Bangkok is a city that attracts a lot of foreign tourists from around the world each year. Bangkok has many interesting and diverse tourists attractions throughout its different areas. One of the best known areas in Bangkok is “Silom”, a business and tourist district that never sleeps. And if you look even closer, you will realize that through its many old and unique-design buildings, this area is a historically significant place that awaits your exploration and discovery.
What can you see and do with a full day in Silom? What are some of the interesting things that may have stayed hidden?
Pray to Goddess Sri Maha Uma Devi for a soul mate or a true love.
Start from Sri Maha Mariamman Temple or Maha Uma Devi Temple which is one of the most popular must-see tourist attractions in the Silom area It is the oldest and most important Hindu temple in Thailand that was built during the reign of Rama V by Indians immigrants in Thailand who had brought with them many Hindu gods and goddesses. from India. Goddess Sri Maha Uma Devi, the consort of God Shiva is the presiding deity at the temple, with her sculpture right at the center. Goddess Sri Maha Uma Devi is known to be the Goddess of Compassion and Elegance. Worshipers flock to this temple–often to pray for true love or to conceive a baby. This is certainly a must-visit for any single man and woman out there!!
This place is not only about the sacredness. It also showcases the ancient arts from the Southern Indian Region, which is a combination of the artistic styles from the Chola and Pallava Dynasties that are unique in its use of colors and structures. It is hard to believe that this Hindu temple is located right on one of the busiest streets in Bangkok.
What’s more, on Day 1 – 9, in Month 11 of the Lunar Calendar, the temple holds Dussehra Celebration, also known as “Navarathri” among the Hindus; for a total of 9 days and 9 nights. On the last night of the celebration, Goddess Sri Maha Uma Devi procession is held. It is believed that this is the time when the Goddess and other Gods come down to earth to give blessings to mankind.
Visit Neilson Hays Library Hays A library of love for almost a hundred years
After praying for good lucks at the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple cross the street and walk over to Silom Soi 20 and continue to Surawong Road. Then, on your right, you will see a neoclassical building amidst the greenery of trees that provides a contrasting backdrop to the commotions of the markets and car-packed streets of its surroundings. What you see here is the “Neilson Hays Library”, which is designed by Mario Tamagno, a renowned architecture who has designed many important western-style buildings, such as the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall Hua Lam Phong Railway Station and the Thai Khu Fah Building (Government House of Thailand).
Neilson Hays Library Hays was built in 1922 as a tribute of love between Jenny Neilson, a missionary from the United States and Hayward Hays the first Professor of Medicine at Siriraj Hospital. The library is a single story building and built on symmetrical design. Its hipped roof is covered with kite-shaped roof tiles. All pillar heads are also beautifully carved. Inside of the library, there are more than ten thousand books. In the front of the library, there is a cafe which serves coffee and also dessert from the British Club.
See Colorful Stained Glass at the Assumption Cathedral
From Neilson Hays Library Hays, keep going on Surawong Road before make a turn at Soi Chareon Krung 40. There, you will find the Assumption Cathedral, which is more than 200 years old. The Cathedral was built to pay homage to Mary, Mother of Jesus. It was built with influence from Renaissance arts, which is the 15th Century Art that brought the shapes, forms and compositions of the classic age (Roman) back again but built with a process from the Gothic period Most of the materials used in this Cathedral are marbles and stained glass imported from Italy The inside the Cathedral is decorated with frescoes and stucco sculpture depicting the history of Christianity There is also a sculpture of Mary, Mother of Christ at the center of the Cathedral
Stained glass on all windows of the Cathedral is perhaps the most important contributing factor to the unparalleled beauty and elegance of this Cathedral. By cutting glass into different shapes and connecting them using lead or metal rails beautiful depictions can be created as desired. This rare artistic structure (by today’s standard) will certainly worth your while.
See Wat Yannawa, the Boat Temple
Not to far from the Assumption Cathedral is a Buddhist temple located along the Chao Praya River and Chareon Krung Road. Once you walk inside, you will see a large boat-like structure which stands out from the rest of the structures, right at the center of the temple. This temple is known among locals as “Wat Yannawa”. It is an old temple that was built in the Ayutthaya era. The boat-like structure, more specifically in the shape of a Chinese junk vessel was built in the reign of Rama III, during a major renovation. It was intended to be a memorial to the Chinese junk vessel that was quickly disappearing so that the present descendants would know what it looked like.
The Viharn was built in the reign of Rama I. At the back, there is a door panel with Thai mural paintings of Royal Krathong that was commissioned under the Royal Patronage of King Rama III to portray the Royal Loy Krathong Ceremony as well as of rice jars often used in the tenth lunar month festival at the time of his reign.
Explore the City with Tuk Tuk; Stop for Delicious Foods
Exploring this area is not too daunting since there are a lot of trees and shades. This makes walking around and exploring the area quite comfortable. However, with the hot weather, some people might want to travel using other much faster modes of transportation.
The most famous “Thai” mode of transportation is perhaps taking a ride on a Tuk Tuk, which is a three-wheeled motored vehicle that have come to symbolize Thailand and is definitely something that you should not miss. Since there are many smaller streets and alleyways in the will be able to take you to your destination much sooner.
For people who are a little bored at the thought of eating another yet another street food, they can go for lunch at the restaurant in Hotel Triple Two Silom, which is located right next to the Narai Hotel, to taste authentic Pad Thai made with premium ingredients before heading out to explore other places. For those who are still “in the mood for all things western” from all the western architecture and atmosphere of the places that they have just visited, a tender Australian steak might be just what they need to celebrate this perfect day in travel.
Silom will still be the place for people to explore and discover interesting things. For those who are bored with the commotions or the entertainment in the area, Silom will still have many interesting attractions that await your exploration to gather plenty of eye-opening knowledge and get a glimpse into its origin; both cultural and religious which may be something that you have not noticed before.
