Wat Banglamung

Wat Banglamung
Wat Bang Lamung วัดบางละมุง is easily accessible by public transport from Pattaya (18 km by road from Walking street, 400 m from Sukhumvit road near Laem Chabang) and boasts an ubosot decorated in ceramics, a whale skeleton, a large pine tree and an abandoned brick ubosot. 

Whale skeleton. The Thai text is:
กระดูกปลาวาฬใหญ่ในอำเภอบางละมุง
ยาวประมาณ ๗ วา ใหญ่ที่สุดในทะเลไทย
พบเมื่อวันที่ ๒๙ มิถุนายน ๒๕๓๗
ที่ชายหาดทะเลบางละมุง ในเขตท่าเรือแหลมฉบัง จังหวัดชลบุรี
and translates as (google translate, I would translate similar):
Large whale bones in Bang Lamung District
About 7 wa long, the largest in the Thai sea (1 wa = 2 m)
Found on June 29, 1994
at Bang Lamung Beach in the Laem Chabang Port area, Chonburi Province
The lower jaw bones are not in natural position.

Pine tree. The Thai and Chinese text is:
ต้นสนใหญ่ที่สุด ในประเทศไทย
ปลูกสมัยพระเจ้าตาก สินอายุ 200 กว่าปี
And translates as (google translate works well):
The largest pine tree in Thailand
Planted during the reign of King Taksin, more than 200 years old
松巨 年餘百二寺佛立屹
translates as (Chinese friend, google translate no use here):
Big pine tree has been standing for 200 years.
(and the small maybe 許祥銘書, Chinese friend can't make much sense of it, thinks it's name of author and book).

I was going to have a coconut water, but then I saw the price of 70 THB, which is tourist pricing. Would cost 30 - 40 elsewhere in similar circumstances. The fact that drink and food menu were in Chinese gave a hint, and later a tour bus with Chinese tourists arrived. That's why they can charge 70 THB for a coconut water.

Nearby is an old Ubosot โบสถ์ร้าง บางละมุง (abandoned Ubosot of Wat Banglamung) 13.0467, 100.921.

The following link is a post in Thai from 2013 with the same subject as mine, some changes since then: https://www.oknation.net/ท่องเที่ยว/ชายสามหยด/634f6effc72899eea025c30b (has picture of a sign that has the history of the pine tree; I didn't see it when I went).

Once I was in the area, I had a look at Wat Nang Setthi วัดนางเศรษฐี (on the premises of Ban Bang Lamung School โรงเรียนบ้านบางละมุง) and across Sukhumvit road Wat Tha Kradan วัดท่ากระดาน and อุทยานพระเจ้าตากสิน (Taksin park with a nice bridge) as well. 

Copyright 2025 ChristianPFC

Siem Reap secondary attractions

Siem Reap secondary attractions:
Prasat Totung Thngai and War Museum Cambodia

I classify primary attractions Angkor Wat and related, some secondary attractions this post, tertiary attractions various modern buildings with interesting architecture, or abandoned places in general. Some secondary and tertiary attractions in this post as well: https://christianpfc.blogspot.com/2023/12/cycling-around-siem-reap-nov2023.html

Prasat Totung Thngai
Angkorean ruins. By bicycle 14 km east of Siem Reap at 13.3112, 103.9565. No other tourists, no ticket check. The interesting part is that only door frames and lintel are standing, making it look like torii gates or Stonehenge.

War Museum Cambodia
By bicycle 6 km north-west of Siem Reap at 13.3883, 103.8317. https://www.facebook.com/warmuseumcambodia/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_Museum_Cambodia

Not to be confused with War Remnant Museum (Siem Reap) at 13.3877, 103.8678, or War Remnant Museum in Saigon. War Remnant Museum (Siem Reap) has four rusty artillery cannons in the open. Google Maps has plenty of misplaced pictures from War Museum Cambodia and Shooting Range Siem Reap. Whereas Peace Museum of Mine Action (Google Maps: The Peace Museum Of CMAC) is a full museum judging by pictures. On the same subject, there is Shooting Range Siem Reap (I passed their entrance with artillery cannons).

