Sampheng, a major trade centre located in Bangkok’s Chinatown has existed since the Rattanankosin period. Before Bangkok was established as the capital city of Thailand in 1782, there were already Chinese immigrants who had settlements located near the area where The Grand Plaance now stands. When King Ramam I was crowned, he ordered the building of a new royal residence at the plot of land which housed the Chinese community. Hence the Chinse settlers had to move. They re-located to an area stretching from Wat Samphanthawong (or Wat Ko) along the Chao Phraya River to the west of the Ratchawong pier. This became known as ‘Sampheng’ - the Chinatown of today.

It is not known how ‘Sampheng’ got its name, or in fact what it means, though historical experts have come up with several explanations. One of the story goes that in the early Rattanakosin period, there were three wealthy Chinese traders, named Chao Sua Yom, Chao Sua Niam and Chao Sua Pheng. When their businesses prospered, they did a lot of good for their community. In recognition of their contribution to society, the King awarded them some plots of land near the area of Wat Samphet or Wat Pathum Khongkha. This was where the trade centre started. Because the Chinese residents there called the three merchants, ‘Sapheng’ - ‘Sa’ in Chinese means three while ‘Pheng’ comes from ‘Pheng Lo’ which is Chinese for friends - the trade hub became known as Sapheng. Its pronunciation some how later changed to ‘Sampheng’. Continue reading »

The congregation hall of the Wat Apsonsawanworawihan differs markedly from other temple, with 28 Buddha images on the same base all in the posture of subduing the Mara, and of the same size. They are placed on steps forming a pyramid. Each image has a name inscribed at the base. They represent Buddha or the Enlightened in the past. The information of the images resembles the Chinese structure of six polygons, each overlapping another. Such a structure can be found around the Vihara of Wat Suthat, 28 in number.

Phraya Ratchamontri Borirak (Phu), the founder of Phamornmontri family had received a new house from King Rama III, it was the one which Phrasri Sunthon Woharn (Sunthon Phu) ever lived before, he therefore donated his land together with the old house to build the temple by the river in dedication to the king, the third-classed royal temple then was named Wat Kharueha Bodi. Continue reading »

This monument is located on the bank of the Lot Canal opposite Wat Ratchabophit. Designed by Prince Narissara Nuwattiwong, it was initially erected on a base made from big stone slabs piling on top of each other. The pig figure standing atop the base is in cast-iron. Continue reading »

Arun Residence, located at the end of Soi Pratu Nok Yung, just on the opposite side of Wat Pho on Maharaj Road, is a boutique hotel in a recently renovated historic Sino-Portuguese building set alongside the vibrant life of the Chao Phraya River.

Arun Suite, on the upper deck of the hotel, besides enjoying the best location and scenery of all the rooms in the hotel, also provides a private terrace for a lazy morning as well as the warm last light of the sun at dusk - the time when, despite its name, the Temple of Dawn, is at its most gorgeous. The other 4 rooms, with double or twin beds, named after 4 Thai flowers - Lelavadee, Chaba, Lotus and Orchid, were also thoughtfully designed to provide different views of the majestic silhouette of the great 17th-century pagoda from the mezzanine in each room. Continue reading »

Built in 1908, by HRH Prince Chakrabongse, the House was originally used when the prince attended royal ceremines in the Grand Palace and for excursions on the river. Later, after the revolution in 1932, the place served as the residence of the prince and today is lovingly maintained by his daughter, Narisa.

Apart from the original building of the royal residence, two old wooden Thai houses were brought from Ayutthaya, an old capital, and added in to the shady and charming courtyard. Originally used to provide friends of Chakrabonge family a warm accommodation during the time of their visit, today the houses have been adapted into a luxury boutique hotel with three luxury apartments, all with verandas overlooking the Chao Phraya River. The verdant garden of Chakrabongse House always shelters visitors from the ever busy modern Bangkok, while, within a walking distance you can easily access the historical places where Bangkok took root as the capital of Siam 200 years ago.

At the end of the courtyard, just on the river bank, is the elegant Riverside Dining Pavilion, where guests can relax or dine and watch the sun set over the Temple of Dawn across the river. Continue reading »

Wat Intarawihan is a monastery built before the Rattanakosin era. There is no official evidence of the construction. It was called “Wat Bangkhunpromnok” after its district location during the reign of the King Rama I. King Rama I graciously bestowed the district for the Laotian prisoners’ housings. Later, Chao In, the uncle of Chao Noi Kiewkom, the concubine of King Rama I had restored the temple and renamed it “Wat Intaram”. Chao In invited Chaokhun Phra Aranyik, a Laotiane monk, meditation expert and teacher of Luangpo To of Wat Rakang Kositaram, to rule the temple. The evidence related to Vientiane residents remained in Wat Intarawihan is the Dharma scripture written in Laos. In the reign of King Rama IV, Luangpo To of Wat Rakang started building a large standing Buddha imaged and completed in the reign of King Rama VII.

Wat Intararam was changed to Wat Intarawihan in the reign of King Ramam VI due to being resembled with Wat Intaram (Wat Bangyeerue Tai) in Thonburi.

Luangpo To is a huge standing Buddha image built by himself. He was once a student in Phra Aranyik House, the 1st abbot. THe Buddha image was built in holding an Alms-Bowl posture covered with robe. After the completion the annual celebration was held in March ever since.

The Art of South and Southeast Asia
Steven M. Kossak and Edith W. Watts

A great and early civilization arose on the subcontinent of South Asia that in time spread northward to the Himalayan region and eastward to Southeast Asia, a vast area including Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Myanmar. This resource introduces works of art from this area selected from the superb South and Southeast Asian and Islamic collections of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Continue reading »

The Swing Ceremony marks New Year’s Day in accordance with Brahmanic beliefs. God Shiva (Isuan) and god Vishnu (Narai) are said to visit the Earth 10 days each year in the second lunar month.

In order to welcome God Shiva, the Triyamphawai ceremony is held, with a Brahmin reading the Holy Scripture and opening the door to welcome the god. The ceremony is believed to be a gathering of various gods, such as the Sun god, the Moon God, the Earth god, and the Water god. Guardian gods also come to ride the swing and the Naga and angels spray water in honorof god Shiva. The ceremony to welcome god Vishnu is called Tripawai, to be organized simply, as god Vishnu is not in favor of the luxurious style.

The Swing Ceremony lasts two days, with Naliwan riding the swing and Phraya Yuen presiding over the ceremony.

(Reference: Kinnaree Magazine January 2006; Literary works on Thai customs and traditions, written by Nipon Suksawat)