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The Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is an escape from
the Western-style shopping malls of Bangkok and a glimpse into the
past, revealing the centuries' old way of life of the residents
whose stilt-houses perch on the canals. Visitors can explore the
market with boat trips and sample the wares of local farmers as
they do so. They can also enjoy the experience of floating through
one of Thailand's many river villages. see full details
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
The Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is an escape from
the Western-style shopping malls of Bangkok and a glimpse into the
past, revealing the centuries' old way of life of the residents
whose stilt-houses perch on the canals. Visitors can explore the
market with boat trips and sample the wares of local farmers as
they do so. They can also enjoy the experience of floating through
one of Thailand's many river villages. see full details
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Construction of the palace began in 1782 and was
completed in time for the coronation of King Rama I, and opened in
1785 to signify the end of the Burmese invasion of Thailand. The
palace itself is made up of a complex array of smaller buildings,
most notably the Wat Mahatat (the Palace Temple) and the Wat Phra
Keow (the Royal Chapel), which houses the famous Emerald Buddha
sculpted from a single piece of jade, and one of the most revered
objects in the Kingdom. see full details
Royal Grand Palace
Construction of the palace began in 1782 and was
completed in time for the coronation of King Rama I, and opened in
1785 to signify the end of the Burmese invasion of Thailand. The
palace itself is made up of a complex array of smaller buildings,
most notably the Wat Mahatat (the Palace Temple) and the Wat Phra
Keow (the Royal Chapel), which houses the famous Emerald Buddha
sculpted from a single piece of jade, and one of the most revered
objects in the Kingdom. see full details
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The Royal Barges National Museum houses several
decorative royal barges, the earliest of which dates back to 1357.
Most of the barges served as War Vessels at one point, and were
subsequently used on royal or state occasions on the Chao Phraya
River. Due to their age the barges are now rarely used, but their
intricate designs reflecting Thai religious beliefs and local
history are of great importance to the country's heritage. The
barges were last used at the end of 1999 to celebrate the king's
72nd birthday. see full details
Royal Barges National Museum
The Royal Barges National Museum houses several
decorative royal barges, the earliest of which dates back to 1357.
Most of the barges served as War Vessels at one point, and were
subsequently used on royal or state occasions on the Chao Phraya
River. Due to their age the barges are now rarely used, but their
intricate designs reflecting Thai religious beliefs and local
history are of great importance to the country's heritage. The
barges were last used at the end of 1999 to celebrate the king's
72nd birthday. see full details
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Situated adjacent to the Royal Grand Palace, Wat Pho
is Bangkok's oldest, largest and most famous temple. The grounds of
Wat Pho contain over 1,000 statues of Buddha, and the temple houses
one of Thailand's most spectacular sights, the Reclining Buddha - a
157ft (48m) long and 49ft (15m) high statue that is gold-plated and
inlaid with Mother-of-Pearl on the soles of its feet. In the 19th
century King Rama III turned Wat Pho into a centre of learning and
visitors today can still have a massage and learn about the ancient
art of Thai Medicine. see full details
The Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho)
Situated adjacent to the Royal Grand Palace, Wat Pho
is Bangkok's oldest, largest and most famous temple. The grounds of
Wat Pho contain over 1,000 statues of Buddha, and the temple houses
one of Thailand's most spectacular sights, the Reclining Buddha - a
157ft (48m) long and 49ft (15m) high statue that is gold-plated and
inlaid with Mother-of-Pearl on the soles of its feet. In the 19th
century King Rama III turned Wat Pho into a centre of learning and
visitors today can still have a massage and learn about the ancient
art of Thai Medicine. see full details
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American silk entrepreneur Jim Thompson deserves most
of the credit for the current popularity of Thai silk around the
world. His fame increased when, in 1967, Thompson disappeared in
the Cameron Highlands of Malaysia under mysterious circumstances.
He has never been heard of since. The house itself is an excellent
example of Thai residential architecture, and inside is a display
of his Oriental art and antique collection, as well as an array of
his personal belongings. see full details
Jim Thompson's House
American silk entrepreneur Jim Thompson deserves most
of the credit for the current popularity of Thai silk around the
world. His fame increased when, in 1967, Thompson disappeared in
the Cameron Highlands of Malaysia under mysterious circumstances.
He has never been heard of since. The house itself is an excellent
example of Thai residential architecture, and inside is a display
of his Oriental art and antique collection, as well as an array of
his personal belongings. see full details
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Eighty miles (130km) west of Bangkok, the town of
Kanchanaburi has secured its position of infamy as the original
site of the Bridge Over The River Kwai, where during World War II
allied prisoners of war were used by the Japanese to build the
Death Railway and thousands died at the hands of their captors.
