Bangkok Information guide
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.
BANGKOK'S ATTRACTIONS
GRAND PALACE AND WAT PHRA KAEW
Also called the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, this temple adjoins the Grand
Palace on common ground, which was consecrated in 1782, the first year of Bangkok
rule. Together they have been added to by the different Thai monarchs and consequently
feature several different types of architecture. The palace is a very colorful
place, with extensive murals along the inside walls of the compound. The king
only uses the palace on certain ceremonial occasions, such as Coronation Day,
and his residence is in the other, more of a modern style palace.
TEMPLES CITY
There are a lot of glittering Buddhist temples (about 300) in Bangkok, which
are worth to visit. The best of them are:
- Temple of the Golden Buddha (Wat Traimit) - its attraction is the
impressive 3 1/2 -meter tall, 5 1/2 -ton, solid gold Buddha image.
- Temple of Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho) is the oldest and largest temple
in Bangkok; it features the largest reclining Buddha and the largest collection
of Buddha images in Thailand. The tremendous reclining Buddha, 50 meters long
and 15 meters high, illustrates the passing of Buddha into nirvana.
- Golden Mount Temple (Wat Sa Ket) - from the foot of the Golden Mount
opens a good view of Old Bangkok rooftops.
- "Marble Temple" (Wat Benchamabophit), built of white Carrara
marble.
- Tenple of the Great Relic (Wat Mahathat) is located near Thammasat
University. The temple houses Mahachulalongkorn Buddhist University, one of
the two highest seats of Buddhism learning in Thailand. Meditation classes are
offered for foreigners.
WAT PHO
This world famous temple is located right next to the Grand Palace on the south
side. It is one of Bangkok's oldest and largest temples. Wat Pho was built by
King Rama I nearly 200 years ago and house th egigantic gold-plated Reclining
Buddha. This unique image is 46 metres in length and 15 metres high with beautifully
inlaid mother-of pearl. Wat Pho is also regarede as the first centre of public
education and is sometimes called "Thailand's first University". The
building housing the Reclining Buddha is open daily from 8.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.
Admission fee is Baht 20.
WAT ARUN (TEMPLE OF THE DAWN)
This world famous temple is located right next to the Grand Palace on the south
side. It is one of Bangkok's oldest and largest temples. Wat Pho was built by
King Rama I nearly 200 years ago and house th egigantic gold-plated Reclining
Buddha. This unique image is 46 metres in length and 15 metres high with beautifully
inlaid mother-of pearl. Wat Pho is also regarede as the first centre of public
education and is sometimes called "Thailand's first University". The
building housing the Reclining Buddha is open daily from 8.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.
Admission fee is Baht 20.
PHRA THI NANG VIMANMEK AND ABHISEK DUSIT THRONE HALL
Vimanmek Palace is located behind Bangkok's National Assembly and is the world's
largest building made entirely of golden teak. The three storey wooden palace
hs 81 rooms, halls and ante-rooms, excluding verandahs. Near the entrance to
Vimanmek Palace is the Royal Carriage Museum where 13 royal house-drawn carriages
once used during the reign of King Rama V are kept. The collection is splendid
and regarded to be of great historical value. Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall (The
Support Museum), a one storey teak building built in the reign of King Rama
V, is situated on the east wing of Vimanmek Throne Hall. Abhisek Dusit Throne
Hall is now Thailand's first handicraft museum where Her Majesty The Queen collects
handicraft masterpieces created by members of the Support Foundation. In the
museum, visiotrs can find such handicrafts as nielloware, Thai silk with various
unique disigns, "Lipao" basketry like beautiful trays, handbags studded
with jewels in different designs such green beetle. The compound is open daily
from 9.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m. Admission fee is Baht 50 per person. Free guide available
(Tel. 02 2818166, 02 2811569, 02 2811518, 02 2805926)
CHAO PHRAYA RIVER CRUISE AND CANAL TOUR
You can observe the panorama of the Old Bangkok side by side with the modern
urban river life from the water taking a motor boat trip of about 11/2 hours
along the main Bangkok river - Chao Phraya which was at the old times the only
transport gateway to Bangkok. You will sail by (and may stop at) one of the
most beautiful Bangkok Temples - The Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun) and get a close
look at a daily life of Thai people living in riverside houses. Open from 7
to 11 a.m. there is a floating market - boats selling fresh fruits and souvenirs.
You can also make a stop at the Snake Farm located along the river, which has
daily snake shows: feeding snakes, venom extraction and a man, catching cobra.
Or you may wish to take a dinner cruise along the Chao Phraya River dining in
the restaurant on the boat.
THE NATION MUSEUM
Within walking distance of the Grand Palace, across the Pramane Ground, is one
of the largest and most comprehensive museums in Southeast Asia. The National
Museum has over one thousand artifacts ranging from neolithic times to the present
Bangkok period. The complex also begun in 1782 consists of several old but beautiful
buildings of colorful Thai architectural design. The museum is open every day,
except Mondays, Tuesdays and public holidays from 9.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m. Admission
fee is Baht 40.
JIM THOMPSON'S THAI HOUSE
This remarkable Thai-style house was the work of Mr. Jim Thompson an American
who came to Thailand at the end of the Second World War and revived the Thai
Silk industry. His later disappearance in the Malaysian jungles remains a mystery
to this day. The house now a museum is at the end of Soi Kasemsan 2 opposite
the National Stadium on Rama I Road. On permanent display are Mr. Thompson's
collection of Asian artifacts such as blue/white China ware Cambodian stone
figures Benjarong (a multicolored porcelain made in China) wooden Burmese statues
and many other fabulous antiques. Jim Thompson's House is open from Monday to
Saturday inclusive from 9.00 a.m. - 4.30 p.m. Admission costs Baht 100. Volunteer
guides explain the collection to visitors.
SAFARI WORLD
Covering 7km2, Safari World provides you with two very special ways to learn
about the animal kingdom. The Safari Park immerses you into the animals' world
as you are seemingly caged in the car and the animals are left in their natural
habitats. The Marine Park gives you a chance to visit different shows with animals.
DREAM WORLD
an amusement park, a beautiful theme park which provides entertainment to millions
of tourists.
THAI CLASSICAL DANCE & DINNER
Spend a beautiful evening in one of the several Thai classic dance/dinner theatres
in the city. Thai dinner, selected dance performances by professional dancers
dressed in glittering national costumes, sometimes martial arts are also on
display.
SAMUTPRAKAN CROCODILE FARM & ZOO
The world's largest ?rocodile Farm where more than 60 000 crocodiles are kept
is located 25 km south of Bangkok. Here you will experience thrilling world
famous "Crocodile Wrestling" and "Acrobatic Elephant" stage
shows. In the farm you can ride an elephant and have your pictures taken with
exotic animals.
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