Bangkok and Beyond (Part 6): Bangkok, Land, Air, and Sea!! (Sort of.)

- November 20-21, 2025, Thursday to Friday.

- My primary reason for being in Bangkok was to present a research at a conference at Chulalongkorn University. But again, I try my best to squeeze in as much non-work stuff as I can since I don't always have the opportunity to take a leave from work during off-peak seasons.

- On the morning of my conference, I had an early visit to Hua Lamphong Temple (Wat Hua Lamphong), which was just a few steps from my hotel (near Sam Yot Metro Station). The temple was built in the early 1900s, and is often called the "Coffin Temple". One of the charity services of the temple was using donations by devotees to provide coffins for people (regardless of religion) who could not afford to get one. Apart from this, the temple is known for its towering architecture, which isn't always usual for temples found in cities. If feels like you're above everything!

The main temple halls can be reached after two flights of stairs.

It does feel like a stairway to heaven!

Outside the main prayer hall.

Main hall interior.

Details!

See, donations for coffins.

At another prayer hall.

A monk, right after feeding the temple's fat cats.

Behind the main hall, and a stupa (another flight of stairs!)

Statue of King Rama V (King Chulalongkorn.)

Temple entrance.

- I spent two days at Chulalongkorn University for the conference, but I was glad that I had some time to see the school as well! The university was originally established in the late 1800s as a school for civil servants, before becoming a proper university in 1917. It holds the honor as the oldest university in Thailand.

- The university itself has many culturally and historically significant buildings and museums. However, if talking about the most iconic buildings, these would be the Chulalongkorn University Auditorium and the Devalai Cluster of Buildings right behind the auditorium.  

Auditorium.

Devalai Cluster at the back.

In between both buildings. The buildings look like temples by the way, but they're not.

Brochure material HAHA.

They're a mix of Thai and modern architecture.

- The following day, I also had a brief visit to the university's Museum of Natural History, opened in 1954. It had a wide range of collections found across several rooms. I think I wasn't even able to see all of them since I didn't have much time because of my conference.

I forgot to mention that my hotel was across Patpong Night Market, so I had some time to look around the market.

Had crocodile meat. It was terrible because the meat was so tough (it tasted awesome though), but I know that croc meat can be tender because I've had tender croc meat before.

Now back to the musuem.

This was the main hall.

OMG big sawfish saw!!

Big mammals at the mezzanine.

Made it back to my conference!

Wearing my Itneg shirt because Philippines representtttt.

- After the conference I went to Siam Paragon to visit Sea Life Bangkok at Siam Paragon (near Siam BTS Station). It it located at the basement level. It's not something I would say is uniquely "Bangkok", but I guess I just wanted to relax a bit by looking at swimming critters.

Sea dragon!

Penguins.

A giant stingray hovered over me!

Shark!

OMG A BIG SAWFISH.

I just like this fake "sunken" statue.

- I didn't spend too much time out that night, as much as I loved being in the company of underwater creatures. I had to rest up for my upcoming adventure in neighboring Laos!