The Temple of Dawn (Arun Ratchawararam Temple)

Located on the west bank of The Chaophraya River in Bangkok of Thailand and being familiar tourist attraction, The Temple of Dawn can easily be reached by taking a ferry boat with fee of 3 baht. Tien pier is the place where you use to travel to the temple and it takes a bit time to get to it. With a little time on board, you can get a cool breeze that make you fresher before get off the boat.

The History of The Temple of Dawn

The first class royal temple that was built since Ayutthaya period, used to be called Wat Makok at the first place then changed to Wat Makok Nok due to the fact that there was another new temple in area called Wat Makok Nai (Wat Nuanoradit). In the later period, King Taksin the great formed the troop via the river from Ayutthaya and reached the temple in the early dawn, which inspired him to renovate the place, and changed the name to Wat Chaeng meaning the temple of dawn at the time Thonburi was found at the capital in 1768, the king built the new palace that surrounded the temple, Wat Chaeng was the temple in the palace that without monks resided. This is the royal temple of Thonburi; used to be the holding place for the Emerald Buddha and Phra Bang-the Buddha images in, which were brought from Vientiane in the reign of king Rama I, the capital was moved from Thonburi to Bangkok as well as the royal palace. The wall of Thonburi Palace was destroyed ever since. As a result, Wat Chaeng was no longer the temple in the palace, and the monks were allowed to reside. The renovation of the place continued until the reign of king Rama II who changed the temple’s name to Wat Arun Ratchatharam. It was renovated again during the time of King Rama IV. Once again, the King changed its name to Wat Arun Ratchawararam.

The Chaophraya River in Bangkok Travel

The Chaophraya River originates from Paknampho sub-district where The Ping and The Nan River have joined in front of the dam in Meung district of Nakhonsawan province. The difference between Nan and Ping River can be seen clearly there. That is to say the former is quite red and the latter is quite green colors. After joining, they become the great important river of Thailand flowing past several provinces in central region till arrives to Bangkok and spill out to Thai gulf at Paknam district in Samhutprakan province with its 372 kilometers of length. The Chaophraya in the present day some part was dug to short cut so that it can serve people as a transportation route more effectively. Digging was during three periods.

Many high buildings on the both sides of The Chaophraya

The first digging was in the Somdej Phrachairacha reign. The dug area started from Bangkok Noi canal at Bangkok Noi railway station to Bangkok Yai canal at Arunrachawararam temple so that it could serve trade between Thailand and foreigners productively.

The second one was in the Pharmahajakraphat reign by digging between Bangkok Noi canal being the original Chaophraya at Suwankhiri temple and Bangkrue canal at Chaloe temple.

The third one was in the Phrachao Prasatthong reign. Digging started from Chalermphrakiat temple to Bangkrue canal.

Seen in the distance, The Dawn Temple on the west bank of The Chaophraya River

There are many interesting place on the both of The Chaophraya’s banks. The way of Thai people life, various communities, temples and cool condition can be seen along both side of The River. Maybe you travel to The Chaphraya River so that you can get the new fascinating place to relax or to take some photos for your friends. You can select one point at The Phraphuttha Yodfa Bridge like this post. Enjoy relaxing.

The 14 October 73 Memorial in Bangkok Travel

You can travel to the place easily and quickly on foot because it is located on Ratchadamneon Rd. between The Democracy Monument and Rachnaddaworaviharn Temple.

The history of The 14 October 73 Memorial

The 14 October 73 Memorial was built in memory of those who lost their lives during the 14th-16th October, 1973 uprising. In 1974, the students’ center of Thailand proposed to the cabinet under the premiership of Prime Minister Sanya Dhammasak the building of a memorial. The proposal was approved and the university affairs bureau was appointed to coordinate this issue with continual support from students’ movements, former students who were part of the 14th of October uprising, academicians, the mass media, NGOs and those who love democracy, the memorial was finished in 2001

The construction was funded by donations from people involved in the 14th of October event and on the commemoration of the twenty-fifth year of the political conflict, as well as from donations from the lottery bureau, the Bangkok metro Politian administration and the university affairs bureau. The 14th of October foundation was responsible for the construction and it has collaborated in the running of the memorial’s activities as a place for public activities that vary in terms of form and subject matter ever since.