Text description of Bangkok and vicinity



DESTINATONS CENTRAL THAILAND BANGKOK Also known as the "City of Angle", Bangkok, or Krungthep as it is known in Thai, is situated on the historically renowned 'River of Kings', the Chao Phraya. When flying into this vast metropolis of approximately 10 million people, one sees a very modernized lifestyle with towering multistory high-rises, but once on the ground, the hidden mystique of this Oriental city is revealed. Among the small alleyways that run off the major thoroughfares and the maze of canals that cross the city are aspects of life that are truly uniquely Thai. Temples of various architecture styles built by the Chakri monarchs, food markets that are hustling and bustling with hawkers selling their wares, the Chao Phraya River – lifeline of the city and country with craft of all sizes carrying people in all directions, and much more that is all entwined with modernity to create Bangkok. Take a walk or a river cruises to see and experience the cultural, traditional and historical charms that attract people from all over the world to the “City of Angles". Besides, there’s the glistening spires of the magnificent Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the traditionally designed Jim Thompson’s Thai House, and the world’s largest golden teak building of Vimanmek that all house impressive religious and object d’art collections from bygone eras. But this isn’ t all: there’s more! For sports enthusiasts, there’s the excitement of Muay Thai or Thai kickboxing at the Ratchadamnoen and Lumpini Stadiums, or why not have a round of golf at one of the approximately 50 world-class courses in and around Bangkok. There are opportunities for shopping everywhere with value-for-money bargains, and as for food, this city is 2-hour gourmet’s delight with tantalizing mouthwatering delicacies of various tastes. THE GRAND PALACE AND WAT PHRA KAEW (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) This Bangkok landmark, which features some of the most spectacular architecture in South East Asia, should be the first place on visitor’s itinerary. Its huge compound on Na Phra Lan Road near Sanam Luang is surrounded by high white waIls and occupies an area of about a square mile. The palace, begun in 1782, consists of several buildings with highly decorated architectural details. The magnificent Royal chapel, Wat Phra Kaeo, which is in the same compound, houses the Emerald Buddha, the most sacred Buddha image in Thailand. 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 has 81 rooms, halls and ante-rooms, excluding terrace and verandahs. Near the entrance to Vinammek Mansion is the Royal Carriage Museum where a splendid collection of 13 royal house drawn carriages once used during the reign of King Rama V. The collection is 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 Mansion. Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall is now Thailand’s first handicraft museum where Her Majesty the queen has begun a collection of handicraft masterpieces created y members of SUPPORT Foundation. In the museum, visitors find such handicrafts as nielloware, Thai silk with various unique designs, basketry woven from the “Lipao” vine, handbags studded with jewels in different designs, or items decorated with the wings of the green beetle. THE NATIONAL MUSEUM Within walking distance of the Grand Palace, across the Phra Mane Ground, is one of the largest and most comprehensive museums in Southeast Asia. The National Museum houses over one thousand artifacts ranging from Neolithic times to the present Bangkok period. The complex, also began in 1782, consists of several old but beautiful buildings of colorful Thai architectural design. SANAM LUANG This huge public ground, also known as the Phra Mane Ground, is in front of the Grand Palace. Special activities or ceremonies such as the Royal Ploughing Ceremony in May, and most recently the king’s Golden Jubilee Ceremony, take place here. The area is also popular for kite flying, especially during the months of March and April. WAT PHO (Temple of the Reclinining Buddha & Home of Traditional Thai Medicine) This famous temple, located next to the Grand Palace, is one of Bangkok’s oldest and largest temples. Wat Pho was conceived by King Rama I nearly 200 years ago as a source of public education, providing information on subjects such as literature, archaeology, astrology and medicine, and is therefore sometimes called “Thailand’s First University”. The chapel houses the gigantic gold-plated Reclining Buddha, which is 46 meters in length and 15 meters high with beautifully inlaid mother-of pearl soles depicting the 108 auspicious signs of the Buddha. The temple is also the headquarters for the Traditional Medicine Practitioners of Bangkok. There are stone plaques and inscriptions describing treatment for various ailments and methods of massage and meditation. Thai-style massage is available two open plan areas within the temple ground. WAT ARUN (Temple of the Dawn) Located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, Wat Arun can be reached either Arun Amarin Road or by crossing the river by boat from Tha Tien Pier, near Wat Pho. Its highlight is the 79-metre high pagoda or “Phra Prang”. Despite its name, “Temple of the Dawn” is at its most attractive when viewed at sunset from the