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Tourist
Attractions
Wat Phra Kaeo
 Wat
Phra Kaeo , situated in the same compound of the
Grand Palace, is a treasure house of Thai arts,
and houses the Emerald Buddha, the most revered
Buddha image in Thailand. 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.
The compound of Wat Phra Kaeo and the Grand Palace
is open daily from 8.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m.. The
admission fee is 200 baht , including the entry
to the Royal Thai Decorations & Coins Pavilion
in the same compound and to Vimanmek Mansion Museum
on Ratchawithi Road.
Wat Pho
 This
large and extensive temple neighbours the Grand
Palace enclave and contains a gigantic gold plated
Reclining Buddha, some 46 metres long and 15 metres
high, with beautifully inlaid mother-of-pearl
soles. Wat Pho is also regarded as the first centre
of public education and is sometimes called ‘Thailand’s
first university’. Mural paintings, inscriptions,
and statues found in the temple educated people
on varied subjects such as literature, warfare,
archaeology, astronomy, geology, meditation and
Thai traditional massage. It is open daily from
9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.. Admission fee is 20 baht.
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.
Wat Benchamabophit
 Also
known as the Marble Temple, this temple is on
Sri Ayutthaya Road near the Chitralada Palace.
The main building 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 Palace
 Or
Vimanmek Mansion Museum, located on Ratchawithi
Road behind the National Assembly, is the world’s
largest golden teak building. The 3-storey palace
contains 81 rooms, halls and ante- chambers. A
guided tour inside the building is provided to
visitors. Other buildings in the same compound
are also used as museums and display various items
and art objects. The compound is open daily from
9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. Admission fee is 50 baht.
Chatuchak Park
 Situated
next to the better known Chatuchak Weekend Market
on Phahonyothin Road, Chatuchak Park is a nicely
landscaped park and is considered the major park
of Bangkok. This is a nice spot for relaxing after
an exhausting shopping at the market.
China Town
 Bangkok’s
China Town is an old business centre covering
a large area around Yaowarat Road and Charoen
Krung Road. 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.
Thai boxing
 is
both a sport and means of self defense. Contestants
are allowed to use almost any part of their body:
feet, elbows, legs, knees, and shoulders, are
all weapons. The playing of traditional music
during bouts makes for even greater excitement.
The two main venues in Bangkok for viewing the
Thai boxing are
Ratchadamnoen Stadium
On Ratchadamnoen Nok Road, it is open every Monday
and Wednesday at 6.00 p.m., Thursday aat 5.00
and 9.00 p.m., and Sunday at 4.00 and 8.00 p.m..
Lumphini Stadium
On Rama IV Road, it is open every Tuesday and
Friday at 6.00 p.m., and Saturday at 5.00 p.m..
International visitors who wish to learn Thai
boxing can contact the Muay Thai Institute, 336/932
Prachathipat, Thanyaaburi, Pathum Thani (Tel:
(02) 9920096-9). |
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Bangkok
