Tim in Thailand : May 2018

GPSMyCity - Bangkok (App)

Where shall I go in China Town in Bangkok?

You can follow GPSMyCity self-guided walking tours to explore the attractions listed below.

How it works: download the iOS app "Bangkok Map and Walks" on iTunes App Store or the Android app "Bangkok Map and Walks" on Google Play. The app turns your mobile device into a personal tour guide and its built-in GPS navigation functions guide you from one tour stop to next. The app works offline so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

One of the city's brightest, most vibrant and interesting districts, Chinatown is packed with some of the best tourist spots in Bangkok including great museums and amazing temples. See the top sights with our Chinatown Walking Tour.

The best way to do this is to do the Walking Tour in Bangkok and China Town.

1) China Town Gateway - here

2) Wat Thep Surin Thrawat - here

3) Bangkok Art and Culture Centre - here

4) Jim Thompson House - here

5) Ganesha Shrine - here

Apps for your travels can be read here - https://timinphuket-travelapps.blogspot.com

Cost: The App itself is Free BUT full version is $1.99

Ease of use: Simple to begin to use the specific walks - but there is a lot more

Comment: Personally this is a great idea

Previous reviews: Phuket Old Town and Introduction

App Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/free-city-maps-walks-470-cities/id417207307?mt=8

China Town in Bangkok walk Link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bangkok-map-and-walking-tours/

Alex Face and Chaloem la Bridge 56

The Chaloem la Bridge 56 is adjacent to the Hua Chuang boat stop for the river taxi. I have stopped here to visit the Yelo House for a coffee and a wander along the khlong. There is a lot of street art along here...

The Chaloem la Bridge 56 is certainly an ornate bridge - there are elephants on either side.

Then I took the steps down to pick up the river taxi and saw two Alex Face on the other side - so I crossed over.

There was more street art on the other side.

Recently I visited the CityCity Gallery to see some Alex Face - SOS Souled Out.

Combination Platter at Central Embassy

Had to visit this one.

Okay I did not understand...

I read the booklet.

I still did not understand.

By an artist under the name of Madaski - here's some information.

Then the Thailand Tatler described it a Vandalised Fine Art classics...

I still do not understand - interestingly a comment indicated that the original artists should be compensated, what do you think?

CHATA speciality coffee

CHATA speciality coffee was somewhere that I stumbled upon when I was looking for some brief respite from the chaos of the Chinese New Year Festival. And what a surprise it was!

It was what seemed like a home with a coffee shop behind it. The entrance was simply organised and I briefly thought that I was somewhere in Europe.

Especially with the floor tiles and the chess set...

The Cafe was actually at the back and down the side of the house - a bit puzzling but I did not care. BUT then I read that the house was a hotel - Baan 2459. And this was a beautiful place to stay, another time...

Never mind I went for a coffee - but chose not to sit inside.

Sitting at the front of the house it all felt a bit 'colonial' - a green lawn, a chess set, a gramophone (with a digital speaker below)

and then the bicycle.

There seemed to be a lot more here than I first thought - so I would have to return.

More Cafes in Bangkok are here - http://timinphuket-restaurants.blogspot.com

Phone Number: 084 625 2324

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chataspecialtycoffee

Wongnai: https://www.wongnai.com/restaurants

Approximate Price: $$$$$

Address: 98 Pat Sai

Hours: 8am - 5pm

Flip the Fan

The fans here are the Tailpot fan - commonly seen when a Buddhist monk is chanting but is also used to protect from the sun and rain.

For the use by the monk there have been designs to reflect the even that the monk is attending - from the colour, the fabric used, the design on the fan for example.

The display here shows artists who have used a variety of different techniques to create fans which break the current limitations of the fan art and break into the contemporary scene.

For more information please click here the exhibition closes on the 27th of May.

Hua Hin

Only been to Hua Hin a couple of times - but here are some ideas

Using a Buddhist statue in your home

https://www.knowingbuddha.org

After living in Thailand for 17 years I have got used to seeing these posters scattered in Thailand - especially near the airport.

Then I visited Australia and found this shop.

I wondered whether the statues were replicas

and then I wondered whether it mattered?

What do you think?

Export of Buddha images outside the country
Antiques or artifacts, whether or not they have been registered, are prohibited to be exported or dispatched from Thailand, unless there is a permit from the Fine Arts Department’s director general according to the criteria, procedures and conditions specified in the ministerial regulations no. 5 in B.E. 2539 (1996).

In case the antiques or artifacts permitted to be exported or dispatched from Thailand are religious Buddha images or icons, the person who receives the permit must clarify the purpose of the export of such antiques or artifacts. Only Buddha and religious images which are intact and are for the purpose of worships, researches, or exhibitions are permitted to be exported or dispatched from Thailand. Export or dispatch of parts of such items is not allowed. - Suvarnabhumi Airport

Here's the law in Thailand...

Walking Routes in Bangkok 1 - Yaowarat

Route One of the Walking Routes in Bangkok.

Stop 1: Yaowarat China Town Heritage Museum - this is an amazing place to visit but can be very busy

location: https://goo.gl/maps/trj2kHhnU6u

Stop 2: China Town Gateway - a wonderful and unexpected part of a roundabout marking one entrance to China Town,built in 1999 to commemorate the King's birthday

location: https://goo.gl/maps/SPeBW477ksw

Stop 3: Eiah Sae 益生 - this is one of the last traditional coffee shops that can be found in Bangkok

location: https://goo.gl/maps/PunbJmBZM5Q2

Stop 4: Tang Toh Kang Gold Shop - one of the original gold shops in Bangkok - still trading and there is a museum (but not always open)

location: https://goo.gl/maps/KGeS3y8WQ7A2

Stop 5: Thai Heng Restaurant - a traditional Chinese restaurant which is very popular with the local community

location: https://goo.gl/maps/MfC3NhQu6jE2

Stop 6: Wat Bampen Chine Prote (Wat Yong Hok Yi) วัดบำเพ็ญจีนพรต (วัดย่งฮกยี่) - a large Wat with lots of places to investigate

location: https://goo.gl/maps/wqWvjg2oVKB2

Stop 7: Wat Kanmatuyaram (Wat Yo Khan Tue) วัดกันมาตุยาราม - a Sri-Lankan style bell can be found in the grounds

location: https://goo.gl/maps/McgLJkGgJSJ2

Stop 8: Wat Mangkon Kamalawat - still known as Wat Leng Noei Yi and is a very large structure

location: https://goo.gl/maps/iwVNZwEF6ut

Stop 9: Leng Buai la Shrine - a small shrine with an ancient bell and a special incense burner inside

location: https://goo.gl/maps/J9uZ2dFAwmG2

Stop 10: Thian Fah Foundation Hospital - started in 1902 and their goal was to treat the impoverished

location: https://goo.gl/maps/GWXvSaBg4eB2

Walking Route Two in Bangkok - Nang Leong.
Walking Route Three in Bangkok - Thonburi.
Walking Route in Bangkok - John Bush and more.
Walking Route in Bangkok - Bangkok Dolls and more.