Spirit House at Our Hotel

Last day in Bangkok. Good thing this spirit house was in front of hotel as there was an incident at the temple next to the hotel. Sandy didn’t go to the Siam Niramit show last night and heard much noise coming from the temple. We really don’t know what happened there but it involved sirens, police cars, many people, and either backfire or gun shots. Scary considering all the protests going on but it was over in 1/2 hour. Our hotel was fully protected by the spirit house!

Spirit House at Our Hotel

Close–up.

On Our Way

I went on the optional tour to the Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha. We passed by our local protest area.

On Our Way

Through a railroad crossing. If you can’t read Thai, there is a very cute choo–choo train on the sign to warn you.

On Our Way

Temple seen on our way.

On Our Way

The food vendors are out and so are their customers.

At Wat Phra Kaew: Changing of the Guard–Movie

Wat Phra Kaew, which includes the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, is located in the Grand Palace complex. We arrived just when the guard was changing.

Wat Phra Kaew

Wat Phra Kaew was built in the late 18th and early 19th centuries during the reign of Rama I. It is the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand. It is stunningly beautiful.

The Emerald Buddha

The Emerald Buddha is located in the temple complex. It is believed that the statue came from India but it was found in Cambodia in the 15th century, moved to Laos in the 16th century, and then 215 years later moved to Thailand in the 18th century. It is believed that the Emerald Buddha would bring “prosperity and pre–eminence to each country that it resides.” It is venerated as the protector of the country.

In this postcard, the Emerald Buddha is shown in its summer, rainy, and winter attire. The king changes the Buddha’s attire.

The Grand Palace

After visiting Wat Phra Kaew, we visited the Grand Palace, which was built starting in 1782 in the European style. The present king does not live in this palace though some functions are still held at it.

I put my photos of Wat Phra Kaew, the Emerald Buddha, and the Grand Palace on a slide show. Go directly to

http://www.peggysphotos.com/bangkok–emerald–buddhagrand–palace/

or to Slide Shows, Asia, Thailand, “Emerald Buddha/Grand Palace.”

Seen on Our Walk Back to the Bus

Stop Forced Live Organ Harvesting in China.

Seen on Our Walk Back to the Bus

Someone had some fun with this bus stop sign.

Seen on Our Walk Back to the Bus

Close–up.

Seen on Our Bus Ride

Read for Life Bangkok painting on a fence.

Seen on Our Bus Ride

Do Thai students, as we used to, bring apples to their teachers?

Seen on Our Bus Ride

One more Read for Life, Bangkok, painting.

Seen on Our Bus Ride

A better photo of the Democracy Monument than the one I took yesterday. The monument commemorates the bloodless revolution of 1932 in Thailand its absolute monarchy was overthrown to become a constitutional one.

Seen on Our Bus Ride

A street blocked off by the protesters.

Seen on Our Bus Ride

A government building blocked off from the protesters and also from its workers.

Seen on Our Bus Ride

Pictures of the king.

Time for Lunch

Our bus let off those of us who wanted to eat in an area near our hotel. This restaurant was recommended by Nu.

Time for Lunch

Some of my tour group who I ate with.

Time for Lunch

The restaurant’s menu was so extensive that you had to memorize the page number to find an item on it again. I should have realized that the “deep fried snakehead with green mango dip” did not include a snake’s head. After all, it was listed under Fish. Nu told us later that snakehead is the name of a fish.

Time for Lunch

Just part of the soup menu. Many choices: sea weed with sea food soup; pickle cabbage with minced pork soup; etc. The Thai soups are very good.

Time for Lunch

My choices: soup of some kind, very good, and something with pork in it, also very good but way too much to eat.

7-Eleven

A stop with Sandy at the 7–Eleven––there are over 7,000 of them in Thailand. You could buy frozen food here and also ready to heat dinners.

7-Eleven

Also, chilli–flavoured broad beans.

7-Eleven

And American magazines. I like the Men’s Health cover: “New Year, New You!”

On the Road Again

I signed up for the optional Chao Phraya River Night Dinner Cruise. We were off again and passing our local protest area again.

On the Road Again

On walls in front of schools, you see photos of students who have achieved special honors. Here, a monk is looking at one of these posters.

On the Road Again

A view of Bangkok.

On the Road Again

Past one more protest area.

At River City

We would take our dinner cruise from River City, the same place I took my Chao Phraya day cruise five days ago.

Our Cruise Boat

Included with dinner was entertainment. I have put a movie of one of the songs, “Save the Last Dance for Me,” under Movies, Asia, Thailand, page 3.

Our Cruise

Not everything was lit up at night but what was was beautiful. I have put my photos of our Chao Phraya night cruise on a slide show. Go directly to

http://www.peggysphotos.com/bangkok–chao–phraya–night–cruise/

or to Slide Shows, Asia, Thailand, “Bangkok: Chao Phraya Night Cruise.”