Traditional Thai costumes seen at Wat Arun are hi-so and usually worn by wives of high officials at formal occasions such as Royal Ballroom celebration at Government House or at Official New Year's morning merit making presided by Thai prime minister/wife as well as cabinet ministers/wives. Woman also wears traditional Thai dress during wedding ceremony while Thai man usually wears western suit or white official uniform if being civil servant. Legend states that when King Taksin, at the time Ayutthaya mandarin, led some troops to break the Burmese siege of Ayutthaya and arrived at this old temple at dawn, so the temple was then named Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun). After Ayutthaya fell after one-year siege, he led troops from Chanthaburi province to expel the occupied Burmese troops in Ayutthaya. Then he proclaimed himself King and moved the capital from Ayutthaya to Thonburi and built a royal palace adjacent to Wat Arun and this temple then became the Royal Temple within the Palace domain in line with Ayutthaya tradition. The same could be said about King Rama I when he moved the capital from Thonburi across the Chao Phraya River and built Emerald Buddha Temple within the Grand Palace. King Rama III was also known as Merchant Prince because when he was still a prince he conducted trade with China and asked the ship captain to bring back stone sculptures such as Chinese deities, mythical beasts as stabilizing balance in the ship's belly. These stone sculptures are now commonly seen at Wat Pho, Wat Arun and the Grand Palace. When Thonburi was still a distinct province before it was dissolved to form Bangkok metropolis about 50 years ago, Thonburi's symbol was Phra Prang (Stupa) of this temple. Phra Prang is lit at night and can be seen from tour boats or roof-top bars on the opposite side of Chao Phraya River. BTW, I studied Grade 5-7 at a school opposite this wat in 1965-67. The school is on the temple's property as is the case about 70% of the government schools. In those days when Thailand began compulsory primary education, Thai temples had/have a large area, so the government requested temple to donate a parcel of its land to be built as a primary school. In fact, it was a Thai tradition before the government initiated universal education that Thai boys were taught to read/write by temple monks in days gone by. One day after lunch break, I climbed up to the top of this Phra Prang (stupa) and it was a harrowing experience due to the steep steps. The second and third levels were opened to climbers for upto 20 years ago. When it was closed for renovation for about 3 years and then reopened, only the first level is now allowed access due to the popularity of this stupa and the temple fears accident/congestion.
@LeisurePilot Жыл бұрын
Thank you for sharing your insight & experiences, I enjoyed it. Firstly, I think that traditional Thai clothing is the most beautiful that I've seen. Secondly, I love history & Thai history is very fascinating. I find it amazing that Thailand is among only 7 countries in the world that were never colonized, even with all of the areas bordering it being conquered, including what is now Malaysia & Myanmar (historically British owned) as well as Laos, Cambodia & Vietnam (French owned). This showcases the strength of Thai civilization, which strikes a balance, taking all things into account while maintaining independence.
I am happy to read your comment. I will be very please if you are the writer of "Quora" in "Living in Thailand". The foreign are very interesting about our country.