With its modern hotels and welcoming air, Kanchanaburi seems an
unlikely setting, but the bridge is still in use and the graves of
the Allied soldiers are testament to the town's unfortunate past.
Worth a visit is the JEATH (Japan, England, Australia/America,
Thailand and Holland) War Museum in Kanchanaburi, which recounts
experiences in the Japanese POW camps during the War. The Sai Yok
Yai Waterfall in the Sai Yok National Park is a place of idyllic
beauty and makes a good excursion from Kanchanaburi; the falls are
widely celebrated in Thai poetry and songs. see full details
Kanchanaburi
Eighty miles (130km) west of Bangkok, the town of
Kanchanaburi has secured its position of infamy as the original
site of the Bridge Over The River Kwai, where during World War II
allied prisoners of war were used by the Japanese to build the
Death Railway and thousands died at the hands of their captors.
With its modern hotels and welcoming air, Kanchanaburi seems an
unlikely setting, but the bridge is still in use and the graves of
the Allied soldiers are testament to the town's unfortunate past.
Worth a visit is the JEATH (Japan, England, Australia/America,
Thailand and Holland) War Museum in Kanchanaburi, which recounts
experiences in the Japanese POW camps during the War. The Sai Yok
Yai Waterfall in the Sai Yok National Park is a place of idyllic
beauty and makes a good excursion from Kanchanaburi; the falls are
widely celebrated in Thai poetry and songs. see full details
Top
Dating back to the 13th century, Wat Traimit stands
nearly 10ft (3m) tall, weighs over 5 tons and is believed to be
solid cast gold. It was discovered by accident in 1957 when an old
stucco image was dropped by a crane, shattering the plaster shell
to reveal the brilliantly shining gold underneath. The statue is
breathtaking and is thought to have come from the Sukhothai period
when it was covered with plaster to hide it from the Burmese
invaders. see full details
The Golden Buddha (Wat Traimit)
Dating back to the 13th century, Wat Traimit stands
nearly 10ft (3m) tall, weighs over 5 tons and is believed to be
solid cast gold. It was discovered by accident in 1957 when an old
stucco image was dropped by a crane, shattering the plaster shell
to reveal the brilliantly shining gold underneath. The statue is
breathtaking and is thought to have come from the Sukhothai period
when it was covered with plaster to hide it from the Burmese
invaders. see full details
Top
Originally built in 1782, the National Museum is
located within the grounds of the Royal Palace, just a 15 minute
walk from the palace of the Emerald Buddha, and displays thousands
of artefacts ranging all the way from Neolithic times to present
day. It is known as Thailand's central treasury of art and
archaeology. Many of the actual buildings are works of art
themselves, surrounded by brightly-coloured pavilions and boasting
some of Southeast Asia's most ornate jewellery and historical
treasures. see full details
National Museum
Originally built in 1782, the National Museum is
located within the grounds of the Royal Palace, just a 15 minute
walk from the palace of the Emerald Buddha, and displays thousands
of artefacts ranging all the way from Neolithic times to present
day. It is known as Thailand's central treasury of art and
archaeology. Many of the actual buildings are works of art
themselves, surrounded by brightly-coloured pavilions and boasting
some of Southeast Asia's most ornate jewellery and historical
treasures. see full details
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This temple is among the oldest and largest in Bangkok
and is home to the beautiful 14th-century Phra Buddha Shakyamuni, a
Buddha image that was brought from Sukhothai. It is also known for
its exquisite wall paintings which were done during the reign of
Rama III. The enormous arch made of teak outside the wat is all
that remains of an original swing which was used to celebrate and
thank Shiva for a bountiful rice harvest. Teams of men would ride
the swing on arcs as high as 82ft (25m) into the air, grabbing at
bags of silver coins with their teeth. The swing ceremony was
discontinued in 1932 due to countless injuries and deaths, but the
thanksgiving festival is still celebrated in mid-December after the
rice harvest. see full details
Wat Suthat and the Giant Swing
This temple is among the oldest and largest in Bangkok
and is home to the beautiful 14th-century Phra Buddha Shakyamuni, a
Buddha image that was brought from Sukhothai. It is also known for
its exquisite wall paintings which were done during the reign of
Rama III. The enormous arch made of teak outside the wat is all
that remains of an original swing which was used to celebrate and
thank Shiva for a bountiful rice harvest. Teams of men would ride
the swing on arcs as high as 82ft (25m) into the air, grabbing at
bags of silver coins with their teeth. The swing ceremony was
discontinued in 1932 due to countless injuries and deaths, but the
thanksgiving festival is still celebrated in mid-December after the
rice harvest. see full details
Top
Wat Benchamabophit, also known as the Marble Temple,
