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The Star
3 days ago
- General
- The Star
Bangkok's epic name: The longest city name in the world
The full name of Bangkok: A 168-character masterpiece BANGKOK: The official name of Bangkok is Krungthepmahanakhon Amonrattanakosin Mahintharayuthaya Mahadilokphop Noppharatratchathaniburirom Udomratchaniwetmahasathan Amonpiman-Awatansathit Sakkathattiyawitsanukamprasit. That's quite a lot to say in one breath, right? But the length of the name isn't just for show. It's packed with deep meaning, representing the city's divine protection, prosperity, and historical significance. The name describes Bangkok as a city 'like the city of angels,' home to the Emerald Buddha, and a place that no one can conquer. It also highlights the capital's everlasting beauty, its royal palaces, and its strong spiritual foundation, all tied to the legacy of the former kingdom of Ayutthaya. - Photo: The Nation/ANN A spiritual vision by King Rama I The name itself dates back to the founding of the city in 1782, when King Rama I decided to establish Bangkok as the new capital after the fall of Ayutthaya. The name was carefully chosen to reflect the spiritual power and strength he wanted for the kingdom. It was a symbolic representation of Thailand's resilience and divine favour. Interestingly, the city was initially called 'Bang Makok,' which translates to 'the place of hog plums.' Over time, it was shortened to 'Bangkok,' which is how most of us know it today. However, the elaborate full name is still used for official and ceremonial purposes. - Photo: The Nation/ANN The city of angels: shortening the name While the full name is grand, Thais don't typically use it in everyday conversation. Instead, they refer to the city simply as Krung Thep Mahanakhon (translated as the City of Angels) or just Krung Thep, which is a shorthand version of the full name. It's a more manageable term, but it still carries the same deep meaning of Bangkok's majestic origins. The song that helped people remember The full name might be tough to remember, even for native speakers, which is where the fun part comes in. Thai rockstars Asanee & Wasan Chotikul turned Bangkok's full name into a catchy song to help people remember it! Thanks to his musical rendition, Krungthepmahanakhon is no longer just a city name—it's an anthem that's been stuck in the heads of many for decades. Without that song, let's face it—most of us would probably forget half of it! - Photo: The Nation/ANN Why Bangkok's name matters While the full name of Bangkok may sound a bit excessive, it's a beautiful representation of the city's rich history, culture and spiritual significance. It's not just a name, it's an embodiment of the values and pride that the Thai people carry in their hearts. The city has evolved from its ancient roots, but its spiritual and cultural foundations remain strong. - The Nation/ANN
Scroll.in
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scroll.in
On the road to Phetchaburi: Notes from a journey through the Ramayana, puppets, memory, and Thailand
Light and salt The highway unfurls southwest from Bangkok, the skyline yielding to a gritty industrial sprawl, like flesh giving way to bone. Rusting factories and half-abandoned warehouses line the road. Amid this landscape, roadside shrines appear. Spirit-houses on pedestals, garlanded with wilting marigolds and red soda bottles. Traffic thunders past, but these shrines remain still. In Samut Sakhon, the road flattens into a horizon of salt fields where rectangular pools mirror the bleached sky, white pyramids of salt crystals luminous in noon light. A lone worker rakes slowly, gathering the crystals into neat rows. His labour, a salve against poverty, appears, at this privileged distance, like meditation. The river behind the fields was once a key trading route, when Phetchaburi's jaggery ferried along these waters, sweetening distant tongues. Past the flats, in Samut Songkhram, a colossal Buddha rises in suspended creation. Its torso unfinished, scaffolding clinging to his arms, a crane stooped at his shoulder like a mechanical surgeon. The Buddha's face half-formed, gaze impassive, he watches a stream of cars below. For six years, through many trips like this one, I've followed the Ramayana through Southeast Asia – not as scripture, but as tradition shaped by artists, belief, rural and ecological rhythms, and politics. In Laos, I met a monk who preserves temple carvings of the Ramayana. In Java, a mask-maker recalls staging the Mahabharata by oil lamp in a village without electricity. The epic lives in Prambanan's walls and in Angkor's monumental friezes. I've come now to meet my Wayang Orang dancer friends from Indonesia, who draw tales from the Old Javanese epic