BANGKOK
Almost too big for its shelter, the genu-
inely impressive Reclining Buddha, 46m
long and 15m high, illustrates the passing
of the Buddha into nirvana (ie the Bud-
dha’s death). The fi gure is modelled out of
plaster around a brick core and fi nished in
gold leaf. Mother-of-pearl inlay ornaments
the feet, displaying 108 diff erent auspicious
lák·sà·nà (characteristics of a Buddha).
The Buddha images on display in the
other four wí·hăhn (sanctuary) are worth
a nod. Particularly beautiful are the Phra
Chinnarat and Phra Chinnachai Buddhas,
both from Sukhothai, in the west and south
chapels. The galleries extending between the
four chapels feature no less than 394 gilded
Buddha images, many of which display Ayu-
thaya or Sukhothai features. The remains of
Rama I are interred in the base of the pre-
siding Buddha image in the bòht.
Wat Pho is also the national headquar-
ters for the teaching and preservation oftraditional Thai medicine, including Thai
massage, a mandate legislated by Rama III
when the tradition was in danger of extinc-
tion. The famous massage school has two
massage pavilions located within the temple
area and additional rooms within the train-
ing facility outside the temple (p 93 ). Nearby
stone inscriptions showing yoga and mas-
sage techniques still remain in the temple
grounds, serving their original purpose as
visual aids.
The rambling grounds of Wat Pho cover
8 hectares, with the major tourist sites oc-
cupying the northern side of Th Chetuphon
and the monastic facilities found on the
southern side.Amulet Market MARKET
(ตลาดพระเครื่องวัดมหาธาต; Map pุ 60 ; Th Maha Rat;
h7am -5pm; river ferry Tha Chang) This equal-
parts bizarre and fascinating market claims
both the footpaths along Th Maha Rat andKo Ratanakosin, Banglamphu & Thonburi
æTop Sights ØActivities, Courses & Tours
Grand Palace ........................................... C5 22 Grasshopper Adventures....................... F
Wat Pho.................................................... D6 International Buddhist Meditation
Centre .......................................... (see 26)
æSights 23 Khao .......................................................... A
1 Amulet Market ........................................ C4 Meditation Study and Retreat
2 Ban Baht (Monk's Bowl Village)............ G5 Center .......................................... (see 26)
Buddhaisawan (Phutthaisawan) 24 Segway Tour Thailand ............................C
Chapel ............................................(see 8) 25 Sor Vorapin Gym .....................................D
3 Corrections Museum ............................. G6 26 Wat Mahathat ..........................................C
Emerald Buddha ............................ (see 17) 27 Wat Pho Thai Traditional Medical
4 Golden Mount.......................................... H4 and Massage School............................C
5 Lak Meuang (City Pillar) ........................ D
6 Museum of Siam ..................................... D7 ÿSleeping
7 National Gallery....................................... D3 28 Arun Residence .......................................C
8 National Museum.................................... C3 29 Aurum: The River Place..........................D
9 Queen's Gallery ....................................... G3 30 Baan Chantra ............................................F
10 Royal Barges National Museum ........... A2 31 Baan Sabai ...............................................D
11 Saan Jao Phitsanu ................................... F5 32 Buddy Boutique Hotel ............................B
12 Sao Ching-Cha .........................................F5 33 Chakrabongse Villas ...............................D
13 Songkran Niyosane Forensic 34 Diamond House ........................................E
Medicine Museum & Parasite 35 Fortville Guesthouse................................E
Museum ................................................ B3 36 Hotel Dé Moc............................................G
14 Thewa Sathaan ........................................F5 37 Lamphu House ........................................ E
15 Wat Arun .................................................. C7 38 Lamphu Tree House ...............................G
16 Wat Bowonniwet......................................F2 39 NapPark Hostel........................................B
17 Wat Phra Kaew........................................ D5 40 Navalai River Resort................................ D
18 Wat Ratchanatdaram Worawihan ........ G4 41 New Merry V Guest House.....................D
19 Wat Saket................................................. H4 42 New Siam Riverside ................................D
20 Wat Suthat................................................F5 43 Old Bangkok Inn ......................................G
21 Wat Tritosathep ...................................... G2 44 Penpark Place ...........................................E