Bangkok side of the river. WAT BENCHAMABOPHIT (The Marble Temple) The Marble Temple, on Si Ayutthaya Road Chitralada Palace, is well-known because its main building was con structed during the reign of King Rama Loma V. The best time to visit this temple is early in the morning when Buddhist monks chant inside the chapel. The interior of the main building is magnificently decorated with cross beams of lacquer and gold. A large collection of bronze Buddha images lines the walls of the spacious, inner courtyard. SUAN PAKKARD PALACE Set on Si Ayutthaya Road not far from the intersection of Phayathai Road, this place used to be the residence of Princess Chumphot of Nagara, Svarga, one of Thailand's leading art collectors. There is a cluster of five traditional Thai houses, overlooking a beautifully kept garden. They house a large collection of Asian art and antiques. One building exhibits a collection of seashells, mineral crystal and painted pottery from Ban Chiang. ROYAL BARGES NATIONAL MUSEUM This dry dock, where several royal barges are displayed, is located on Khlong Bangkok Noi off the Chao Phraya River not far from Phra Pin Klao Bridge. The barges are used for special Royal ceremonies such as the Royal Kathin Ceremony. One of the most beautiful and well-known barges is the "Suphannahongse", now replaced by the "Narayana Song Suban. Rama IX", as the King's Royal Barge. The unique design and decorative details of each barge should be of great interest to all visitors 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 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 Kasemsant on Rama I Road. On permanent display are Mr. Thompson, collection of Asian artifacts, such as blue-white china ware, Cambodian stone figures, Benjarong (a multi-coloured porcelain), wooden Burmese statues and many other fabulous antiques. OUT OF BANGKOK SAMUT PRAKAN CROCODILE FARM Near the mouth of the Chao Phraya River is Samut Prakarn is the world’s largest crocodile farm that has more than 30,000 of these large reptiles in all stages of age. ANCIENT CITY One the the largest open-air museums in the world, with replicas of important architectural edifices from various provinces situated in a beautiful park. AYUTHAYA Within easy reach of this capital are some major attractive destinations to explore. Just 70 kms north is the former Siamese capital of Ayutthaya (1350-1767) with its impressive ancient ruins of temples and palaces that are reminders of the glorious past of this period of Thai history. This historical park is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and each year in December, there are celebrations displaying the traditional culture and lifestyles of Ayutthaya’s past and present. AYUTHAYA HISTORICAL PARK Located here are many of Ayutthaya's most important attractions, among them the Viharn Phra Mongkol Bopitr, containing one of the largest coated bronze Buddha images in Thailand; the Royal Palace, Wat Mahathat, dating from 1958, now on display in the Ayutthaya National Museum. LOPBURI Lop Buri, formerly known as “Lawo”, was one of the important ancient towns of the Khmers from the 10th-13th century. Many Khmer ruins are found in and around this town. During the Ayuttyaya period, King Narai the Greath established Lop Buri as the second capital with the help of French architects. Most of the architecture of that time reflects the mixture of Thailand Western styles. PRANG SAM YOT Prang Sam Yot, which means the Temple of Three Towers, is a good example of Khmer architecture, consisting of three laterite prangs linked by a center corridor typical of the Bayon style in the early 13th century. Also in the same general area are several other prangs influenced by Khmer styling at Wat Mahathat, one of which, Prang Prathan, has fine lintel and stucco decorations. THE WEST NAKHON PATHOM A very old city which has been a center of the Dvaravati vivilisation. Over 2,000 years ago, a Buddhist missionary from India was sent to introduce Buddhism and its philosophy to a land called Suwannaphum, which had Nakhon Pathom as its capital. Phra Pathom Chedi was the important structure of the kingdom. The prosperous city was abandoned in the 12h century. A new community settled down after the renovation of Phra Pathom Chedi was completed in the reign of King Rama V of Bangkok period. PHRA PATHOM CHEDI Phra Pathom Chedi in Nakhon Pathom, just west of Bangkok, is one of the largest religious structures in the world. Standing 127 metres tall, the present Chedi covers the original structure which is believed to have been built during the Dvaravati period in the6th century A.D. and was in the shape of an Indian stupa. The present chedi was started in the reign of King Rama IV and completed under King Rama V. KANCHANABURI To the west is Kanchanaburi that is more well known for the Bridge on the River Kwai and Death Railway built by Allies prisoners-of-war during World War II. In late November, early December, weeklong celebrations with a spectacular light and sound presentation focused on the infamous bridge are held. PRASAT MUANG SING HISTORICAL PARK Located in Kanchanaburi, this park is a Khmer sanctuary to the west of Bangkok. The ruins have been restored by the fine Arts Department as a showcase for Khmer style architecture of the Bayon style dating from the Lopburi period, some 700-800 years ago.