08:00About Bangkok Chao Phraya River Boat Trip<div style="text-align: justify;">
Enjoy the beautiful and interesting river sights of Bangkok, including many temples. Take a self-guided boat trip on the regular <a href="http://www.chaophrayaexpressboat.com/en/home/">Chao Praya Express Boat</a> from the Phra Athit Pier (N13) to the Sathorn pier (CEN) or vice versa.</div>
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cafavierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075493143248948150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017704758096731636.post-31047107949506583082011-12-06T21:14:00.000-08:002019-01-20T21:30:46.801-08:00Rama XIII Bridge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1o7Bdl4KV4I/Tt5Q94ENh7I/AAAAAAAALEU/tlxNbAxkD84/s1600/Resize+of+DSC02401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1o7Bdl4KV4I/Tt5Q94ENh7I/AAAAAAAALEU/tlxNbAxkD84/s200/Resize+of+DSC02401.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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A showpiece of modern architecture in Bangkok, the <a href="https://www.tourismthailand.org/Attraction/Suan-Luang-Rama-VIII--2014">King Rama XIII bridge</a> was completed in 2002 and named after King Ananda, who died under mysterious circumstances in 1946 at the age of 21. The 475-metres long gold-painted cable-stayed span bridge is built with 84 cables supporting a single tower. The bridge is printed on the Thai 20-baht bills behind a portrait of King Ananda.</div>
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At night the bridge is beautifully lighted and a view worth watching. <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1lwqnt2I_K0KKcnXhkwhBgCh-nsk&usp=sharing">map</a></div>
cafavierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075493143248948150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017704758096731636.post-57674265799062873852011-11-20T08:30:00.000-08:002019-01-20T21:32:12.221-08:00Thammasat University<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l2TrSRL_9iw/Tt41koXgoDI/AAAAAAAALCU/dVslX-VJcpk/s1600/Resize+of+DSC02389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l2TrSRL_9iw/Tt41koXgoDI/AAAAAAAALCU/dVslX-VJcpk/s200/Resize+of+DSC02389.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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The second oldest in Thailand, <a href="http://www.tu.ac.th/">Thammasat University</a>, was founded in 1934 as the University of Moral Science and Politics. It has always been politically and socially active and was the stage for both the 1973 uprising and the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thammasat_University_massacre">1976 massacre</a>, which led to one of the more than a dozen military coups in Thailand since 1932. <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1lwqnt2I_K0KKcnXhkwhBgCh-nsk&usp=sharing">map</a></div>
cafavierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075493143248948150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017704758096731636.post-77430423593559416032011-11-20T08:15:00.000-08:002019-01-20T21:32:23.360-08:00Thonburi Railway Station<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZXmQmbspX9M/Tudmu7QSH5I/AAAAAAAALJA/Z5wgv9tA_JM/s1600/Resize+of+DSC02651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZXmQmbspX9M/Tudmu7QSH5I/AAAAAAAALJA/Z5wgv9tA_JM/s200/Resize+of+DSC02651.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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Replaced in 2003 by the Bangkok Noi train station 1 km. further down the road, the 1900 Thonburi station was the terminal of Thailand's western railway route. Japanese troops used it as a base in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Thailand_%281932%E2%80%931973%29#World_War_II">Thailand during WWII</a> and it is most famous for its connection to <a href="https://short-trips-from-bangkok.blogspot.com/2008/10/kanchanaburi-ww-ii-memorials-and-nature.html">Kanchanaburi</a>, where they used prisoners-of-war and forced labour to build the so-called <a href="https://www.thaizer.com/travel-in-thailand/the-death-railway/">"death railway"</a> to supply their troops in Burma. The station was one of the many targets bombed by the Allied Forces and rebuilt afterwards in the same style. <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1lwqnt2I_K0KKcnXhkwhBgCh-nsk&usp=sharing">map</a></div>
cafavierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075493143248948150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017704758096731636.post-16465925789945260302011-11-20T08:00:00.000-08:002019-01-20T21:32:32.088-08:00Siriraj Hospital<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://www.si.mahidol.ac.th/">Siriraj Hospital</a> was the first hospital in Thailand (1888) and is the place where future Thai doctors studying at Mahidol University are still trained today. The hospital was named after one of King Rama V's sons who died in childhood. In the <a href="https://museums-in-bangkok.blogspot.com/2009/01/siriraj-medical-museum.html">medical museums</a> of the hospital one finds skeletons, embryo's, sick body parts and parasites on alcohol and the preserved bodies of some notorious killers. The <a href="http://shopping-in-my-bangkok.blogspot.com/2011/12/wang-lang-market.html">Wang Lang market</a> sprawls over the nearby area.</div>
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The hospital is the place where the Royal Family goes to be treated. <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1lwqnt2I_K0KKcnXhkwhBgCh-nsk&usp=sharing">map</a></div>
cafavierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075493143248948150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017704758096731636.post-17452769388634098342011-11-20T07:30:00.000-08:002019-01-20T21:32:40.061-08:00Wat Rakhang<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://www.dhammathai.org/watthai/bangkok/eng/watrakhang_e.php">Wat Rakhang</a> (which means "bell temple") got its name from an ancient bell unearthed during construction. The temple dates back to the Ayutthaya era and was upgraded to a royal temple during the reign of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Taksin">King Taksin</a>. There are many bells still in the temple, but the original one was moved to the <a href="https://bangkok-boat-trip.blogspot.com/2011/11/royal-grand-palace.html">Royal Grand Palace</a>.</div>
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Wat Rakhang is among the nine sacred temples that Thais visit to make merit on auspicious occasions. <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1lwqnt2I_K0KKcnXhkwhBgCh-nsk&usp=sharing">map</a></div>
cafavierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075493143248948150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017704758096731636.post-36146447082688889172011-11-20T07:00:00.000-08:002019-01-20T21:32:48.513-08:00Royal Grand Palace<div style="text-align: justify;">
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Regarded the number one attraction in Thailand, the <a href="https://www.royalgrandpalace.th/en/home">Royal Grand Palace</a> has been the official residence of Thai kings since Bangkok became the capital of Thailand. Its most important sight is the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emerald_Buddha">Emerald Buddha</a>, a 45 cm high jade sitting Buddha that according to the legend was created in India more than 2,000 years ago. The Buddha has three sets of clothing which are changed by the King of Thailand at the beginning of each new season (hot, rainy and cool). <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1lwqnt2I_K0KKcnXhkwhBgCh-nsk&usp=sharing">map</a></div>
cafavierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075493143248948150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017704758096731636.post-61353932974738968482011-11-20T06:30:00.000-08:002019-01-20T21:32:55.816-08:00Wat Pho<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5iqxlHi5FHA/Tt4379WA3oI/AAAAAAAALC4/ptDyLy9EEMk/s1600/Resize+of+DSC02378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5iqxlHi5FHA/Tt4379WA3oI/AAAAAAAALC4/ptDyLy9EEMk/s200/Resize+of+DSC02378.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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Next to the Royal Grand Palace, the 17th century <a href="https://temples-in-bangkok.blogspot.com/2008/11/wat-pho.html">Wat Pho</a>, or Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimolmangklaram as it is officially known, is an old Bangkok temple famed for its amazing 46-meter long reclining Buddha and traditional <a href="http://www.watpomassage.com/">Thai massage school</a>. The sixty 200-year old medical inscriptions on the walls are used as the base for treatment.</div>
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Many of the towers are inlaid with Chinese porcelain in beautiful patterns and there are many Chinese statues from the time that Thai ships delivering rice to China used them as ballast on their return trip with empty ships. <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1lwqnt2I_K0KKcnXhkwhBgCh-nsk&usp=sharing">map</a></div>
cafavierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075493143248948150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017704758096731636.post-4600044018629549222011-11-20T06:00:00.001-08:002019-01-20T21:33:02.642-08:00Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F39EPQHhojo/TsdmwtK2DkI/AAAAAAAAKjc/4W_UbyiRl7s/s1600/Temple+of+Dawn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F39EPQHhojo/TsdmwtK2DkI/AAAAAAAAKjc/4W_UbyiRl7s/s200/Temple+of+Dawn.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://temples-in-bangkok.blogspot.com/2008/11/wat-arun.html">Wat Arun</a> is the image that often represents Thailand and is printed on the back of Thailand's 10-baht coin. At first only a 17th century monastery, it later became a royal temple called after Aruna, the Indian god of dawn, and one of the nine most sacred temples in Bangkok. The temple is located inside King Taksin's <a href="https://bangkok-boat-trip.blogspot.com/2011/11/wangderm-palace.html">Wangderm Palace</a> and used to house the sacred <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emerald_Buddha">Emerald Buddha</a> until it was moved to the <a href="https://bangkok-boat-trip.blogspot.com/2011/11/royal-grand-palace.html">Royal Grand Palace</a> when Bangkok became the new capital. </div>
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Its 85-meter high prang - a Khmer-style tower - was until quite recently the tallest building in Bangkok. The prang and its four satellites are beautifully decorated with pieces of Chinese porcelain. <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1lwqnt2I_K0KKcnXhkwhBgCh-nsk&usp=sharing">map</a></div>
cafavierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075493143248948150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017704758096731636.post-77727437977700381552011-11-20T05:30:00.000-08:002019-01-20T21:33:09.645-08:00Wangderm Palace<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WrzhTr6f8hg/Tudnuomd_jI/AAAAAAAALJQ/l47F9TO1nHo/s1600/Resize+of+DSC02575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WrzhTr6f8hg/Tudnuomd_jI/AAAAAAAALJQ/l47F9TO1nHo/s200/Resize+of+DSC02575.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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The <a href="http://www.wangdermpalace.org/">Wangderm Palace</a> of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Taksin">King Taksin</a> was built within <a href="https://bangkok-boat-trip.blogspot.com/2011/11/fort-vichai-prasit-wangderm-palace.html">Fort Vichai Prasit</a> and used during the short period that Thonburi was the capital of Thailand (1768-1782). In front of the gate is a statue of King Taksin "the Great"m as he is called in Thailand.</div>
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The palace later housed the Royal Thai Naval Academy, and the entire area is now part of the Royal Thai Navy Headquarters. <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1lwqnt2I_K0KKcnXhkwhBgCh-nsk&usp=sharing">map</a></div>
cafavierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075493143248948150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017704758096731636.post-17878192791369820712011-11-20T05:00:00.000-08:002019-01-20T21:33:16.537-08:00Fort Vichai Prasit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OC3N2uFDYtw/TsdmzuYSLEI/AAAAAAAAKjk/k5twvyMWku0/s1600/Fort+Vichai+Prasit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OC3N2uFDYtw/TsdmzuYSLEI/AAAAAAAAKjk/k5twvyMWku0/s200/Fort+Vichai+Prasit.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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The white-walled fort of Vichai Prasit was built in 1688 as part of a defence line of forts to protect Thailand from foreign invasion. However, in 1893 the French managed their way to the capital after the so-called <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paknam_incident">Paknam incident</a>. Although Thailand was never colonised, over the years it has had to hand over almost one-third of her land to appease the colonial powers in neighbouring countries, including the French in Cambodia.</div>
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The fort is now part of the Royal Thai Navy Headquarters. <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1lwqnt2I_K0KKcnXhkwhBgCh-nsk&usp=sharing">map</a></div>
cafavierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075493143248948150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017704758096731636.post-527437050561566732011-11-20T04:30:00.000-08:002019-01-20T21:33:23.263-08:00Wat Kanlayamit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nFNg4yR3jTA/Tsdm1XaFctI/AAAAAAAAKjs/NJceIZRwE8A/s1600/Kanlaya+Temple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nFNg4yR3jTA/Tsdm1XaFctI/AAAAAAAAKjs/NJceIZRwE8A/s200/Kanlaya+Temple.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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One of the nine most sacred temples in Bangkok, this temple was built around 200 years ago by a rich Chinese nobleman and donated to King Rama III, who named it <a href="http://bangkokforvisitors.com/thonburi/kalyamit/index.html">Wat Kanlayamit</a>. The King commissioned a huge sitting Buddha image to be placed in a newly-built main hall, and King Rama IV later added a library for religious scriptures.</div>
