This is the famous folding umbrella market [Talat Rom Hup]. It can be accessed either by road or train itself from the first station at Wong Wian Yai (Big Circle) where at the middle is King Taksin statute (who liberated Siam from Burma). If my memory holds, it costs 15 baht (40 cents) for 3rd class ticket to arrive at this Maeklong station. Wong Wian Yai is about 5 km from Memorial Bridge, the first bridge built across Chao Phraya river about 100 years ago during King Rama VII. At the foot of this bridge is King Rama I statue (who succeeded King Taksin and moved Siam capital to Bangkok). Parallel to this bridge, there is another bridge and at the center is 2-meter wide Skywalk Garden which is for people who enjoy walking/sitting/drinking Thai beer while watching sunset at Chao Phraya river. Highly recommended.
BTS,MRT: Thailand is a developing country that dared to implement an electric metro system decades ago, not by government initially but by a private enterprise under build-operate-transfer concession basis. When a housing developer Tanayong group proposed to Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BKK city government) to build an electric skytrain linking the major nothern/eastern provincial bus terminal (Mor Chit) into the city center (CBD) itself about 30 years ago, local Thais and expatriates were skeptical because previously HK Hopewell and Canadian Lavalin had proposed such project in Bangkok to the national government but failed hopelessly to complete the project. In the case of Lavalin, only about 1% was completed while Hopewell did a little better upto 5% before both concessionaires abandoned the project due to financial difficulties. However, elected Bangkok governor at the time Gen Chamlong Srimuang did not listen to experts' advices and granted Tanayong concession to carry out the project. Tanayong managed to borrow enough funds from local and overseas banks to build the civil structure running above the main roads, thus did not have to pay any land expropriation fee. When the civil structure was completed, Tanayong bought train and signal system from German Siemens as well as contracting Siemens to help run the system for 10 years. The first year official opening was about 23 years ago in 1999. Even then, some Thai and expatriates still voiced doubts whether the skytrain could earn enough revenue to cover the running costs as well as earning enough profits to pay off principals and interests as the first year's ridership was not great barely covering the operating costs. However, within 10 years the skytrain (Bangkok Transit System or BTS) turned profitable and after 23 years, the BTS is earning huge profit and has long paid off all debts. When the national government saw BTS success, it planned its own MRT (Metro Rapid Transit) systems, covering more lines. However, since some lines are run underground and some above ground, no private companies dared to do the same as Tanayong (now renamed BTS Group) as the civil construction is very expensive. So the national government established MRT state enterprise to design the lines and tender civil constructions using government budget. Once civil construction is completed, MRT tenders bids for private operators to secure the train system as well as running them under concessions. Bangkok is now covered by BTS/MRT/SRT (State Railway of Thailand which runs the Red Line to the suburbs and Airport Link from Suvarnabhumi airport to City center) systems more than 250 kilometers altogether. Note: Currently Light Green Line (Sukhumvit Line) Dark Green Line + Gold Line (Silom Line) Blue Line (Circle Line) Purple Line Airport Link Line (Suvarnabhumi Airport) Dark Red Line (Grand Station - Don Muang AirPort) Light Red Line (Grand Station - TalingChan) Yellow Line (Scheduled Open Last Quarter 2023) Pink Line (Scheduled Open Last Quarter 2023) Orange Line(Scheduled Open 2025) Also sees Metro systems history and planned expansion th-cam.com/video/i3sFfqq3N4Q/w-d-xo.html
Bangkok's Grand Palace was built in the style of Ayutthaya Grand Palace with a royal temple inside reserved only for the King and relatives to hold Buddhist ceremony. Since the temple is in the Grand Palace there is no monk living in the temple. It is only the functional temple in Thailand that has no monk resides in. Monks from temples nearby are usually invited when the King performs Buddhist ceremony. It is a tradition that any novice who passes the highest Pali Grade 9 language proficiency will be royally patronaged and ordained into monkhood in this Emerald Buddha temple. Pali is the language spoken during the Buddha's era. Buddhist Dharma was originally transmitted by Pali oral tradition (still practiced even today when monks chant Pali sutra every morning and evening) but later transcribed into Pali alphabets, similar to Sanskrit which is the main language of Hinduism. There is a nationwide exam conducted annually to assess Pali proficiency and few novices/monks pass Grade 9 language each year, normally fewer than 10. So you can imagine how hard it is. At the Grand Palace, you can see Garudas (mythical flying deity) grab Nagas (mythical serpent-like deity living underworld). They are sworn mortal enemies in Hindu and Buddhist legends. However, both are God Vishnu's mounts. When travelling, God Vishnu mounts on Garuda. When resting in the sea, God Vishnu lays on bed transformed from Naga's body. Garuda is a sacred deity in Thailand and Indonesia. Thus Indonesia National Airlines is "Garuda" while Thailand's official emblem is Garuda which is affixed in front of official paper and shown on Royal Announcements on Thai TVs. Naga is sacred deity in Thailand and Laos as protector of the Lord Buddha. Temples in the Thailand's North and Laos often feature 2 Nagas at the front leading the steps into the temple. Standalone Naga is featured prominently along Mekong River on both sides of Thailand and Laos as well. Here is the full name of Bangkok. Krungthep Mahanakorn Amorn Rattanakosin Mahintra Yuttaya Mahadilokpop Noparat Burirom Udom Rachnivet Mahasathan Amornpimarn Avartarnsathit Sakkatiya Witsanukamprasit Here is my rough translation. Bangkok Metropolis, the royal capital of Ratanakosin dynasty following Ayutthaya dynasty, a grand palace resided by God King. Here is the official full name of Bangkok. Krungthep Mahanakorn Amorn Rattanakosin Mahintra Yuttaya Mahadilokpop Noparat Burirom Udom Rachnivet Mahasathan Amornpimarn Avartarnsathit Sakkatiya Witsanukamprasit Here is my rough translation. Bangkok Metropolis, the royal capital of Ratanakosin dynasty following Ayutthaya dynasty, a grand palace resided by God King. But most Thais just call short form as "Krungthep", land of deity.
