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Chiang Mai Tour Packages » Chiang Mai Budget Tours » Chiang Mai budget tour special 1. Chiang Rai and the Golden triangle 1 day.

Thu,03 Feb 2011 12:27:29 +0700

Activities: joining tour to see a hot spring, the white temple in Chiang Rai, Mae Sai, the Golden Triangle, Akha and Yao hill tribe villages. Depart from Chiang Mai a drive through the picturesque mountain area with a stop at the hot spring. Then proceed overland to visit one temple in Chiang Rai. Then drive on to the Akha and Yao hill tribe villages. Proceed to Mae Sai, the bustling border town. Continue to the Golden Triangle area, where the borders of Thailand, Burma and Laos convene. Lunch will be provided at a local restaurant. Return trip to Chiangmai. Duration: (07.00a.m.-08.00 p.m.) Price : 1,000 Baht per person. Term of payment : cash upon arrival or Price includes : transfer from and to your hotel, all entrance fees, tours as mentioned on the tour program, English speaking guide.

Chiang Mai Tour Packages » Chiang Mai Budget Tours » Chiang Mai budget tour special 2. Chiang Rai and long-necked Kayan 1 day.

Thu,03 Feb 2011 12:24:13 +0700

Activities: joining tour to see a hot spring, temple in Chiang Rai, Mae Sai, the Golden triangle, long-necked Kayan and Lahu hill tribe villages. Depart from Chiang Mai a drive through the picturesque mountain area with a stop at the hot spring. Then proceed overland to Chiang Rai. A stop will be made at Mae Sai, the bustling border town. Continue to the Golden Triangle area, where the borders of Thailand, Burma and Laos convene. Lunch will be provided at a local restaurant. Then proceed overland to visit one temple in Chiang Saen. Then drive on to the long-necked Kayan and Lahu hill tribe villages. Return trip to Chiangmai. Duration: (07.00a.m.-08.30 p.m.) Price : 1,400 Baht per person. Term of payment : cash upon arrival or Price includes : transfer from and to your hotel, all entrance fees, tours as mentioned on the tour program, English speaking guide.

Chiang Mai Tour Packages » Chiang Mai Fishing » Chiang Mai fishing tour special program at our very own private lake!!!!

Tue,01 Feb 2011 05:12:23 +0700

You can have your own private lake for a day of fishing...or just relax and enjoy your time on our peaceful property. This private tranquil and beautiful lake covers the area of 20,000 square meters, located about half an hour drive from the city of Chiang Mai. Our guided fishing experience is available to everyone, beginner or very experienced. We will provide everything you will need for your fishing experience: tackle, bait, soft drinks, and lunch. Examples of possible catches are: Rohu, Tilapia, Slender carp, Siamese Black carp, and others. We guarantee you WILL catch fish!!!!! This experience is available by advance reservation to private groups only!!!!!!! Pick up time at 9 am. - finish about 5 pm. Price... 1 person 3,500 Baht 2 persons or more 2,800 Baht per person Term of payment : cash upon arrival or Price includes : transfer from and to your hotel, English speaking guide, lunch , drinking water, snack, soft drink and all equipment required. What to bring: sun glasses, camera and sun block lotion