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The main building is in Thai style, but most of the other buildings clearly show a Chinese influence on building style and decorations. <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1lwqnt2I_K0KKcnXhkwhBgCh-nsk&usp=sharing">map</a></div>
cafavierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075493143248948150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017704758096731636.post-84802638071632933842011-11-20T04:00:00.000-08:002019-01-20T21:33:31.320-08:00Santa Cruz Church (Wat Khudi Chin)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HoIw3_UViTM/Tsdmvnq_TzI/AAAAAAAAKjU/JKYjYoicqGk/s1600/Santa+Cruz+Church.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HoIw3_UViTM/Tsdmvnq_TzI/AAAAAAAAKjU/JKYjYoicqGk/s200/Santa+Cruz+Church.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Construction of an originally wooden catholic church for Portuguese living in the area started in 1770 in the then new capital Thonburi on the west bank of the Chao Phraya river. The temple was officially called <a href="https://wikitravel.org/en/Bangkok/Thonburi">Santa Cruz Church </a>("Holy Cross Church"), but popularly named Wat Khudi Chin after the area where it was built.</div>
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The church was rebuilt twice during its life time, and the current construction is about 100 years old. It was designed by Italian architects <a href="https://www.streetdirectory.com/travel_guide/12111/travel_and_leisure/bangkok_architecture.html">Annibale Rigotti and his partner Mario Tamagno</a>, who designed many buildings in Thailand at that time. <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1lwqnt2I_K0KKcnXhkwhBgCh-nsk&usp=sharing">map</a> * <a href="https://sites.google.com/site/pccbkk/in-the-news/exploringtheportugueselegacyinbangkok">Portuguese Cultural Centre</a></div>
cafavierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075493143248948150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017704758096731636.post-27218463044232390092011-11-20T03:30:00.000-08:002019-01-20T21:33:37.911-08:00Saphan Phut (Memorial Bridge)<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memorial_Bridge_(Thailand)">Saphan Phut</a>, the first bridge over the Chao Phraya river, was opened in 1932 to celebrate the 150-year anniversary of the reigning Chakri dynasty. It was named after King Rama I, whose official title was Phra Buddha Yodfa. The middle part of the bridge can be drawn up to allow for bigger ships.</div>
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From late afternoon the nearby Pak Khlong flower market dazzles its visitors with its beautiful colours and flower handicraft. <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1lwqnt2I_K0KKcnXhkwhBgCh-nsk&usp=sharing">map</a></div>
cafavierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075493143248948150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017704758096731636.post-90702554723140394382011-11-20T03:00:00.001-08:002019-01-20T21:33:45.167-08:00Guan Yu Shrine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ANhiQXCWU4M/TudoH8i7ypI/AAAAAAAALJY/z_SMxqozW9w/s1600/Resize+of+DSC02562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ANhiQXCWU4M/TudoH8i7ypI/AAAAAAAALJY/z_SMxqozW9w/s200/Resize+of+DSC02562.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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During the Ayutthaya period Chinese foreign traders erected this shrine for the famous Chinese general <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guan_Yu">Guan Yu</a> to serve as god and protector of the their community in Bangkok.</div>
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The general fought in the civil wars between the kingdoms of China in the second and third century and plays an important part in the classic Chinese historical novel "<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romance_of_the_Three_Kingdoms">Romance of the Three Kingdoms</a>", still read today and the basis for many films, TV series and computer games. <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1lwqnt2I_K0KKcnXhkwhBgCh-nsk&usp=sharing">map</a></div>
cafavierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075493143248948150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017704758096731636.post-3481826547388144232011-11-20T02:30:00.000-08:002019-01-20T21:33:52.531-08:00Siam Commercial Bank<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rszeXG5qW80/TudoftHB0_I/AAAAAAAALJg/K0sQHDcwF7M/s1600/Resize+of+DSC02549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rszeXG5qW80/TudoftHB0_I/AAAAAAAALJg/K0sQHDcwF7M/s200/Resize+of+DSC02549.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
Around 1900 Thailand's economy was developing rapidly and a commercial banking system became necessary. After Prince Mahisorn did a successful pilot project in a shop house, King Rama V gave his brother permission to construct this first branch of the <a href="https://www.scb.co.th/en/about-us.html">Siam Commercial Bank</a> in 1907.<br />
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The baroque building was designed by <a href="https://www.streetdirectory.com/travel_guide/12111/travel_and_leisure/bangkok_architecture.html">Annibale Rigotti</a>, an Italian architect from Turin responsible for many famous buildings of that time. <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1lwqnt2I_K0KKcnXhkwhBgCh-nsk&usp=sharing">map</a></div>
cafavierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075493143248948150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017704758096731636.post-5360565062218728812011-11-20T02:00:00.000-08:002019-01-20T21:33:59.053-08:00Holy Rosary Church (Wat Kalawar)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9kZQPIRDP9s/Tt44wK7LNoI/AAAAAAAALDQ/FE4rJaLH2fU/s1600/Resize+of+DSC02356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9kZQPIRDP9s/Tt44wK7LNoI/AAAAAAAALDQ/FE4rJaLH2fU/s200/Resize+of+DSC02356.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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Portuguese traders have been in Thailand for around 500 years and were the first westerners to settle in the then capital Ayutthaya. The Portuguese built this gothic roman-catholic church at the edge of Chinatown in 1786, 4 years after Bangkok was established as the new capital. <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1lwqnt2I_K0KKcnXhkwhBgCh-nsk&usp=sharing">map</a> * <a href="https://sites.google.com/site/pccbkk/in-the-news/exploringtheportugueselegacyinbangkok">Portuguese Cultural Centre</a></div>
cafavierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075493143248948150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017704758096731636.post-15439674470041911182011-11-20T01:30:00.000-08:002019-01-20T21:34:05.703-08:00Portuguese Embassy<div style="text-align: justify;">
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The Portuguese were the first foreigners in Thailand and the first foreign embassy in Thailand was the Portuguese embassy, which started its work in 1820. The current structure was built around 50 years later after the original stuccoed bamboo and stake house deteriorated. </div>
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After all those years the embassy is still in use. <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1lwqnt2I_K0KKcnXhkwhBgCh-nsk&usp=sharing">map</a> * <a href="https://sites.google.com/site/pccbkk/in-the-news/exploringtheportugueselegacyinbangkok">Portuguese Cultural Centre</a></div>
cafavierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075493143248948150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5017704758096731636.post-6844200549867121412011-11-20T01:00:00.000-08:002019-01-20T21:34:14.641-08:00The Oriental<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The first hotel in Thailand, <a href="https://www.mandarinoriental.com/bangkok/chao-phraya-river/luxury-hotel">The Oriental</a> was established shortly after the signing of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowring_Treaty">Bowring Treaty</a>, a free-trade agreement between the UK and Thailand, in order to house the increasing number of British traders and seamen coming to Thailand.<br />
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For over 130 years it has been accommodating royal guests, celebrities and heads of state, but it is most famous for writers like Conrad, Maugham and Greene who stayed here during their visits to Thailand. The original 2-storey <a href="https://www.mandarinoriental.com/bangkok/chao-phraya-river/fine-dining/tea-rooms/authors-lounge">Authors' Wing</a> is still standing. <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1lwqnt2I_K0KKcnXhkwhBgCh-nsk&usp=sharing">map</a></div>
cafavierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075493143248948150noreply@blogger.com0