Historic towns of Bangkok, found along the mother of rivers
“If you were to ask when is it jam in the streets of Bangkok? The answer you would receive is ‘all day long’!”. This is the situation facing the bustling city of Bangkok. If you are standing on an overhead bridge looking down on the traffic passing by, all you see is long traffic queues; and you can easily mistaken it for a parking lot. With the colourful taxis that roam the streets of Bangkok, this scene actually forms quite an aesthetically rich and interesting art-piece.
There are many ways to get around in Banking. MRT, subway, bus, taxi, car, motorbike, taxis, tuk-tuk are but some of the ways, and this itself can be quite an eye-opening experience. To add to the list, the Chao Phraya River is used as a waterway to ease up the traffic congestion situation.
Chao Phraya – the mother of rivers, Thailand
Chao Phraya River is Thailand’s biggest river. It flows from northern Thailand to the Gulf of Siam, and eventually ending at the sea of Bangkok. The Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Po, Wat Arun are some of the sights and towns that concentrated along Chao Phraya River. This also passes through a popular backpacker destinations and Chinatown.
The cruise service along this river is unlike other places, it does not only serve the visiting tourists, but it is also a daily mode of transport for some locals commuting up and down the river as ticket prices are cheap. This unique combination of land and water public transport system is part of the government’s efforts to alleviate the daily traffic woes in Bangkok.
The Magnificent Grand Palace
If you have been to Thailand, you will notice a portrait of their King almost everywhere you go and is a demonstration of respect and importance the King has in the eyes of the people. The Grand Palace of Thailand is the royal residence built on the east bank of the Chao Praya River, and you can get there by boat from pier #9. In addition to the traditional Thai architectural, The Grand Palace also has a strong influence from China and Europe. You will be mesmerised by the refine and luxurious decorations that fills the palace.
Located within the walls of the palace is a royal chapel better known as The Temple of the Emerald Buddha or Wat Phra Kaew. Within the compounds is a rare jade Buddha statue, which is unlike the more commonly seen golden Buddha statue. The temple is frequently visited by both tourist and locals, offering incense to the Gods.
Temple of the Reclining Buddha
Located adjacent to The Grand Palace is the Temple of the Reclining Buddha or Wat Pho. Within the temple ground lies a golden reclining Buddha statue. It boasts a full 46 metres in length, and is Thailand’s largest indoor reclining Buddha. Interestingly, placed behind the large reclining Buddha is a row of bronze bowls. Visitors would drop coins into these bowls as charity and is believed to bring them good fortune, and to help the monks maintain the wat.
The temple is also very famous for being a massage center. The temple is home to one of the earliest Thai massage schools, and is so deemed the most ‘authentic’.
al s�@ =m���Kt:.5in’>The temple is also very famous for being a massage center. The temple is home to one of the earliest Thai massage schools, and is so deemed the most ‘authentic’.
沿泰母亲河游曼谷旧城区Bangkok
『曼谷只有一个时间会塞车，那就是“一整天”』，这笑话讽刺着曼谷市内糟糕的交通情况。繁忙时刻站在行人天桥上俯望路况，仿佛欣赏着一条很长车龙的慢速播放画面，甚至有种误以为是停车场的错觉。这画面也不失美感，托曼谷计程车七彩缤纷的福，为这失色的交通情况点缀了一丝色彩。
话说，曼谷的公共交通工具可谓五花八门。捷运地铁、巴士、计程车、计程摩哆车、嘟嘟车、双条车……让人眼花缭乱。不仅如此，他们还善用水路，另辟湄南河游船系统，以分担陆路交通的超载负荷。
泰国河流之母 — 湄南河
湄南河是泰国第一大河，从泰北地区流至暹罗湾，出海口就在曼谷。曼谷湄南河流域的两旁是旧城区，大皇宫（Grand Palace）、玉佛寺（Wat Phra Kaeo）、卧佛寺（Wat Pho）、郑王寺（Wat Arun）等都集中在此，就连“背包客天堂”考山路及唐人街也能通过水路前往。
有别于其他地方的游船系统，它不仅服务游客，也是当地人日常代步的交通工具，故船票十分便宜。因此，善用曼谷的捷运地铁在陆路上畅行无阻之外，搭配水路交通前往捷运地铁不及之处，水陆齐用宛如入无人之境，将曼谷糟糕的交通问题远远抛至脑后。
金碧辉煌的大皇宫
到泰国游玩，会发现泰王画像无处不在，足见他在泰国人民心目中的崇高地位。泰国皇室居住的大皇宫就建在湄南河东岸，搭船至9号码头即可抵达。大皇宫除了泰式传统建筑风格外，竟也参杂了中国风及欧洲古典元素，精致奢华的装潢让人看得目不暇给。
皇宫内还有一个玉佛寺，寺庙内高高地供奉着一尊小玉佛。或许金佛看得多，故显得这尊玉佛“物以稀为贵”。除了有许多旅客参访外，也有不少当地人到庙内祭拜，可谓香火鼎盛。
卧佛寺内佛靠金装
说及金佛，大皇宫旁的卧佛寺就“卧”着一尊大金佛。此金佛身长46公尺，为泰国最大的室内卧佛像。有趣的是，大卧佛像的背后有一排僧钵供人施舍，也算是寺内一道独特风景。
除了此大卧佛，寺内还供奉着千尊佛像，且许多都镀上金身，说明了“人靠衣装，佛靠金装。”此外，卧佛寺内的按摩中心也十分著名，因为那里是泰式按摩的发源地，也就是最“正宗”的了。
