Mr Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor, said, “This Amazing Thailand NFTs brings our NFT products – Nature to keep, Food to explore, and Thainess to discover – into actual trips and offers new experiences in line with the ‘Visit Thailand Year 2022-2023: Amazing New Chapters’ campaign. The initiative is also part of the drive to create a ‘new tourism ecosystem’ towards a more sustainable industry.”

Explore the top five landmark locations of Thailand, which include Hina Town, Wat Arun, Giant Swing, Siam Square, and the Ancient City in Samut Prakan and avail excellent benefits. Some of the most attractive benefits include a discount offer for flight and hotel bookings, a massage voucher, a room upgrade at Cassia (Phuket), a free F & B credit coupon (Banyan Tree Group), a Hungry Hub voucher for hungry tummies, and more.

Designed under the key message of “Travel to Earn, Earn Your Experiences”, the programme channels both the real and the Blockchain world, also integrating works of art into tourist destinations. Tourists can travel to the mentioned locations, collect Amazing Thai NFT items in line with the program guidelines, and avail of the benefits under this fabulous travel program. So hurry up now, and pack your bags; an exciting Thai trip awaits you.

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Travel Pick courtesy: Ilya Plekhanov, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

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Thailand adopted Indian religions, traditions, languages, and rites. Buddhism became one of the major religions in Thailand, embraced by approximately 93% of its population. Ceremonial Brahminical religion and tradition also found their way into Thailand’s life and culture; people began to go to temples and attend Brahminical rites and practices. Hindu temples flourished in Thailand.

Today we will talk about one such famous Hindu temple in Thailand- Sri Maha Mariamman, one of the principal Hindu temples located on Silom road in the centre of Bangkok. It is also known as Wat Khaek or Uma Devi temple, and the main deity is Goddess Mariamman or Mother Mari. Considered the epitome of power, she is an incarnation of the goddess Shakti. Goddess Mariamman has an essential place in Tamil culture in the rural population, especially for the farmers, as the goddess of rain and fertility. A trident-wielding young woman is a typical representation of her. This famous Hindu temple in Bangkok is a fine example of the Dravidian architectural style of temple building.

Ancient Indian temple architecture belongs to two genres: Nagara from the North and Dravida from the South. The Pallavas, who ruled the Indian parts of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and the northern region of Tamil Nadu, were considered the originators of the Dravidian style of architecture. Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Bangkok follows the Dravidian style of architecture born in the South Indian states.

Essential features of this brilliant style of architecture are: 

• An enclosed compound wall surrounds the temple.
• Gopuram: This is a monumental tower at the entrance of the temple.
• Vimana: It is the structure over Garbhagriha. It is a stepped pyramid that rises geometrically without any curve.
• Garbhagriha: It is the sanctum sanctorum or the innermost sanctuary of the temple.
• Shikhara: Crowning element at the top of the temple in an octagonal copula shape.
• Dvarpalas: They are present at the temple entrance and are considered the temple’s guardians.
• Temple Tank: Usually found within the compound in the Dravidian style of architecture.
• Subsidiary shrines: Can be located within or beside the temple’s central tower.

So, the next time you visit this alluring temple, take a little time to take in the awe-aspiring grandeur of this thousand-year-old architecture. Enjoy your visit and let yourself be mesmerised by its aesthetical architectural beauty.

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Dravidian Architecture Pick courtesy: Bajirao1007, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

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The Grand Palace was the country’s royal residence from the late 1700s until the early 1900s. The extraordinary architecture of this palace, put together by all the monarchs collectively over time, makes it unique. It is incredible how these styles effortlessly blend into one another, bringing Thailand’s rich past together.

It is a must-see destination for any traveller visiting the city. Here are a few reasons why you should include the Grand Palace in your Bangkok itinerary.

Looking to explore some off-beaten places in Thailand, check out our post on Top Unexplored Places in Thailand. 

A Stunning Architectural Masterpiece

Built in 1782 by King Rama I, the palace is a fusion of traditional Thai and European styles, with intricate details and stunning ornamentation. The palace is not a colossal construction but a collection of smaller buildings and structures within its four walls.

The palace complex consists of numerous buildings, including the Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), considered the most sacred temple in Thailand and is home to a statue of the Buddha carved from a single block of jade.

It is home to several impressive buildings, including the Chakri Maha Prasat, a grand throne hall and the residence of the Thai kings until 1925. The Dusit Maha Prasat, a palace hall used for royal ceremonies, and the Phra Maha Monthien Buildings were used as the residence of the king and his queen. Each of these buildings is a true work of art and is sure to leave a lasting impression on visitors.

A Kaleidoscope of Thailand’s Rich History and Culture

The Grand Palace is a vibrant representation of Thai culture, history, and architecture. The palace was the centre of political power and the royal residence for 150 years and is steeped in tradition and history. Visitors can learn about the Thai monarchy and its role in shaping the country.

The palace also houses many museums, including the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles, which showcases traditional Thai textiles and costumes, and the Royal Coin Cabinet, which displays a collection of Thai currency and coins. These museums offer a glimpse into the customs and traditions of Thailand and provide an educational experience for visitors.

Lush and Vibrant Garden

The Grand Palace is also surrounded by beautiful gardens and grounds, which provide a peaceful and serene escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Visitors can stroll through the lush gardens, admire the colourful flowers, and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere.

It makes for a popular spot for photography and is a great place to capture some beautiful shots of traditional Thai architecture and culture. Visitors can take pictures of the intricate details of the palace buildings, the colourful murals, and the traditional Thai costumes worn by the palace guards.

There are some interesting facts about the palace!

