Brunch with Battutah
Temple - Bangkok, Thailand
Posted by Michael Skorulski (Cigel, Slovakia) on 12 February 2008 in Architecture and Portfolio.
This temple is in the Royal Palace compound. A short distance from the gate, I was approached by a Thai man who told me the place was closed for a public holiday. So would I accompany him in a tuk tuk taxi to see another Buddah instead. While I was thinking about it, I noticed visitors were actually going inside.
The man was lying about the holiday. It was all part of a scam to have me stop at a gem shop on the way to the Buddah. No doubt, I would be offered valuable gems at a very cheap price. Or so I would be told. It's all part of being a tourist in Bangkok.
Photographs by M.E. from Encino, United States
so golden and so majestic!
i've visited Bangkok many years ago and now wish I had my camera with me then... The country is very rich in culture, it's amazing.
12 Feb 2008 5:10am
@Photographs by M.E.: Thank you for your appreciation.
e. from New York, NY, United States
Wow, this is incredible! The architecture is so unique. Good thing you caught the scam. :)
12 Feb 2008 5:51am
@e.: Yes, so easy to be duped there. Thank you, e.
dpm from malé, Maldives
That is a lot of scams you getting away with good for you
12 Feb 2008 6:35am
@dpm: Yes, I seem to be in the mood to talk about that. Thanks, dpm.
Sriram from Chennai, India
Lovely perspective and nice compsoition! Loved your recent work! Best wishes, Michael!
12 Feb 2008 6:55am
@Sriram: That's such a kind comment. Many thanks.
tyan from Singapore, Singapore
so you didnt go with that man,i hope?I think you really captured the structure very well,gold against the blue,very beautiful! I went Thai and Myanmar before and was awed by all the splendour of the temples,the kind of money the people will pump in even though they are so poor.
12 Feb 2008 7:16am
@tyan: No, I didn't go with him. But he was very convincing. It was only luck that I saw people going in. Thank you, Tyan.
@badala: Thank you so much.
@Teresa Durães: Many thanks, Teresa.
martie from Okinawa, Japan
What a gorgeous temple! And another fine example of your photography. I enjoyed the tale as well.
12 Feb 2008 9:28am
@martie: Thanks, Martie. That's a nice comment.
Mandy from South Africa
wow - what an awesome looking temple - the colours are so clear and vibrant Michael - great shot - and good thing you didn't listen to the scam artist! :)
12 Feb 2008 9:43am
@Mandy: Thanks, Mandy. Apparently it's a very common trick around the palace.
eddy from Tehran, Iran
It is really good, frame, composition and colors, thank you Michael
12 Feb 2008 10:33am
@eddy: Many thanks, Eddy.
givethemhell from Germany
I visited this beautiful temple in Bangkok when I traveled with my late mother through Thailand in the Seventies. The Thai Buddhist architecture is very impressive.
12 Feb 2008 11:06am
@givethemhell: I agree. Thank you so much for your excellent comment.
@Betty: Thank you, Betty. I appreciate that.
Helma from Tehran, Iran
wow ! Great photo and very nice composition with Good framing , thanks.
12 Feb 2008 11:30am
@Helma: That's a nice comment. Thank you, Helma.
chris chisu from Seattle, United States
Thanks for the info.I will know what to do while there.
12 Feb 2008 11:31am
@chris chisu: Glad to help. Thanks, Chris.
Richard_Irwin from Belper, United Kingdom
Love the boldness of the gold, and the amazing form of the temple structures.
12 Feb 2008 11:46am
@Richard_Irwin: Thank you for your appreciation, Richard.
@Earnest: Thank you so much, Earnest.
Viewfinder from Bradenton, United States
"Let the buyer beware!" really applies to Bangkok, it would seem. At least with tuk-tuks. Beautiful, beautiful photo of this temple.
12 Feb 2008 11:54am
@Viewfinder: Many thanks, VF. Yes, a tourist has to take care there.
Japanalia from Yokohama, Japan
Bangkok is a place on my list of "must see"!These temples are a wonder of architecture and art!
