Thailand Chronicles: Madame Tussauds Bangkok

Madame Tussauds in Bangkok was  on our list of  must-see places in the city of Angels. And we were not disappointed in the number of notable wax figures that took our breath away as  the figures in display was really life-like in quality, take for example the wax figure of Princess Di at the left. 

At first, Mr. OSG and I were even scared to look let alone pose next to the wax figures since they were literally like the real thing frozen in time to gaze at the amused spectators such as ourselves. Even the facial hairs were visible and the eyes... well.... looking at them makes you feel as if at any moment, you might see them blink. hehe.. talk about being eerie at first. They were carbon copied even to the last wrinkle. 

Our fascination with each of the famous people on display here were so great, it took us hours to complete touring the entire area. 

Of course, I wanted a photo-ops with each one including Mr. Einstein here who really looks like he was about to teach me a thing or two about his famous equation and share his knowledge of the universe with me. 

It was also a wonderful experience pretending to be royalty next to England's most revered monarch standing next to my throne. I forgot to mention that at some of the stops, there are costumes and accessories beside the wax figures, so we just helped ourselves to them so our photo-ops seem right off a magazine page.

Even Mr. OSG had his moment posing as... I was supposed to say one of the Asian presidents and prime ministers but really, he was posing more like a wax figure himself. :)

I would never forget having the chance to sit (well stand to be precise and act as Mr President's secretary here) inside the Oval office. God only knows if I will ever really have the chance in my lifetime to see the "actual Oval office" so we didn't let this chance slip by.

Below is a picture of Madame Tussaud herself working on a wax figure of Mr. OSG. :) Wouldn't you say the likeness is uncanny? hehe

Madame Tussauds is located at the Siam Discovery, 6th Floor, 989 Rama 1 Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok.

They are open daily from 10am to 9pm. Last admission is at 8pm.  During peak season the attraction usually stays open later or open earlier as needed. But they advise visitors to call ahead for updated operating times.

Admissions is 800 baht for adults and 600 baht for senior citizens/child. 

Insider tip for you: check in advance the ticket price so you don't go paying for more since we got our tickets for only 650baht at the Siam Paragon ticket stand. What can I say, haggling in Thailand is a way of life. :) so haggle away.

You can check out their website here. 

Thailand Chronicles: The Ruined Temples of Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya. 

The capital of Thailand around 1350-1767, located in the valley of the Chao Phraya River. It remained an important city of Thailand for 417 years during which an abundance of palaces and temples were constructed as a sign of its economic success. The ruins of temples and palaces of Ayutthaya, whether naturally worn by time or destroyed by activities of war with the Burmese, are a reflection of a golden and glorious past. 

These are some of the pictures of temples we took from our tour...

 Wat Yai Chai Mongkol. According to our tour guide, "Wat" in Thai means temple. So this is the first of four temples that we were going to see in a series of ruined temples. This is included in the Ayutthaya tour. The picture below shows the big Chedi (Chedi meaning mound-like structure containing Buddhist relics)that is what remains of this grand monastery... 

...along with the rows of Buddhas that seem to stand as sentinels to the old monasteries' grand Chedi.

Wat Maha That. This monastery was said to be residence of the Supreme Patriarch during the Ayutthaya period. It was destroyed and burnt during the war with the Burmese in A.D. 1767.

The Head of the Sandstone Buddha. This is a really interesting sight as the head of Buddha seem to have sprouted inside this Bodhi tree. Probably, once upon a time, even before this tree was here, this Buddha image is erected on this spot along with other relics.

According to our tour guide Angela (her Thai name is really a mouthful sorry:) can't remember it), from years of bringing tourists in Ayutthaya, some tourists smuggle artifacts as souvenirs... and some Thai merchants re-sell pieces like Buddha's head as antiques since they are original pieces. So what we saw when we visited was whats left of it ...

more ruins...

the headless Buddhas in Ayutthaya...

Wat Phra Mane. This beautiful temple was unlike the other ruined temples since it is well maintained. Our guide tells us that according to legend, during the war with the Burmese, the Burmese king himself was firing one canon when it blew up, mortally wounding him. When the Burmese returned to finally take Ayutthaya in 1767, they left the temple alone out of superstition about what had happened to their king the last time.

The different Buddhas symbolic for each day of the week.

Buddhists as we were told usually rub pure gold leafs in the Buddhas. Gold in the form of a thin leaf is an item valued for its purity as a religious offering and for its power to placate spirits and request favors. Postage-stamp-size booklets of gold leaves are always on sale along with incense, flowers and candles at temples and shrines for use as daily offerings.

Inside, the columns are painted a very dark red with gold decorations. The coffered ceiling is also intricately decorated in red and gold. On the dais at one end of the ubosot is a crowned Buddha image with a rather sour face, which is typical of the late Ayutthaya style.

Wat Chai Watthanaram.  The only standing temple  amidst the ruins of Ayutthaya. It was a sight to behold since it reminds you of the splendor of the time past when it was built. This is one of the grandest sites and the most elaborate temple construction in Ayutthaya. It is rare architecture for this city because its design is symmetrical, and it was built all at one time.

