We start this blog to give you the opportunity to explore hidden communities, sights, travelling experiences, tips to go around Bangkok and practicalities about living in Thailand the Thai way. You are welcome to comment, give your opinions and suggestions.
As the opening of the blog, I would like to take you to one of the richest community in culture in the Heart of Bangkok, Bangkok Noi!
We started the day at the Siriraj hospital, which is one of the oldest hospital in Thailand built in 1888.
If anyone is interested in the history of the hospital and other cool stuff such as the preserved remain of one of the best known serial killer in the Thailand's history, "Si Oui", or the story of the psychopath doctor who killed his nurse wife, the Siriraj museum has it all!
At the Siriraj hospital, you can also see a mixture of Thai and European architecture. Below is the Siriraj Medical hospital museum entrance.
Also, there is a building in the Siriraj hospital, which is specifically built to welcome the visits of the King and the Royal family when they need treatment.
Bangkok Noi used to be a train village community. Nowadays, the train still passes the area, but the people do not use the train to travel from place to place as much like before. Below is one of the old style lifted-up Thai house for the train officer, who worked at the Bangkok Noi station. Nowadays, there are still people living in this house.
We arrived to Baan khaw mao, a place where roasted rice mixed with palm sugar, seasoning and Thai spices were manufactured. At the Baan khaw mao, we spotted the owners' ancestors' pictures. Thai people believe that the grand children and children should always pay respect and pray to their ancestors by offering them food, fruits, a bowl of rice and incense sticks. It is a way to remind the children about their passed away ancestors, which is linked to a belief that their spirits will protect the children.
The lady posing in the picture is the owner of the house dressed in a typical Thai way next to the desserts made in her small factory. On the upper corner, you may spot the spirit house and on the floor, the traditional broom made of grass and bamboo stick, which would be considered ecological these days.
A small alley in the Bangkok Noi community, where the neighbors hang around next to their doors chatting with each other. The monks walked into the alley for the food offering merit and the people sat down and prayed along the road as a way for welcoming the monks.
A small group of kids waited for us at the temple showing their skills on "horse riding" around the temple.
At the Wat suwannaraam temple, people believe that if you wish or pray for something and it becomes true, you have to come and do the horse riding around the temple.
Not only that, this temple has two of the most beautiful paintings in the whole Thailand.
The paintings are quite old and have been partially damaged. However, the paintings have been decided to preserve as they are and not to allow to fix them by the new generation of Thai artists.
The Buddha in this temple is one of the most beautiful Buddha statue from the Sukhothai period. It is the period which the best known for crafting the most beautiful Buddha statues in the world.
Interested in this walk tour? please visit www.thailandsecrettour.com for availability and booking.
As the opening of the blog, I would like to take you to one of the richest community in culture in the Heart of Bangkok, Bangkok Noi!
We started the day at the Siriraj hospital, which is one of the oldest hospital in Thailand built in 1888.
If anyone is interested in the history of the hospital and other cool stuff such as the preserved remain of one of the best known serial killer in the Thailand's history, "Si Oui", or the story of the psychopath doctor who killed his nurse wife, the Siriraj museum has it all!
At the Siriraj hospital, you can also see a mixture of Thai and European architecture. Below is the Siriraj Medical hospital museum entrance.
Also, there is a building in the Siriraj hospital, which is specifically built to welcome the visits of the King and the Royal family when they need treatment.
The picture below shows the pier at Siriraj hospital.
Bangkok Noi used to be a train village community. Nowadays, the train still passes the area, but the people do not use the train to travel from place to place as much like before. Below is one of the old style lifted-up Thai house for the train officer, who worked at the Bangkok Noi station. Nowadays, there are still people living in this house.
On the way, we met a small villagers' coconut factory.
We arrived to Baan khaw mao, a place where roasted rice mixed with palm sugar, seasoning and Thai spices were manufactured. At the Baan khaw mao, we spotted the owners' ancestors' pictures. Thai people believe that the grand children and children should always pay respect and pray to their ancestors by offering them food, fruits, a bowl of rice and incense sticks. It is a way to remind the children about their passed away ancestors, which is linked to a belief that their spirits will protect the children.
One of the Baan khaw mao's successor demonstrated us how to prepare Khaw mao.
The lady posing in the picture is the owner of the house dressed in a typical Thai way next to the desserts made in her small factory. On the upper corner, you may spot the spirit house and on the floor, the traditional broom made of grass and bamboo stick, which would be considered ecological these days.
A small museum has been recently established to show the history of the Bangkok Noi community and preserve the culture. All items shown in the picture are donations by the villagers.
The walk continues through the Bangkok Noi community.
You can still see the new year celebration decorations hanging above the alley. It was a very lively feeling.
The villager lady showed us the flower ornament set that she hand-made for her relative, who will become a monk. This ornament is used in the ceremony when a man decides to become a monk.
Another villager lady helped to put up the flowers to make a garland. Just the flowers and a long stick needle will do! This is one of the Thai folk wisdoms.
A small group of kids waited for us at the temple showing their skills on "horse riding" around the temple.
At the Wat suwannaraam temple, people believe that if you wish or pray for something and it becomes true, you have to come and do the horse riding around the temple.
Not only that, this temple has two of the most beautiful paintings in the whole Thailand.
The paintings are quite old and have been partially damaged. However, the paintings have been decided to preserve as they are and not to allow to fix them by the new generation of Thai artists.
The Buddha in this temple is one of the most beautiful Buddha statue from the Sukhothai period. It is the period which the best known for crafting the most beautiful Buddha statues in the world.
Here we arrived to the Baan bu market, which is over 100 years old. You can still see the wooden arch structures on the roof.
This is Rae-rai dessert. One of the very traditional Thai desserts that you probably won't see anywhere else anymore. It is made by the local artisans.
One of the oldest traditional Thai pharmacy. In the old days, if a person became sick, there were the Siriraj hospital and this traditional Thai pharmacy shop, where you can get the medicines.
Do you see this beautiful bowl made of brass and copper? Visit the Baan kan long hin factory in the middle of Bangkok.
An artisan heating a tin bowl.
Lining the inner bowl decoration.
And here is the final outcome.
At last, we visited the steam engine locomotive, which was used during the WWII. The locomotive was decided to preserve and nowadays it runs short trips on demand.
It is very loud, but if you want to experience living the lifestyle 100 years ago, perhaps this is for you!
It is very loud, but if you want to experience living the lifestyle 100 years ago, perhaps this is for you!
Interested in this walk tour? please visit www.thailandsecrettour.com for availability and booking.
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