Bangkok Photo Gallery - Wat Ratchabophit

I headed down Thanon Tanao, which has historic shophouses with specialist Thai food restaurants. Further south, I reached Wat Ratchabophit Sathitmahasimaram, which was built by King Rama V in 1869, following a tradition that each monarch should have his own temple to mark his reign. Incorporating both Thai and Western styles, it's only a short walk from the Grand Palace. Chulalongkorn was born in 1853 and started reigning when he was 15, finally ascending to the throne in 1873, abolishing slavery and reforming the country on Western models, such as creating ministries for provincial administration, defense, justice, and education. This helped portray Siam as a "civilized" country to fend off colonial conquest by the French and British, who were circling around Southeast Asia.