Did you know that the tourism
sector in Thailand significantly contributes to the kingdom’s GDP? In 2015
alone, Thai received approximately 30 million visitors, which was a 20%
increase from the previous year. The main attractions in Thai include
archaeological sites, sandy beaches, museums, Buddhist temples, the city of Bangkok, and several World Heritage Sites.
The United Nations Educational
Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) generally selects landmark sites
on the basis of having historical, cultural, scientific, or any other form of
significance and they are protected by international treaties. Internationally,
there are 962 properties in the world proclaimed by UNESCO that are part of the
natural and cultural heritage considered as possessing outstanding universal
value by the World Heritage Committee.
Thailand is exceedingly famous for
having a high number of ancient cities and historical sites from different eras
in history. Some of the oldest sites date back to hundreds and thousands of
years to even Neolithic times. They are of vital importance, and some of these
sites have been included in UNESCO’s world heritage list.
In Thailand, these five leading
heritage sites are located north and north-east of the country. They include;
the Historic City of Ayutthaya, the Historic Town of Sukhothai and its
Associated Historic Towns, Thungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries, Ban
Chiang Archaeological Site and the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex. Other
sites have been forwarded and listed on UNESCO’s tentative list. Ideally, this
means that they are to be considered and made World Heritage Sites in the
future. These sites include Wat Suthat Thepwararam Ratchaworamahawihan
and the Great Swing, and the Architecture of HRH Prince Narisara
Nuvattiwongse. They are discussed below in detail.
1. Wat Suthat
Thepwararam Ratchaworamahawihan
The Wat Suthat Thepwararam
Ratchaworamahawihan refers to a Buddhist temple situated in Bangkok, Thailand.
As one of ten similar temples in Bangkok, it is a royal temple and of the
oldest and largest (covering 10 acres) in Bangkok. The temple’s construction
began in 1782 by King Rama I and lasted for decades. It was finally completed
in 1847 during the reign of King Rama III.
Situated in front of this temple is a welcoming pavilion for any
visiting heads of state, a memorial for King Rama III and the Mahakala
Fortress.
The Wat Suthat hosts the viharn,
one of the oldest era buildings still in existence which hosts the most famous
image of the Buddha. Moreover, the buildings long walls display magnificent
mural paintings which tell stories of the Buddha’s previous lives. Some of
these extraordinary paintings also depict scenes of daily life images in the
Rattanakosin era. There are also artsy, carved wooden doors at every entry
which contain pictures some of which were done by the second King Rama who was
a talented artist and poet.
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| Giant Swing |
2. The Giant Swing.
Sometimes, the Wat Suthat is
referred to as the temple of the giant swing. This is because of the massive
red swing found in from of the temple known as the Sao Ching Chaa. This 20
meter high, teak wooden swing is a religious structure that was constructed at
the end of the 18th century. It was used during the annual Brahmanic
ceremonies.
During these ceremonies, several
groups of young men competed against each other and tried to swing as high as
they possibly could to grab with their teeth a parcel of gold coins which was
attached to a 15-meter bamboo pole. However, there were too many fatal
accidents reported from the activity, and this led to the swing ceremony being
canceled.
The pillars of the Giant Swing are
said to represent mountains while the swing’s circular base represents the seas
and the earth.
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| Phra Ubosot Wat Benchamabophit |
3. The Architecture
of HRH Prince Narisara Nuvattiwongse.
Prince Narisara Nuvattiwongse is famously
remembered for designing the crest for the European – style government
ministries and his input in the design of some of the temples and schools in
Bangkok, Thailand.
Guest Post 15.03.2017
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