• Regardless of the cause—a lack of resources, for example—wood was mainly employed in construction during the time.
• The Grand Palace is unquestionably Thailand’s best art gallery because it houses the finest Thai art, including sculptures, paintings, and architectural masterpieces.
• Its design is similar to that of Ayutthaya: The palaces at Ayutthaya, the historic capital of Siam, were all built in a similar style, with the inner circle housing private spaces and the outer ring housing governmental offices.

The Grand Palace offers a unique and memorable experience that is not to be missed. Make sure to include the Grand Palace in your itinerary when you visit Bangkok.

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As a result of heavy downpours that lasted for an hour, several areas in Pattaya suffered flood damage, including Pattaya Beach. Pattaya Beach was left with holes and gaps after the flooding washed away much of its sand.

Roads such as Walking Street, Pattaya Beach, South Pattaya, and Soi Buakhao were inundated with floodwater up to 30 centimeters deep.

Due to overnight flooding on South Pattaya Road, many restaurants and businesses were closed on Monday morning. Sandbag barricades around some businesses’ entrances kept the water out, allowing them to remain open.

As a result of a strong monsoon depression over the lower north, upper central, and northeast regions, Thailand’s Meteorological Department predicts isolated heavy to very heavy rain until the weekend. It is recommended that residents be cautious of venomous reptiles and floods.

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Suvarnabhumi airport. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard)

Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob and various agencies participated in the meeting, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. As part of the meeting, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) was briefed about plans to study the expansion of the terminal at Suvarnabhumi airport.

ICAO was hired by Airports of Thailand (AoT) after discussions with the Office of the Attorney General (OAG). As part of the project, Suvarnabhumi’s eastern terminal will be expanded.

With the completion of the eastern section in 2025, the airport will be able to handle 65 million passengers annually.

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Thai boxing, or Muay Thai, is renowned all over the world. As part of Thailand’s latest soft power initiative, the Tourism Authority of Thailand has partnered with the World Boxing Council Muay Thai.

A key aim of Thai authorities’ soft power initiative is to promote the ‘5 Fs’ to other countries. Food, festival films, fashion, and fighting (as in Muay Thai) make up the 5 Fs. Thailand is aiming to become a global destination for the sport.

TAT plans to produce Thai tourism guides to support the WBC’s campaigns abroad. Thai boxing will benefit from this as it will generate income and grow.

The campaign will also feature many WBC Muay Thai diamond champions. A few of them are PetchmorakotPetchyindee and Mehdi Zatout.

The world’s most successful fighters coach Muay Thai, an important component of mixed martial arts training. It is mandatory for competitors to wear pads during training sessions in order to stay safe. The sport is now played by people all over the world.

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Thai authorities removed marijuana from their narcotics list on June 9. In the future, commercial and personal cultivation and possession of the plant will not be illegal.

In response to the move, Thailand’s embassy in Singapore urged Thai travelers to refrain from bringing marijuana, cannabis, or products containing such plants into the country.

Even the Thai embassy in South Korea urged Thai travelers or residents in the country to follow the same precautions. Vietnamese, Indonesian, and Japanese embassies have also issued similar warnings and mentioned the consequences if caught, such as jail time, heavy fines, and possibly the death penalty.

Importers, exporters, or traffickers of drugs can face the death penalty depending on the quantity. A conviction for marijuana possession or use can result in imprisonment for up to ten years or a fine of 20,000 Singapore dollars (about 508,000 baht). Singapore can punish anyone who trades marijuana or smuggles it into or out of the country.

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Thai tourism is growing following the recent relaxation of travel requirements following the pandemic. The requirement to acquire travel insurance for entering Thailand will no longer apply to travelers. Public masks will remain recommended, but will not be mandatory unless there are crowds or the area is not well ventilated.

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Chowk Bazar
The Chowk Bazar of Bhopal is considered to be the most special for street shopping. Here you will get goods at very cheap prices, not only this, you can also bargain fiercely while shopping here. Whether you want to buy footwear or jewelry items, here you will find all the items very easily. In this market, you get to see the items of Bhopali artwork, which is considered to be the famous handicrafts of Bhopal.

This market opens from around 11 am, while the market closes till 10 pm. The market is closed on Mondays.

New Market
If you have to shop for clothes, then New Market located in Bhopal is the perfect place for it. Most of the local people of Bhopal like to go to this market in search of cheap goods.

Apart from clothing, New Market is famous for its traditional wallet. Wallet is a type of traditional purse, if you want to buy a designer wallet then you can go to the new market. If you go to New Market, then definitely try Hakim’s Tasty Food located there.

This market is open from 10 in the morning to 10 in the evening, but in winter the shops here close very early.

Bittan Market
Located near Arera Colony in Bhopal, Bittan Market is a perfect hangout for the shoppers. Here you will easily find beautiful handlooms, bags and footwear. In such a situation, if you do not want to go towards old Bhopal, then you can go shopping here. Exhibitions are often held in Bittan Market, due to which you will get a chance to see the workmanship of local handlooms of Bhopal.

This market opens around 11 am, while it closes till 10 pm.

Mrignayani Emporium
If you want to shop for handicrafts, then you can shop from Mrignayani Emporium Market in Bhopal. Here you will find beautiful chanderi, kota, crepe and tussar silk sarees at reasonable prices. This market is also known for its ethnic outfit collection.

This market starts from around 11 am and remains open till 8 pm. The market is closed on Mondays.

Sarafa Market
The Sarafa Market is very famous for its jewellery. Here you will find gold and silver jewelry at very reasonable prices. If you get tired of shopping, then definitely try the delicious dishes like the delicious chaat, dumplings, jalebi, rabdi and kulfi falooda here.

The jewelery market here opens from around 10 am, while the food shops start from 8 pm onwards.

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