Go to Bangkok (1/3)

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.

Introduction top ten locaton in Bangkok

1.Chitradarahotarn Palace

Chitradarahotarn Palace
Address:Rama V Road Dusit Sub-District
Dusit District Bangkok 10300
Phone: (662) 280-4200
Fax: (662) 280-1996

Chitradarahotarn Palace King Rama VI used to write his literary war in this area formerly known as Sompoy Field. H later named the pavilion Chitraladarahotarn Palace, and King Rama VII commanded it to be annexed to Dusit Garden Palace. Today the palace is thq residence of Their Majesties King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit
Royal Chitralada Projects: These are the Royal demonstration projects which HM the King has initiated for his subjects. They are non-profit endeavours inside the palace grounds, and include rice growing, rice milling and dairy farming. Chitralada School: Built in the grounds of the palace, the school was first intended for print and princesses. Later, however, the school enroll children of the staff who worked in the palace Today, the children of people not associated with the palace are admitted, from kindergarten rev to the 12th grade.
Dusitalai Pavilian: This all-purpose hall ' is loften used as a venue for HM the King to grant audiences.
SUPPORT Foundation: Many kinds of of art and crafts are taught here, and it is also where to m crafts can be preserved and developed. It no houses a collection of handicrafts, from all regions of the country, i.e. gold, silver and lacquerware, Lipao basketry and silk weaving among many others.
Details:
Bus: 5 18 28 39 50 72 96 97 108 201
Air Bus: 3 44 72 510 515 Mb4

Royal Chitralada Projects Phone:(662) 281-1847 282-1850
Fax: (662) 280-1996

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Close: Sun Public Hols. Chitralada
Phone:(662) 280-4830-1 Fax:(662) 280-3392

Parking:
In the Palace compound

2.Wat Pha Kaeo

Wat Pha Kaeo
Address: Na Phralan Road
Phra Borommaharatchawang Sub-District
Phra Nakhon District Bangkok 10200
Tel: (662) 222-8181: 3801 3890
222-2208 623-5500: 3100

The Temple of the Emerald Buddha, located in a separate complex within the compound of the Grand Palace, is Thailand’s holiest shrine. Offi cially named Wat Phra Si Rattanasatsadaram, the temple
complex was modeled on the temples of the Sukhothai and Ayuttaya eras. Even though small in size, the
Emerald Buddha is considered one of the most important icons for Thai people. The sacred Buddha
was fi rst brought to Thonburi, currently the west side of Bangkok, by King Taksin the Great. In 1784,King Rama I moved the statue to the current location in Bangkok. It should be pointed out that the Emerald Buddha is in reality carved from a large piece of green jade. The word in Thai for emerald means “green colored”.


Model of Angkor Wat: King Rama IV had this built by Phra Samphopphai when Cambodia was under Siamese control. The model was recreated in plaster at the behest of King Rama V to celebrate the first centenary of the Royal city.

Prasat Phra Thepidon: This four-square prang originally called "Puttaprang Prasat" was built in the reign
of King Rama IV. Inside are statues of Kings Rama I-King Rama VIII, to which the public pay their respects on Chakri Day, April 6, every year.

Mondop:This structure stands behind Prasat Phra Thepidon, and was built in the reign of King Rama I. Inside is a cabinet holding the Buddhist scriptures beautifully decorated in mother-of-pearl.

Balcony: This can be compared to the temple wall. The murals inside tell the Ramayana story in its entirety. On the columns of the balcony are stone inscriptions of the verses describing the murals.

Phra Sri Ratana Chedi: Built in the style of Wat Sri Sanphet in Ayutthaya , this chedi is to the west of the Monhop. Inside is a small chedi with relics of the Lord Buddha.

Phra Atsada Maha Chedi: This group of eight chedis stands in front of the temple. It was built in the reign
of King Rama I and dedicated to the heavens. Six of the group are outside the balcony, two are inside. Each has its own name.

Yaksa Tavarnbal (Gate-keeping Giants): Six pairs of mythical ogres stand at each gate of the Balcony. These are the main Giants of the Ramayana.

Hor Phra Khanthan-rat: Standing in the estern corner of the balcony, this is where the Phra Puttakhanthan-rat figure is enshrined. It presides over the Royal rain-making ceremony and the ceremony of the first rice planting. Inside are paintings by the mural artist Khrua In Khong.

