Millions of tourists flock Thailand every year.
In fact the number of tourists that arrived in the year of 2012 reached a staggering number of 22 million international guests.
Tourism contributes highly to the GDP of Thailand, in the year of 1997 they have reached a 6.7 growth in GDP.
Realizing this truth, most of the places in Thailand have been redesigned in order to accommodate tourists.
Tourists have a higher chance of visiting this country due to the peaceful state of economy and political issues.
This is largely due to the fact that Thai people have a " happy-go-lucky" attitude.
The culture and way of life of Thai people is relaxed and laid back when compared with other countries in Asia like China or Korea.
One of the major attraction in Thailand is the Reclining Buddha or the Wat Pho Temple.
It is well advertised all over the internet and thousands of tourists flock here yearly for a good reason.
The temple is open everyday starting at 8:00 am to 5pm.
It would be best to visit the temple from 8:30 am to 10 am before the crowd gets heavy.
If you want a chance to take really good pictures and to have a solemn and peaceful time you need to come early.
How to get to the Reclining Buddha: It will usually depend on where you are coming from.
But most taxi drivers know the area and would be willing to take you there.
Make sure to get a metered taxi, don't agree if the taxi driver insists that you will pay for a certain fixed amount.
Avoid taking a cab that is just parked outside the temple, go and try to negotiate with moving taxis, wait for them to stop and tell them where you want to go.
Tell them it should be metered, avoid those taxi drivers who are willing to give you a cheap price in exchange for you stopping in one Gem Shop or Tailoring Shop.
Usually this Gem shops sell fake jewelry while the Tailoring Shop is only useful to you if you really have plans of getting a suit created before you go home.
Otherwise do not get this option and find a taxi driver that will use the meter.
It would be better to try the ferry boat since the port is just a walking distance from the temple.
The fare starts from 7 baht to 15 baht only no matter how far you will go.
Check your map to understand the Chao Praya River navigation system in order to be able to explore more.
What to expect:
The Reclining Buddha is 46 meters long and is covered in gold leaf.
- You need to pay a fee of 100 baht per person before you can enter the temple
- There are lots of good temples and icons that you can take pictures of
- You can expect to see a park and lounging area
- In the nearby area outside there are lots of cheap food and affordable drinks
- Do expect a free drinking water that is included in the ticket inside. In order to get your free water present your stub.
- You can purchase affordable Buddha images made from wood priced at 40 baht and up.
- This price is cheaper compared to stores that are selling Buddha images and other tourist items. Normally the price of a carved Buddha image will start at 100 baht.
- You can expect to see tourist guides who are willing to provide an English tour for a fee, please ask the tourist guide first how much the tour will cost before agreeing.
- You can expect to see a fortune teller, one is Thai and one is an English translator, just the same, ask the price of the fortune teller before sitting down and listening to what they have to say.
- Expect an array of tokens sold in the area
- Thai massage is also available in the area, prices of the massage will depend on the kind of service and number of hours you like to receive. Expect to pay 120 baht to 500 baht for various kinds of massage
- Expect to see hundreds of tourists navigating the area from different parts of the world. Yopu can meet all kinds of people from Russia, France, India, Germany, Philippines, Korean, China, Japan, Africa and other countries you did not know existed.
- The Buddha's feet are 5 metres long and exquisitely decorated in mother-of-pearl illustrations of auspicious 'laksanas' (characteristics) of the Buddha. 108 is a significant number, referring to the 108 positive actions and symbols that helped lead Buddha to perfection.
- You’ll need to take your shoes off to enter, and if you would like a little good luck, we recommend purchasing a bowl of coins at the entrance of the hall which you can drop in the 108 bronze bowls which line the length of the walls. Dropping the small pennies in makes a nice ringing sound and even if your wishes don’t come true, the money goes towards helping the monks renovate and preserve Wat Pho. (http://www.bangkok.com/attraction-temple/wat-po.htm)
- Expect to see lots of dried sea food outside the temple near the port.
Who should visit the temple?
Not everyone loves the temple atmosphere and not everyone will understand the solemnity of the place.
Tourists who are easily bored and do not really value the historical meaning of Buddhism need not explore the area.
Because frankly if you do not have a mystical belief or respect for the culture of Thailand the Wat Pho temple will just be a place for you to take random pictures and nothing more
It is hard to appreciate the temples if you do not have a spiritual leaning or if you are not really excited in going out.
There are no bars here and there are no major man made attractions.
The temple of Wat Pho is a beauty and is truly magnificent but will also speak for the real traveler who wants to learn more.
Make a wish inside the Wat Pho temple:
At the back of the Reclining Buddha, you will see a volunteer placing small coins inside a bowl. Place a 20 baht donation inside the box and get some of the smaller coins and start placing them on the copper bowls.
You will notice a line of people doing the same thing, although there is no direct explanation as to what will really happen after you process this coin placing exercise inside the bowls.
There is a good chance that you will calm down and relax, there are at least 30 coins more more that you can distribute.
While doing so you can state your wish inside your head and at the same time share your blessings to the monks who are in charge of the area.
Do's and Don'ts
Do enjoy the scenery and what it has to offer, thousands of people flock the Wat Pho temple every month.
People you will not normally meet in your life if you just stayed in your country are available in this area.
If you want to get a connection to more people on an international scale then this is the way to go.
Don'ts
If you are a woman, avoid requesting for a picture together with a monk.
This practice is forbidden, while the monk will oblige to avoid being rude, after that the monk would have to be placed in a one week or one month isolation area.
Although the rule is considered weird, it would be best to follow the custom and respect them since you are still in their territory.
It would be better to be respectful when traveling in another area.
Do not in any way use a cigarette when inside the temples, this is very disrespectful and shows that you have a cheap behavior.
Temples should be respected, it is a place for meditation and positive thinking.
Personal Notes:
When my father was still alive, he was very fond of temples.
I felt the need to go to where he has been.
I don`t really know much about my father but it felt good to see some of the places where he has been.
Whenever I visit a temple, it is like being connected to a father that no longer exists in the physical world.
It is a very solemn practice and I feel much more alive inside a temple compared with a shopping mall...
There is something about temples, the chimes inside and the belief that pervades the area..
Temples have a special place in my heart.
I gazed at my mother as she tried to recall her memories with my father a long time ago.
Perhaps it was 15 years ago when they first came here in the temple as a couple.
Here lies a special place and a special memory for my mother, they had been separated for a long time ago..but I know my father will always have a place in my mother's heart.
For love is something eternal...
