The beautiful Grand Palace in BangkokBangkok Thailand, either you will love it or hate it. East meets West in Bangkok. Beautiful temples, floating markets, traditional festivals, cultural events, Thai hospitality combined with an ultra modern transport system, top class hotels, fantastic restaurants (seafood) pumping nightlife, bars, and the best shopping I have ever seen, at prices far lower than you could ever dream about. Bangkok is a major international city, but you will find a week is more than enough time to see and do most things. It would be a good idea to mix time in Bangkok with a holiday on the beach or in the countryside of Chiang Mai, so you can experience more of what Thailand has to offer.
Bangkok Attractions
Chinatown
Chinatown of Bangkok was formally an area called "Sampeng", started when the Chinese merchants moved in 1780s after vacating the land where the Grand Palace now stands. In 1863, King Mongkut commanded the construction of New Road (or Charoen Krung Road) which runs over six kilometers from the Royal Palace till it drops straight into the Chao Phraya River, just south of Krung Thep Bridge now. The Chinatown expanded along Charoen Krung, Krung Kasem and the third road, the Yaowarat Road which was built between Charoen Krung and Sampeng.
Chatuchak Park
A large scale amusement park is located on Phaholyotin Road on the way to Domuang Airport. Within its beautifully decorated area, there are linked paths, pools, legendary castles and more than 30 funny toys.Opening time is from 10.00 a.m.- 5.00 p.m. on weekdays and 9.30 a.m.7.00 p.m. on weekends.
City Pillar ShrineLocated
across the street from the eastern wall of Wat Phra Kaeo to the southeast of Sanam Luang, this shrine contains a wooden pillar erected by King Rama I in 1782 to represent the founding of the capital. The spirit of the pillar is considered the city's guardian deity to whom hundreds of Thai worshippers daily come to pay homage and offer prayers. Thai classical dance performances are given many times daily from 08:30 until 15:30 (16:00 for Sunday).
Crocodile FarmHere
is the world's largest crocodile farm with over 60,000 crocs in stock. Visitors can also view a crocodile wrestling show and elephant shows which are presented several times daily.Besides, there is a modest sized zoo with some rare animals such as tigers, chimpanzees, lions, leopards, pythons, camels, etc
Location : Amphoe Muang, Samut Prakan, 25 km from Bangkok
Dream World
This amusement park is situated on km. 7 of Rangsit-Ong Kharak Road, a 10 minute drive from Don Muang Airport. It is a beautiful land designed in classic style and decorated with European style plaza, miniature land of the major world legend and exciting playing machines. Open daily from 10.00 am-5.00 pm. except on weekends from 10.00 am-7.00 pm.
Dusit Zoo
Located near Vimanmek Palace, Dusit Zoo is opened to the public everyday from 8.00 a.m. - 6.00 p.m. Tropical animals to be found include great grey kangaroos, Sumatran rhinoceros, Siamese crocodiles, gaurs, lesser mouse deer, American bisons, etc.
Floating Market
For those who want to be amid the peaceful atmosphere and observe the traditional ways of life by the water, Bangkok has quite a lot to offer. The easiest way is taking a Chao Phraya River express boat. There are also several canal routes by long-tail boat which offer more charming scenery with stops at old temples which are scattered along all canals.
Jim Thompson House
This remarkable Thai-style wooden house once belonged to the late Mr. Jim Thompson, an American silk entrepreneur. The house, now a museum, displays Mr. Thompson's splendid collection of Asian artefacts and antiques.
Ko Kret
Location : An islet in the middle of the Chao Phraya River a little way from Bangkok's northern edge.This islet, which is worth a one-day visit, is home of a Mon community that immigrated from their homeland in Burma more than 300 years ago. The islet is well known as a centre of earthenware production -- the Mons' inherited art, and a market of authentic Mon-style pottery.
National Museum
Established in 1926 in the reign of King Rama VII, it is located within walking distance of the Grand Palace next to Thammasat University, this is the largest and most comprehensive museum in Southeast Asia. It contains an 18th century palace and a group of well-designed buildings, housing Thailand's artistic treasures from prehistoric to contemporary.Tours conducted at 9.30 a.m. daily -- in English (on Wed and Thur), French (Wed and Thur), German (Thur) and Japanese (Wed). For more information, call 0 2224 1333.
