Bangkok was founded in 1782 by the first monarch of the present Chakri dynasty. It is now the country's spiritual, cultural, diplomatic, commercial and educational hub. It covers an area of more than 1,500 square kilometres, and it is home to approximatlely ten million people or more than 10% of the country's population.
Over the last few decades, Thailand's capital city, Bangkok, has changed into a modern, exciting and sophisticated city. It offers to visitors not only the cosmopolitan amenities they would expect from other big cities, but also a unique treasure trove of cultural attractions. Thailand, in the heart of Southeast Asia, was never colonised and thus kept its unique culture and heritage intact. Bangkok offers visitors the opportunity to experience fascinating glimpse of Thailand's gentle culture amidst the bustle of a great and dynamic metropolis. This great city has had astounding success in combining the ancient and modern world.
For tourists, Bangkok has a feast of attractions to offer. The city is dotted with 400 glittering Buddhist temples of great beauty and fascination, magnificent palaces, classical dance extravaganzas, numerous shopping centres and traditional ways of life, especially along the "Venice of the East" timeless canals and the Chao Phraya River of the "River of Kings" winding through the city. It is worth taking a trip along its waters before exploring further into different canals to take a glimpse of old Bangkok.Useful tourist information on Bangkok can be obtained from the official website of the Bangkok Tourism Division : www.bangkoktourist.com
Over the last few decades, Thailand's capital city, Bangkok, has changed into a modern, exciting and sophisticated city. It offers to visitors not only the cosmopolitan amenities they would expect from other big cities, but also a unique treasure trove of cultural attractions. Thailand, in the heart of Southeast Asia, was never colonised and thus kept its unique culture and heritage intact. Bangkok offers visitors the opportunity to experience fascinating glimpse of Thailand's gentle culture amidst the bustle of a great and dynamic metropolis. This great city has had astounding success in combining the ancient and modern world.
For tourists, Bangkok has a feast of attractions to offer. The city is dotted with 400 glittering Buddhist temples of great beauty and fascination, magnificent palaces, classical dance extravaganzas, numerous shopping centres and traditional ways of life, especially along the "Venice of the East" timeless canals and the Chao Phraya River of the "River of Kings" winding through the city. It is worth taking a trip along its waters before exploring further into different canals to take a glimpse of old Bangkok.Useful tourist information on Bangkok can be obtained from the official website of the Bangkok Tourism Division : www.bangkoktourist.com
RECOMMENDED ATTRACTIONS
Wat Phra Kaew & The Grand Palace
Wat Phra Kaew & The Grand Palace
The Grand Palace with the Royal Temple (Wat Phra Kaew, or Wat Phra Kaeo), home of the Emerald Buddha, is the spiritual heart of the nation. A first stop when visiting Bangkok, the entire palace complex offers more than 218,000 square metres of intricate symbolism, history and cultural traditions.
Wat Phra Kaew is the most sacred site in the country, a glorious explosion of Thai architecture and colour from start to finish, complete with murals of Hindu epic the Ramayana, statues of Yoga masters, the Chinese Goddess of Mercy and many Buddhas.
The sacred Emerald Buddha statue is housed in a building that sparkles with gilt and glass, supported by 112 garudas. Pilgrims come from all over Thailand to see this revered image. It is thought to have been created in Sri Lanka, but was discovered when lightning cracked open an old chedi in Chiang Rai. The Laotians held it for 200 years, but as it was believed to deliver miracles wherever it went, King Rama I snatched the statue back when he sacked Vientienne in the 1770s. The Thai King still personally changes the Emerald Buddha's garments according to the seasons of the Buddhist year.
Moving on, the Royal Pantheon continues the theme of contrasting styles. Depicted over 178 panels is the story of the Ramayana, the Hindu epic that has influenced most of southeast Asia, but brushing up in advance is advised as labels are all in Thai.
Only the northern part of the massive palace proper is open to the public (apart from special royal ceremonies). The audience hall built by King Rama I is a living example of traditional Thai architecture, featuring a roof glazed in red, gold and green and an exquisite throne inlaid with mother-of-pearl.
Among the other countless gems, the admission fee also affords entry to the wonderful Vimanmek Palace (the world's largest golden teakwood mansion, down the road via No 70 bus) and the Royal Thai Decoration & Coin Pavilion.
Entry is limited to those properly attired. As outer garments, shorts, mini-skirts, culottes, tight-fitting trousers, tights and sleeveless shirts are not suitable, neither are sweat shirts, tracksuits, wind-cheaters, nor sandals without ankle or heel straps. Shirt sleeves must not be rolled up.
Wat Phra Kaew is the most sacred site in the country, a glorious explosion of Thai architecture and colour from start to finish, complete with murals of Hindu epic the Ramayana, statues of Yoga masters, the Chinese Goddess of Mercy and many Buddhas.
The sacred Emerald Buddha statue is housed in a building that sparkles with gilt and glass, supported by 112 garudas. Pilgrims come from all over Thailand to see this revered image. It is thought to have been created in Sri Lanka, but was discovered when lightning cracked open an old chedi in Chiang Rai. The Laotians held it for 200 years, but as it was believed to deliver miracles wherever it went, King Rama I snatched the statue back when he sacked Vientienne in the 1770s. The Thai King still personally changes the Emerald Buddha's garments according to the seasons of the Buddhist year.
Moving on, the Royal Pantheon continues the theme of contrasting styles. Depicted over 178 panels is the story of the Ramayana, the Hindu epic that has influenced most of southeast Asia, but brushing up in advance is advised as labels are all in Thai.
