Attractions in Bangkok
With many interesting attractions and places of interest in and around Bangkok,
visitors can have a variety of " do-it-yourself " day trips to keep
your holidays fun-filled and enjoyable.
Old Town - China Town
In the old Bangkok town are located the
Grand Palace, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the Temple of the Reclining
Buddha, two universities and several ministries.
It is from this side of the Chao Phraya River that one takes a boat to
visit the Temple of
Dawn and the floating market
Chinatown is situated to the southeast of the old town . The gold shop
street and the Temple of the Gold Buddha are located here.
Pinklao
A bridge was built across the Chao Phraya River near the
Grand Palace in 1973.
It was named Pin Klao in memory of the last but one deputy king, whose
palace was nearby.
Now the area on the western side of the river has become one of the most
newly developed areas in Bangkok with several department stores, many restaurants
and nightlife establishments.
Ratchadaphisek
Ratchadaphisek is the name of the new sections of the inner ring road of
Bangkok but is usually used to refer to the short section between the Lat Phrao
intersection and the Rama IX Road intersection.
This section is being developed into a new commercial district containing
several big department stores, office buildings, hotels and a large number
of restaurants.
A little way off the road is Thailand Cultural Centre, where shows and
exhibitions are held from time to time.
Ramkhamhaeng
When Ramkhamhaeng University was founded on Bangkok's eastern outskirts
as Thailand's first open university in 1970, the area was rather remote and
underdeveloped.
However, as the university's yearly enrolments increased rapidly to 100,000,
the area soon became a new satellite city of Bangkok with ever-increasing shop-houses,
apartment buildings, restaurants, cinema houses, department stores, hotels and
places of entertainment.
Siam - Ratchadamri
This is one of the biggest and busiest shopping districts in Bangkok.
A huge commercial complex, including a 62-storey World Trade Centre opposite
Ratchadamri Arcade, is partly completed.
Located in the area are several large department stores, shopping arcades,
cinema theatres, and countless smaller shops.
So you can satisfy all your needs if you stay in one of over a dozen first-class hotels in
the area.
The Pratunam Market next to the Indra Arcade, is worth visiting if you
want to broaden your field of vision. It is also the market of garments for
export.
Sukhumvit - New Phetburi
In the section from the Soi Nana crossroads to Soi Sukhumwit 21 (Asok Intersection),
there are many shops catering to foreign tourists, where jewellery, leather
goods, ready-made garments and souvenirs are sold and tailoring, car rent and
other service are offered. Inside the lanes (soi) off the road, there are numerous
fashionable residences, hotels,
apartment houses, and some really good restaurants.
To the north of Sukhumwit Road is the extension of Phetburi Road which
does not have many pedestrians in the daytime.
After dark, however, the long street is brightened with colourful neon
signs and enlivened by people going out to enjoy themselves in dozens of entertainment
Places along the street.
Silom - Surawong
This district has transformed in half a century from paddy fields into
the most important business and financial centre of Bangkok.
Today, from end to end, these two parallel streets are full of big blocks
of multistory buildings, in which are banks, finance firms, insurance companies,
export-import houses, hotels, airlines offices, restaurants, shopping arcades,
department stores, and entertainment establishments.
A small area in this district known as Patpong, is famous for various kinds
of entertainment - wine, beer, music, dancing, etc.
Bang Lamphu
A shopping area once frequented solely by local people has become a popular
place for tourists.
This area offers various inexpensive items, especially ready made clothes,
handbags, men's and lady's shoes, cosmetics and curios. Bargaining is recommended.
Sanam Luang
This huge public ground in front of the
Grand Palace used to be the place where the Weekend Market now moved
to Suan Chatuchak on Phahonyothin Road was held.
Special activities or ceremonies such as the Royal Ploughing Ceremony in
May and the New Year Festival also take place here.
At the northern part of Sanam Luang opposite the
Royal Hotel is a small statue placed in small white pavillion.
The Goddess of the Earth was built during King Chulalongkorn's reign (1868
- 1910) to provide public drinking water.
Weekend Market at Chatuchak Park
This large open public ground covers approximately 35 acres opposite the
Northern Bus Station on Phahonyothin Road.
Known as Suan Chatuchak, it hosts the popular Weekend Market where people
buy and sell a thousand local products.
Items range from exotic fresh fruits, vegetables, handicrafts, dress materials,
clothing shoes, toys, domestic utensils and pets.
There is a particularly fine section for plants.
Weekend Market is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 7.00 a.m. - p.m. 6.00.
Landmarks and Historic Sites in Bangkok
Bangkok's temples, despite being in the center of a thriving modern metropolis,
are some of the finest in all of Asia.
The most spectacular are in the same complex (the old royal city, where the
king and a vast number of relatives ran the country until 1932) - the Grand
Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Keo), with their fantastic
roof lines and spires, are bright, extravagant and richly ornamented.
They are really best appreciated when crowds are small, so avoid Sundays
and Buddhist holidays.
You could conceivably cover these on foot in a single day. But due to the
heat, you might want to catch a tuk-tuk or taxi between a few of them.
Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn)
Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn) is on the other side of the Chao Phraya River
and should also be visited: Classic Thai dancers are sometimes there (be prepared
to pay them a fee for posing).
Another good place to see dancers in traditional dress is at the small Erawan
Shrine at the corner of Ratcha-Damri Road and Sumkumvit.
Very popular with locals and camera-toting foreigners, the shrine is a nice
place to enjoy the music and dance.
Democracy Monument
Trapped in a huge traffic circle, this monument with its 24-ft-/7-m-high
granite wings is an easy landmark to spot. It was built in 1939 to celebrate
the 1932 overthrow of the absolute monarchy.
The designer was much inspired by Italian fascist architecture. In the area
between there and Sanam Luang, democracy demonstrators were massacred by the
army in 1973, 1976 and 1992.
The offerings at this monument honor these dead. Ratchadamnern and Lan Luang
Roads, Baan Lampoo (1 mi/1.5 km east of the Chao Phraya River).
Erawan Shrine
Next to the
Grand Hyatt hotel, this shrine is a small, simple, open-air sanctuary
containing a four-headed bronze Brahman sculpture that's highly revered by
Buddhists worldwide. Built by the hotel for good luck, the modest little
shrine has become a Buddhist mecca.
Because of miracles attributed to the goddess at this site, Buddhists from
around the world come to make offerings and requests, usually in matters of
love or in hopes of winning the lottery.
The shrine is one of the best places to see traditional religious dances.
Get up early to see the dancers commissioned by people who are making sincere
offerings.
Open 24 hours.
Free.
Ratchadamri and Ploenchit Roads (across from Gaysorn Plaza).
The Grand Palace
The Grand Palace is the most famous structure in all of Thailand with its
fantastic roof lines, spires and bright, extravagant ornamentation.
Originally built for King Rama I in the late 18th century, it has evolved
into a vast, golden city...a temple compound and a mecca for this country's
predominantly Buddhist population.
Wat Phra Kaew, the most important structure inside the walled compound, houses
the Emerald Buddha. Carved from a single block of jade, this ancient, holy
object rests on a magnificent altar and is said to be a protector of whoever
possesses it. Often the booty of war since its discovery in the 15th century,
the statue was last looted from Vientiane by King Rama I.
A few rules for visiting the Grand Palace: No shorts or sleeveless shirts;
no photography inside the building that houses the Emerald Buddha; women must
not touch the monks.
Daily 8:30 am-3:30 pm, but occasionally closed for ceremonies and other events.
They're best appreciated when crowds are small, so avoid Sundays and Buddhist
holidays. But don't save it for your last day (most people want to see it
more than once).
Admission: 125 baht.
Na Phra Lan Road, phone 222-0094 or phone 222-6889.
Lak Muang
A small temple that contains the foundation stone of the city, this attracts
many locals who believe 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.
Free.
Sanam Chai Road (between Chareon Krung Road and Bam Rung Muang Road, on the
east side of the Grand Palace).
Wat Benchamabophit
Wat Benchamabophit (the Marble Temple) features splendid, symmetrical architecture
with gold and lacquer decorations.
It has numerous courtyard Buddhas representing famous styles from other Buddhist
countries.
Daily 9 am-5 pm.
Admission: 10 baht.
Sri Ayutthaya Road (in the Dusit area), phone 281-2501.
Wat Po
Next to the Grand Palace, this is
one of Bangkok's oldest temples and it's famous for its numerous ceramic-tiled
stupas and gold-plated reclining Buddha: It's the largest Buddha in Thailand
(152 ft/46 m long). Walk its whole length, the mother-of-pearl inlay on the
soles of his feet are sensational.
Daily 8 am-5 pm.
Admission: 10 baht.
Thye Wang and Sanam Chai Road, phone 222-0933.
Wat Saket
Built in the late 1700s, Wat Saket is one of the oldest temples in the city.
Its grounds served as a cremation site for common people. It's easy to spot
because of a prominent landmark—the Golden Mount—that rises on its
grounds. It looks like a yellow concrete hill and is believed to house Buddhist
relics. It's worth climbing up for the view.
Daily 8 am-5 pm.
Admission: 10 baht.
Between Boriphat and Lan Luang Roads, south of the Democracy Monument.
Wat Suthat
Located a mile east of the Grand Palace, this temple from the mid 1800s is
an interesting blend of Thai and Chinese architecture. It houses some lovely
Buddhist relics and ornate murals.
Daily 9 am-5 pm.
Admission: 10 baht.
Tri Thong and Bam Rung Muang Roads.
Wat Tri Mitr
Wat Tri Mitr houses the famous 14th-century Golden Buddha. Primarily of gold
and weighing more than 10,000 pounds, it was discovered under an unremarkable
cement veneer in 1954, where it had lain hidden for hundreds of years.
Daily 9 am-5 pm.
Admission: 10 baht.
Traimit Road (on the eastern edge of Chinatown, near the Hualampontg Railway
Station)
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