Chiang Mai Tour Packages » Comments from our clients » Comments from our clients

Sun,07 Nov 2010 12:32:52 +0700

We are a travel agent that offers friendly, knowledgeable Chiang Mai English tours with experienced guides who are fluent in English. My wife and I have had the opportunity, on three occasions, to travel to various sites around Chiangmai, Chiangrai, and the Golden Triangle with Nong. Visitors to this part of Thailand should have no qualms about booking with Thai Access Tours. Nong speaks impeccable English (and Spanish) and is incredibly knowledgeable about Thai history and all the locations you will wish to visit. She was born, raised and educated in Northern Thailand, but also has a well-honed world view. Don’t try to stump her on football standings, David Beckam’s latest exploits, or the lyrics to your favorite pop tune. Nong is an absolute treasure and I am proud to consider her a friend. In years of travel to some of the most remote corners of the world, I have never met a tour guide that I would rate so highly, and without reservation. If you want a stress free visit to this incredible part of the world, please consider Nong. Stan and Sandy Green Carrying Place, Canada globalegacy@gmail.com "In over 40 years of travelling, Nong is the best tour guide we have ever met. Her planning, courtesy, knowledge, and personal attention were superb. She gave us many options of trips and experiences that permitted us to utilize our four days to the utmost. Her English is flawless. We hope to return to have her show us even more."Lois and Jack Taylor Port Perry , Ontario Canada Hi Nong! We're back in England now after a wonderful trip and wanted to say thank you again for making our stay in Chiang Mai absolutely fantastic. The hotel you booked for us was utterly wonderful, and by far the best we stayed in throughout our whole trip, (so much so we wanted to book the extra night!) and the trips you organised were a real highlight as well. The cookery course was wonderful fun (and excellent value), and the trekking was a really great way to see more of Northern Thailand. What we really appreciate though, is your help in organising our entire stay, (despite the late arrival of our flight!) and making our visit to beautiful Chiang Mai effortless and memorable, your hospitality is something money can't buy! Many thanks and we hope to be able to visit you again soon! Rachel & Stu. Dear Nong As you know, this trip was Lisa's first time out of the the US. She had done some reading and had several things she wanted to do, an elephant ride, visiting a local food market, cooking school and not spend a huge amount of money. She and I would like to THANK YOU for helping make her trip everything she was looking for and more. We are already thinking about making another trip and hope to work with you on it. I have included a few photos. HOPE to see you soon,Sam & Lisa " My husband and I just finished a three-week trip is Asia, covering Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Singapore. I can honestly say that the nicest part of our trip was in Thailand and purely because of Nong. I started corresponding with her early in the preparations and she was able to not only guide me in my choices, but help me with information and reservations. She is incredibly knowledgeable about Thailand and just a total delight to be with. She's speaks flawless English ( and Spanish), is very accommodating, and has a wonderful sense of humor. I have recommended her to several of my friends and will continue to do so. Please feel free to contact me if there are any further questions." Diana and Jerry Gafford October 25, Dear Sam, Thank you for making our visit a very interesting, as well as exiting one. We have loved your city (Chiang Mai) all the good things it has offered us. Thank you for showing us all these things to us. Our hotel in Chiang Mai was elegant (one of the finest hotels we have ever seen). I am enclosing a little something for you as an extra way for saying thank you to you. If you ever get to Los Angeles, we hope you will contact us. We would love to see you again. Love,Sheila + Al Paley Los Angeles America 10 December 2001 Dear Benito, Greeting from all of us. As promised, enclosed are photos taken during our trip to Chiang Mai / Chiang Rai for your remembrance. Best regards,Kester, Kai Chong & Family Singapore Hello Sam, How are you? It is been a while but we haven’t forgotten, we think back on our tours in Chiang Mai and the great time we had. We must admit that you made our stay memorable we had four more tour guides but they were not like you Sam I know you had only us to guide around and we were spoiled but you did your job very well thanks again for that. Well we are back to the grindstone and both are working again. It is springtime here now everything is in full bloom, lovely. A lot has happened lately and we hope that find a answer soon, Live is to short to fight and worry, this will affect the tourist industry as well, on one want to fly it is bad. I hope that in spite off this you have plenty of work. Enclosed find some photo’s and also a book from our neck of the woods Tasmania hope you like it. Well Sam look after yourself and good luck for the future. Regard,Jake & Netty Wagemakers July 5, 2005 Dear Manager, I would like to compliment your tour guide, Mr. Sam. I enjoyed two days in your company taking Chiang Mai tours. I learned so much about Thailand and Chiang Mai from him. I have had many guides around the world, and my time with him was the most memorable. Thank you for providing such an excellent ambassador to your country. Respectfully,Kimberly Treloar March 2, 2006 Dear Sam, Very sorry to the delay in processing your nice photos. They all look very good! Thanks again for your escort. I hope that I can go to Chiang Mai again. Take care!Vanessa

