Santa Cruz Catholic Church and Portuguese Community Kudee Jean - Thailand 2022

When you think of religion in Bangkok you think of the magnificent Buddhist temples, but along the Chao Phraya River in the heart of Bangkok are a series of beautiful Catholic churches.
Most of the churches date back hundreds of years when European countries were first making contact with Thailand, or the Kingdom of Siam as it was called then.
Portugal was the first European nation to make contact with the Kingdom of Ayutthaya in 1511. Portuguese became dominant foreign traders, and established a significant presence in the old capital.
After the fall of Ayutthaya to the Burmese, King Taksin moved the capital to Tonburi and rewarded the Portuguese a small plot of land for their service and loyalty. On this land they established the Santa Cruz church and built their community. As the years passed the Portuguese were replaced by Chinese immigrants in the area who kept many of the traditions alive.
Today the community around the church is proud of their heritage. In addition to the church there is a Catholic school, a museum dedicated to their history and there is even a Portuguese delicacy that is still baked in the traditional way at several bakeries in the area called Kanom Farang. It’s a desert from an old receipt passed down from generation to generation.
The Kudijeen community and the Santa Cruz church are a great part of the city that is little known to most outsiders. It’s well worth half a day to visit and you can explore the area on foot as well as the riverside where you can see many other things that Tonburi has to offer.
Enjoy the video!
You can also see my videos on Rumble, Bitchute, Odysee and Subscribe Star. If you have any questions or comments and wish to contact me directly I can be reached by email at [e-mail]
Follow me on Twitter @AEndlessJourney
#endlessjourney
#travel
#thailand

[@endlessjourneytravels]

This temple and community were a lot of fun to see and explore. It’s unusual to see churches in Thailand but there are a few and amazing to see. I filmed a video of the largest Catholic Church in Thailand and you can take a look at it here. Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception - Largest Catholic Church in Thailand - Chanthaburi kzbin.info/www/bejne/oIOpaJqQgrCmp7M

[@effie-Toronto]

Love the videos you produce thank you we will come here also.........hope to see you at football game November 13

[@endlessjourneytravels]

That would be great. I will try to get back here soon to film inside. Thanks as always for watching.

[@Nature_with_Peter_Kane]

@9:12 I was confused when I saw the years 2310 to 2325 on the portrait!! So I read the Thais also use a Thai lunar calendar aka Buddhist Calendar as their official calendar. Do they actually use this on drivers licenses etc? Nice video by the way 👍

[@endlessjourneytravels]

Most of the time you see the Buddhist calendar. It takes a bit to get used to and you generally have to do math to find the year. My drivers license has both in it since it is in English and Thai.

[@Nature_with_Peter_Kane]

@@endlessjourneytravels Interesting! Thanks!

[@kyogofurahashi]

the term farang generally is used for foreigners who are of European descent

[@endlessjourneytravels]

For the foreigners and for the guava fruit.