The Ratchadamnoen Boxing Stadium
The Ratchadamnoen Boxing Stadium on Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue near the TAT office holds bouts on Mondays at 5.00 and 9.00 pm, Wednesdays at 6.00 pm, Thursdays at 6.00 pm, and Sundays at 5.00 pm. The practice bouts held at 2.00 pm on Sundays are pretty much for the tourists. Don't get ripped off by touts selling tickets on the street. Only buy tickets from the authorized sellers in the ticket windows at the stadium. Tickets vary in price depending on the seating. Outer circle seats cost around 250 baht. Ringside tickets cost 500 baht on up to 1000 baht depending on the card. A boxing match includes eight fights with a maximum of five rounds each.
Rose Garden
Location : 30 km southwest of Bangkok on Phetkasem HighwayCovering an area of over 20 hectares, it is a beautiful flower garden resort, noted for its scenic riverside landscape. At the resort, there are a Thai cultural village and a restaurant. It also stages cultural shows, folk dances and martial arts at 14.30 every day.
Royal Barges Museum
The museum can be reached by boat from Tha Chang Pier near the Grand Palace. It houses several royal barges used in Royal ceremonial processions on the river.The most beautiful and important barge is the Suphannahong, the king's personal barge, which was built in 1911 in the reign of King Rama VI. It is 44.7 metres long and 3.1 metres wide, being the largest and most elaborate dugout in the world. The name, meaning "golden hongsa", came from the bow of the barge carved into the shape of the head of a mythical bird called hongsa.
Sanam Luang
This huge public ground in front of the Grand Palace used to be the place where the Weekend Market now moved to Suan Chatuchak on Phahonyothin Road was held. Special activities or ceremonies such as the Royal Ploughing Ceremony in May and the New Year Festival also take place here. At the northern part of Sanam Luang opposite the Royal Hotel is a small statue placed in small white pavillion. The Goddess of the Earth was built during King Chulalongkorn's reign (1868-1910)t o provide public drinking water.
Pasteur Institute (Snake Farm)
This interesting spot is located at the corner of Henri Dunant Road and Rama IV Road west of Chulalongkorn Hospital. It is a section of the Thai Red Cross where one can have cholera smallpox and typhoid inoculations as well as rabies treatment. The institute has become a popular tourist attraction because of its large collection of live poisonous snakes. The Snake Farm is open to the public every day between 8.30 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. on weekdays and 8.30 a.m.- 12.00 p.m. on public holidays. The extraction of venom from the snakes is demonstrated daily at 10.30 a.m. and 2.00 p.m. on weekdays and at 10.30 a.m. on public holidays.
Safari World
It is located at 99 Ramindra 1, Min Buri, covers an area of some 430 rai and is divided into 2 parts. The first, the Safari Park, houses a large variety of animals like zebra, deers, giraffe, birds, tigers, lion, bears, etc.in natural habitat. Visitors can drive their own cars or have a good look from one of the Safari World's air-conditioned coaches . The second, the Marine Park, exhibits marine and some rare animals. Visitors can enjoy performances by trained animals like dolphins, birds, seals, and monkeys Restaurants and game shops are also scattered within the area and tram service is provided for those wishing to have a look around. Safari World is open daily between 9.00 a.m.
Siam Water Park (Suan Siam)
Siam Water Park is merely a 60-minute drive from the Lat Phrao flyover, and is located in suburban Amphoe Minburi. The park features an extensive man-made sea with artificial surf, whirlpools, fountains and fountains and waterfalls, and towering water slides amid carefully landscaped gardens. Satellite attractions include children's playgrounds, aviaries, an open zoo and botanical gardens. The complex is open daily from 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. (weekdays) and 9.00 a.m. to 07.00 p.m. (weekends).
A wealth of shopping opportunities await visitors, and bargains abound throughout the Country in traditional handicrafts, textiles, gems, jewellery and antiques, as well as more contemporary items. But it isn’t only the variety of creatively designed and meticulously crafted products that so captivates the traveller. The shopping experience itself is a pleasure in its own right as one explores from upscale shopping malls and department stores to high streets and back streets and bustling markets. What’s more, frequent promotions involving definitively Thai variations on myriad product themes hold out the prospect of acquiring a better selection for a lower outlay. And to top it all, foreign visitors to Thailand can often look forward to receiving a further price reduction in the form of a healthy tax refund on department; the perfect way to round off a memorable stay.
