Cultures, colours and beauty of Thai

Ishara MUDUGAMUWA

The city of angels, the great city, the residence of the Emerald Buddha, the impregnable city (Ayutthaya) of God Indra, the grand capital of the world endowed with nine precious gems, the happy city, abounding in an enormous Royal Palace that resembles the heavenly abode where reigns the reincarnated God, a city given by Indra and built by Vishnukarn.

You may definitely wonder that it is a name of a city. Yeah it is the English Translation of the full name of the Bangkok city which is the capital city of Thailand.

According to our tour guide Lukshmi, full name of Bangkok is "Krungthepmahanakhon Amornrattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilokphop Noppharat Ratchathaniburirom Udomratchaniwetmahasathan Amonphiman Awatansathit akkathattiyawitsanukamprasit.

Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand. It is also the largest urban area in the whole country. Bangkok has become a center of politics, economics, and social importance for the last two hundred years. It is a city of major influence and can be a great place to visit.

In Bangkok you will be able to experience some of the country's most spectacular arts, fashion, entertainment and sports. It is a global city because it is one of the major cultural centers on the Asian continent.

Food is an extremely important part of culture and life of the Bangkok people. You will be able to experience authentic Thai food in any of the restaurants around the city, or you can stop for a short snack at one of the many food carts that can be found along nearly every street corner.

As Bangkok is a busy city, motor traffic is highly affected to the life styles of Bangkok people. More than 60 percent of Thailand people have their own vehicle. You can experience all kinds of shopping in Bangkok. There are large shopping centers that can cater to your every need or you can seek out any of the smaller street markets and bazaars. These places are where you can find authentic souvenirs to take home to your family and friends from Bangkok.

In Thailand people are highly respect and love their king. They raise a yellow colour flag every Monday to respect their king as he was born on a Monday. His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej also known as King Rama IX is the present King of Thailand and he came in to the throne in1946. He is 83 years old and also he is the longest reigning monarch in the world. He was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts on December 5, 1927. He married Queen Sirikit. Thai full title of the King is "Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramintharamaha Bhumibol Adulyadej Mahitalathibet Ramathibodi Chakkrinaruebodin Sayamminthrathirat Borommanatbophit".

Before King Rama IX there were nine kings ruled the country. The first four King Ramas were from the same family and the chain was broken as King Rama IV was not married.

Thai flag is consisting three colours red white and blue, red for Army, white for Buddhism and blue for King. The Thai people have divided days into colours as well - Sunday-red, Monday-yellow, Tuesday-pink, Wednesday-orange, Thursday-green, Friday-blue and Saturday-purple.

Most of the people think that all Thai ladies have secret lives. But that is not true. Thai ladies are hard working. Because of that, a majority of them are unmarried.

Many years ago, a boat was the main transportation system of Bangkok people and the second was the elephant. Every Thai boy had to join the army for two years and then they have minimum six months ordination and then marriage. Children in the city and the village are different.

The Grand Palace is a complex of buildings at the heart of Bangkok, Thailand. The palace has been the official residence of the king of Thailand since 1782. Though the present King Bhumibol is not currently resides at the Grand Palace it is still used for official events.

With hundreds of temples across the city, it can be quite a mission to choose which ones to see while we visit Bangkok. Wat Pho (the Temple of the Reclining Buddha), or Wat Phra Chetuphon, is located behind the splendid Temple of the Emerald Buddha. It's the largest temple in Bangkok and famed for its huge and majestic reclining Buddha measured 46 metres long and covered in gold leaf. The Buddha's feet are 3 metres long and exquisitely decorated in mother-of-pearl illustrations of auspicious 'laksanas' (characteristics) of the Buddha.

Having dinner on a barge while seeing the historical landmarks along the River of Kings in Bangkok and enjoying the beautiful night scenery is another unforgettable experience for travellers who visit Bangkok. All the foreigners who visit Bangkok never miss this rare awesome experience. Many dinner cruises are available at the bay of River of Kings.

While you are having dinner in luxurious surroundings you'll get an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the night scenery of Bangkok. Shimmering temples and glistening skyscrapers are most eye catching places in Bangkok.