BANGKOK,THAILAND (day 71)

BANGKOK is the capital of Thailand. Almost 10 million people live in BANGKOK & the gridlock is worse than in HONG KONG & VIETNAM put together. The architecture s a blend of the old and the new.
THAILAND is the only South Asian Country that is independent. The king RAMAN 9 was born in  Boston Mass. and is a duel citizen of the US and Thailand. He is loved by his people, they say he is good to them and he takes care of the animals in the country as well.

Elephants were used like we used horses in the wars and they are still very important.

The chief export is Jasmine rice.

95% of the country are BUDDHISTS. Monks are taken care of by the people. Monks are not allowed to cook. They walk the streets in the morning holding a bowel. The bowel is filled with food by the people, the Monks have to finish eating before noontime. Apparently they can only drink water & not eat in the afternoon. The Buddhist young men in Thailand are required to act like a Monk for 3 months of their life, should they want to become a Monk after that they are welcomed.

Today we toured OLD BANGKOK and the GRAND PALACE. I do not know how many temples that there are in the complex but, I can tell you that each one is a work of art!

The GRAND PALACE complex was established in 1782, it was all done by hand &
covers an area of 218, 000 sq. meters. Currently there are 45,000 visitors a day. They use the money thats collected help the underprivileged.

THE CROWDS OF TOURISTS AT THE PALACE ARE WORSE THAN THE TRAFFIC ON THE STREETS

THE COMPLEX CONSISTS OF THE ROYAL RESIDENCE, THRONE HALLS & GOVERNMENT OFFICES

The reigning king and his family have a palace in a different part of the city. 

  ALL OF THE INLAY IN THE STRUCTURES IS 24K GOLD LEAF, SEMI PRECIOUS STONES, PORCELAIN, MARBLE, COLORED GLASS

 AND MIRRORS  

100 yr. OLD BONZI PLANTS PEPPER THE LANDSCAPE

THE BELIEF IS THAT IF YOU REACH INTO THE LIONS MOUTH AND TOUCH THE BALL THAT YOU WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK

WE NEEDED TO REMOVE OUR SHOES TO ENTER 

THE RENOWNED TEMPLE OF THE EMRALD BUDDHA

All Buddhists that live in THAILAND are required to visit the THE EMRALD BUDDAH once in their lifetime.

More THAILAND tomorrow...