Khao San Road (Rice Road) was famous for attracting backpackers over 30 years ago when the Net was just in its infancy by the words of mouth and such publication as Lonely Planet. The area used to be a center of rice trade 100 years ago as it nears Chao Phraya river and rice could be easily transported to be sold here. Now, you cannot even find a shop selling rice at all. The accommodation at this road was cheap 30-40 years ago, so cheap that you could find a room with a fan but with a common bathroom facility for only 100-200 baht/night. The street food was also very cheap, paying 20-30 baht including free water for a meal. There were several tour agents and even hired van/bus that could take you to Bangsaen, Pattaya, Hua Hin to see the sea. It was a stop place for young backpackers those days who would like to explore other provinces or neighboring Laos, Cambodia and Burma. The backpackers were not confined to western adults but even Korean and Japanese young adults could also be seen at Khao San Road. The place was even more popular when the Net was widely available 20 years ago. During Covid when there was no business, BMA (city govt) renovated the area and turned it into a permanent walking street and it was reborn as a gathering place for party goers for both Thai and foreigners. However, you could not find a cheap 100-200 baht/night room to stay anymore. You can still find accommodation with air-con room at less than 500 baht/night.
This is the famous folding umbrella market [Talat Rom Hup]. It can be accessed either by road or train itself from the first station at Wong Wian Yai (Big Circle) where at the middle is King Taksin statute (who liberated Siam from Burma). If my memory holds, it costs 15 baht (40 cents) for 3rd class ticket to arrive at this Maeklong station. Wong Wian Yai is about 5 km from Memorial Bridge, the first bridge built across Chao Phraya river about 100 years ago during King Rama VII. At the foot of this bridge is King Rama I statue (who succeeded King Taksin and moved Siam capital to Bangkok). Parallel to this bridge, there is another bridge and at the center is 2-meter wide Skywalk Garden which is for people who enjoy walking/sitting/drinking Thai beer while watching sunset at Chao Phraya river. Highly recommended.
So nice that you got to go to Thailand with such a big group. Seems like you had a lot of fun!
Welcome to Thailand 🇹🇭
BTS,MRT: Thailand is a developing country that dared to implement an electric metro system decades ago, not by government initially but by a private enterprise under build-operate-transfer concession basis. When a housing developer Tanayong group proposed to Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BKK city government) to build an electric skytrain linking the major nothern/eastern provincial bus terminal (Mor Chit) into the city center (CBD) itself about 30 years ago, local Thais and expatriates were skeptical because previously HK Hopewell and Canadian Lavalin had proposed such project in Bangkok to the national government but failed hopelessly to complete the project. In the case of Lavalin, only about 1% was completed while Hopewell did a little better upto 5% before both concessionaires abandoned the project due to financial difficulties. However, elected Bangkok governor at the time Gen Chamlong Srimuang did not listen to experts' advices and granted Tanayong concession to carry out the project. Tanayong managed to borrow enough funds from local and overseas banks to build the civil structure running above the main roads, thus did not have to pay any land expropriation fee. When the civil structure was completed, Tanayong bought train and signal system from German Siemens as well as contracting Siemens to help run the system for 10 years. The first year official opening was about 23 years ago in 1999. Even then, some Thai and expatriates still voiced doubts whether the skytrain could earn enough revenue to cover the running costs as well as earning enough profits to pay off principals and interests as the first year's ridership was not great barely covering the operating costs. However, within 10 years the skytrain (Bangkok Transit System or BTS) turned profitable and after 23 years, the BTS is earning huge profit and has long paid off all debts. When the national government saw BTS success, it planned its own MRT (Metro Rapid Transit) systems, covering more lines. However, since some lines are run underground and some above ground, no private companies dared to do the same as Tanayong (now renamed BTS Group) as the civil construction is very expensive. So the national government established MRT state enterprise to design the lines and tender civil constructions using government budget. Once civil construction is completed, MRT tenders bids for private operators to secure the train system as well as running them under concessions. Bangkok is now covered by BTS/MRT/SRT (State Railway of Thailand which runs the Red Line to the suburbs and Airport Link from Suvarnabhumi airport to City center) systems more than 250 kilometers altogether.
