More Pictures

The Grand Palace

This is just one of the many beautiful buildings in the Grand Palace in Bangkok. This palace was built by King Rama I imediately on ascending the throne. The palace was to house the royal residence and also his ministries. Today just one of his ministries remains inside the palace and the present day king now lives elsewhere.

Khao Lam Lake

Burma - Thailand Border

This is one the the traditional crossings points between Thailand and Burma called Three Pagoda Pass ('Phra Chedi Saam Ong' in Thai or 'Payathonzu' in Burmese). I am standing right on the border line and I was lucky to be able to step over into Burma for a short period of time. It is one of only two places that foreigners are allowed to cross into Burma via land. For centuries this was a trading point between the Thais and Burmese and was also a point for smuggling timber and other goods. However since Burma took over control from the Mon Liberation Front and Karen National Union this town has now become a tuorist attraction.

Ayuthaya

The offical name of this city is Phra Nakhon Si Ayuthaya which means Sacred City of Ayuthaya. Ayuthaya was the ancient capital of Thailand from 1350 to 1767. Prior to 1350 the city was a khmer (cambodian) outpost. Thirty Three Thai kings reigned in this city until the Burmese attacked and plundered the city. Once the Thais forced the Burmese away they then moved the capital to a new place near the present day Grand Palace in Bangkok.

Biggest Pagoda