is constructed of white Carrara marble and is known as one of
Bangkok's most beautiful wats where even the courtyard is paved
with polished white marble. The temple's name literally means 'The
Temple of the fifth King located nearby Dusit Palace'. Built of
Italian marble and designed by Prince Naris, a half-brother of the
king, it is unique in that, unlike older complexes, there is no
wihaan or chedi dominating the grounds. The wat houses many Buddha
images representing various regional styles. Inside the ornate
Ordination Hall (Ubosot) is a Sukhothai-style Buddha statue named
Phra Buddhajinaraja, and buried underneath this statue lie the
ashes of King Rama V. see full details
Wat Benchamabophit (The Marble Temple)
Wat Benchamabophit, also known as the Marble Temple,
is constructed of white Carrara marble and is known as one of
Bangkok's most beautiful wats where even the courtyard is paved
with polished white marble. The temple's name literally means 'The
Temple of the fifth King located nearby Dusit Palace'. Built of
Italian marble and designed by Prince Naris, a half-brother of the
king, it is unique in that, unlike older complexes, there is no
wihaan or chedi dominating the grounds. The wat houses many Buddha
images representing various regional styles. Inside the ornate
Ordination Hall (Ubosot) is a Sukhothai-style Buddha statue named
Phra Buddhajinaraja, and buried underneath this statue lie the
ashes of King Rama V. see full details
Top
Built by King Rama V in 1901, the exquisite golden
teakwood mansion, also known as Vimanmek Palace, is located in the
Dusit Palace complex. It was restored in 1982 for Bangkok's
bicentennial and King Rama IX granted permission to transform
Vimanmek Mansion into a museum to commemorate King Rama V by
displaying his photographs, personal art and handicrafts, and to
serve as a showcase of the Thai national heritage. The informative
hour-long tour takes visitors through a series of apartments and
rooms, a staggering 81 in total, in what is said to be the largest
teak building in the world. It is now a major tourist attraction
and a definite must for anyone visiting the intriguing city of
Bangkok. see full details
Vimanmek Mansion Museum
Built by King Rama V in 1901, the exquisite golden
teakwood mansion, also known as Vimanmek Palace, is located in the
Dusit Palace complex. It was restored in 1982 for Bangkok's
bicentennial and King Rama IX granted permission to transform
Vimanmek Mansion into a museum to commemorate King Rama V by
displaying his photographs, personal art and handicrafts, and to
serve as a showcase of the Thai national heritage. The informative
hour-long tour takes visitors through a series of apartments and
rooms, a staggering 81 in total, in what is said to be the largest
teak building in the world. It is now a major tourist attraction
and a definite must for anyone visiting the intriguing city of
Bangkok. see full details
Top
Chatuchak or JJ market is said to be the largest flea
market in the world. 'Organized' along narrow grid lines under tin
roofs this enormous market is packed tight with all of Thailand's
wears. Around 15,000 stalls are loosely categorised into clothing,
crafts, food, and animal sections and it is probable that shoppers
will quickly become disoriented. Some of Thailand's illegally
traded animals are sold here and vendors are quick to spot signs of
oncoming raids. Yet a host of legal but bizarre goods are traded;
cock fighting roosters, monkeys, fake designer gear and antiques
are just the tip of the iceberg. The market is only open on the
weekends from 8 am to 6 pm and on Fridays for wholesalers. It is
easily reached by the sky train from the Mo Chit station and by
subway. see full details
Chatuchak market
Chatuchak or JJ market is said to be the largest flea
market in the world. 'Organized' along narrow grid lines under tin
roofs this enormous market is packed tight with all of Thailand's
wears. Around 15,000 stalls are loosely categorised into clothing,
crafts, food, and animal sections and it is probable that shoppers
will quickly become disoriented. Some of Thailand's illegally
traded animals are sold here and vendors are quick to spot signs of
oncoming raids. Yet a host of legal but bizarre goods are traded;
cock fighting roosters, monkeys, fake designer gear and antiques
are just the tip of the iceberg. The market is only open on the
weekends from 8 am to 6 pm and on Fridays for wholesalers. It is
easily reached by the sky train from the Mo Chit station and by
subway. see full details
Top
Fight fans will get a kick out of Thailand's national
sport Muay Thai. The matches can be best watched at the Rajadamnern
stadium but be warned, the prices for foreigners or farang are much
more than local's. Usually less than 10 matches are arranged for a
night but the brutality of the style means that some of these
result in quick KOs. The events are a mix of traditional Thai music
and traditional pre-match customs before the hard hitting fight
that utilises elbows, knees, fists, and shins to knock out the
opponent. Several types of tickets are available, the more