Only the northern part of the massive palace proper is open to the public (apart from special royal ceremonies). The audience hall built by King Rama I is a living example of traditional Thai architecture, featuring a roof glazed in red, gold and green and an exquisite throne inlaid with mother-of-pearl.
Among the other countless gems, the admission fee also affords entry to the wonderful Vimanmek Palace (the world's largest golden teakwood mansion, down the road via No 70 bus) and the Royal Thai Decoration & Coin Pavilion.
Entry is limited to those properly attired. As outer garments, shorts, mini-skirts, culottes, tight-fitting trousers, tights and sleeveless shirts are not suitable, neither are sweat shirts, tracksuits, wind-cheaters, nor sandals without ankle or heel straps. Shirt sleeves must not be rolled up.
Wat Suthat and The Giant Swing
A visit to Wat Suthat Thep Wararam, situated almost in the center of old Bangkok, gives you an opportunity to see both the Giant Swing and one of the first-class Royal temples. The surrounding area is also worth exploring as there are many shops selling religious items.
The building of the temple was commissioned by King Rama I, the founder of Bangkok, in 1807. Its location in the center of Rattanakosin Island. This was in keeping with the Buddhist belief that it is like Mount Phra Sumeru being the center of the universe. Phra Sri Sakayamunee, the principal Buddha image, was moved from Wat Mahathat in Sukhothai to be placed in Phra Wihan Luang in Wat Suthat in 1808.
The building of the temple was commissioned by King Rama I, the founder of Bangkok, in 1807. Its location in the center of Rattanakosin Island. This was in keeping with the Buddhist belief that it is like Mount Phra Sumeru being the center of the universe. Phra Sri Sakayamunee, the principal Buddha image, was moved from Wat Mahathat in Sukhothai to be placed in Phra Wihan Luang in Wat Suthat in 1808.
Wat Suthat is surrounded by an impressive wall 1.94 metres high and 0.85 metres thick. There are a total of 15 doorways leading into the temple compound. Within the temple grounds the most important building is the Phra Wihan Luang which is the Royal Temple. The mural paintings, covering all the interior walls are some of the finest to be seen anywhere. Each has stone inscriptions describing the pictures.
Surrounding the Royal Temple is Phra Wihan Khot terrace which is really impressive with 156 Buddha statues, mostly in the seated meditative attitude called Smathi.
The chapel, Phra Ubosot at Wat Suthat is possibly the most beautiful in Thailand and is also the largest measuring 72.25 metres in length and 22.60 metres in width.
There are four pavilions (sala) within the compound that are elevated to the height of the temples walls. These are used for various royal functions and for viewing the previous functions at the Giant Swing in front of the temple.
The annual ceremony was held up until the 1930s but was discontinued to the high fatality rate as young men tried to swing high enough to grab a sack of gold on a pole about 25 metres in the air.
Open daily : 8.30 am. to 9.00 pm.
Admission fee : Baht 20
Chatuchak Weekend Market
With more than 8,000 booths selling all kinds of products. On Wednesday and Friday, some area will be set for flowering and decorating plant booths.
Open on Saturday and Sunday 7.00 - 18.00
Suan Lum Night Bazaar
The Suan Lum Night Bazaar is a great place for an inexpensive night out that offers fabulous shopping, restaurant or food court dining, live entertainment and a superb choice of beers.
Open until midnight.
China Town
Chinatown is a bustling, crowded area where you can buy just about anything day or night.
The main thoroughfare through Chinatown is Yaowarat Road, which is approximately 1.5 kilometres in length. It was built during the reign of King Rama V. On each side of the road, there is a network of streets and alleys lined with shops selling all sorts of things. In many of these streets, you'll find shops side by side selling the same items.
There is an old fresh food market called Trok Isarnuphap where leading chefs from all over Bangkok shop for the finest and freshest ingredients for their restaurant menus.
The largest outside of China
Chinatown is a bustling, crowded area where you can buy just about anything day or night.
Chao Phraya River Cruise
The main thoroughfare through Chinatown is Yaowarat Road, which is approximately 1.5 kilometres in length. It was built during the reign of King Rama V. On each side of the road, there is a network of streets and alleys lined with shops selling all sorts of things. In many of these streets, you'll find shops side by side selling the same items.
There is an old fresh food market called Trok Isarnuphap where leading chefs from all over Bangkok shop for the finest and freshest ingredients for their restaurant menus.
The largest outside of China
Chinatown is a bustling, crowded area where you can buy just about anything day or night.
Chao Phraya River Cruise
A cruise on the Chao Phraya River gives you a new perspective on Bangkok as you pass by the imposing Prangs of Wat Arun, the majestic Grand Palace and the Temple of The Emerald Buddha . You'll see a different side of commerce as huge lines of rice barges is towed by a small tugboat and other barges carrying cargo as diverse as sand and gravel, even soft drinks and beer.
There are a number of ways you can experience life on the river. You can take a voyage on a luxuriously converted rice barge leaving from Bangkok on a leisurely journey all the way up to the ancient capital at Ayutthaya . There are also purpose-built luxury cruisers making the same trip. Or you can see the river life the same way the locals do by catching a river express boat.
Ratchadamnoen Boxing Stadium
Thai Boxing Show (Muaythai) at Ratchadamnoen Boxing Stadium : Monday 6.00 pm. , Wednesdays 6.00 pm, Thursdays 5.00 and 9.00 pm, Sundays 4.00 and 8.00 pm.
Ticket Prices: 220, 440, 1,000 Baht (ringside); special discount on Sunday nights.
For more information, please call (662) 281-4205, (662) 280-1684-6.
Reference: Tourism Authority of Thailand
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