THAILAND

 Bangkok

Wat (temple) Phra Kaew in the Grand Palace

Temple decorations are very rich and detailed

Like any Buddhist temple, Wat Phra Kaew contains several building constructed close to each other. The main temple building houses one of the most important Buddha images in Thailand - "Emerald Buddha" (in reality made of jade). In the past it was conquered and moved several times, but at the end won and brought back again.

The monks gathered to a regular evening prayer in Wat Pho, the oldest and largest temple in Bangkok

The river Mae Nam Chao Phraya is one of the major transportation artery

Speed-boats offer fast and comfortable transportation in Bangkok

Ko Samui

This is the beach where se spent our vacation. The bungalows are right bellow the palm trees.

A fisherman in the morning

An approaching afternoon storm

Jitka enjoying fruit shake with a beautiful view of a bay

Coconut trade is even today the second major source of income for the island

Sunset from our bungalow

Ayuthaya

Wat Ratburana with Khmer-style stupa and several smaller chedi around

Buddha image entangled in tree roots

Wat Chai Wattanaram has the main stupa built in the Khmer-style. Surrounding are six smaller chedi

Roosters in cages

A wooden shelter can be found by every house. In the afternoon heat it offers a place to cool down even for otherwise eager street vendors.

Street sale of fish

Sukhotai

Novice monks visiting Sukhothai Historical Park

Heavy loads are best carried the traditional way

Si Satchanalai

Wat Chang Lom was built in 1285. The bottom tear shows remains of elephant sculptures, a tear above housed Buddha images. 

Marek in front of the stupa of the Phra Si Ratana Mahathat temple

A house for ghosts must be put next to every building. In order to keep ghosts in their house and make sure they do not move into the building itself, offerings are made in the form of flowers and fresh fruits. When the main building is improved or enlarged, so must be the house for ghosts.

Chiang Mai

Wat Chiang Man is the oldest temple in Chiang Mai (built 1296). His supporting pillars are made of teak wood.

The staircase to a temple (there are 300 of them in Chiang Mai) is guarded by the mythical serpent Naga

Marek is carefully selecting a book about Buddhism

A popular night market in Chiang Mai. Night markets exist in every town in Thailand. Usually food is sold there. In Chiang Mai various goods are sold. The night market is assumed to have started with Chinese caravans passing through the city.

Chiang Rai

Rice fields and shelter in the country by Chiang Rai

Hills around Chiang Rai

Member of a hill tribe of northern Thailand

A village of the hill tribe Akha (originally from Tibet)

Women with children in the Akha hill tribe village