expensive fight floor, and the more rowdy informal gambling area on
the second tier. Tourists should watch their hand movements as they
can be interpreted as willingness to bet. Fights can be seen on
Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays in the evening. Lumpini
Park also showcases fights to a more touristy
audience. see full details
Muay Thai
Fight fans will get a kick out of Thailand's national
sport Muay Thai. The matches can be best watched at the Rajadamnern
stadium but be warned, the prices for foreigners or farang are much
more than local's. Usually less than 10 matches are arranged for a
night but the brutality of the style means that some of these
result in quick KOs. The events are a mix of traditional Thai music
and traditional pre-match customs before the hard hitting fight
that utilises elbows, knees, fists, and shins to knock out the
opponent. Several types of tickets are available, the more
expensive fight floor, and the more rowdy informal gambling area on
the second tier. Tourists should watch their hand movements as they
can be interpreted as willingness to bet. Fights can be seen on
Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays in the evening. Lumpini
Park also showcases fights to a more touristy
audience. see full details
Top
A once in a (possibly short) lifetime chance to pet
tigers can be arranged from the travel agencies in Khaosan in
Bangkok or from nearby Kanchanaburi. Visitors are guided to a large
dirt quarry where several grown tigers and a host of cubs lie
relaxing along with several monks and guides. Visitors, separated
by a thin single chain, are led past, one at a time, to sit with
and pet the tigers. Rumour has it that the tigers are given
sedatives although some argue they are under the meditational spell
of the monks or just used to humans. None of it is apparently
enough to guarantee safety as an occasional mauling has been known
to happen. The admission is about 300 baht and the tigers can
usually be visited from 1 pm to 4 pm daily. see full details
Tiger Temple
A once in a (possibly short) lifetime chance to pet
tigers can be arranged from the travel agencies in Khaosan in
Bangkok or from nearby Kanchanaburi. Visitors are guided to a large
dirt quarry where several grown tigers and a host of cubs lie
relaxing along with several monks and guides. Visitors, separated
by a thin single chain, are led past, one at a time, to sit with
and pet the tigers. Rumour has it that the tigers are given
sedatives although some argue they are under the meditational spell
of the monks or just used to humans. None of it is apparently
enough to guarantee safety as an occasional mauling has been known
to happen. The admission is about 300 baht and the tigers can
usually be visited from 1 pm to 4 pm daily. see full details
Top
An easy day trip out of Bangkok is the two and half
hour, 150 km (100 mile), train ride to the Monkey Temple in the
town of Lopburi. The animal kingdom hierarchy is reversed here as
the temple gives the monkeys free roam and food. Often novelty
turns into nervousness as visitors are followed by crowds of the
impolite inhabitants. Keep watch of loose items like glasses,
purses, and especially food as the monkeys are keen pickpockets and
they bite. November is the Monkey Festival in Lopburi but it is
interesting to visit year-round. see full details
Monkey Temple, Lopburi
An easy day trip out of Bangkok is the two and half
hour, 150 km (100 mile), train ride to the Monkey Temple in the
town of Lopburi. The animal kingdom hierarchy is reversed here as
the temple gives the monkeys free roam and food. Often novelty
turns into nervousness as visitors are followed by crowds of the
impolite inhabitants. Keep watch of loose items like glasses,
purses, and especially food as the monkeys are keen pickpockets and
they bite. November is the Monkey Festival in Lopburi but it is
interesting to visit year-round. see full details
Top
This is the former capital of Siam from 1350 until mid
18th century and at one time was one of the largest cities in the
world. The capital was relocated to Bangkok in 1768 when the
Burmese army destroyed much of Ayutthaya. Today tourists needn't
imagine too much to experience splendour of the old capital as many
of the enormous structures are still there. Multiple busses (a bit
over an hour) and trains arrive daily from Bangkok and a boat up
the Chao Phraya River to Ayutthaya can be organised through travel
agencies. Although many organised tours in Thailand can be a
frustrating experience, a tour guide here can give some fascinating
history to the already impressive wats. This is an easy way to
experience some of the ancient history of Siam as Bangkok is
relatively new. see full details
Ayutthaya
This is the former capital of Siam from 1350 until mid
18th century and at one time was one of the largest cities in the
world. The capital was relocated to Bangkok in 1768 when the
Burmese army destroyed much of Ayutthaya. Today tourists needn't
imagine too much to experience splendour of the old capital as many
of the enormous structures are still there. Multiple busses (a bit