Link Exchange » Links » Chiang Mai Web Directory

Sun,07 Nov 2010 11:47:47 +0700

Restaurants and Bars in Chiang Mai Thailand • Kantoke palace Chiang Mai Thailand Welcome you to the world of great northern Thai foods and wonderful shows. www.kantokepalace.com • Le crystal restaurant Chiang Mai Thailand Le Crystal, a French restaurant in Chiang Mai where various superb French selections are proudly served along with our collection of fine wines. www.lecrystalrestaurant.com • Old Chiang Mai cultural center A serene evening three-hours experience of the exotic Khantoke dinner in Chiang mai. www.oldchiangmai.com • Riverside restaurant Chiang Mai Thailand Chiang Mai’s legendary pub and restaurant www.theriversidechiangmai.com • The gallery restaurant Chiang Mai Thailand Art gallery and restaurant with classic setting for fine dinning. www.thegallery-restaurant.com • The good view restaurant Chiang Mai Thailand Bar & restaurant. Unwind by the river. www.goodview.co.th • Whole Earth restaurant Chiang Mai Thailand Specialty restaurant serving savory vegetarian/Indian dishes, in a peaceful atmosphere. www.wholeearthcm.com

Chiang Mai Information » Chiang Mai City and Temples » Wat Pra Singh Luang

Sun,07 Nov 2010 11:45:41 +0700

Wat Pra Singh Luang Wat Pra Singh is now the number one monastery in Chiang Mai and indeed in the fifth Administrative circle for religious affairs. It is called “the great temple” and it is regular meting place for all the monks for all the monks for administrative purposes. Prior to 1345 the land on which Wat Pra Singh stands was a market place called “Lee Chiang”. In 1345 King pa Yo (1336-1355) of Lanna Thai declared it to be the site of a monastery and erected the Chedi now behind the Viharn to contain the ashes of his father. King Khum Pu (1313- 1336). Under King San Muang Ma (1385-1401) the wat took on greater prestige. A special crypt was built to receive the treasured Ceylon Buddha. the Pra Sihing. This is the most interesting image because of the vicissitudes of its travels. It is a seated image in the attitude calling the earth to witness. It was miraculously made in Ceylon. The firth king of Sukhotai got it from Ceylon. It was seized by the King of Ayudthaya. The Governor of Kampangpet obtained it by trickery. The Prince of Chiang Rai took it by force and gave it to his nephew, the King of Lanna Thai, as a peace offering after trying to seize his throne. In 1389 it was installed in Wat Pra Singh. About 1548 it was taken to Luang Pra Bang by Prince Jetta. It was retured to Chiang Mai. It was seized by the king of Siam and returned to Chiang Mai again in 1767 and. there it is to this day. Or is it? There are two other Pra Sihing images of Buddha also claiming to the original. One is at Wat Mahatat in Nakorn Sritamarat and the other at the National Museum in Bangkok. The image at Sritamarat ashored by the survivor of a ship wreck, the vessel having come from Ceylon. Those who support the Bangkok Pra Sihing say that it was brought from Luang Prabang. It was captured by Chao Phaya Chakri (Rama I) along with the Emerald Buddha. Every year at New Year’s Day (Jan 1st), the Buddha is brought from the museum in Bangkok to the Prameru Ground. Here libations of scented water are poured over it. There are two other images of great sanctity at Wat Pra Singh. The first is Pra Chao Tong Tip. It is of bronze inlaid with gems and is approximately two feet tall. It was cat in 1477, presumably to celebrate the great 8th Buddhist Council which concluded its work that year. It is in the Victory over Mara posture. The other Buddha is a large bronze about 7 feet 7 inches tall. It has an unusually good expression and is in the Victory over Mara posture also. It is thought to have been cast in 1492 by order of the widow of King Tilokarat. For ears it was at Wat Rampoeg and was finally brought to Wat Pra Singh. All images are supposed to have 360 curls.

