Thailand: A cage for small bells (when full they will be melted down to be made into one large bell), Phra Chedi Luang (temple on top of hill), Khao Tang Kuan (hill at north end of town), Songkhla, Songkhla Province

Phra Chedi Luang sits atop Khao Tang Kuan, a hill to the north of Songkhla town. The temple was built during the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V, r.1868 - 1910).

The name Songkhla is actually the Thai corruption of Singgora (Jawi: سيڠڬورا); its original name means 'the city of lions' in Malay. This refers to a lion-shaped mountain near the city of Songkhla.

Songkhla was the seat of an old Malay Kingdom with heavy Srivijayan influence. In ancient times (200 AD - 1400 AD), Songkhla formed the northern extremity of the Malay Kingdom of Langkasuka. The city-state then became a tributary of Nakhon Si Thammarat, suffering damage during several attempts to gain independence.

Copyright:

CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Photographer:

David Henley

Credit:

Pictures From Asia