Pha Taem National Park

        Pha Taem National Park is a national park in the Ubon Ratchathani province of Isan, Thailand. It is notable for its Dipterocarp forest cover and for extensive rock art on cliffs above the Mekong river. The art is estimated to be 3000 years old. The park also has several examples of Mushroom rocks as well as the largest flower field in Thailand.

       Pha Taem National Park is located on the bank of the Mekong River, Ubon Ratchathani Province, Khong Chiam district.  Pha Taem is the name of the painted cliff; the word "Pha" meaning cliff and "Taem" referring to painting.  Pha Taem is well-known and unique in Thailand for its prehistoric paintings which date back to 3,000 to 4,000 years before recorded history.  The paintings scattered along the cliff cover an area of 180 meters with more than 300 individual objects depicted.  The pictures can be categorized into four groups.  The most outstanding pieces include elephants, fish, a fishing tool called "tum" in the local language, wild animals and shadow-paintings human hands.  These paintings give a glimpse into the peoples' way of life and the civilization of the Khong River community in ancient times.

Map

Amnat Charoen Map. 

Phra Mongkol Ming Muang

Phra Mongkol Ming Muang

A concrete Buddha image decorated with golden mosaic tiles was built in 1965 with a measurement of 11 metres in width and 20 metres in height. The image is located on the hill in Wat Dan Phra Bat, Amnart Charoen where it is believed to be a sanctuary for more than 2,000 years. Two ancient Tavaravati-style Buddha images made of red- sandstone discovered in this area were installed behind Phra Mongkol Ming Muang both named after their physical appearance " Phra Kee Lai or Phra La Hai" meaning not beautiful.           Phra Mongkol Ming Muang is originated from a cooperation of local people to build Buddha image to be installed on Dan Phra Bat hill. With a limitation on budget, material, and labor, the construction was not successful. General Prapas Charusathian, afterward, called for the construction of a bigger image to cover the existing one and to house relics of the Lord of Buddha as well as some tiny Buddha images.           Jit Buabuus, a national artist and specialist in Buddha image, was responsible for designing Phra Mongkol Ming Muang. He included pala-style Indian arts, which had influence in this region for more than 800 years ago, into the creation. Traditionally, creating Buddha image reflects culture and way of life of people in that region; therefore, Jit produced the Buddha image that its face was similar to that of Isan people.

Wat Phra Kaew

Wat Phra Kaew

        The Wat Phra Kaew  full official name Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram, is regarded as the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand. It is a "potent religio-political symbol and the palladium of Thai society". It is located in the historic centre of Bangkok (district Phra Nakhon), within the precincts of the Grand Palace.

         The main building is the central ubosoth, which houses the statue of Emerald Buddha. The legendary history of this Buddha image is traced to India, five centuries after the Lord Buddha attained Nirvana, till it was finally enshrined in Bangkok at the Wat Phra Kaew temple in 1782 during Rama I's reign (1782–1809). This marked the beginning and raise of the Chakri Dynasty of the present Kingdom of Thailand (the present head of the dynasty is King Rama IX.) The Emerald Buddha, a dark green statue, is in a standing form, about 66 centimetres (26 in) tall, carved from a single jade stone (Emerald in Thai means deep green colour and not the specific stone). It is carved in the meditating posture in the style of the Lanna school of the northern Thailand. Except for the Thai King, no other person is allowed to touch the statue. The King changes the cloak around the statue three times a year, corresponding to the summer, winter, and rainy seasons, an important ritual performed to usher good fortune to the country during each season.

          While legend traces this statue to India, its rich historical records dates its finding in Cambodia in the 15th century, moved to Laos in the 16th century and then to Vientiane where it remained for 215 years, and finally to Thailand in the 18th century. Considering the long history and Nagasena's (a Brahmin who became a Buddhist sage and lived about 150 BC) prophesy that the Emerald Buddha would bring "prosperity and pre-eminence to each country in which it resides", the Emerald Buddha deified in the Wat Phra Kaew is deeply revered and venerated in Thailand as the protector of the country.

The Giant Swing

The Giant Swing

        The Giant Swing was originally constructed in 1784 in front of the Devasathan shrine by King Rama I. During the reign of Rama II the swing ceremony was discontinued as the swing had become structurally damaged by lightning. In 1920 it was renovated and moved to its current location in order to make space for a gas plant. The ceremony was again performed until 1935, when it was discontinued after several fatal accidents.

           The last renovations were done in 1959, and after 45 years of exposure to the elements the wooden pillars were showing signs of serious damage. A major reconstruction began in April 2005. Six teak tree trunks were used. The two used for the main structure of the swing are over 3.5m in circumference and over 30m in height. The remaining four are used for support and are 2.30m in circumference and 20m in height. The swing was taken down in late October 2006 and the work finished late December of the same year. The rebuilt swing was dedicated in royal ceremonies presided over by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej in September 2007. The timbers of the original swing are preserved in the National Museum.

In 2005, the Giant Swing, together with Wat Suthat, was suggested as a future UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Thailand