Ron Emmons

Surely it’s not possible to see all of Thailand’s famous sights in a single day? After all, the country covers over half a million square kilometers. Yet if you’re savvy, you can remain in Bangkok and find out all you need to know in a single afternoon with a simple visit to Muang Boran, where the country (and the heavens) are presented in a gilded golden outdoor museum.  What is the Ancient City? The 320-hectare park, which claims to be the biggest private museum in the world, was the brainchild of Khun Lek Viriyaphan, an eccentric businessman who also created the nearby Erewan Museum and the Sanctuary of Truth in Pattaya. From the sky, the park is shaped roughly like Thailand itself and includes around 120 exhibits of Thailand’s most famous buildings divided into three categories – those relocated from their original site, replicas of existing structures (some on a reduced scale) and some rather whimsical creative designs by Khun Lek himself. Photograph: UnsplashMuang Boran How to get to and around the Ancient City? Take the BTS Skytrain green line to Kheha, then it’s just a short taxi ride to Muang Boran. It is also conveniently near Suvarnabhumi Airport if you simply can’t wait to get exploring as soon as you land.  Given its size, walking is discouraged, but you can rent a bicycle (B150), e-bike (from B250) or golf cart (from B350) and the journey becomes a breeze. You can even obtain a car permit (B200) or join occasional tram rides (free) that cover the site in an ho

At 395 feet tall (that’s 120.45 metres for us metric lot), Phra Pathom Chedi is the tallest stupa in Thailand – and possibly the world. It’s also one of the oldest and is often quoted as being where Buddhism first took root in Thailand. Even topping the world-famous Shwedagon Pagoda in neighbouring Myanmar, Phra Pathom Chedi (‘pathom’ means ‘first’ and ‘chedi’ means ‘stupa’) in Nakhon Pathom is just an hour’s ride west of Bangkok. Often overlooked on the usual tourist trail (although a popular waypoint on the way to Kanchanaburi), we think it’s worth more attention.  So much so, we visited once again to bring you the latest updates on the tallest, and arguably most beautiful, chedi in all of Thailand. Oh, and take a tip: go by train to appreciate the view of the colossal structure as it looms into view along the five-minute walk from the station. Photograph: Ron EmmonsPhra Pathom Chedi What is Phra Pathom Chedi? The stupa has a long history, but the short version goes as follows. Around 2,300 years ago, emissaries from Emperor Ashoka in India arrive in Nakhon Pathom with a relic of the Buddha, and the pious locals construct a dome-shaped stupa to enshrine it.  About 1,300 years later, the stupa is rebuilt with a Khmer-style prang (corncob-shaped spire), after which it falls into disrepair. In 1853, King Mongkut (Rama IV) initiates the Sri Lankan-style, bell-shaped structure enclosing the older stupas that we see today, and the enormous edifice is completed in 1870. All up t