Chiang Mai Information » Chiang Mai City and Temples » Wat Chedi Luang

Sun,07 Nov 2010 11:42:53 +0700

Wat Chedi Luang This very old monastery. in the center of Chiang Mai, was begun as a royal pavilion by King San Muang Ma, ninth in direct line from King Mengrai. It was begun in 1401 the year the King died. At that time the Chedi was small. The King’s widow’s widow, after many vicissitudes-chief among them that of her son, King sam Feng Ken turning back to animism (raja kuta ) was not finished until 1438. Possibly the season Kin Sam Feng Ken allowed his mother to go on building was because some Burmese traders, camping out near Chiang Mai, said that the ghost of the King Kuna had appeared to them. The ghost told them to ask King Sam Feng Ken to raise a tower in a center of Chiang Mai which would be visible four kilometers from the city. It this was done, King Kuna’s spirit could rest in peace. The King made the Chedi 86 meters high and 54 meters wide. It was the largest monument in Chiang Mai. In 1441 Sam Feng Ken was deposed and his son Tilokarat, came to the throne. He immediately brought back Buddhism and began repairing the Wats which had fallen into cecay. The King had a Minister of Works named Mun Dam Prakot. He was set to Buddhagaya to bring back plans for religious monuments. From this plan the great Chedi was enlarged, until it was 90 meters high and 70 meters wide at the base. The Chedi was constructed of brick and laterite, as can be seen by a close inspection of it. There are interesting elephant head decorations. There is a narrow terrace at the point where the circular Chedi begins to rise. It probably had four vaults each with a huge Buddha, two of which remain. Also at Wat Chedi Luang is an immense standing of walking nine meters tall. It is thought to been cast between 1438 and 1441 by the monk Pra Maha Sumana. He has already constructed four huge standing Buddhas in Lampoon before coming to Chiang Mai. The Viharn was a triple roof with the gable showing Erawan, the three-headed elephant, in scroll and foliage. The Nagas at the entrance have recently been recently been repaired in a very striking manner. The undulation of the bodies run up the sides of the entrance and the tails entwine above the door. There are many small Chedis contraining relics. The Wheel of the Low appears at the entrance gate. About 1545 during the regency of Princess chiraprapa there was an earthquake and a terrific thunderstorm which caused the Chedi to fall as it is today. At the bidding of King Tilokarat, his Minister of Works brought the Emerald Buddha from Lampang to Wat Chedi Luang in 1468. It was resident here, and later in a temple specially built for it. That temple, which was on the present provincial office grounds, has since disappeared. In1547, Prince Jetta of Luang Prabang, who spent two years as Prince of Chiagmai, took the Emerald Buddha with him to Luang Prabang. The Lak Muang or Sao Intra kin At the left of the gate as we enter Wat Chedi Luang is a small built since 1940, replacing an older wooden building, which houses the Lak Muang or the tutelary Spirit of the City. It was established by King Mengrai as the Lak Muang and he called it Sao Intra Kin. It was built of brick and lime and is over 675 years old. At first it was at a temple on the grounds of the present provincial offices. Chao Kawila (1775) moved the Lak Muang to Wat Chedi Luang and repaired it in 1800. There was a great celebration when the Spirits were invited to take up residence there. It was held between the 8th and 9th month as that was the mast auspicious time. It is regarded as guiding the life of the city and guarding its fortunes. Every year there is a big celebration here.

