December 8, 2023 and I am traveling in Bangkok, Thailand with my friends from the US, Amy and John, and my brother 
As we all now sat on the boat, I was impressed as always and again by the size of the river and the amount of traffic that was on it. We passed numerous bridges, locks and boardwalks. As we moved slowly along the banks, we could admire the various temples and buildings that stretched along the river. We also saw many people going about their daily lives along the river, such as fishermen throwing their nets and boats transporting goods.
Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen
Our destination was the temple "Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen", also known as the "Big Buddha". As we approached the temple, we could already see from afar the gigantic statue of the Buddha, majestically enthroned on the bank of the river. Wat Paknam - translated approximately: "Monastery at the mouth of the river" fits here quite well.
The statue of the Buddha, which stretched majestically into the air, was breathtaking. How high the statue is, I can no longer say, find to this also in my records no references. However, the statue stands on a pedestal that was adorned with ornate carvings and reliefs. We were amazed at the size and beauty of this statue and took our time to look at it in peace.
We decided to also visit the adjacent museum where there were many exhibits that gave us an insight into the history and culture of Thailand. We were greeted by friendly locals who explained that the murals in the museum were hand painted and required many hours of hard work. The work on these murals has been passed down through generations of artisans to ensure that traditional techniques and skills are preserved.
In the museum we also learned that Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen was founded around 1610 and that it played an important role in the history of Thailand. The temple served as a refuge for warriors and monks during the struggles for the country's independence and later became an important pilgrimage site for believers.
The Buddha worshipped in this temple represents compassion, wisdom and enlightenment and is a symbol of the Buddhist values that are deeply rooted in Thailand. We felt the spiritual energy and peace that prevailed in this sacred place and felt very humble and respectful.
It was an unforgettable day in Bangkok! I am glad that the Thai's are so friendly and someone took the photo of our small but nice travel group. All pictures in this article were taken by me 