the Kakawin Ramayana. They are scheduled to perform at a festival in Phetchaburi, a small town on the western tail of Thailand. But before I reach the summer palace grounds where the dance is being organised, I find another Ramayana. The Ramayana entered Thai life not as a book but as sculpture, ritual and masked dance. In the 11th to 13th centuries, Khmer-era temples in places like Phimai and Lopburi, now in Thailand, carved scenes of Rama, Hanuman, and Ravana into stone walls. Earlier cultures in the region had absorbed elements of Hindu cosmology through Buddhism, weaving Vaishnavite motifs like Garuda and Vishnu into court and religious art. Much later, during the Ayutthaya period (1350–1767), the epic took literary form. The Ramakien, the Thai Ramayana, emerged as court literature and performance, often staged through Khon masked dance to illustrate the virtues of kingship and a preordained cosmic order. Though the Ayutthaya texts were lost in the 1767 Burmese sacking of the capital, King Rama I commissioned a new recension in the late 18th century, now considered canonical. He also oversaw the painting of Ramakien murals along the inner walls of the Grand Palace's Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Tourists can still admire this visual epic stretching nearly a kilometre, where demons, gods, and monkey warriors flicker across gold-leafed walls. Finally, in a courtyard in Phetchaburi, I found that a child could lift a bamboo stick and become Rama, for a moment. A temple courtyard Light slants golden through tamarind trees as I enter the temple courtyard of Wat Phlapphlachai. A boy taps bamboo sticks in rhythmic sequence, overhead, then on the wooden stage on which he sits. Around him, other children animate Nang Talung puppets hoisted on bamboo sticks: small, intricately carved shadow figures made of cowhide, meeting and battling each other in measured dance. Beside them, a rough ensemble of cymbals, double-headed drums, and the occasional cheer from their teacher fills the space. The scene is a skeletal memory of full piphat orchestras that once filled royal courts. A teacher keeps rhythm with her clapping hands. To one side, a banana trunk rests on twin stands, incense planted into the trunk like small spears of smoke. The altar cradles the puppets when not in use, silhouettes cut from hide and hoisted on a bamboo stick. The children perform with grave solemnity: fierce one moment, faltering the next. Then more guidance arrives, from the lady selling Thai sweets in the courtyard, sitting cross-legged in front of her wares. She calls out, 'Hanuman needs to leap! And the beat's too slow.' To my surprise, the teacher nods respectfully, adds her orders to the kids. The rhythm resumes, sharper now, the children adjusting mid-motion. The sweet seller, Pa Bow is satisfied: she used to be a dancer, before she had to settle with her small business. This is rehearsal as a community inheritance: temple-trained, street-polished. The head trainer is Miss Noi or Noi Romyakorn Erawan, who also joins this rehearsal. In her sixties, with a white blouse and striped sarong, she moves with a family elder's authority. When she steps forward, the children respond. She doesn't raise her voice. She counts the beat. She corrects posture, listens to the other teacher and to Pa Bow, who is organically part of the troupe for the day. When rehearsal concludes, the kids run to Pa Bow's sweet cart. The performance is in the evening, but sweets can start in the afternoon. Each night, Miss Noi stops to pray at the Hanuman temple by the river. 'He protects our riverside,' she says, not bothered with whether he's Hindu or Buddhist, for he is both in the region. He's the one who crossed the oceans. The boy who carried his friends Miss Noi, now the caretaker and manager of the famed Phetchaburi puppets, takes me through the temple that serves as both a religious site and an archive. Behind glass panels suspended from the ceiling of the vihaan, or the main assembly hall, hover puppets two centuries old. Gods, demons, Hanuman: all carved during the time of Luang Por Rit, the 19th-century abbot who established a leather carving workshop here during the reign of King Rama V. He hired local craftsmen who produced giant leather shadow puppets based on the Thai Ramakien's iconic characters. The main material was cow leather, but tiger hide was used for hermit figures. Revered figures such as Shiva (Phra Isuan), Miss Noi explains, were sometimes crafted from the hides of cows struck by lightning, creatures touched by heaven's fire. The puppets are cracked now, their natural plant dyes fading, yet they glow under soft spotlights, as if still carrying traces of that lightning. In the adjacent pavilion, the rehearsal yields to gentler