Trips to Ayutthaya, Thailand

Our forth day in Bangkok is to visit Ayutthaya which is one of the world heritage destinations which is recognized internationally as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991. We booked a cab with a rental of 2000 Bath (RM200) for 8 hours trips. The journey took about 1 hour drive (about 80km)from Bangkok. The route to Ayutthaya is very simple and you won't get lost using a highway.

According to history, Ayutthaya was founded in 1350 by a Prince of U-Thong was the capital then known as Siam and one of the richest cities in Asia by the 1600s, exporting rice, animal skins and others. Ayutthaya was named after the city of Ayodhya in India, the birthplace of Rama in the Ramayana. Ayutthaya became the second Siamese capital after Sukhothai. The city was destroyed by the Burmese in 1767. Due to this armed conflict and frequent wars between the two countries, the city was left devastated and quickly went into ruin.

Once you reach to the ancient Ayutthaya town, you will see a giant replica at the round about

The entrance and signboard of Watyaichaimongkhol.

To enter here, you just need to pay 20 bath only

Once you enter at the Watyaichamongkhol you can see

many magnificinet temples scattered around here

Our next trip is to Wat Maha That (about 10 minutes drive from Watyauchaimongkhol) a famous place of the head of Buddha monk enclosed by the roots of a big tree. It was reportedly one of the grandest temples in the ancient capital. According to the legend, this place was being attack by the Burmese which misfired and killed their king. Wat Maha That is believed to have been made in 1374 during the reign of King Borom Rachathirat 1. The current name was given during the reign of King Ramesuan [ 1388 to 1395 ]. This wat was a royal monastery and the spiritual centre of the city.

the entrance of Wat Maha That

Wat Maha That, Buddha image enclosed by the roots of a big tree. Wat Maha That was a royal monastery and has been the seat of the Sangaraja, the head of the Buddhist monks of the Kamavasi. Wat Maha That was restored once again during the reign of King Borommakot (1732-1758). If you want to take a picture, you are not allowed to stand over the Buddha's head.

Trips to Bangkok, Thailand, part 2

My 2nd day in Bangkok is very interesting because this is my first time I came to Bangkok. Bangkok is one of the most popular shopping destination in Asia. But there is not many different with Malaysia. Only that I miss Malaysian food. With assists by our friend, Ifni who was studying there for about a year, he plan to bring us to interesting places at Bangkok. He bring us to MBK (Ma Bun Khrong) shopping complex which is a shopping mall packed with shops that sell affordable price everything from clothing, accessories, handbags, leather products and luggage, furniture, mobile phones, electric appliances, cameras, stationery and etc. We just had a walk to MBK plaza cause it's just took about 15 minutes walk to MBK plaza from our hotel that we stayed.

MBK Shopping Complex

One of the few shops available in MBK Complex selling textiles and furniture

One of Thai local dessert with colorful and lovely external appearance name Look Choop Candy. This Thai dessert candy is made from a paste of green beans, coconut milk and sugar.

few shops selling Thai silk, textiles, handbags and T shirts


you can get a very cheap Thai silk from 300 Bath (RM30)

Tourism Conference: 10th International World Joint Tourism Conference, Bangkok

On 13-15 November, I'm attending International Tourism Conference at Bangkok, Thailand. It was great and interesting for me cause this is my first time experience attending international seminar and presenting paper. This seminar was focus on global issues of cultural tourism. I'm presenting my seminar paper title" Cultural, Tourism and Local Community: the Heritage Identity of Karai, Kuala Kangsar". Thought that this seminar will be splendid cause it's involved almost 1000 participants, but it's only about 300 paricipants registered and only about 60 presenting the papers.

Trips to Bangkok, Thailand

Today, I will be in Bangkok, Thailand attending 10th International Joint World Cultural Tourism Conference, in Bangkok from 13-15 November 2009 at First Hotel, Bangkok. I will be presenting a seminar paper on my tourism study on Karai, Kuala Kangsar on Cultural Heritage Tourism. Rohaizah & Munirah will also presenting their papers. The short journey to Bangkok just took about 2 hours.

Rohaizah..emm sempat checking e-mail while waiting before boarding. The flight was delayed about 45 minutes.

While waiting the flight delay, Moon & Liza spending her time counting the student's course mark (contoh pekerja berdedikasi)

One of the statue located at the foyer in Suvarnabhumi airport, Bangkok

the view of the International arrivals area at Suvarnabhumi airport, Bangkok

shuttle service cost 700 Bath (RM70) from airport to First Hotel Bangkok (which took about 45 minutes journey)

Our first night and every day meal we had (Samosa, tandori chicken, fried rice, sweet corn & noodle tomyam) at Halong Cafe in First Hotel Bangkok which is the only halal restaurant that we had found here