10/13/07

Thai elephant

Ayutthaya Province

10/12/07

Wat Phra Si Rattana Maha That

Lop Buri Province
Wat phra Si Rattana Maha That
วัดพระศรีรัตนมหาธาตุ
Wat Phra Si Rattana Maha That was build around the 18th-19th Buddhist century in the Lop Buri period according to th tradition to build a temple to house the holy relics of Lord Buddha in the middle of a major city. The temple has been renovated over the years by a number of Kings. The most important sits here is Pra Prang in its center. It has an extended visage and is decorated with bas relief of Buddha images and the life of Lord Buddha on the gable, as well as designs of human faces and flora. A crooked balcony encircles two leves of the structure. It is believed to be the first Thai-style tall stupa. In front of the main tall stupa is the Wihan Luang (Wihan Kao Hong ), or main chaple. Sala Pluang Khruang is where King changed attire before performing religious ceremonies.

Pra Prang Sam Yot

Lop Buri Province
Pra Prang Sam Yot
พระปรางค์ สามยอด
Pra Prang Sam Yat is a Buddhist building of the Mahayana sect in the art style of the Lop Buri Period (18th Buddhist century). Built of laterite, the 3 tall stupas are lined with walkways linking them. The Middle stupa the main one. It used to house a Buddha image in the Nak Prok Posture. The northern stupa houses the Phra Photisat Awalokitesuan image, while the southem stupa houses the image of Nang Pratya Paramita. The exterior of all is decorated with bas relief. The doorways originally had a gable but now only the column remains . The door frame is decorated with an image of a hermit sitting with his knees up. The upper part is decorated with jack wood leaves made of sandstone and carved in the shape of a doorkeeper, the god Narai and a 5 - headed Naga (mythical serpent)

Vichayen Hourse or Royal Envoy Reception

Lop Buri Province

Offical resdence for Ambassadors of wichayen house

บ้านหลวงรับราชทูต หรือบ้านวิชาเยนทร์

The official residence for Ambassadors was built in the reign of King Narai the great. Inside the offical residnece is diuided into 3 parts with 3 adjoined doorways

1. Situated in the west direction is the residential hall of that was built to accomodate the Greek Ambassador named constantine falcon working for the government in the reign of King Narai the great. His work bencfited the Kingdom in the rank of treasury council during 1875-1878, his wife's name is Marie De Gemar or known by the local oeple as Toa Thong Keep Ma and the legendry of the Thai sweet recipes

2. The middle part of the official residence is the Christian church

3. Situated in the east direction is the accomodation residence of the ambassadors. During 1875 the French ambassador hamed Chervaria De Chomante come to settle friendship and was accommodated in this official residence.

At the center are a bell tower and Christian Church Laid out in the European style . There are doors and windows in the Thai style. To the east is the two-storey residence of envoys and clergymen with front steps and a half-circle doorway. To the west is the residence of Chao Phraya Vichayen.