Personal website of Mithun Divakaran, a guy you may or may not know -- or like.
Date: January 19, 2023
I began my afternoon of sightseeing by visiting Wat Saket and climbed up to the Golden Mount. Once I left that place, I decided to head towards Chao Phraya river
Maha Chai road is where you will find the restaurant Raan Jay Fai — famous for its goggles-wearing lady owner and her Michelin-starred crab omelette. Another bucket-list item for next time.
Date: January 19, 2023
I began my day covering some Hindu shrines in Sukhumvit before walking to Phetchaburi Road via Ratchdamri Road. My plan now was to head to Wat Saket, a popular temple in Bangkok that I had never been to before.
The fastest and cheapest way to get from the Sukhumvit area of Bangkok to Wat Saket is to take the San Saeb canal boat taxi service. I boarded a boat from Pratunam pier.
Taking a taxi post lunch, on any day, would have easily taken you more than 30 minutes — just to get out of the Sukhumvit traffic. So I highly recommend taking the canal boat service to get to the Old Bangkok side!
Continue reading “Thailand: Bangkok’s Wat Saket and the Golden Mount” »
Date: January 19, 2023
Yesterday I didn’t do much sightseeing and ended up shopping.
I stepped out after doing some work and got off at Chit Lom BTS station.
Erawan Shrine is a famous spot which houses a statue of Phra Phrom, the Thai representation of Brahma — the Hindu god of creation.
Side note: Chennakesava Temple, Somanathapura — an hours drive from Bangalore (India) — has carvings of Brahma from the 12th century.
As for why there are so many shrines for Hindu gods in Bangkok, it’s historical. Thailand used to be part of the Khmer empire, which was heavily influenced by Indian culture and Hinduism. See my Cambodia series and visits to Angkor Wat to know more about that.
Continue reading “Thailand: Hindu god shrines around Sukhumvit, Bangkok” »