(as for the people......all over southeast Asia they are the same; it depends also on what you are interested as a tourist!)
12 Feb 2008 12:48pm
@Japanalia: Thank you, Gabriela. The people are lovely. You just have to watch out for a few con men.
@Steven: Many thanks, Steven.
Steven from Chicagoland, United States
A beautiful capture showing such ornate detail, complemented by a perfectly-blue sky!
12 Feb 2008 1:15pm
@Steven: Thank you, Steven.
Craiger from Vacaville, California, United States
It seems those tuk tuk drivers are paid well by the gem and tailor shops! A beautiful capture of the Pagoda!
12 Feb 2008 1:30pm
@Craiger: Yes. It is a great source of extra money for them. Thank you, Craiger.
vu@granby from Granby, QC, Canada
Very good photo of this famous temple. We can say that you caught it well and were not caught by the scam...
12 Feb 2008 1:42pm
@vu@granby: A great assessment. Thank you.
Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada
Golden sensation, whoa it made me whistle wow a whistle-worthy photo
12 Feb 2008 1:52pm
@Lorraine: That's a very original way of putting it. Thank you, Lorraine.
MJ from Delaware, United States
This is beautiful ..crisp clear and I love your stories.... Have you been to China ????/
12 Feb 2008 1:57pm
@MJ: Thank you, MJ. I haven't been to China yet. Maybe one day..
@armin: Thank you, Armin.
@alla: Apt. Thanks, alla.
Babul Bhatt from Bombay, India
I really wish I can go shoot bangkok, very lively and colorful place it is...great shot
12 Feb 2008 5:41pm
@Babul Bhatt: I appreciate that, Babul. Thank you.
amy from Rocky Mountain House, Canada
These buildings are so amazing. Excellent image of them against that sky!
12 Feb 2008 5:48pm
@amy: Thank you so much, Amy.
Michael Rawluk from Prince George, Canada
The colours are stunning. The blue and gold. Great little story.
12 Feb 2008 6:38pm
@Michael Rawluk: Thank you, Michael.
@Hoopand: Thanks so much, Hoopand.
@Henri: Merci, Henri.
standley from brou-sur-chantereine, France
What an amazing temple. Great composition
12 Feb 2008 9:56pm
@standley: Thank you, Standley.
Jrask from Pasadena, United States
I think about 5 people tried that "it's closed" scam on me when I was at the Royal Palace this summer. Good thing I read about it ahead of time! It's a beautiful location, just stunning and this picture captures it well!
12 Feb 2008 10:10pm
@Jrask: I've heard it's a very common scam. Thanks, Joshua.
Judy from Brooksville-Florida,, United States
This photo is wonderful in every way ....... as was yesterday's also.
You're sharing the wonderful colors of a country I'll never see on my own.
12 Feb 2008 10:25pm
@Judy: What a nice comment. Thanks so much.
Scott Collins from Ontario, California, Afghanistan
Great composition and exposure.
12 Feb 2008 11:39pm
@Scott Collins: Thank you, Scott.
@Frankie: Thank you, Frankie.
Stunner from Kingston, Jamaica
Great shot! That's an impressive structure! The scams never seem to end in Bangkok!
13 Feb 2008 2:31am
@Stunner: I think they are a way of life there. Thanks, Stunner.
@Will: Thank you, Will.
ManuelaR from Hainburg, Germany
Wonderful architecture and stunning golden tones ;)
13 Feb 2008 6:21pm
@ManuelaR: Thank you so much.
@Porcsin: Thanks for having a look.
Peter Miller from Lichfield, United Kingdom
Colours are stunning and nice composition, looks very hot out there
14 Feb 2008 12:34am
@Peter Miller: Yes, it was hot. Thank you, Peter.
Barbara from Florida, United States
Magnificent temple and ornate designs. The various colors and shapes are appealing to such a blue sky. Interesting story how a tourist is targeted.
15 Feb 2008 7:16am
@Barbara: Thanks, Barbara. Yes, scams against tourists are all too common.