This is a small scale model of the ancient grounds of Wat Chai Watthanaram from an artists point of view. You can easily see the grandeur past from this temple.

For the Ayutthaya tour, be prepared to shell out 1,900 baht for a whole day tour including air conditioned coaches, tour guide, buffet lunch at a hotel and mineral waters and refreshing towels after every stop. :) 

For inquiries, contact World Travel Service Ltd at tel (662) 2335900-9 or email them at: kusa@mozart.inet.co.th or visit their website here. 

Thailand Chronicles: The Ancient City

For our first day at Bangkok , we decided to take the 

Ancient City Tour. 

It entails a half day guided tour of the world's largest living outdoor museum, where Thailand's past is re-created in its full splendor.

So even if we have just arrived at Bangkok at three in the morning, lacking sleep and only a late breakfast to fill our bellies, Mr. OSG, me and two of our friends were swished away to a 45 minute coach ride from The Montien Hotel (were we stayed) to the Ancient City.

Our tour guide, Chatchai Jitima, whom we fondly call "Chat" for the engrossing chit-chats he always engages us in. We were so entertained with his witty remarks and informative trivia about Thailand. I am also happy to note that despite his age, he was so full of energy in showing us around the 200-acre park. The Ancient city reminded me of a a more majestic Nayong-Pilipino park back home. 

The Ancient City, as we were told by Chat is maintained by a very rich Thai gentleman. Through his love for his country, decided to recreate outstanding replicas of Thai architecture, its history and way of life. So basically, this park is like seeing the whole of Thailand in one gigantic area. 

The temples featured here were imitations of the real thing down to the minute details like this 3D wood carving you will also see in the actual temple. It is stressed by Chat to be hand carved.

and this hand painted mural on the wall of the Grand Palace replica, which I must say is painstakingly done and an original piece even if our guide tells us everything is just a replica of the real thing. 

And the mother of pearl detailing in this royal daybed which can also be seen in the Grand Palace.

It was a good decision for us to visit the Ancient City first thing since our arrival in this exciting city. It was a rare treat for tourists like us to be able to take pictures inside the replica temples... 

...and the Grand Palace or the Dusit Maha Prasat Palace, the only remaining example of a traditional Thai palace left in Thailand...

...which we never could do in real temples and palaces scattered all throughout Bangkok. Since the Buddhist monks wouldn't allow us to violate their most sacred places of worship by taking photos.

This is another temple inside the Ancient City which as I recall  Chat saying is not in existence anymore in the city. 

The Ancient City Tour is a half day tour which you can book daily either in the morning or afternoon. It is being offered by the World Travel Service Ltd. for a fee of Baht 1,770 per person. Fees includes one hour travel by air conditioned couch to and from hotel pick up points to the Ancient City along with entrance fees and an English speaking guide. 


For inquiries, you can get in touch with the tour operator at tel (662) 2335900-9 or email them at: kusa@mozart.inet.co.th or visit their website here. 

Fans and Silk Scarves @ Chinatown (Singapura Series)

In our frequent visits to Chinatown in Singapore, there was this one shop there where they sell silk paper fans and authentic Chinese silk  and wool scarves which caught our fancy. This is the Hwa Yi Investments Co. Ltd store at 20 Trengganu Street. 

They have an assortment of paper and silk fans with hand-painted designs and an array of scarves even chopsticks and other fancy souvenirs made of wood such as cigar boxes and jewelry boxes. Their wide collection of chopsticks like below also caught my eye since I couldn't imagine using such beautiful work of art for eating! Most are made from the finest bamboo and hand painted with designs and some with Chinese characters. Too bad I was too caught up choosing designs for the S$1 fans I thought were good deals for a unique souvenir that I forgot to ask for the prices of the chopsticks. :) Sorry, I'll take a rain-check on these and blog about it next time. 

The store was manned by a fellow Pinay who was so nice that we couldn't help but buy a few items for pasalubong back home. She's the one in pink below. :) She was able to sales talk us into buying a few trinkets even if the  items were a bit pricey for me.  Some of the fans they sell like the pure silk fan displayed below go from S$50 to S$268 for big ones. But then if you look at the quality and craftsmanship of the items they sell, you wouldn't wonder why their so pricey.

My cousin bought a brown leopard print wool scarf for S$49 below. Which is actually a good deal considering that it is real wool and has a dual purpose of keeping you really warm and fashionable as well. If only I also have plans (well more of the means..hehe) of going to the US, maybe I would've bought one for myself as well. 

Besides wool scarves, they also have pure Chinese silk scarves with hand-painted designs and plain pashminas that  are sort of like real eye candy for me. 

For myself, I bought this silk fan with hand painted design on real high quality bamboo and wood for S$22. Considering that I saw fans like this at Rustan's for about Php 1,500. It was a really good buy for me. :) Love my new fan!

How to Get There
- MRT Station Outram Park or Chinatown. MRT is the fastest mode of public transport as compared to public buses. If you are taking buses, get off at Eu Tong Sen Street.