What distinguishes this museum from Western museums is that there are only frames of tanks. Each of these tanks was probably the grave for its crew, then burned out and/or stripped of everything and left in the open before being taken to the museum. Various artillery cannons as well. Age of exhibits ranges from WWI to arms that are still in use elsewhere. A jet fighter and a helicopter as well.

Entry 5 USD, including a guided tour by war veterans (good English), and optional tip at end of tour.

Other places: (names as on google maps) Brasart Entrear Pagoda, VIMEAN SOKHA MUSEUM, Butterfly Paradise, ArtBox, Phare The Cambodian Circus, Miniature Replicas of Angkor's Temples, Angkor National Museum.

Copyright 2024 ChristianPFC

Erotic theme parks and museums in Thailand

Erotic museums and theme parks in Thailand
A list, alphabetic by province, of museums and theme parks on the subject of erotic or sex, and penis shaped rocks and trees.

Bangkok (Bang Rak)
The Patpong Museum Bangkok closed for good.

Bangkok (Klong Toey)
Kamavijitra Erotic Art Museum of Thailand กามาวิจิตรา
http://kamavijitra.com/
http://www.faszination-fernost.com/erotische-kunst-in-thailand/
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/special-reports/1664688/thong-lor-sex-museum-hangs-out-the-green-lantern

Bangkok (Patumwan)
Tuptim Shrine ศาลเจ้าแม่ทับทิม in the backyard of Nai Lert Park Heritage Home. Not on google maps, location 13.7483, 100.5465. I went there in 2011 (pic below), there is a report from 2016 (link below), but in 2019 all statues were gone.
https://christianpfc.blogspot.com/2015/05/repost-trip-report-bangkok-20122011.html
http://whatsonsukhumvit.com/tommy-tub-tim-and-the-phallic-shrine/  
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chao_Mae_Tuptim_shrine

Bangkok (Phaya Thai)
Pearl Bangkok a high-rise that looks like a penis or gherkin, even has balls!
https://christianpfc.blogspot.com/2017/05/bangkok-buildings-that-look-like-things.html
https://bk.asia-city.com/city-living/news/pearl-bangkok-tower-penis-buildings-around-world
https://thesmartlocal.co.th/unique-buildings-bangkok/

Buriram (town)
Erotic garden สวนศิวะ 12 near Buriram Castle. The garden has 12 stone carvings with erotic scenes, in a circle around a huge shivaling/lingam (phallus shaped column).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lingam

Chachoengsao (Yothaka)
Villagers erected a statue of a penis (palad khik ปลัดขิก) to bring rain. Location 13.9104, 101.1375, gone now.
https://thepattayanews.com/2021/06/12/believe-it-or-not-rain-falls-after-chachoengsao-local-villagers-build-enormous-phallus-in-religious-rain-making-ceremony/
https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/weather/penis-statue-works-as-village-sees-rain-after-erection
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palad_khik

Source: https://thepattayanews.com/2021/06/11/local-villagers-in-chachoengsao-build-enormous-phallus-for-rain-making-ceremony/

Chaiyaphum (Pa Hin Ngam National Park)
A stone that looks like a penis and is called มอหำตั้ง (erect penis stone). In another national park in Chaiyaphum is ผมหำหด (testicle shrinking cliff).
https://learnthaiwithmod.com/2014/07/siamtulipfestival/ (website not secure)
From “Testicle Shrinking Cliff” To “Erect Penis Stone” Learn Thai with Mod.

