| 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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