Look like a dream: The Thailand Trip Vol. 1
I think I am not too late to write about Thailand. Besides, due to the outbreak that shall remain nameless, I do not have another choice.
So, Let’s Get Started!
I was in Thailand in November 2019. It looks very old, but the trip is still fresh in my mind. The spectacular beaches, breathtaking views, stray animals, i.e., monkeys, transportation, people living in harmony, the mad king, religions, street foods, temples with that breeze from the shores of Southern Thailand. All elements complete the country and make it fabulous. Thailand, which is far away from Turkey, called me to discover its exotic vibes for a long time. And finally, I made it.
I traveled in Bangkok and then went to Phuket, it seemed like a honeymoon, but it was not.
Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand with an almost nine million population. The city is rapidly developing in Southern Asia, according to researchers, thanks to women power. Bangkok, one of Asia’s most cosmopolitan cities, hosts Buddhists with 92%, Muslims with 6%, Christians 1%, Hinduism/Sikh 0.6%, and others. There are 400 Buddhist temples, 55 mosques, 10 churches, 2 Hindu temples, 2 Synagogues, and 1 Sikh gurudwara in Bangkok.
Although I usually stayed at hostels or guesthouses while traveling, I preferred to stay at a hotel in Thailand. The hotel was located around Siam Square, which is the heart of the city. Siam Square is a famous shopping and entertainment area where you can shop from well-known brands as well as from local stores. Along the street, you can taste Thailand’s famous street delicacies. Sampling street food amidst the locals is an important element of its culture. The Square is one of the most notable food hubs in the country and serves a variety of classic and modern Thai dishes that locals and visitors line up for.
Apart from high skyscrapers and luxury shopping malls, the social classes are obvious among Thais. Although Bangkok is a metropolis, I walked alleys and small neighborhoods as much as I could to observe the gap. It is common to see a guy who hopped in a luxury car and tripped around the roads, also a man driving a Tuk-Tuk with no shoes.
Some streets in Bangkok are different. The electrical wires are dangerously dropped off on the ground on one avenue, while on the other avenue, you can see flowers that smell like a Dior Perfume with pictures of the King.
Although the trend of homophobia is increasing among societies, ladyboys in Thailand are remarkably common. Around eight percent of the Thai population, which constitutes five million people, is thought to be in the LGBT demographic. Thailand enacted a comprehensive anti-discrimination law covering sexual orientation and gender identity. In 2017, Bangkok was named the second-most gay-friendly city in Asia, after Israel, due to its LGBT dating scene, nightlife, openness, and safety.[2]
Wat Pho Reclining Buddha
Wat Pho is one of Bangkok’s most attractive temples located close to the Grand Palace, where the Thai King still lives. Wat Pho is the oldest and largest temple complex in Bangkok. It houses more than 1,000 Buddha images, which is more than any other Wat in Thailand. Most of the images were brought over from abandoned temples by order of King Rama I.
The Wat Pho temple complex contains a large number of structures, including an Ubosot or ordination hall, several Viharas, a scripture hall, and almost 100 Chedis. The four largest chedis are dedicated to the first four Kings of the Chakri dynasty, containing some of the ashes of King Rama I through King Rama IV.
Like many Muslim Mosques, you must take off your shoes in temples. Taking photos in some prayer rooms is forbidden. So, you must be careful while tripping because people come there for praying too. You can meet and take a photo with monks who are very friendly. Visiting Wat Pho took me at least 3 hours. If you are a lover of photo-taking, you should arrange your time carefully and be aware of the closing time of temples.
The temple is also known as the birthplace of traditional Thai Massage. A massage school was founded here that still exists; around it, you will find stone statues showing various massage techniques. You can have a foot massage from professionals of the school. It is reliable and worth the price.
Even though it was November, the weather was so hot, and hard to travel under the burning sun. I suggest that you should visit temples in the afternoon and use SPF cream and wear sunglasses all day long.
Not Only In Temples But Also in the Streets
Buddha and Buddhism are alive in the streets. Thai people are religious; they wake up and clean their Buddha to pray as a morning ritual. You can feel the scent of incense everywhere and come across many Buddhas where people worship and offer beautiful flowers in the streets while others run errands. The colorful views satisfy your visual aspect.
To be continued…
