Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Rajwaramahawihan

Wat Pho was granted as one of the best tourism spots in the world by TripAdvisor.

Also known as Temple of the Reclining Buddha, Wat Pho, was honoured in the 8^th rank of The Travellers’ Choice Attractions in Asia’s top landmarks category. Besides, in Thailand, the Grand Palace also placed at 10^th rank. Wat Pho is a renowned Buddhist monastery in Bangkok, which is famous for its sacred image of a reclining Buddha. The temple was visited by US President Barack Obama during his trip to Thailand in late 2012. 

Five other Thai attractions were also nominated in various categories but did not secure top-ten spots. They are Wat Phra Kaeo, Wat Phra That Doi, Lumpini Park, Safari World, and Black Mountain Water Park.

The Travellers’ Choice Attractions awards were determined based on the quality and quantity of traveller reviews of attractions, featured on TripAdvisor, in each of the categories. In its inaugural year, the awards honour 1,263 of the world’s top landmarks, parks, museums and amusement and water parks. Winners were found in 39 countries around worldwide.

The First Vice-president of Cuba, Miguel Diaz-Canel, paid a brief visit to Bangkok on his return to Cuba after concluding an official tour that took him previously to several nations of Southeast Asia, namely China, Vietnam and Laos. The Cuban dignitary was accompanied by Division Gral. Andollo Valdés, Cuban Vice Foreign Minister Rogelio Sierra, and Manuel Alomá, Chef de Cabinet of the Vice-president.

Of particular relevance was the visit to the Wat Pho, or Temple of the Reclining Buddha, the greatest, oldest and most famous Buddhist sanctuary of the country, due to it being the host of the longest reclining Buddha in the world - 43 mts. long and 15 mts height - cradle of the traditional Thai massage, and first religious university of the nation.

The distinguished guest was received at the monastery in a remarkably friendly way by the Head Monk of the institution, Chaokun Suthee Thammamuwat, who pointed out that amongst the personalities that had visited the temple, the Cuban Vice-president was the first of its rank that he had received, at the time that, in a humorous comparison with other dignitaries, including American President Barack Obama, the high Buddhist monk predicted that the fact that the distinguished visitor had been able to stand in front of the most sacred part of the reclining Buddha, his feet, bode a politically splendor future, as much for him as for the Cuban people.

At the end of the visit, the Head Monk flattered the Cuban Vice-president with a beautiful collection of books that depicted the history and peculiarities of the temple, and requested him to sign the registry of visitors, in which the Vice-president engraved, for the history of the relations between Cuba and Thailand, his satisfaction with the visit, the deep impression caused by the Wat Pho, and the care received by the Head Monk and his collaborators.