Bangkok
Grand Palace This city landmark contains several buildings with highly detailed architectural features. Wat Phra Kaeo within the same compound, is a treasure house of Thai arts, and houses the Emerald Buddha, the most revered Buddha image in Thailand. |   |
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This oval public ground in front of the Grand Palace enclave is used for various royal ceremonies, including the Royal Ploughing Ceremony each May, and is edged by several noteworthy institutions On the southeast corner is the City Pillar Shrine or San Lak Muang placed there by King Rama I as the foundation stone for the new capital of Bangkok. |
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National Museum Tel: 224-1333 Within the walking distance of the Grand Palace is one of the largest and most comprehensive museums in Southeast Asia. Bangkok's National Museum houses a vast collection of artifacts found in all parts of the country ranging from Neolithic times, Sukhothai, Ayutthaya to the Bangkok period. The complex, once used as a palace, consists of several old but beautiful buildings of colourful Thai architectural design. ........................................................... This museum, located on Chao Fa Road opposite the National Museum, exhibits traditional and contemporary works of art created by Thai artists. It is open to the public everyday except Mondays, Tuesdays, and public holidays from 9.00 a.m.-4.00 p.m. Admission fee is 30 baht. |
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Wat Mahathat Tel: 222-6011, 222-8004 This old temple was built in the reign of King Rama I. It is located on Na Phrathat Road near Thammasat University. The temple houses Mahachulalongkorn Buddhist University, one of the two highest seats of Buddhist learning in Thailand and also offers meditation classes for foreigners. The temple complex is open daily from 9.00 a.m.- 5.00 p.m. |
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Wat Pho Tel: 222-0933 This large and extensive temple neighbors the Grand Palace enclave on Thai Wang Road and contains a gigantic gold plated Reclining Buddha some 46 meters long and 15 meters high with inlaid mother of pearl soles. The temple is also regarded as the first center of public education and is sometimes called Thailand's first university. |  |
Wat Arun
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Royal Barge National Museum (Tel: 424-0004)
This shed, where several royal barges are displayed, is located near Phra Pin Klao Bridge on Thon Buri side. The barges were used on royal occasions and formerly served as war vessels. The most beautiful barge is “Suphannahong” used by the king only when he made his royal river procession for the Kathin Ceremony, a Buddhist tradition of offering robes to monks, usually during October or November. The unique design and decorative details of each barge should be of great interest to all visitors. The shed is open everyday from 9.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m. Admission fee is 30 Baht.
Wat Ratchabophit
The temple is located on Fuang Nakhon Road near Wat Pho. Built by King Rama V in 1869, it was in keeping with tradition that each monarch constructed a temple to mark his reign. The temple is a mixture of local and western styles, showing an awakening interest in new ideas and a desire to experiment with them. The exterior of the chapel is in the That style, but the interior is decorated in the European style.
Pak Khlong Talat
This is a wholesale market for all kinds of cut flowers and vegetables. It is located on Maharat Road near the Memorial Bridge. The colourful flowers and the bustling atmosphere is the charm of this market, especially when the market is crowded in the early morning and in the evening.
Wat Suthat and "The Giant Swing
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Located on Bamrung Muang Road, this temple is noted for its superb 19th century murals in the main chapel. The distinctive Giant Swing outside the temple was once used in Brahmanic ceremonies long since discontinued. Nearby shops stock a very comprehensive range of Buddhist religious supplies.
Wat Thepthidaram
Located on Mahachai Road, the temple was built in the reign of King Rama III with a mixture of Chinese architectural styles. Sunthon Phu, one of Thailand's greatest poets, had resided in this temple during his monk hood from 1840-1842. His residence is now open to the public.
Democracy Monument
This monument, located in the middle of Ratchadamnoen Avenue, was conceived and constructed to commemorate the peaceful changeover from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy on 24 June, 1932.
Wat Ratchanatdaram
Located on Mahachai Road, the temple was built in the reign of King Rama III in 1846. Loha Prasat, the temple's main attraction, standing 36 meters high with 37 surrounding spires, is the only one of its kind left in the world. Next to the temple is the area for welcoming an important foreign guest and a memorial, statue of King Rama III.
The Golden Mount
Located in the the compound of Wat Sa Ket with the entrance on Boriphat Road, this is an artificial hill topped by a gilded pagoda which is 260 feet in height from its base. Begun by King Rama III and completed in the reign of King Rama IV, the golden mount is one of the most celebrated landmarks in Bangkok’s old area and offers a panoramic city view from the top.
Wat Indravihan
Located in the Bang Khun Phrom area on Wisutkasat Road, this temple is well known for a huge standing Buddha image called Luang Pho To. The image, built in the reign of King Rama IV, is 32 meters tall and 10 meters wide. The topknot of the Buddha image contains a relic of Lord Buddha brought from Sri Lanka.
Wat Bowon Niwet
This temple is located on Phra Sumen Road in the Bang Lamphu area. Built in 1829, it is the shrine-hall of Phra Phutthachinnasi, a very beautiful Buddha image which was moulded in about 1357. Wat Bowon Niwet is one of the most important temples of Bangkok, whose one-time chief abbot was King Rama IV before he ascended the throne. Other Chakn kings who had resided here during their monk hood include King Rama IV and King Rama VII, as well as His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Wat Benchamabophit (The Marble Temple)
Tel: 281-2501 Located on Si Ayutthaya Road, near Chitralada Palace, this unique marble temple was constructed during the reign of King Rama V. It employs European ecclesiastic details, such as stained glass windows, and contains a superb cloister collection of bronze Buddha images.