Chiang Mai Information » Chiang Mai City and Temples » Wat Pratat Doi Sutep

Sun,07 Nov 2010 11:41:02 +0700

Wat Pratat Doi Sutep This temple is one of the ore most shrines in Chiang Mai, if not all Thailand, Doi Sutep is about 3,500 feetbove sea level. The building of the road up the mountain was inspired by a monk, Pra Sri Wichai, an abbot of Lampoon who is now venerated as a saint. It was said that his feet never touched the ground but that he walked just above it. The road was build by the voluntary labor of devote people desiring to make mert. Members of Survey Department gave their vacationa to survey the road. It was literally dug out of the mountain by and was finished in May 1935 – five months and twenty two days. It is now kept in excellent condition by the Roads Department. At the time King Mengrai founded Chiang Mai, Doi Sutep was already auspicious place and this was a factor in locating the city – in the shadow of the mountain. Wat Sutep was built byKing Kuna (1355 – 1385 or 1367 – 1388) sixth in descent from King Mengrai. The name comes rom a hermit, Setep-rusri. According to one legend this hermit built Lampoon and then invited the Mon Princess, Chamtewi of Lopburi, to come and be the ruler in 654. He finally retired to Sutep. The temple was built. During the reign of King Kuna Ceylonese Buddhism began to take hole in this area and spread through the Kingdom of Lanna Thai superseding animism. At that time there was contact between monks here and monks in Ceylon and India. Many monks at Sutep were very learned and wrote chronicles of the period. One of the monks, Pra Thaematin Mahathera, was the chairman of the committee that revised the Tripitaka at the 8th Buddhist Council held at Wat Chet Yod in 1477. At the time of King Kuna there was a monk named Pra Maha Sumana inLampoon who had come from Sukotai at the invitation of the King. He set up his residence at Wat Pra Yun in Lampoon. The monk brought with him a relic f Buddha which he had found. Part was put into Wat Haripoonchai in Lampoon and the other part he gave to King Kuna. The relic miraculously divided itself into two parts, each part as large as the original. One part was placed at Wat Suan Dawk. The other part was placed at the back of a white elephant. King Kuna vowed that he would build a Chedi wherever the elephant came to rest. The elephant was turned loose at Wat suan Dawk gate. It stared up the mountain, rested at Pa Lat, where ruins of a shrine and sala may be seen, then climbed on up to the present site of Wat Sutep. King Kuna built a Chedi for the relic in 1383. The elephant died nere here and a little Chedi was built to mark the spot where he was buried. There are 348 steps leading up to the temple. There are 48 steps to the platform at the beginning of the steep ascent. On the right hand side of this terrace is a statue of Torance the earth goddess wringing water from her hair. The two seven headed nagas which guard the staircase are coming out of Makaras. The rippling bodies of the serpents, which form the balustrade of the stairway, are covered with new glazed tile of brown, green and yellow. The stairs are lined with frangipani trees growing outside the balustrade. Quarters for monks and chis (nuns) can be seen either side outside the wall. Two giants guard the entrance to the monastery. There are six entrances to the cloisters. The two most used by visitors are the west entrances on either side of a bust of Pra Sri Wichai, Sheltered by a portico. The left hand entrance is guarded by two celestial armed temple guardians; the other by the four – armed elephant god, Pikanes. Beside the left hand entrance is a shrine to Sutep – reusi showing the hermit in meditation. Beside the shrine of the hermit is a shrine to the white elephant that carried the precious relic, recognized by the figure of a white elephant. The gable end of the chapel has a design of foliage and flowers in gold and blue. Under the eaves are panels of angels in red and gold. The gables of the entrances also have designs of foliage and flowers. The Chedi, which is 32 meters high and 12 meters wide, is of pleasing proportions. It is covered with copper or brass plates overlaid with gold. The excellently proportion umbrella at the top has five layers of gold. There are urns of golden flowers at the four corners of the square base of the Chedi. It is surrounded by a red and gold iron fence in a spear design. Outside this is a low wall which has an artistic little shrine at the center of the four sides. There are exquisite little shrines at the four of the fence. Beside the corners f the wall are those ornaments peculiar to northern Thailand – beautiful large umbrellas of gold “in an elaborate design. The Chedi has unfortunately been strung with electric lights instead of floodlit. There are two chapels breaking the cloisters at the cardinal points. The largest chapel in which services may be held is the western one. It contains a large seated Buddha. There are many pictures on the walls, and the ceiling is decorated with Christmas tree ornaments. The cloisters have been decorated with murals of a very recent date, so they do not have that mellowness that time will give them. On the red cloister doors are large figures of celestial temple guardians in gold. Beginning at the right side of the western chapel the paintings are: A picture of Indra on his three – headed elephant. Erawan. 