Hor Phra Ratcha Karamanusorn: Inside this structure are 34 Buddha images in various positions, built
by command of King Rama III and dedicated the kings of Ayutthaya and Thonburi.

Hor Phra Ratcha Pongsanusorn: Built in the reign of King Rama IV, this is the location of the Buddha image of the reigning King of the Rattanakosin Era. Inside are murals of Royal chronicles of Ayutthaya
by Khrua In Khong.

Hor Phra Nak: Situated behind the temple, this traditional Thai building roofed with glazed tiles contains the ashes of the Royal family.

Details:
Bus: 1 3 6 9 15 19 25 30 32 33 39 43 44
47 53 59 60 64 65 70 80 82 91 123 201 203

Air-con Bus: 1 8 25 506 507 512 Sai 38 39 44

Pier: Chao Phraya Express Boat: Tha Chang Pier

Opening Hour: Daily 8 am-4 pm

Admission Fee: Foreigner 200 Bht

Activity-Festival: Sun: Sermon 1 pm Buddist Holy Day: Sermon 9 am 1 am

Guide: 10 am 2 pm Personal Audio Guide (PAG):
German English French Japanese Mandarin Russian Spain Thai

Admission Fee: 100 Bht/2 hours Passport/Credit card

3.Wat Arunratchawaram

Wat Arunratchawaram
Address:34 Arun Amarin Road Wat Arun Sub-District
Bangkokyai District Bangkok 10600
Phone: (662) 891-1149
Fax: (662) 891-1149
The prang of Wat Arun on the bank of Ch Phraya River is one of Bangkok 's world-famous landmarks. From a French map of Thonburi made in the reign of King Narai it can be seen that the temple existed when Ayutthaya was Siam 's capital. The temple was formerly known as Wat Makok, and when King Taksin built his palace, he ordered the temple to be annexed to it. The king restored it and renamed it "Wat Jaeng". It was restored again by King Rama II, and renamed "Wat Arunratchatharam". King Rama IV later changed the name to "Wat Arunratchawararam"

Ubosot: This is an outstanding example of Rama II period architecture in late Ayutthaya style. It has a two-tiered roof with glazed ceramics, and pediments decorated with wooden carvings depicting Warunthep. The interior murals were painted during the Third and Fifth Reigns. Phra Phutthathammitsararatchalokthatdilok,the principal Buddha image in the Subduing Mara posture, was cast in the reign of King Rama II and contains relics of King Rama II.
Prang: This brick stupa is decorated with glazed pottery fragments in flower and leaf designs and other Thai patterns. The top is gilded and adorned with the noppasul.

Pra Rabiengkote: This corridor is in placeof the kampaeng kaeo found in most other tempi It has a tiled roof with doors opening onto f directions. Inside are 120 Buddha images in Subduing Mara posture.

Mondop of the Buddha's Footprint: A chapel surmounted by a spire, this stands between the ubosot and the wihan. It was built during the Third Reign and houses a copy of the footprint of the Budd a carved in Kwantong stone and decorated with colourful porcelain.

Ogre Statues: Guarding at the gate are two ogre (yaksha). The white yaksha is Sahassadecha and i green partner Thossakun, the villain of the Ramakien, the Thai version of the Ramayana epic.

The temple has flourished throughout the Ratta akosin period. The beauty of the architecture and t e fine craftsmanship declare its status as a temp - of the first grade and one of the most outstanding temples of Thailand.

Details:Bus:19 57 83

Peir: 1. Passenger Boat Wat Arun Pie
2. Ferry Tha Tien Pier Wat Pho Pier F<--> Wat Arun Pier

Opening Hours: Temple: Daily 7:30 am-5:30 pm
Ubosot: Free Admission, buta written request to the Temple's Abbot is required

Admission Fee: Prang: 10 Bht

Listed By Fine Arts Dept : First Class Special

Activity & Festival: Thod Krotin Festival:
9 days after Buddhist Lent Final Day (Nov)

Library: Loykrathong Festival Somdet (Wanothitiyanatera)

Opening Hours: Mon-Tue ,Thu-Sun8:30 am-5:30 pm
Close : Wed Public Hols.

Admission Fee: Membership 10 Bht

Parking: in the Temple compound.