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Ratchanaddaram Worawihan Temple was built in 1846 on the orders of King Rama III in honour of his granddaughter HRH Princess Somanass Vadhanavadi. |
SW visits historic sites
By Itsarin Tisantia
Photos by Pichaya Svasti,
courtesy of Bangkok Post
One of the most visited spots in the City of Angels is the Koh Rattanakosin area, near the eastern bank of the Chao Phraya River. This is where the history of the Chakri Dynasty began.
For this week’s Freeze Frame, SW takes a look around this historic area.
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Built between 1688 and 1703, Pho Temple is one of the best-known temples in Thailand. The temple is famous for its Watpo Thai Traditional Medical School, where Thai traditional massage studies originated. |
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The City Pillar Shrine is home to statutes of the five guardian spirits, namely Phra Sua Muang, Phra Song Muang, Phra Kanchaisri, Chao Phor Chettakhupt and Chao Phor Horklong. |
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Poem enthusiasts are encouraged to visit Thepthidaram Worawihan Temple, where celebrated poet Sunthorn Phu had stayed from 1839 to 1842 during his 18-year monkhood. Some of his belongings, including several books with his handwriting, are displayed here. |
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One of the highlights at Ratchanaddaram Worawihan Temple is Loha Prasat, a seven-tiered metallic structure whose 37 bronze and copper spires represent the 37 virtues toward enlightenment or nirvana.
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Exercises
Read Freeze Frame and decide whether the following statements are true or false.
1. Sunthorn Phu stayed at Thepthidaram Worawihan Temple for more than 20 years.
………………….
2. Ratchanaddaram Worawihan Temple was constructed in the year 1486.
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3. One of the five guardian spirits is Phra Sua Muang.
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4. Koh Rattanakosin is situated near the western bank of the Chao Phraya River.
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Vocabulary
- virtue (n): a particular good quality or habit
nirvana (n): the state of peace and happiness that a person achieves after giving up all personal desires
celebrated (adj): famous for having good qualities