1st panel. A story from the Vessanandorn Chadok. 2nd panel. The birth of Buddha at Lumbini park.and the first seven steps which turned to lotus blossoms. Buddha at that time was Prince Siddhatta of Sakya. His mother’s name Maya. and he was born from her side. 3rd panel. Hermits foretelling what the child would be either a universal monarch or a Buddha. 4th panel. Prince Siddhatta shielded from the sun watching his father. the King of the Sakya. performing the plowing ceremony. 5th panel. The betrothal of Prince Siddhatta to Princess Yasotara. 6th panel. Prince Siddhatta sees the four signs that disturb him : an old man. a sick man. a skeleton and a monk. 7th panel. Prince Siddhatta takes a last look at his wife and his infant son.Rahul. before he flees the palace to become a monk. 8th panel. On his white hourse. Prince Siddhatta leaps over the city wall and escapes. his falthful horseman clinging to the horse’s tail. One of evil Mara’s henchmen tries to prevent him from doing his good deed. 9th panel. After leaving his kingdom. Prince Siddhatta cuts off his hair. 10th panel. Following the path of austerity. fasting. Indra ( the green figure ) plays music to cheer him up. Then follows a picture of Pra Buddhabat at Saraburi. Picture of a well – to – do farm house. 11th panel. The morning of the day of Enlightenment. Nang Suchada Buddha some food. 12th panel. After eating. Buddha puts the golden bowl in the water and it floats upstream. 13th panel. Tempted by evil Mara. Buddha called to Tornace to witness to the fact that he has made 700 benefactions in a previous existence. She responds by an earth quake and. wringing water out of her hair. washes Mara and his evil hordes away. 14th panel. Buddha sits under the bodhi tree awaithing Enlightenment. 15th panel. After Enlightenment. Buddha remains near by for seven weeks. During one of the weeks it rains. A coiled naga holds him above the ground and shelters him with its hood. 16th panel. Sitting under a Mimosops “ maigate ” tree. elderly women offer food to Buddha. He is visited by four angels who tell the women to attend his wants. Picture of the ruined towers of Ayadhya. Picture of Buddhagaya in India where Buddha received Enlightenment. Picture of Lumpini in Nepal where Buddha was born. Picture of the deer park in Benares where Buddha first preached. Picture of Kusinara. India. where Buddha died. Picture of sacred Chedi in Nan. Picture of the famous Chedi in Nakorn Panom. 17th panel. Buddha preaches to the five monks whom the had know before. and sets in motion the wheel of the Low. 18th panel. The deer in the deer park at Benares. Additional disciples join Buddha. The order is growing. 19th panel. Pimpisan gives Veluwan monastery to Buddha. 20th panel. Nanta, following his wedding. escorts Buddha out of the city. He carries Buddha’s begging bowl for him. 21st panel. The meaning of this panel is obscure. 22nd panel. Rahul. Buddha’s son become a novice. 23rd panel. Tewatat. a cousin of Buddha. out of jealousy. tries to kill Buddha by turning loose a rouge elephant. 24th panel. Toranee. the earth goddess. punishes Tewatat by dragging him down to one of the 108 hells. Picture of Chedi Lieum. the square Chedi at Nakorn Panam. Picture of Wat Mahatat at Nakorn Sritamarat. 25th panel. Nang Wisaka gives a monastery to the order. 26th panel. Funeral pyre of Buddha’s father. the King of the Sakya. Indra offers the light for the fire. 27th panel. Women to establish an order of nuns. Buddha reluctantly permits it. 28th panel. Buddha performs a miracle when he appears in a multitude of forms simultaneously. 29th panel. Buddha takes food at the home of the blacksmith. Chuna. The pork made him ill. 30th panel. Budha dying. He is lying between two Sal trees at Kusinara. India. Picture of the great chidi at Nakorn Patom. 31st panel. Kassapa. a discriple. came kate. after Buddha’s death. Buddha permits his feet to show outside the coffin so that Kassapa can eorship him. Then the cremation takes place. 32nd panel. TheBrahamin priest. Doma. prevents the eight kings from quarreling over Buddha’s relics. He divides the relics among them. Outside the cloisters to the north is a small Bot which has been restored recently. It replaces a very old one. It is a glittering little building in red and gold and blue. The front gable shows the Wheel of the Low. Over the door it’s a gorgeous peacock. The door shows Visanu as pra Narai-one his manifestations. The carving on the shutters is very fine. the faces are usually good. The rear gable is in panels. typically northern Thai style. The boundary stones show the Wheel of the Low. The white Elephant Mcnuments They were built by King San Muangma to commemorate the loyalty of two friends who saved his life while fighting with Ayudhya.The King was on his war elephant when it stampeded and the howdah crash to the ground. These two loyal followers. Ai Aab and Ai Yepracha. their names deserve to be remembered. between them carried the injured King to safety. The King created these friends Lord of the Left Elephant and Lord of the Right Elephant and caused these monuments to be raised to them. The elephants have names. The one facing north is called Phaya Prab Muang Marn Muang Yak. The elephant facing west is called Phaya Prab chakrawarn. In 1797 Chao Kawla ordered the elephants repaired in their stalls as they are today. There is also a painting recording this incident in the palace at Bang Pa In.

