Thursday 9 May 2013

Parseart Museum

We had read that in the morning we would be going to a museum to learn about Thai History before going to the main sights in Bangkok. Usually, museums on arranged tours like this are either the National Museum or exceedingly boring (thinking about Taiwan), so I really didnt have high hopes. We drove around, out of the city for about an hour. Neither our driver or guide knew where it was, meaning we hadto ask for directions a few times. To be honest, it made me a little nervous, but then we arrived. The museum was literally in the middle of nowhere,
mainly because it was a PRIVATE museum. Which explained a lot more. We were met by a lovely English speaking lady who was the tour guide there. They only offer private tours, and it was something of an open-air museum of buildings and history from all around Thailand. The story goes that the man who owns it was 12 years old when he started
collecting antiqes and stuff which was being destroyed all around Thailand. Important cultural things, books, things from auctions, etc, and storing them at his house. It was unbelievable. Some of the statues were so old, and had been rescued from Burma, or one of the Buddahs had been illegally sold into Europe, and he brought it back. There were a lot of beuatiful buildings, a lovely temple, and a library and bell tower over a pond. Inside was a section about the royal family. They love the Royal family, and it didnt take me long to realise that. Along the motorways, and by buildings there are huge billboards proclaiming their love for the King. I noticed that the tour guide always put her hands together and bowed her hair when coming to a picture of the King or any of his family. It was really respectful and beautiful to see that the people love their Royal family so much.

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