Article Preview
Title: Statue of King Rama II
Location: Wat Arun วัดอรุณ, Bangkok, Central Thailand
Date: 4 September 2009, 11:53am
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/8.0, ISO Equiv.: 100
Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramenthramaha Isarasundhorn Phra Buddha Loetla Nabhalai (Thai: พระบาทสมเด็จพระปรเมนทรมหาอิศรสุนทรฯ พระพุทธเลิศหล้านภาลัย; RTGS: —Itsarasunthon Phra Phuttha Loet La Naphalai), or Rama II (24 February 1767 – 21 July 1824), was the second monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri, ruling from 1809-1824.
King Rama II restored the temple to its former glory and changed its name from Wat Chaeng to Wat Arun Rachatharam.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddha_Loetla_Nabhalai
Title: King of Elegant
Location: Wat Arun วัดอรุณ, Bangkok, Central Thailand
Date: 4 September 2009, 12:52pm
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/6.3, ISO Equiv.: 100
A towering statue of King Rama II in Wat Arun วัดอรุณ - close up shot.
King Rama II tried to create the first semblance of a modern government, creating ministries and appointing chief ministers to help with the running of the government.
Title: Support The Prang
Location: Wat Arun วัดอรุณ, Bangkok, Central Thailand
Date: 4 September 2009, 12:20pm
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/6.3, ISO Equiv.: 100
An ancient statue decorated with pieces of broken tiles. It seems the statue is not too happy holding the prang for such a long time.
Title: Look at ME!
Location: Wat Arun วัดอรุณ, Bangkok, Central Thailand
Date: 4 September 2009, 12:14pm
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/8.0, ISO Equiv.: 100
I was mesmerized by the bulging eyeballs, full cheek and long beard :)
Title: EXCESSIVE
Location: Wat Arun วัดอรุณ, Bangkok, Central Thailand
Date: 4 September 2009, 12:46pm
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/7.1, ISO Equiv.: 100
My goodness! This is way too much. The gold papers even covered Buddha's mouth!
Title: COLOSSAL
Location: Wat Arun วัดอรุณ, Bangkok, Central Thailand
Date: 4 September 2009, 12:00pm
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/8.0, ISO Equiv.: 100
Simply AMAZING! The prang look like an alien spacecraft!!
Title: A White Chedi
Location: Wat Arun วัดอรุณ, Bangkok, Central Thailand
Date: 4 September 2009, 11:50am
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/9.0, ISO Equiv.: 100
There is a piece of photo attached to this chedi. I believe this mini chedi stores the ashes of that person.
Title: Mini Praying Altar
Location: Wat Arun วัดอรุณ, Bangkok, Central Thailand
Date: 4 September 2009, 12:59pm
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/7.1, ISO Equiv.: 100
A simple altar next to the temple complex.
Title: A Satellite Prang
Location: Wat Arun วัดอรุณ, Bangkok, Central Thailand
Date: 4 September 2009, 12:30pm
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/8.0, ISO Equiv.: 100
One of the four smaller towers or satellite prangs in Wat Arun วัดอรุณ. This prang is way taller than all the surronding buildings.
I should have spend few more days in Bangkok. The land of smiles is beautiful, charming and attractive! I missed Thailand and bored with Kuala Lumpur.
My next destination? Conquering Gunung Nuang - The highest mountain in Selangor, Malaysia (4898 ft/1493 metres)
Wat Arun วัดอรุณ - Getting There:
Located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, this temple can be reached either by Arun Amarin Road or by boat from Tha Tien Pier, near Wat Pho. The Tha Tien express boat pier, at the southwest corner of the Grand Palace or Wat Phra Kaew, is diagonally opposite Wat Arun and boats ply at very frequent intervals. Refer to the attached map below.
You can get to Tha Tien on the Chao Phraya River Express boats from any other pier, or take a taxi to it. Buses that go near Tha Tien are ordinary buses 1, 25, 44, 47, 62 and 91 that stop on Maharat road. Plenty of Thonburi canal tours also take tourists to visit this artistic piece of architecture.
Wat Arun วัดอรุณ - Opening Hours & Fares:
The temple is open to the public daily from 8.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.
The admission fee for this legendary monument is 30 THB for foreigners, while entry is free for Thai citizens.
Wat Arun วัดอรุณ - Things To Do/See:
a) Climb up the central prang
b) Four satellite prangs
c) Temple complex (bot)
Wat Arun วัดอรุณ - Read More:
a) http://tinyurl.com/yaxj8n3 (Thailandforvisitors.com)
b) http://www.watarun.net/ (Official Website)
c) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_Arun (Wikipedia Article)
d) http://tinyurl.com/yehrtrd (TripAdvisor Travelers' Review)
Wat Arun วัดอรุณ - Maps, Guide & Layout:
You're so lucky to get that kind of sky in your photos.
I think we call it, mackerel sky, right?
Please correct me, if I was wrong!
Did you go back to shoot the same buildings at night?
wow...nice!! i didnt realise the king rama statue >.< or probably yes? i dont quite remember unless i read back the diary or open the folder of the pictures =p
i had a great time in wat arun with my thai friends =p and did you see the king rama bridge?
okok i am back from ipoh and taiping... the charcoal factory and mangroves forest... nice!! will try to post it out later =p i didnt explore ipoh much... just had the chicken rice and white coffee...
I like the shot entitled "Colossal". The contrast of pure white and black is outstanding.
fufu,
I know fufu must be traveling for the past few days. Your blog was 'quiet' for some time :) WOW! you got a diary to record all your trip. I only have pieces of A4 papers to record my trip. Dumped these papers once I put them in my blog. I'm not a good diary keeper.
Have to wait for fufu's post for King Rama Bridge.
Oh Yeah! you traveled to Matang Charcoal Factory and Mangrove Forest. You have so many backdated post to share with us. I wonder when will your KL, Thailand and Ipoh post will appear.
1ondoncalling,
My apology...I didn't know blue sky is also known as mackerel sky.
Blue sky is a great addition. But, usually...it's a HOT, HOT DAY! The wats are beautiful at night. Sadly, I did not make another night trip to the Wats :(
Roger,
Thank you!
Cheers to all!
mylo
Thanks for sharing the wonderful information regarding the temple over there..I was looking for the information as I am soon visiting there with my family..Just wondering to know about the things which I should kept in mind before visiting there..