Walks in the Kingdom of Siam (page 8 of 11)

In a province (as is the case in most provinces), a major Buddhist site has stood since the day an envoy of a distant prince discovered an authentic (!) footprint of the Buddha here. A whole complex has been built around this sacred relic, at the foot of a hill.





















Some temples here specialize in detoxification—not just for alcohol and cigarettes, but also for drugs. They administer a tough remedy to the candidates: aside from intense steam baths, they drink potions that make them vomit profusely to purge the evil from their bodies. After a week of treatment and meditation, the patients are indeed back on their feet. However, there’s no guaranteed follow-up; it’s up to each person to take control of their future.

This place enjoys a pleasant setting, nestled among the hills and in peaceful surroundings. An impressive circle of black statues stands at its center. Of course, there’s a chapel dedicated to the founder.



















To quench your thirst on the way back, nothing beats an iced syrup made from garden flowers—specifically, *Clitoria ternatea*, which has multiple benefits.

To quench your thirst on the way back, nothing beats an iced syrup made from garden flowers, specifically clitoria ternatea, which has multiple benefits.

This temple is interesting 🙂, and was your detox cure effective? 😉

And here we are, back in Krung Thep for a day that starts on the Chao Phraya Express Boat.



Our first stop takes us to visit an old royal fort converted into a temple.

The pathway is lined with numerous Chinese stone statues originally used as ballast by merchant ships.

While the exteriors are very pretty and an imposing chedi dominates the site, the interior is quite modest.







The natural setting is still pleasant, and as we walk, we wonder about this flock of turkeys roaming freely within the grounds alongside a group of scrawny roosters.





While waiting for the shuttle at the pier, we witness the miracle of multiplying fish.

Another stop sends us directly to an unusual temple that serves as a retreat for nuns passing through the city. Its founder, who passed away a few years ago, enjoys great notoriety.

The grounds are very airy and cover a large area. The central building, designed in a modernist style, is all marble and stained glass. On the pond integrated into the site, all the wooden huts are built in the shape of a boat.

The revered master’s body rests in a coffin within a magnificent little palace made entirely of exotic wood.

























We want to get a closer look at a sermon a monk is giving to a good hundred devotees. To do this, we need to cross a small wooden bridge over the water. Françoise, always on the lookout, holds Joel back: a green snake with an uninviting appearance, coiled in a spiral, is already ready to nip at our ankles. Very mindful of respecting others’ territory, we take the long way around.

As they say, politeness is a great virtue: the bamboo pit viper or Asian lancehead, from the viper family, tends to send you straight to the hospital, where you’ll moan more or less discreetly due to the very painful necrosis.

So, dear readers passionate about off-the-beaten-path reports, it won’t be this year that we’ll introduce you to Bangkok’s ambulance crews, doctors, and poison control centers.

My biggest fear is a snake—I get chills just thinking about it!

Thanks Jojoone, I notice some really beautiful wooden structures!

But reassure us—are snakes like this common? Can you run into one of these creatures anywhere in Thailand that could send you to the hospital? I had no idea about this at all...

I think there are 200 species of snakes in Thailand, including about 40 that are venomous or deadly. It's always best to stay alert, though it always happens at the moments when you're not paying attention. We should remember that people die far more often in road accidents.

In the evening, we headed out around the royal palace. Ceremonies are being prepared for the King of Siam’s birthday.



We’re allowed inside the perimeter, but bags must be searched, bodies scanned, and passports checked. Ah, *farangset*—world champions, huh? All these security guards smile at us just as much as the others—where else could we feel this relaxed?

There’s an exhibition of vintage cars, a memorial for reflection, and a display on agricultural achievements.

Day or night, this palace offers unforgettable sights. The essence of the kingdom.

The miracle of the multiplication of fish

https://youtu.be/k5_Qw3iLm40

Incidentally, there’s also the multiplication of birds, but it’s not exactly a 😇 miracle.

I really like the car exhibition—there are some rare and surprising models on display.

Hello,

Ah, farangset, world champions, huh? This whole committee of watchdogs is smiling at us just as much as the others—where else could we be this relaxed?

DMK to Isaan flight today. Big Joke on the same flight but without him—his staff instead. Hit it off. Welcomed with great fanfare at a tahaan. Retirees, don’t trim your hedges next week.

I really like the car exhibition—there are some rare and surprising models.

A bit like your travel journals!! [;)

Last year, we showed you the largest Buddha in Thailand, the longest reclining Buddha in Thailand, and the largest chedi in Thailand.

Here’s now the tallest pagoda in Thailand (over 100 meters).



We didn’t just encounter an impressive black Buddha and a large green Buddha made entirely of jade, but also those people who pray with such depth and simplicity, those who come to eat, mischievous kids, and so many others who smile at us, say a few words, or ask where we’re from.

Two couples who came with their work colleagues were thrilled that we posed for photos with them. One of the women even gave us her business card and insisted we contact her if we ran into any problems...



















The city also has a few green spaces where it’s nice to take a break—a topic that’s already been covered extensively elsewhere.







Then there was the day we ran into a totally over-the-top taxi driver—honestly, he was only bearable in small doses. We got a full-on performance, including the original English version of *One Night in Bangkok*. We hadn’t heard that one before!

Why not a temple right off the beaten path, for a change? Near the neighborhood where drivers charge you triple the usual price—if they even bother to stop.























There’s always something to discover.

For those who know how to be curious and open, the Kingdom of Siam still has extraordinary hearts and beautiful souls to offer.



May our next adventures be just as rewarding, and let’s hope many readers get to experience—or relive—moments like these. Because while sharing a travel journal like this is satisfying, living the moments that inspired it is a whole other delight.

We warmly thank those who shared a little (or a little more) of their presence in this journal, and those who, in their own way, shared positive emotions with us.

Until next time, perhaps.

Thanks for sharing, Joël—always a pleasure to read your posts.

Quick question: since you don’t seem to take photos without permission (as mentioned in another VF thread), the locals here look really open to being photographed. I struggle so much with photographing people, so I really admire those beautiful shots of the kids!

Thanks for sharing, Joël—it’s always a pleasure to read you.

Quick question: since you can’t just take photos of people (as another VF thread mentioned), the locals seem to let you photograph them really easily. I always struggle to photograph people, so I’m in awe of those amazing shots of kids!

🙂 But they see me coming and are dazzled—I’m funny, friendly, kind, polite, laid-back, and so cute, so it’s all easy! 😎

The real answer: they’re super nice, it’s obvious we have good intentions, and we know how to do it.

We adore them before, during, and after the photo, and I guess it shows.

Alright, I’m off this time. Farewell!

Sniff! It's over 🙁. That photo of the monk feeding the birds is gorgeous 🙂 Thanks Joël for this lovely walk through the Kingdom of Siam—it makes me really want to go back 😛.

Hello,

Thanks for this original travel journal.

The photos are really beautiful—it’s so enjoyable to look at them. One thing’s for sure, I don’t have Ms.’s talent, not by a long shot.

I rarely photograph people. I don’t even know why, but when I see the results you get, I think I should give it a try.

Anyway, I’m going to start preparing my trip. Time flies, and I still don’t know where I want to go. I keep thinking about your suggestion of an island that’s not on any maps… it still makes me laugh. 😄

Thanks again for the journal, and looking forward to reading more from you, here or elsewhere.

Hello, Like the others... thank you for this beautiful travel journal. What a pleasure to discover or rediscover all these wonderful things. See you soon, I hope.

I’m joining the others to thank you for this beautifully illustrated account of your lovely Thai getaway. Looking forward to the next one... keep up the great work!