Songkran joy

FOR agents selling Bangkok it was a thrilling visit to the Thai capital and a chance to enjoy the Thai new year drenched to their skin.

They joined a group of Malaysian journalists who were taken on a trip to Bangkok and beyond during the Songkran Festival recently.

For most it was their first time celebrating the festival as they joined thousands of Thais and foreign tourists who came out to celebrate the occasion as they took part in the festivities on the banks of the Chao Phraya River.

During their visit the group were also introduced to the Nine Wonders of Wat Pho which are:

1. The Viharn Phranorn - the building for housing the most beautiful reclining Buddha image in Thailand;

2. Satellite Pavilions - the library of the Thai traditional massage inscriptions;

3. Phra Maha Chedi Si Rajakarn - a group of four huge pagodas surrounded by a white wall with Thai-Chinese style sheltered gates;

4. Nang Songkran is the story involving King Kabilaprom and Prince Thammaban, that are shown on the inner walls of the porticos in the reign of King Rama II;

5. The World Heritage Inscriptions - the museum of Buddha images of different styles are classified into three categories, which are Buddhist Art, Buddha's Marks and the Buddha's Attitudes;

6. Wat Pho Giants - The outer side of Phra Mondop is decorated with Thai proverbs which are famous as the Wat Pho Giants;

7. Sala Karn Palen - The sala was built during the Ayutthaya period as the main chapel;

8. Phra Buddha Deva Patimakorn - this Buddha image sits in the main chapel constructed during the Ayutthaya period;

9. Contorted Hermit Mount - built during the reign of King Rama I, it was the centre of medical science.

It certainly was not a visit easily forgotten for the group.