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The "Nights at Wat
Arun" light and sound presentation traces the origins of the temple which came to be
known as "Wat Chaeng" or the "temple of dawn".
The Origins of
the Wat Arun
During the golden era of Ayutthaya, then the flourishing capital of the country,
sea-faring vessels flying the flag of various nations sailing up and down the 'river of
Kings' would make a stop at this junction of the Chao Phraya River known as Thonburi to
obtain supplies and provisions which were in abundant supply in this vicinity. The sailors
would stop in front of the old temple formerly known as Wat Makok or Wat Makok Nok.
It is said that the royal fleet of King Taksin, the founder of the former capital of
Thonburi, arrived at Wat Makok Nok precisely at dawn which he deemed auspicious. He
stopped his vessel and disembarked to pay homage to the Holy Relic inside the pagoda. Thus
the temple was subsequently referred to as Wat Chaeng - the temple of dawn.
When King Taksin established Thonburi as the capital of the new kingdom, Wat Chaeng was
designated a royal temple within the grand palace and became the seat of the statue of the
Emerald Buddha. Later King Rama II restored the temple to its former glory and changed its
name to Wat Arun Rachatharam. With a keen eye for art and architecture, the next king,
King Rama III, the restoration of the temple structure was completed with the adornment of
small pieces of fine china glinting in the sun. The name of the temple was changed once
again to Wat Arun Ratchavararam.
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FREE PERFORMANCES
"Nights at Wat Arun" is a public service offered to the public for at no charge.
There will be 4 performances daily (Monday - Sunday), each lasting 15 minutes.
SHOW TIMES
19:00
20:00
21:00
21:30
IMPORTANT
The presentation is to be viewed from the river on-board a dinner cruise, a pleasure craft
or any form of river transportation. However "Nights at Wat Arun" does not
include land transfers, cruises or river transportation services. Individual arrangements
have to be made directly with hotels, cruise service operators or tour operators and
travel agents.
The presentation is to be viewed from the river on-board a dinner cruise,
a pleasure craft or any form of river transportation.
DINNER CRUISES AND TRANSFER
ARRANGEMENTS
"Nights at Wat Arun" does not include land transfers, cruises or river
transportation services. Individual arrangements can be made directly with the following
hotels and cruise service operators.
DINNER CRUISE
The Oriental Queen by The Oriental Bangkok (Tel. 236-0040 to 20)
River Sun Cruise operated by River City (Tel. 266-9316 , 266-9126 to 6)
Horizon Cruise by Shangri-la Hotel Bangkok ( Tel. 266-8165-6)
Manohra 1 & 2 by the Marriott Royal Garden Riverside (Tel. 476-0021 to 2)
The Mekhala by the Menam Hotel (Tel. 256-7168 - 9)
The Riverside by the Riverside Hotel (Tel. 434-0090 to 3)
FLOATING RESTAURANT CRUISES
Dairy Queen (Tel. 921-8670)
Kanab Nam Floating Restaurant (Tel. 433-6611)
424-8453 to 4
Loy Nava Floating Restaurant (Tel. 437-4932, 437-7329)
Yok Yor Marina (Tel.863-0585,863-1708)
RIVER FERRY SERVICE
The Chao Phraya River Express
- Maharaj Pier
- The Bang Sai Royal Folk Arts & Crafts Centre Tour (Tel. 222-5330, 225-3002 to 3)
Mitr Chao Phraya (Friends of Chao Phraya)
from Ta Chang to Bang Pa-In (Tel. 225-6179, 623-6169)
CONTACT INFORMATION :
THE KANTANA GROUP COMPANY LIMITED
Phone : (66 2) 275 - 0046 Ext. 181 - 186
Fax : (66 2) 274 - 2089
E-mail : govern@kantana.com |
