Unique Thailand

Thailand has exploded on the world tourism scene in the past 20 years and it is easy to see why. Beautiful natural scenery, the mountains of the north to the southern beaches, beautiful temples and ancient ruins, a fabulous spicy cuisine and a relaxed and friendly people make Thailand Asia ideal destination for visitors of all ages. But for most visitors, the most enchanting sight is the Thai temple.

Bangkok is home to more than 400 temples of antiquity to modernity. These fantastic creations with their roofs and multilayer kaleidoscopic colors surprise and delight all visitors. Somerset Maugham said they were examples of "playful audacity of the man." Bangkok, one of the most interesting temple is Wat Po, known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha.

Wat Po is on most tourist itineraries because of its enormous reclining Buddha. But a stroll through the rest of the temple is extremely rewarding.

Wat Po, in fact, served as the first university in Bangkok. In the 19th century, King Rama 3 enlarged the temple compound and added tablets of stone showing Thai traditional medicine. He also created the garden of a hermit who is populated by statues of hermits in various contortions that are based on yoga. At the end of the temple compounds are flags of traditional Thai massage, which also offers massages and tuition massage.

The northern capital of Chiang Mai, but a fraction of the size of Bangkok, has almost as many temples. Most of the structures are northern style showing a strong influence Burma. Stone lions stand guard at the door and the naga or heavenly: snakes balustrades in the form of stairs.

Chiangmai most prominent temple is regarded as the Wat Phra Singh, who is in the walled Old City. A temple was built for the first time on this site in 1345 and the original or stupa pagoda still stands.

The viharn or assembly hall houses Phra Singh and the picture is remarkable for its murals depicting traditional life in the north of Thailand in the 19th century.

On the southern island of Phuket in the Andaman Sea, stands the temple of Wat Chalong, a place of great history and legend. Known officially as Chaitararam Wat, the temple is located in the district of Chalong, in the north of Phuket.

The main pagoda at Wat Chalong contains a piece of bone that had come from the Buddha. The chedi is adorned with murals and images of Buddha.

Wat Chalong played a dramatic role in the 19th century when Chinese workers protesting over being denied opium. The abbot of the temple, Luang Poh Cham, the premises had rallied to stand and fight Chinese riots and possibly save the world.

These are just three of thousands of Buddhist temples that fascinating through Thailand. A visit to the temple, everything is not only a feast for the eyes but also the heart and soul.