Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(Wat Phra Si Maha Umathewi; cnr Th Silom & Th Pan; 6am-8pm; Surasak exit 3)
F
Arrestingly flam-
boyant, Sri Mariamman is a Hindu temple that is a wild collision of colours, shapes and
deities. The official Thai name of the temple is Wat Phra Si Maha Umathewi, but some-
times it is shortened to its colloquial name Wat Khaek -
kàak
being a common expression
for people of Indian descent. The literal translation is 'guest', an obvious euphemism for
any group of people not particularly wanted as permanent residents; hence most Indian
Thais don't appreciate the term.
The temple was built in the 1860s by Tamil immigrants and features a 6m facade of in-
tertwined, full-colour Hindu deities. While most of the people working in the temple hail
from the Indian subcontinent, you will likely see plenty of Thai and Chinese devotees
praying here as well. This is because the Hindu gods figure just as prominently in their in-
dividualistic approach to religion.
NEILSON HAYS LIBRARY
LIBRARY
(
www.neilsonhayslibrary.com
;
195 Th Surawong; membership from 1900B; 9.30am-5pm Tue-Sun; Surasak
exit 3)
The oldest English-language library in Thailand dates back to 1922, and today re-
mains the city's noblest place for a read - with the added benefit of air-con. It has a good
selection of children's books and a decent selection of titles on Thailand. Nonmembers are
expected to pay a 50B fee to use the facilities.
KATHMANDU PHOTO GALLERY
lery wholly dedicated to photography is housed in an attractively restored Sino-Por-
tuguese shophouse. The owner, photographer Manit Sriwanichpoom, wanted Kathmandu
to resemble photographers' shops of old, where customers could flip through photographs
for sale. Manit's own work is on display on the ground floor, and the small but airy up-
stairs gallery plays host to changing exhibitions by local and international artists and pho-
tographers.
ART GALLERY
TANG GALLERY
(5th fl, Silom Galleria, 919/1 Th Silom; 11am-7pm Mon-Sat; Surasak exit 3)
F
Bangkok's primary
venue for modern artists from China has edged its way to become one of the city's top
contemporary galleries. Check the posters in the lobby of its home, Silom Galleria, to see
what's on.
ART GALLERY