Note: Currently
Light Green Line (Sukhumvit Line)
Dark Green Line + Gold Line (Silom Line)
Blue Line (Circle Line)
Purple Line
Airport Link Line (Suvarnabhumi Airport)
Dark Red Line (Grand Station - Don Muang AirPort)
Light Red Line (Grand Station - TalingChan)
Yellow Line (Scheduled Open Last Quarter 2023)
Pink Line (Scheduled Open Last Quarter 2023)
Orange Line(Scheduled Open 2025)
Also sees Metro systems history and planned expansion th-cam.com/video/i3sFfqq3N4Q/w-d-xo.html
Planning to visit Thailand in the future. Keep safe!
So beautiful Thailand
Hope to visit your country soon
🙏👆❤😍 #Thailand
Bangkok's Grand Palace was built in the style of Ayutthaya Grand Palace with a royal temple inside reserved only for the King and relatives to hold Buddhist ceremony. Since the temple is in the Grand Palace there is no monk living in the temple. It is only the functional temple in Thailand that has no monk resides in. Monks from temples nearby are usually invited when the King performs Buddhist ceremony. It is a tradition that any novice who passes the highest Pali Grade 9 language proficiency will be royally patronaged and ordained into monkhood in this Emerald Buddha temple. Pali is the language spoken during the Buddha's era. Buddhist Dharma was originally transmitted by Pali oral tradition (still practiced even today when monks chant Pali sutra every morning and evening) but later transcribed into Pali alphabets, similar to Sanskrit which is the main language of Hinduism. There is a nationwide exam conducted annually to assess Pali proficiency and few novices/monks pass Grade 9 language each year, normally fewer than 10. So you can imagine how hard it is.
At the Grand Palace, you can see Garudas (mythical flying deity) grab Nagas (mythical serpent-like deity living underworld). They are sworn mortal enemies in Hindu and Buddhist legends. However, both are God Vishnu's mounts. When travelling, God Vishnu mounts on Garuda. When resting in the sea, God Vishnu lays on bed transformed from Naga's body. Garuda is a sacred deity in Thailand and Indonesia. Thus Indonesia National Airlines is "Garuda" while Thailand's official emblem is Garuda which is affixed in front of official paper and shown on Royal Announcements on Thai TVs. Naga is sacred deity in Thailand and Laos as protector of the Lord Buddha. Temples in the Thailand's North and Laos often feature 2 Nagas at the front leading the steps into the temple. Standalone Naga is featured prominently along Mekong River on both sides of Thailand and Laos as well.
Here is the full name of Bangkok.
Krungthep Mahanakorn Amorn Rattanakosin Mahintra Yuttaya Mahadilokpop Noparat Burirom Udom Rachnivet Mahasathan Amornpimarn Avartarnsathit Sakkatiya Witsanukamprasit
Here is my rough translation. Bangkok Metropolis, the royal capital of Ratanakosin dynasty following Ayutthaya dynasty, a grand palace resided by God King.
Here is the official full name of Bangkok.
Krungthep Mahanakorn Amorn Rattanakosin Mahintra Yuttaya Mahadilokpop Noparat Burirom Udom Rachnivet Mahasathan Amornpimarn Avartarnsathit Sakkatiya Witsanukamprasit
Here is my rough translation. Bangkok Metropolis, the royal capital of Ratanakosin dynasty following Ayutthaya dynasty, a grand palace resided by God King.
But most Thais just call short form as "Krungthep", land of deity.
Hope to see the beauty of your places soon
Khao San Road (Rice Road) was famous for attracting backpackers over 30 years ago when the Net was just in its infancy by the words of mouth and such publication as Lonely Planet. The area used to be a center of rice trade 100 years ago as it nears Chao Phraya river and rice could be easily transported to be sold here. Now, you cannot even find a shop selling rice at all. The accommodation at this road was cheap 30-40 years ago, so cheap that you could find a room with a fan but with a common bathroom facility for only 100-200 baht/night. The street food was also very cheap, paying 20-30 baht including free water for a meal. There were several tour agents and even hired van/bus that could take you to Bangsaen, Pattaya, Hua Hin to see the sea. It was a stop place for young backpackers those days who would like to explore other provinces or neighboring Laos, Cambodia and Burma. The backpackers were not confined to western adults but even Korean and Japanese young adults could also be seen at Khao San Road. The place was even more popular when the Net was widely available 20 years ago. During Covid when there was no business, BMA (city govt) renovated the area and turned it into a permanent walking street and it was reborn as a gathering place for party goers for both Thai and foreigners. However, you could not find a cheap 100-200 baht/night room to stay anymore. You can still find accommodation with air-con room at less than 500 baht/night.
❤️❤️❤️😀
Nice trip 🤗😊🫰❤️
Name of the hotel?
Groove at siam hotel