percussion: small chisels tapping cardboard, creation in miniature. Children punch stencils, tracing the arched eyebrows of monkey kings and demon crowns. Miss Noi sits among them. Traditionally, women are not permitted to carve buffalo hide. This was an interdiction against female hands shaping sacred forms. So, she teaches on paper, quietly circumventing the rule. At one table, a mother joins in. She handles the tools with delight, a soft cheer rising as she punches out the curve of Ravana's crown. The teakwood floor is soon speckled with confetti from the paper cut-outs. For years, Miss Noi prayed to be allowed to work with puppets. Then one day, Khru Veera, the ageing master, fell ill and asked her to take over the training and the shows. 'But I don't break the rules,' she insists. Her own large puppets, which she presents in long, slow movements in a private showing for me the next morning, were carved by her nephew; she only guided the work. Twenty years ago, she knew the whole Ramakien by heart. Now she is growing old herself. Sometimes she forgets the first word of a chapter and the whole chapter is gone, memory unravelling like poorly woven cloth. She asks a student to help. An eleven-year-old boy named Frame is wearing lady's slippers, a gift from Miss Noi. He rises and his voice lifts above the stencil-tapping. 'Where is she?' he calls in Miss Noi's loose translation, 'Without her, the forest speaks only in cicada clicks. Even the champa turns away its scent. The trees have dried to silence.' I ask Frame who his favourite character is. Not Rama or Hanuman, but Ravana, Totsakhan. 'He can carry his friends,' he says with a huge triumphant smile. In the battle scene, the other actors climb on Totsakhan's legs or back, and Frame has the strength to hold them. A rice farmer's son, he's taught and fed every weekend by Miss Noi at her guest house, alongside other students she's taken in. Most came from fractured homes or poverty, some were facing issues at school. They now have a new obsession, the Ramakien. Frame's father, who works a job and his fields, has never attended a performance. But Frame's friends are always there, cheering from the wings or standing on his shoulders. How is an epic kept alive? Does God help define a community? Get conscripted into the service of political assertions? What happens when the gods are shared or don't serve our political ends anymore? There are gentler ways to keep the faith alive – in Phetchaburi, as shared inheritance, passed through incense, crackling leather, and the light click of bamboo. Nightfall performance That night, the road near Phetchaburi's palace becomes a theatre. A temporary stage stands at its centre, fronted by a large white screen. The Nang Yai puppets flicker behind the screen. These are larger than Nang Talung, held overhead with two arms by adult dancers, like royalty. It is flanked by three other screens. Rows of plastic chairs sit mostly empty. A few elders watch. The musicians do not falter or wait for an audience. Xylophones chime, drums pound, cymbals crash, as if for kings or commoners or empty chairs alike. On screen, a battle rages. Rama's soldiers versus Ravana's demons. Then, a surprise: a motorcycle puppet, complete with engine sounds, weaves through the chaos. Hanuman rides it, wearing a baseball cap. A trickster in traffic, a god updated. Now, an audience gathers, drawn from the shadows, street vendors, and families from the cramped tenements between the palace and the temple. Light laughter ripples through the rows. Children squeal. Later in the evening, I meet the dancers from Jakarta: Pandu Bhimawan, who plays Hanuman and also performs as a backup western dancer, and Kartika Ampiranti, the troupe's Sita, continuing a Ramayana tradition passed down through her family, both carrying traditions that are generations deep. I want to ask them what keeps the epic alive, but I already know. It's the same thing that stirs a farmer's child in Phetchaburi to lift a puppet and step into the light: not just memory, but the will to make it move. With thanks to Noi Erawan, the members of the Phetchaburi Wat Phlapphlachai puppet troupe and Miho Watanabe for generously sharing their time and insights. The author of two novels, Kaushik Barua, won a Sahitya Akademi award for his first novel Windhorse, set in the Tibetan refugee community. This article is based on the research he's conducting for his next book, a nonfiction work on the versions of the Ramayana across Southeast Asia to be published by Penguin Random House in 2025/26. His writing has appeared in The Guardian, Open Democracy, Indian Express, and elsewhere. He works with an international development agency and has managed rural development projects across Africa, the Middle East and East Asia.
