Page 74 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL SUMMER 2025 THAILAND

BANGKOK EXTRAS

We arrived in Bangkok well before the start of our OAT adventure. Here’s
how we filled our days without overlapping with upcoming tour activities.

WAT TRAIMIT
Bangkok’s Golden Secret

One Bangkok temple, not on our OAT until 1955, when it was accidentally dropped
tour, but well worth a visit, is Wat Traimit. during a move and the plaster cracked, re-
Located near the entrance to Chinatown, it vealing the gleaming treasure beneath. To-
houses a spectacular Buddha made entirely day, it’s estimated to be worth over $25
of solid gold. Dating back to the 13th cen- million. Like the Reclining Buddha, the
tury and weighing 5.5 tons, the 10-foot-tall statue can be viewed up close in its elegant
seated Buddha was once disguised in plas- home at the top of two flights of stairs. Ap-
ter and glass tiles to protect it from in- propriate dress is required and shoes must
vaders. It remained hidden for centuries be removed to enter.

74 WINE DINE & TRAVEL MAGAZINE SUMMER 2025