Chiang Mai (Mae Rim)
Chiang Mai Erotic Garden
www.chiangmaieroticgarden.com (overtaken)
https://www.facebook.com/eroticgarden/
https://www.faszination-fernost.com/der-erotische-garten-von-chiang-mai/

Chonburi (Pattaya)
Love Art Park Pattaya. Outside Pattaya, has been closed since Covid.
https://christianpfc.blogspot.com/2023/12/cycling-around-pattaya-nov2023.html

pic

Chonburi (Pattaya)
Love In Museum near Bali Hai pier.
https://www.instagram.com/love_in_museum/
https://thepattayanews.com/2023/08/19/love-in-museum-launched-in-pattaya/

Krabi (Railay beach)
Princess Cave ถ้ำพระนาง has a shrine with penis statues.
https://www.thaizer.com/phra-nang-cave-krabi/
https://www.jadescapades.com/phra-nang-beach-thailand/

Nakhon Nayok
Rock that looks like a penis, even with balls.
https://christianpfc.blogspot.com/2022/12/outstanding-rocks-in-thailand.html

pic


Nakhon Ratchasima (no exact location given)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jxp2Weu1w9Y
Phallus-Baum in Thailand wird zur Pilgerstätte (Bild Apr 10, 2023)
My translation: Phallus-tree in Thailand becomes pilgrimage site.

Source: screenshot from youtube link above.

Nonthaburi (Tivanon road)
Empower Museum (permanently closed on google maps).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMPOWER
http://www.empowerfoundation.org/index_en.html
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/dec/17/thai-sex-industry-private-arts-bangkok-this-is-us-museum-chantawipa-apisuk
Referring to 1975: “Sex work was legal back then,” Apisuk says. “Sex would cost 15 kilos of rice. That much rice costs roughly 1,050 baht [£20] today. So the price hasn’t changed.”

Nonthaburi (Ministry of Health)
Condom Museum พิพิธภัณฑ์ ถุงยางอนามัย

Surat Thani (Koh Pha Ngan)
https://www.instagram.com/p/DZW_Tw1kpnu/ 
Dok Mai Jao at Haad Nam Tok

Surat Thani (Koh Samui)
Grandfather and Grandmother rock. Grandfather rock in picture, I missed Grandmother rock.

Trat (Koh Kut)
The Kingdom of Somchai’s Affection, a collection of erotic statues in the forest.
https://iamkohchang.com/photos/nearby-islands/the-kingdom-of-somchais-affection.html
http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-kingdom-of-somchai-s-affection
https://www.maggiepadlewska.com/somchai-s-kingdom

Other countries:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haesindang_Park in South Korea.
For China, see previous post.

Copyright 2024 ChristianPFC except linked pictures

Abandoned stadiums of the world

Abandoned stadiums of the world
This year, I have come across three abandoned stadiums: Brünn / Brno in Czechia, Danang in Vietnam, Chaiyaphruek near Pattaya.

Football stadium Za Lužánkami Brünn / Brno
49.213, 16.612 Thanks to a friend for pointing this out. I was in Brünn for holiday, but not aware of this stadium. It happened to be in walking distance from my hotel, and I had enough time left to pay a visit. Abandoned and fenced off, but others have been there and made holes in the fence.

Danang stadium (no name on google maps)
16.07, 108.216 Looking for other things on google maps satellite view, I spotted this place in walking distance to my hotel. Abandoned in the sense that it's not used for a large audience any more, but parts are used for sports, even a football match. That means you can easily get in and out.

Who wants to climb up and change the light bulb?

Chaiyaphruek Stadium, Pattaya
12.892, 100.922 I vaguely remember reading about an abandoned stadium in Thailand, and found it by searching on the internet. To make it a trifecta, I went there as well. The previous two were complete, now in disuse. This one was abandoned during construction. Now construction continues, vegetation has been cleared and construction workers around. But no security or supervisors, I could just walk in the main gate and walk around everywhere. Where there are people, there are usually dogs. Walking along the highest level, I spotted some, and they spotted me, and got up to get away from me. What where the dogs doing on the highest level? Enjoying the view?

Elsewhere
There is an entire abandoned Olympic stadium and village in Rio de Janeiro. I might make it there on a future trip to Brazil. A common fate for Olympic stadiums and villages.

Copyright ChristianPFC except satellite images