The Age
27-06-2025
- The Age
The must-do highlights of Bangkok in three days
Bangkok defies metaphor. An enigma wrapped in a traffic jam? The place where feudalism meets futurism? Just step out and surrender to its din and aromas, the combo of urgency and 'mai pen rai' (no worries) solutions. This city of 11.5 million people on the Chao Phraya River doesn't have a clearly defined centre and its hotel accommodation is scattered wide. Which means, depending on your location, think of the following day itineraries as adaptable, mix-and-match suggestions. Hint: cross-city travel can be slow (and hot) so don't over-plan your day. Day one Make an early start for the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew) in the Grand Palace complex, preferably arriving by 8.30am to beat the crowd. It'll be busy anyhow. Spend a couple of hours in this ornate royal compound but don't attempt to photograph the tiny Emerald Buddha statue. Make time for the adjacent temple, Wat Pho, home to one of the city's great icons, the 46-metre Reclining Buddha. Catch a meter taxi to nearby Yaowarat Road, Chinatown, for lunch. (Tuk-tuks in this area are a rip-off.) The grazing choice is enormous, from hawker carts to side-alley restaurants. Try a local favourite, guay chap flat rice noodles in pepper soup, but skip the common 'delicacy', shark-fin soup. Afternoon You're in one of the world's largest Chinatowns, where the main attractions include Wat Traimit, home to a massive 5½-tonne golden Buddha statue, and to Bangkok's most important Chinese Buddhist shrine, Wat Mangkon Kamalawat (Dragon Lotus Temple). Then make your way to Sathorn Pier near Saphan Taksin BTS Skytrain station to join the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat. An all-day pass will allow you to hop on and off wherever you please at the ferry's 10 stops, including Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn), Khao San Road and attractions like the Asiatique theme park. Evening Bangkok has around 40 high-rise sky bars, most of them brilliant for sunset cocktails with spectacular views, plus dinner if you kick on. Not far from wherever you are there's probably a sky bar with an intriguing name like Paradise Lost, Cooling Tower, Vertigo or Flashback. If you're looking for sophisticated dining at a lower altitude, consider Red Rose in the Shanghai Mansion hotel on Yaowarat Road, or a choice of excellent French, Italian or Cantonese options in the Four Seasons Bangkok Hotel at Chao Phraya River. Or, further inland, the celebrated restaurant in Soi 53 Sukhumvit at Thong Lor.
Sydney Morning Herald
27-06-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
The must-do highlights of Bangkok in three days
Bangkok defies metaphor. An enigma wrapped in a traffic jam? The place where feudalism meets futurism? Just step out and surrender to its din and aromas, the combo of urgency and 'mai pen rai' (no worries) solutions. This city of 11.5 million people on the Chao Phraya River doesn't have a clearly defined centre and its hotel accommodation is scattered wide. Which means, depending on your location, think of the following day itineraries as adaptable, mix-and-match suggestions. Hint: cross-city travel can be slow (and hot) so don't over-plan your day. Day one Make an early start for the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew) in the Grand Palace complex, preferably arriving by 8.30am to beat the crowd. It'll be busy anyhow. Spend a couple of hours in this ornate royal compound but don't attempt to photograph the tiny Emerald Buddha statue. Make time for the adjacent temple, Wat Pho, home to one of the city's great icons, the 46-metre Reclining Buddha. Catch a meter taxi to nearby Yaowarat Road, Chinatown, for lunch. (Tuk-tuks in this area are a rip-off.) The grazing choice is enormous, from hawker carts to side-alley restaurants. Try a local favourite, guay chap flat rice noodles in pepper soup, but skip the common 'delicacy', shark-fin soup. Afternoon You're in one of the world's largest Chinatowns, where the main attractions include Wat Traimit, home to a massive 5½-tonne golden Buddha statue, and to Bangkok's most important Chinese Buddhist shrine, Wat Mangkon Kamalawat (Dragon Lotus Temple). Then make your way to Sathorn Pier near Saphan Taksin BTS Skytrain station to join the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat. An all-day pass will allow you to hop on and off wherever you please at the ferry's 10 stops, including Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn), Khao San Road and attractions like the Asiatique theme park. Evening Bangkok has around 40 high-rise sky bars, most of them brilliant for sunset cocktails with spectacular views, plus dinner if you kick on. Not far from wherever you are there's probably a sky bar with an intriguing name like Paradise Lost, Cooling Tower, Vertigo or Flashback. If you're looking for sophisticated dining at a lower altitude, consider Red Rose in the Shanghai Mansion hotel on Yaowarat Road, or a choice of excellent French, Italian or Cantonese options in the Four Seasons Bangkok Hotel at Chao Phraya River. Or, further inland, the celebrated restaurant in Soi 53 Sukhumvit at Thong Lor.