Chiang Mai Information » Chiang Mai City and Temples » Wat Suan Dawk

Sun,07 Nov 2010 11:37:52 +0700

Wat Suan Dawk The area of this temple was the site of a very old temple called Wat Bupparam King Kuna had a flower garden adjoining it. When the monk, Pra Sumana, brought the relic of Buddha from Sukotoi to Lampoon he gave it to King Kuna. Part of the relic was left in Lampoon and part was brought to Chiang Mai, King Kuna gave his flower garden to the temple, improved it, changed its name to Wat Suan Dawk (Flower Garden) and invited Pra Sumana to take up residence there in 1371. Here King Kuna enshrined one part of the sacred relic and from here the white elephant carrying the other part of the relic started his journey to Doi Sutep. The relic miraculously divided into two arts and each part became as large as the original. For many years the great sandalwood Buddha from Payao was Suan Dawk and was transferred to Wat Chet Yod. To the left of the large Viharn and at a distance is the Bot which houses an important Buddha called Pra Chao Kao Tue. It was cate in bronze over 500 years ago. Some say it was cate when Wat Suan Dawk was set up in 1371 and others that it was cast in Chiangsan and brought to Chiang Mai. It is one of the most beautiful Buddhas in thailand and one of the largest metal images. In the country. The building, which has recently been repaired, is kept locked. It will be opened on request if the watchman is about. During the confused centuries of fighting with Ayudhya and Burma, the Wat fell into disrepair and disuse. In 1907 the princes of Chiang Mai decided to use part of the wide temple courtyard to enshrine the ashes of the family. Attractive Chedis were built, some in the Geylonese style. One may be identified as that of the Chao Dara Rasami, a consort of King Chulalongkhorn because it has a star on it. Dara means star. Here funeral pyres were erected and cremations took place, complete with the procession of caparisoned elephants. In 1932 the monk Pra Sri Wichai, decided to build the Viharn, which was in great disrepair, and make it the largest in Chiang Mai. He had the assistance of a great number of donors and volunteers.

Chiang Mai Information » Chiang Mai City and Temples » Wat ched Yod (Seven – Spires Temple)

