| I traveled to Thailand in July of 2006. Thailand is an amazing country with a strong history and a vibrant culture. The City of Bangkok is modern, clean, and beautiful. I got the opportunity to travel outside the capital to Ban Leim Chabang to see a cultural show and stroll in its beautiful gardens. In the city of Bangkok I got to see the incredible sold gold giant Buddha, the reclining Buddha, took a river cruise on the Chao Pharya, and walked through the Wat Pra Kaeo Temple (home of the Emerald Buddha -the largest single piece of emerald in the world). The Wat Pra Kaeo Temple is on the grounds of the Grand Palace which is one of the most incredible and stunningly beautiful sights in all the world. I would love to return to Thailand in the future, preferably on a non-stop flight. :-) |
 |
Once of part the the Khmer
state (centered in current day Cambodia), Thailand was settled by Thai
tribes in the sixth and seventh century. The Thai defeated the Khmer and
formed the first independent feudal Thai
state in 1257. This first kingdom was called Sukhotai. Another Thai
state, the Kingdom of Ayutthaya was formed in 1350 and at the same
time, the Tai kingdom of Lanna, centered in
Chiang Mai, was formed. The first ruler of
Ayutthaya established buddhism as the official religion and
compiled the Dharmashastra, a legal code based on hindu sources and
traditional Thai customs. The three kingdoms were eventually
consolidated into Ayutthaya and after more than 400 years of power, in
1767,
the Ayutthaya Kingdom was destroyed by invading Burmese armies and its
capital
was burned. A new capital city was founded in 1782, across the Chao
Phraya at the
site of present-day Bangkok. The Kingdom of Krung Thep (this name is
gradually replaced by Siam) became an absolute monarchy. Siam would
become the only state in Southeast Asia that would remain independent
from European Imperialism. In 1932, a bloodless
coup transforms the government of Siam to a
constitutional monarchy. The country was renamed the
Kingdom of Thailand in 1939. Although nominally
a constitutional monarchy, Thailand was usually ruled by a series of
military governments interspersed with brief periods of democracy. The
military government had good relations with Japan, but it had to resign
after the Japanese defeat in 1944. However, Thailand's democracy does
not become completely free form military interference until 1992.
Current day Thailand is enjoying strong economic growth.
|
 |
To see the picture album of Thailand click here
Me at the Wat Pra Kaeo Temple in Bangkok
Thai Cultural Show in Ban Leim Chabang
The Emerald Buddha at the Grand Palace in Bangkok
The Incredible Grand Palace in Bangkok
A real Leopard in Ban Leim Chabang
