Sights

Wat Phra Kaeo

Grand Palace
photo by: www.fargotravel.com

Wat Phra Kaeo , situated in the same compound of the Grand Palace, is a treasure house of Thai arts.Three main buildings inside the temple which form up a glittering scene are the Golden Stupa, enshrining the relics of the Buddha, the Phra Mondop or the Library, housing the Tripitaka or a Buddhist scripture, the Royal Pantheon which is a pavilion used for keeping statues of deceased kings of Chakri dynasty. Besides, the 178 section mural paintings which depict the story of the Ramayana are the superb masterpiece of Rattanakosin artisans.

type:	Hotspots
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openingHours:	9am-11pm

Wat Arun

Located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, the temple can be reached either by Arun Amarin Road or by boat from Tha Tien Pier, near Wat Pho. The most attractive structure is the 79 metre high pagoda, which is decorated with ceramic tiles and fragments of multi-coloured porcelain. It is also called the ‘Temple of Dawn’, and the most beautiful view of it is from the east side of the river at sunset. To get there, take a ferry from the pier at Thanon Thai or at the end of Thanon Na Phra (near Grand Palace). Costs: 1 Baht.

type:	Temples
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Wat Benchamabophit

The temple was built in 1899 by King Rama V and houses the Buddha image, Phra Buddha Chinnarat, considered one of the most beautiful images in Thailand. The so-called Marble Temple is located on Sri Ayuttaya Rd, near the King's official residence at Chitrlada Palace. The temple got its name from the Carrera marble used in its construction. The temple is open daily from 8 am to 5 pm and admission is 10 Baht.

type:	Temples
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National Gallery

The National Gallery is located near the National Theatre. It is quite interesting to see the mixing of western and Thai art, but to visit the gallery is rather recommended for art fans. Ocasionally there are special exhibitions. Call 02) 2812224 for more information, Admission: 30 Baht

type:	Galleries
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address:	kbjkjlh
openinghours:	Wed-Sun 9am-4pm
email:
openings:	098u
tel:	i-i00-i=
zipcode:	0i9[i[0
url:	-0890u09u

National Museum

The National Museum located at Sanam Luang contains the largest collection of Thai art and artifacts in the country, from Neolithic times to the present. It is open only from Wednesday to Sunday. Admission: 40 baht for foreigners, 20 baht for Thais.

Phone 224-1333.

type:	Museums
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address:	4 Na Prathat Rd
openinghours:	9 am - 12 am, 1 - 4 pm

National Gallery

A few minutes walk away from the National Museum, the Gallery exhibits both contemporary and classical art from Asian and other schools. Wednesday-Sunday 8 am-4 pm. Small admission fee.

type:	Museums
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address:	4, Chao Fa Rd.
openinghours:	8 am - 4 pm

Grand Palace

The Grand Palace (actually the palace consists of four separate buildings) is incorporated into the grounds of Wat Phra Kaew. The Royal Thai Decoration and Coin Pavilion is the only part open to the public, but it is nice to stroll around. Admission to the temple & the Royal Palace is 200Bht. This includes entry to Vimanmek Palace and Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall as well. Do not forget to wear long trousers and no topless shirts. Opening hours from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm.

type:	Landmarks
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Erawan Shrine

Located on Ratchadamri Road next to the Grand Hyatt Erewan hotel, the shrine devoted to Phra Phrom, a Hindu god, is greatly revered by people. Laced flowers and small wooden elephants as well as Thai dancing performances are always offered to the statue by grateful devotees. Come in the evening to experience this amazing mixture of cultures.

type:	Landmarks
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The City Pillar Shrine (San Lak Muang)

The graceful, temple-like structure houses a wooden pillar placed there by King Rama I in 1782 as the foundation stone for the new capital of Bangkok. The shrine is across the street from Wat Phra Kaeo.

type:	Landmarks
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Patpong

Much is made of Patpong, the red-light district. Not much goes on there that doesn't occur in other countries, but, rightly or wrongly, people feel safe on the bustling, brightly lit streets in the area. It doesn't really feel sleazy at all, unless you actually go into the clubs lining the streets--some of which might shock even the most worldly of visitors. If explicit, sex-oriented shows offend you, don't go into the clubs. Prurient considerations aside, you might stroll into the area just to see the busy night market. It starts at 7 pm. If you come around one or two hours more..

type:	Landmarks
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Benchasiri Park

type:	Parks, Gardens and Zoo's
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Lumphini Park

Bangkok's foremost park offers profuse exotic greenery to shade you from the afternoon heat. Try to visit in the early morning (around 6 am) to see locals practicing tai chi, singing and ballroom dancing. The park houses a jogging track and two lakes with rowboat rentals (40 baht per hour).

type:	Parks, Gardens and Zoo's
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Safari World

Safari World is a genuine safari park, populated by a variety of African animals including giraffes, lions, rhinos, etc. It's great value at only 100 Baht per head, you just drive yourself around in your own car. There's also a bus that can take you around if you're carless. Phone: 518 1000-19.

type:	Parks, Gardens and Zoo's
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Jim Thompson's House

Jim Thompson's House is one of the best-preserved examples of the traditional Thai house in the city. Once home to the American silk entrepreneur Jim Thompson, this remarkable house museum accommodates Thompson's vast collection of antiques and artworks from all over the Southeast Asian region.

Jim Thompson's House is located alongside Saen Saeb Canal on Soi Kasem San 2, off Rama I Road. Opening hours are 9.00 am to 4.30 pm daily except Sundays. Photography is not allowed in the house. The admission fee is 100 baht.

type:	Museums
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Democracy Monument

The democracy monument on the busy Ratchadamnern Road was built in 1940. It was constructed to commemorate the establishment of the constitutional monarchy in Thailand. Most days associate the monument rather with the events of 1992 when scores of Thais were killed as they protested against the dictatorship of General Suchinda.

type:	Landmarks
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Rose Garden

Elephant Show
photo by: Fely Solito

This beautifully landscaped resort with orchid and rose gardens, aviaries and a re-created Thai village is located about 1 hour or 32 km west of Bangkok. There's a spectacular one-hour cultural show with all the Thai trimmings — dance, martial arts (sepak takraw exhibition!), religious ceremonies and spectacular elephant tricks. Admission: about 200 baht. For more information call (02)253-0295.

type:	Hotspots
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openinghours:	8 am-6 pm

Vimanmek Teak Mansion

The world's largest teak building, built by King Rama V in the late 1800s as a summer palace on the island of Ko Si Chang. It was moved to its present location in 1910. With 100 rooms, it's a fine tribute to Thai architecture and art and is filled with priceless antiques and paintings.

Lak Muang

This small temple located at Sanam Chai Raod on the east side of the Grand Palace, contains the foundation stone of the city. Lak Muang rather attracts a local crowd who believes the stone has the power to grant wishes. If you're lucky, you may see traditional lakhon dancing in the nearby open-air sala. The dancers have been paid by the faithful whose wishes have been granted by the foundation spirit. Open 24 hours. No admission.

Shed of the Royal Barges

North of the Grand Palace on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, the Shed houses gilded vessels once used for war and currently used by the king for ceremonies of religious importance. Similar to ancient Viking boats but more ornate, these royal yachts are a spectacle even on land. Klong (canal) tours often stop there.

Chinatown

Chinatown is located east of Hualampong Station, and is not a bad place to wander around for a couple of hours Like most Chinatowns, there are plenty of temples and traditional-style Chinese shop-houses, with different areas specialising in different things, for example, shoes and gold. If you pass through Chinatown in the night, it looks totally deserted.