Sun,07 Nov 2010 11:35:56 +0700

Wat ched Yod (Seven – Spires Temple) This temple is located on the high way not very far from the museum. Before entering the Wat we will pass between two embankments. On the left was the scene of the cremation of King Tilokarat in 1487. On the right is a ruined Chadi on a plat form. a monument to king Tilokarat constraining his ashes. This was built by his grandson and successor, King Yod Chiang Rai about 1489. The style is that of the great Chedi at Wat Chedi Luang but on a small scale. There are two theories about the building of Wat Ched Yod, one that it was built by King Anoratha Mangchaw of Burma. The other is that it was built by King Tilokarat beginning in 1455 with the planting of a young Budhi tree, layered from the Bodhi tree in Ceylon that was from the original tree in Buddhagaya under which Buddha sat enlightment. The King scouted around to find a suitable place to plant the tree and selected the present spot because it was on high ground yet near water. The King then decided it would be beneficial if, from the Bhodi tree, the stations taken by Buddha during the seven weeks following the Enlightment were memorialized. These were : The Adamantine Seat under the Bhodi tree where Buddha sat motionless for the first week. His stance. A place not far to the northeast where Buddha stood and gazed at the Bhodi tree for the second week. The cloister where Buddga paced back and forth from his standing point to the Bodhi gtree, for the third week. The jewel house to the north. This was miraculously built to shelter Buddha during the fourth week, while he was formulating the Aphidhamma. The banyan tree to the east near goatherd’s hut. Here Buddha sat for the fifth week, and resisted Mara who tried to tempt him to abandon his way. The pond to the east. From here the King of the Nagas came to raise Buddha from the ground on his coils and spread his seven-headed hood above him to protect him from a storm during the sixth week. The Minusopa tree under which he sat, the last week, and on the 49th day received a Myrobalan fruit from the god Indra. From the Bodhi tree these places were located and shrines erected. Each contained an image of Buddha performing the action commemorated. These have since disappeared. The site of the pond still exists and four other places can be located. The main sanctuary was a copy of the shrine at the Buddhagaya in India. The King’s Minister of works, Mun Da Prakot, who built the great Chedi Luang, also had the plans for the Buddhogaya shrine. Some experts think that Mun Dam Prakot did not goon the way to India but got his plans in Pagan, where the Burmese had copied the shaine about 1060. Some years after the planting of the Bodhi tree in 1455 the shrine was built (1476). The shrine is built of laterite, brick, and plaster. There is a square plinth on which is a square terrace. The main object on the terrace is what remains of a pyramid. At the four corners are four smaller pyramids. There is a small room at the base of the center pyramid and women are requested not to enter it. At the eastern end of the structure on the lower terrace, are two round stupas. Decorating the exterior walls of the square Chedi are angels, both standing (about 9ft. high) and sitting (about 4ft. high), doubtless Khmer influence fromSukotai. It is not know how many figures adorned the pyramid. Remains of seventy have been found of which forty-one are still on the walls. A Viharn was built but it has since disappeared. In 1477 King Tilokarat called the 8th Buddhist Council at Wat Ched Yod. It lasted a year and was for the purpose of revising the Tripitaka. He built a special temporary council chamber, a mondop, in order not to inconvenience the monks in residence. He also built a library to house the manuscripts. King Tilokarat died at the age of 78 in 1478. In 1510, King Muang Keo built a Bot in which monks could be ordained. Before setting up a boundary stones, Tilokarat’s widow and his great grand son, eleventh in direct descent from King Mengrai, has a golden Buddha cast. It was a seated Buddha but as tall as King Tilokarat’s height when standing. It was not a solid image but the amount of gold used equal the weight of King Tilokarat. This was not uncommon practice in India. The Aga Khan, some years ago. used to do it for charity. Solid gold plates were welded together into what must have been the crowning glory of the Bot. In 1518 King Muang Keo (1495 – 1525) built the principal Viharn at Wat Chet Yod. In 1522 he had a fine golden pavilion built to house a Buddha brought from Cambodia. In 1525 the King moved the sandalwood image from Wat Suan Dawk. He also had another sandal wood Buddha, made by King Senpu of Chiangsan about 1331, brought to Wat Chet Yod from Wat Suan Dowk. Some authorities believe these to be the same image. In other words this monastery became the most splendid in Lanna Thai. King Muang Keo died in 1525 and was succeeded by his oldest son, King Muang Kes Klao. The new King continued to give pre-eminence to Wat Chet Yod and reaired the library. At his death (1533) a small reliquary was built at the monastery for his ashes. When Lanna fell to the Burmese in 1556, Wat Chet Yod was neglected and the jungle took over. While the Burmese were not in the habit of attacking monasteries, Wat Chet Yod was in their line of March and they may have despoiled it of its gold. The ruins have always excited admiration because of traces of its former grandeur and the prestige relating to it.