Vimanmek Royal Mansion
(Tel: 281-1569, 281-1518, 281-6880 http:// http://www.palaces.thai.net/)
Located on Ratchawithi Road Behind the National Assembly, it is the world’s largest building made entirely of golden teak. Removed from Ko Sichang in Chonburi province, it was rebuilt here in 1900 by the command of King Rama V. The mansion has many exhibition rooms, some of shich maintain the atmosphere of the past. A guided tour inside the building is provided to visitors. Other buildings in the same compound are also used as museums, ans display various items and art objects; for example, H.M. King Bhumibol’s photography, H.M. Queen Sirikit’s collection of handicraft masterpieces created by rural people, paraphernalia of rank and portraits, old clocks, ancient cloth, and royal carriages.
The compound is open daily from 9.00 a.n.-4.00 p.m. Admission fee is 50 baht. There are also traditional Thai dancing shows at 10.30 a.m. and 2.00 p.m. Proper attire is required.
Dusit Zoo (Tel: 281-2000, 281-1039)
Dusit Zoo, managed by the Zoological Park Organisation, is where visitors can inspect various species of tropical animals. In the middle of the area is a large pond with boat and paddleboat services. It is open everyday from 8.00 a.m. - 6.00 p.m. Admission fee is 30 Baht for adults and 10 Baht for children.
China Town
Bangkok's China Town is an old business centre covering a large area around Yaowarat and Charoen Krung Roads. There are many small streets and alleys full of shops selling all types of goods. The area is always lively and market stalls abound. It has been the main centre for trading by the Chinese since they were moved from their old site some 200 years ago. Nearby is Phahurat Market, one of the city's renowned cloth centres.
Wat Trai Mitts
Located at the end of Chinatown's Yaowarat Road near Hualamphong Railway Station, this temple houses an ancient solid gold seated Buddha image of the Sukhothai Period, three meters in height and weighing five and a half tons.
Princess Mother Memorial Park Tel: 437-7799, 439-0902
Suan Pakkard Palace
It is open daily from 9.00 a.m.-4.00 p.m. Admission fee is 80 Baht.
Jim Thomson's Thai House
Tel: 216-7368, 612-3744, 215-0122 This collection of traditional Thai-style houses, fashioned into one dwelling, belongs to the man who helped restore the Thai silk industry after World War II, and, today, preserved as a museum, contains a priceless collection of Asian objects art. The canal side museum is located in Soi Kasemsan 2 on Rama I Road opposite the National Stadium.
It is open Monday-Saturday, 9.00 a.m. until 4.30 p.m. Admission is 100 Baht.
Museum of Imagery Technology
Tel: 218-5583 The first camera and photograph museum established in Thailand and Asia, is located at the same building as the Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University on Phaya Thai Road. Historic photographs and imaging equipment, as well as its technological evolution are collected and displayed. Modern photographic arts, techniques and printing technology are also exhibited.
The museum is open Monday-Friday from 10.00 a.m.-3.30 p.m. Admission fee is 100 Baht each.
Pasteur Institute or Snake Farm (Tel: 252-0161-4
This interesting spot is located at the corner of Henri Dunant and Rama IV Roads west of Chulalongkorn Hospital. It is a section of the Thai Red Cross, where one can have cholera, smallpox, and typhoid inoculations, as well as rabies treatment. The institute has become a popular tourist attraction because of its large collection of live poisonous snakes. It is open from 8.30 a.m. – 4.30 p.m. on weekdays and 8.30 a.m. – 12.00 a.m. on holidays. The extraction of venom from the snakes is demonstrated at 11.00 a.m. and 2.30 p.m. on weekdays, and at 11.00 a.m. on holidays. Admission fee is 70 Baht per person.
Erawan Shrine
Located on Ratchadamri Road, the shrine devoted to Phra Phrom, a Hindu god, is greatly revered by Thai people. Laced flowers and small wooden elephants as well as Thai dancing performances are always offered to the statue by grateful devotees.
The Khamthieng House
Tel: 661-6470-7 Located in the garden of the Siam Society on Sukhumvit Soi 21 (Asoke), this 200-year-old northern Thai-style house contains a collection of traditional implements used by Thai farmers.
It is open daily except Sundays and Mondays from 9.00 a.m.-5.00 p.m. Admission fee is 100 Baht.
Science Center for Education
Tel: 392
The museum is open daily except Mondays and public holidays from 8.30 a.m.-4.30 p.m. Admission fee is 30 Baht for adults and 15 Baht for children.
Ban Chang Thai
This house is where Thai puppets are made and displayed. It is situated on Soi 10 Ekkamai Road off Sukhumvit Road. Thai puppet shows are held occasionally. Call 391-3807 for more information.
Philatelic Museum (Tel:271-2439)
The museum is on the 1st floor of the Metropolitan Postal Bureau behind Sam Sen Nai Post Office, Saphan Khwai area. It is open on Tuesday – Saturday from 9.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. There is no admission fee. Thai and foreign stamps of the past are on display. The collections of post books in both Thai and foreign languages are available at the library. Stamps and accessories for stamp collection are on sale.
Hall of Railway Heritage (Tel: 243-2037-9)
This is a train museum where steam engines, train models, and miniature trains are exhibited along with the story of world railway systems. It is located on the western side of Chatuchak Park adjacent to Kamphaeng Phet Road. It is open to the public only on Sundays from 5.00-12.00 a.m.
Thai Labour Museum
Located near the Makkasan Railway Station, Nikhom Makkasan Road, this small museum exhibits labour history of Thailand from the past to present. It is open on Wednesday – Sunday from 10.00 am. – 5.00 pm.
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