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Key Attractions Royal Grand Palace The Royal Grand Palace is a glittering walled complex that houses several palaces, all highly decorated with tiles and ceramics. Building was begun in 1782 when Bangkok was founded as the capital of Thailand. The complex houses Wat Phra Kaeo, the holiest of all Thai temples, where the sacred Emerald Buddha rests, not covered in emeralds but jade. There is even a scale model of Angkor Wat. There is a strict dress code and visitors wearing shorts, mini-skirts, sleeveless shirts or flip-flops will be refused entry, although it is possible to hire trousers and plastic shoes. Na Phra Lan Road Tel: (02) 222 6889. Website: www.palaces.thai.net Transport: Served by numerous buses. Opening hours: Daily 0830-1530. Admission: B200. Vimanmek Palace Vimanmek Palace is the world’s largest building made entirely of golden teak. It used to be a royal summer retreat and was dismantled and rebuilt in Bangkok in 1900. The 81-room mansion stands in carefully manicured lawns, located close to the current royal residence, and contains 31 exhibition rooms. Visitors are not free to wander but must take a guided tour, which take place every 30 minutes. Highlights include Thailand’s first indoor bathroom and the oldest typewriter with Thai characters. The dress code is the same as for the Royal Grand Palace. Ratchawithi Road Tel: (02) 281 8166. Website: www.palaces.thai.net Transport: Served by numerous buses. Opening hours: Daily 0900-1600 (last tour at 1515). Admission: B50. Free once a ticket to the Royal Grand Palace has been purchased (ticket valid for 30 days). Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha) Wat Pho is the oldest and largest temple in Bangkok and houses an enormous gold-plated Reclining Buddha, which is 46m (150ft) long and 15m (49ft) high. Today, it is also renowned for its teaching of herbal medicine and traditional massage. Thai Wang Rd Tel: (02) 222 0933. Transport: Served by numerous buses. Opening hours: Daily 0800-1700. Admission: B20. National Museum One of the largest and most comprehensive museums in the region, the National Museum houses a vast collection of artefacts from the neolithic period through to more recent periods. The building, begun in 1782, is fascinating in its own right, having been built in traditional Thai style. The museum is so large that it needs more than one visit, but if time is short it must be spent in the lovely teak pavilion, which houses personal royal belongings. Free guided tours are given by volunteers at 0930 on Wednesdays and Thursdays and are highly recommended. Na Phrathat Road Tel: (02) 224 1333. Transport: Served by numerous buses. Opening hours: Wed-Sun 0900-1600. Admission: B40. Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) Located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, the 17th-century Wat Arun has a 79m-high (259ft) tower decorated with multicoloured ceramic tiles, which makes it a landmark along the river. The effect of the tiles is best observed at a distance. It was the first home of the Emerald Buddha before it was transferred to Wat Phra Kaeo in 1785. There is a nightly light and sound show between October and May. Arun Amarin Road Tel: (02) 465 5640. Transport: Boat from Tha Tien Pier. Opening hours: Daily 0700-1700. Admission: B10. Jim Thompson Thai House Jim Thompson was an American who came to Bangkok after World War II and the Jim Thompson Thai House was his home until he mysteriously disappeared in Malaysia in 1967. He completely revived the Thai silk industry and his house, traditionally Thai in style, is now a museum showing his collection of Asian artefacts. The house is a complex of six traditional Thai teak structures brought to Bangkok from various parts of Thailand and its construction was completed in 1955. The house can only be visited on a guided tour. 6 Soi Kasemsan 2 Song, Rama I Road Tel: (02) 216 7368. E-mail: info@jimthompsonhouse.com Website: www.jimthompsonhouse.com Transport: Skytrain National Stadium station. Opening hours: Daily 0900-1700 (last tour at 1630). Admission: B100. Royal Barge National Museum The royal barges are rarely used by the royal family because of their age and a few of them are now preserved in the Royal Barge National Museum on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya River. The eight long, narrow boats on display are intricately gilded and each need between 50 and 60 rowers to take their oars. The figure on the bow of each boat signifies whether it carries the King and Queen or other members of the royal family. The most important barge is the Suphannahong, exclusively used by the King. Khlong Bangkok Noi Tel: (02) 424 0004. Transport: River taxi. Opening hours: Daily 0900-1700. Admission: B30. |
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