In other words...

... a blog about our experiences as engineers, as husband and wife as well as our adventures into unfamiliar places and situations. We write this as a recollection and as much as we want to become informative for others who would like to learn from these experiences, we cannot guarantee that all the information or data we provide are accurate or updated. They are accurate at the time of occurrence.

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Thursday, July 31, 2008

Day 5 Ayutthaya Day Tour: Bang Pa-In Palace (7/19/2008, part 1 of 2)

I woke up early to make sure we meet the tour guide at the AITCC lobby between 7:30-8am. Since everyone slept late last night, we were all unable to eat breakfast before leaving for the tour. I met the tour guide Yo (who looked like Maverick of Ariel and Maverick fame) waiting by the van. He was a very sociable and talkative person (as expected from his profession). I was expecting a female tour guide and he said he was expecting Indian tourists (as they were the usual clients they pick up from AIT).

After the initial introductions, he started narrating a brief history of where we were going along the way. Our first stop was Bang Pa-In Palace. The entrance fee was THB100 each.

Upon entry you come in first to a coffee and souvenir shop. After which you come out to what looked like a huge garden. Most of the structures standing there now were built by King Chulalongkorn (King Rama V) between 1872-1889.


A map of the place and a golf kart for rent.. we opted to walk =)


A long pathway and a direction map


Behind is the Saphakhan Ratchaprayun (Assembly Hall for Royal relatives) built in 1879 to house King Chulalongkorn's brothers and their suites


Ho Hem Monthian Thewarat (Golden Palace of the God King) built in 1880 in the form of Khmer-style Prasat (residence of a king or god with a corncob-shaped structure) and dedicated to King Prasat Thong


(Left) Phra Thinang (Royal Residence) Aysawan Thiphya-Art (Divine seat of personal freedom) is a copy of the Phra Thinang Aphonphimok Prasat in the Grand Palace... (Right) Tevaraj-Kanlai Gate


Phra Thinang Warophat Phiman (Excellent and Shining Heavenly above) built in 1876 by King Chulalongkorn as his residence and throne hall


Doll's Bridge


(Right) Phra Thinang Uthayan Phumisathian (Garden of the Secured Land) is the favorite residence of King Chulalongkorn when he stayed at Bang Pa-In Palace


Sino sa min ang mas bongga? =)


Playing around with the Elephant figures


Phra Thinang (Royal Residence) Wehat Chamrung (Heavenly Light) which is filled with writings on the wall. Shoes need to be removed here and picture taking is not allowed inside.


Ho (Tower) Withun Thasana (The sages lookout) built in 1881 as an observatory for viewing the countryside


Shoes also need to be removed when entering the tower and it is only opened to the public half the way up


We're all tired and thirsty... need to take a break!

We got thirsty as it was very hot so we stayed for a while at the coffee shop for some refreshments. Afterwards, it's another 30mins ride to the next stop which is Wat Mahathat.




Related Entries:

Welcome to Bangkok! (7/15/2008)

Day 2 in Thailand (7/16/2008)
Day 3 in Thailand: Shopping galore! (7/17/2008)
Day 4 in Thailand: Grand Palace (7/18/2008, part 1 of 2)
Day 4 in Thailand: Dinner River Cruise (7/18/2008, part 2 of 2)
Day 5 Ayutthaya Day Tour: Bang Pa-In Palace (7/19/2008, part 1 of 2)
Day 5 Ayutthaya Day Tour: Wat Mahathat (7/19/2008, part 2 of 2)
Day 6 in Thailand: Inside the Grand Palace (7/20/2008)
Day 7 in Thailand: Future park, Patpong and Suan Lum in one night (7/21/2008)
Day 8 in Thailand: University Life (7/22/2008)

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