over an hour) and trains arrive daily from Bangkok and a boat up
the Chao Phraya River to Ayutthaya can be organised through travel
agencies. Although many organised tours in Thailand can be a
frustrating experience, a tour guide here can give some fascinating
history to the already impressive wats. This is an easy way to
experience some of the ancient history of Siam as Bangkok is
relatively new. see full details
Top
Featuring eight different sections, the Children's
Discovery Museum in Bangkok provides hands on experience into
science, nature, culture and society. Featuring a Body and Mind
Gallery, a Culture and Society Gallery and a Technology Gallery,
children can learn about a multitude of sciences in an interesting
and enjoyable way. see full details
Children's Discovery Museum
Featuring eight different sections, the Children's
Discovery Museum in Bangkok provides hands on experience into
science, nature, culture and society. Featuring a Body and Mind
Gallery, a Culture and Society Gallery and a Technology Gallery,
children can learn about a multitude of sciences in an interesting
and enjoyable way. see full details
Top
Built by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) as his private
garden adjacent to the royal palace, the Dusit Zoo is Thailand's
oldest zoo. This zoo boasts an animal hospital, zoo museum and
educational centre, sightseeing train, activity ground and
cafeteria. Kids will love exploring everything that the Dusit Zoo
has to offer and meeting animals such as tigers, monkeys, penguins
and camels. see full details
Dusit Zoo
Built by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) as his private
garden adjacent to the royal palace, the Dusit Zoo is Thailand's
oldest zoo. This zoo boasts an animal hospital, zoo museum and
educational centre, sightseeing train, activity ground and
cafeteria. Kids will love exploring everything that the Dusit Zoo
has to offer and meeting animals such as tigers, monkeys, penguins
and camels. see full details
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Located in the Siam Paragon Shopping Centre, the Siam
Ocean World is one of the largest aquariums in Southeast Asia and
features seven different zones; from weird and wonderful and deep
reef, to living ocean and rocky shore. The aquarium features 30,000
marine animals, including Oriental Small Clawed otters,
ragged-tooth sharks, stingrays and giant groupers. Children will
simply love Siam Ocean World. see full details
Siam Ocean World
Located in the Siam Paragon Shopping Centre, the Siam
Ocean World is one of the largest aquariums in Southeast Asia and
features seven different zones; from weird and wonderful and deep
reef, to living ocean and rocky shore. The aquarium features 30,000
marine animals, including Oriental Small Clawed otters,
ragged-tooth sharks, stingrays and giant groupers. Children will
simply love Siam Ocean World. see full details
Top
Originally set up to extract the venom from snakes to
make anti-venom and research the venom, the Snake Farm is the place
to take the kids if they're interested in these slithering
creatures. Featuring Cobras, Malayan Pit Vipers, King Cobras,
Banded Kraits and Russell Vipers, the Snake Farm educates the
public on snakes and safety surrounding them. see full details
Snake Farm (Thai Red Cross Farm)
Originally set up to extract the venom from snakes to
make anti-venom and research the venom, the Snake Farm is the place
to take the kids if they're interested in these slithering
creatures. Featuring Cobras, Malayan Pit Vipers, King Cobras,
Banded Kraits and Russell Vipers, the Snake Farm educates the
public on snakes and safety surrounding them. see full details
Top
Located between the Queen Sirikit Gardens and the
Children's Discovery Museum, this massive enclosure with rockeries,
plants, ferns and a waterfall features some of the most dazzling
beautiful butterflies in Thailand. Boasting dozens of species,
including rare butterflies, looking up at the dome at any given
moment, visitors can see over 500 butterflies, such as the Golden
Birdwing or Siam Tree Nymph. The Queen Sirikit Gardens are a
wonderful place to take a walk and feature magnificently coloured
flowers, mazes, ponds and shady trees. Visitors who come here can
enjoy a wonderful day of stunning gardens and scenery, butterfly
spotting and even picnicking. see full details
Bangkok Butterfly Garden and Insectarium
Located between the Queen Sirikit Gardens and the
Children's Discovery Museum, this massive enclosure with rockeries,
plants, ferns and a waterfall features some of the most dazzling
beautiful butterflies in Thailand. Boasting dozens of species,
including rare butterflies, looking up at the dome at any given
moment, visitors can see over 500 butterflies, such as the Golden
Birdwing or Siam Tree Nymph. The Queen Sirikit Gardens are a
wonderful place to take a walk and feature magnificently coloured
flowers, mazes, ponds and shady trees. Visitors who come here can
enjoy a wonderful day of stunning gardens and scenery, butterfly
spotting and even picnicking. see full details
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