Buddha’s Heart & Charming Canalside Community: Diethelm Standard

Dating back more than 160 years and founded by Chinese traders, "Talad Bang Phli" is one of the oldest canalside markets in the outskirts of Bangkok and has retained its authenticity as a Thai market close to its roots. The people here still live in wooden shop houses which, as the name implies, are both shop and home. Since the market is situated near a temple, there's a focus on items for monks and temple nevertheless don't underestimate the rest of the market because it is a must-visit for food-lovers and packed with plenty of shops offering delicious Thai traditional snacks. Enjoy some of the best snacks the market has to offer: Thai style noodle soup, Satay sticks, Thai sweets and many more. In addition to all the tempting food, there is another reason for the local to come here. It is a small mecca for fortune-telling, palmistry and cartomancy. If you don't believe in destiny, you can to pay homage to "Luang Por To" and pray for some luck.

Built to commemorate King Naresuan the Great's victory over the Burmese, Wat Bang Phli Yai Nai is home to the large bronze Buddha image of the Sukhothai style in the gesture of subduing Mara. The image became much revered by the people who have called it "Luang Por To" (venerable father), hence the temple is otherwise known as Wat Luang Por To. Besides the image, what makes this temple famous is its flashy lavatory. The toilet block is reported to have cost as much as THB 5 million and is therefore the most expensive one found in any of the nearly 41,000 temples in Thailand. Wat Bang Phli Yai Klang's highlight is the immense, 53-meter long, Reclining Buddha image. There are 4 storeys inside the image itself which you can enter to view its many paintings and murals related to the Buddhist life. The top storey houses Lord Buddha's relic taken from Colombo, Sri Lanka, in 1987, and also the Reclining Buddha's heart.