Los Angeles Times
27-05-2025
- Los Angeles Times
The Top 12 Best Asian Destinations – Your Must-Visit Spots for 2025
Looking for the best destinations in Asia for your summer and fall 2025 travels? This guide lists the top 12 hotspots you should see on your first trip. Each destination offers something unique: Whether it's a bustling city, a historical site or a natural wonder. Discover why these places should be on your travel list. Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand, is a mesmerizing blend of traditional richness and modern energy. In its bustling streets and ancient temples stand juxtaposed with towering skyscrapers. The Grand Palace, built in 1782, is a ceremonial residence for Thai royalty featuring stunning architecture and includes the picturesque Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Bangkok's vibrancy shines through its food scene and night markets, offering delicious pad thai and exotic fruits. The city's contrasts make it a captivating destination, blending ancient and modern experiences for every traveler. Chiang Mai, in northern Thailand, offers a tranquil escape with its serene culture, natural beauty and Buddhist temples. Wat Chedi Luang Varavihara is an ancient site known for its serene atmosphere and intricate architectural details. Wat Phra Singh, featuring intricate carvings and a peaceful garden, is another notable temple. Surrounded by lush mountains, Chiang Mai is ideal for hiking and outdoor adventures. Doi Inthanon, Thailand's highest peak, offers scenic trails and waterfalls. The city offers cooking classes where tourists can learn to prepare traditional Thai dishes with locally grown ingredients. Chiang Mai's tranquility and natural sites make it a top destination in Southeast Asia for 2025. Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is steeped in ancient history and cultural heritage. The Old Quarter, also known as '36 Streets,' has been a trading hub for centuries, where street names reflect the specific crafts that were historically sold. This vibrant city is home to over 6,000 historical relics, showcasing its rich legacy and giving an overview of Vietnamese culture during a first-time visit. Explore the Temple of Literature, founded in 1070, Vietnam's first university dedicated to Confucius. Voi Phuc Temple, honoring Prince Hoang Chan, features intricate carvings and annual festivals. Hanoi's rich history and cultural sites make it a must for 2025, as many travelers have visited the city. Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, is a vibrant city recognized for its diverse cultures, languages, and religions, showcasing a blend of Malay, Chinese, and Indian heritages. The Petronas Twin Towers, currently the tallest twin towers in the world, are a must-see landmark, offering breathtaking views of its surroundings. The Central Market offers a glimpse into local culture with its crafts, textiles, mouthwatering treats and bustling market stalls. Kuala Lumpur's mix of vibrant cultures and modern attractions makes it captivating destination in 2025. Kyoto, Japan's historic capital, is a city rich in cultural heritage and ancient temples. Home to numerous UNESCO sites, Kyoto was the imperial capital of Japan from 794 to 1868. The city hosts the famous Gion Matsuri festival, one of Japan's most celebrated traditional festivals. Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, is renowned for its stunning architecture and beautiful gardens. Fushimi Inari Shrine, with its thousands of vermilion torii gates, creates picturesque walking paths. Kyoto's cherry blossom season, peaking in early April, is a must – there's no reason to not start your planning now for 2026! Hong Kong is a vibrant city where Eastern and Western cultures blend seamlessly. With over 300 skyscrapers, Hong Kong boasts one of the highest densities of tall buildings worldwide. The best views of Hong Kong's towering skyscrapers are from The Peak. Temple Street Night Market is known for its lively atmosphere and unique souvenirs. The Symphony of Lights laser show illuminates the city's skyline at night, offering a spectacular experience. Hong Kong's cultural blend and modern attractions make it an ideal starting point to visit in Asia in 2025. Jaipur, known