Temples and markets
Trip Start
Sep 28, 2005
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71
103
Trip End
Jun 24, 2006
Bangkok,
Thailand
Sunday, April 23, 2006
We took a trip to nearby sights today. Thailand is predominantly Buddhist, though there are non-Buddhist practices as well. For example, outside most buildings there is a small but highly decorated "spirit house". It is evidently important to keep the spirit happy by giving it a nice house and making offerings such as food, flowers, money, etc., lest it become upset and fail to protect the house or business from misfortune. All sorts of businesses have a spirit house, including gas stations, retailers, auto parts, and hotels.
The floating market at *** is amazing. Though it is somewhat touristy, there are still plenty of locals buying and selling produce, hats, fast food, and other items from small wooden boats floating in the canals.
We also saw the largest Buddhist stupa in the world at Nakhorn Prathorn-- a place of worship which contains an image of the buddha and a conical tower. We finished off with a cultural show highlighting some traditional Thai dances, as well as an elephant show.
We'll take a trip back through time starting tomorrow as we travel north to see the former capital of Sukhothai and its temples and buildings.