as the Pink City of India, is a royal city established in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. The city earned its nickname when most buildings were painted pink for Queen Victoria's visit in 1876. Jaipur boasts architectural marvels like Hawa Mahal, built in 1799, with 953 intricately designed jharokhas. Amer Fort, near Jaipur, showcases Hindu and Muslim architectural styles and was built in 1592. Jantar Mantar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, includes the largest sundial in the world. Jaipur's historical and architectural significance makes it a must-visit for 2025. Osaka, known as 'Japan's Kitchen,' is renowned for its rich culinary scene. Dotonbori is famous for its foodie culture, with numerous dining stalls and vendors. Takoyaki and okonomiyaki are must-try dishes that exemplify Osaka's culinary offerings. Kuromon Ichiba fish market offers some of the finest sashimi in Japan. Osaka's culinary landscape and historical significance as a major trading hub during the Edo period make it a top destination in Asia for food lovers in 2025. For nature lovers, Palawan Island in the Philippines is a dream come true. Known for its diverse ecosystems, Palawan boasts lush rainforests and vibrant coral reefs that are home to incredible wildlife, including the endangered Philippine crocodile. This beach destination offers pristine beaches and stunning landscapes that make it one of the most popular destinations in Asia. Kayaking through El Nido's lagoons and limestone cliffs is a favorite activity. Coron, famous for its shipwreck diving sites, attracts divers from around the world. The Puerto Princesa Underground River is a natural wonder that should not be missed. Palawan offers a myriad of activities for adventure seekers and nature enthusiasts, from snorkeling to climbing. The island's natural beauty and wildlife make it great for a 2025 visit. Seoul, the capital city of South Korea, is a dynamic metropolis where history meets modernity. Gyeongbokgung Palace, with its historical significance, features a ceremonial guard-changing event that transports visitors back in time. N Seoul Tower, located near Namsan Park, offers stunning 360-degree views and is popular for couples to hang padlocks on the fence, known as 'love locks.' Myeongdong Shopping Street is famous for its array of beauty products, making it a must-visit. Seoul's modern attractions make it a captivating destination, blending the old and new. Siem Reap, in Cambodia, is best known as the gateway to Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the largest religious monuments in the world. Its proximity to Angkor Wat makes it a primary destination for tourists exploring ancient Khmer architecture. If you plan to visit, walking through the ancient ruins and learning about the rich history and culture of the Khmer Empire is a truly awe-inspiring experience. The Angkor complex also includes significant historic sites like Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm, offering unique insights into Cambodia's history. Siem Reap, with its historical significance, is a must-see for history enthusiasts and cultural explorers. Tokyo, Japan's capital, is a vibrant city blending ancient traditions with cutting-edge technology, perfect for a first trip to Asia. Stroll through Shibuya's bustling streets, where skyscrapers and lively shops highlight the city's dynamic culture. The city's culinary landscape is diverse, from street food like sushi to high-end dining experiences on your first trip. See Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa. This beautiful Buddhist temple showcases intricate architecture and vibrant market areas, giving visitors a glimpse into Tokyo's rich history. teamLab Planets TOKYO provides modern art experiences, immersing visitors in large-scale artworks. Enjoy panoramic views from the Tokyo Skytree, symbolizing the city's contemporary landscape and highlighting some of the best places to visit. Beyond landmarks, Tokyo is a melting pot of vibrant cultures. Akihabara, with its unique electronics shops and anime culture, showcases Tokyo's blend of old and new. Exploring historical sites like Meiji Jingu Shrine or enjoying modern attractions, Tokyo offers a unique travel experience.
