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Historical Place(s): |
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The Grand Palace:
The spectacular Grand Palace
is an architectural marvel and the gem of Bangkok's
impressive collection of temples and palaces. Although
the Royal Family no longer resides here, the Palace
is still used for ceremonial purposes, and most of it
remains closed to the public.
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Address:
138 Sukhumvit Road
Bangkok Thailand 10110
Phone: +66 2 694 1222 (Tourism Authority of
Thailand)
Fax: +66 2 694 1220-1
Bang
Pa-In Summer Palace:
This Royal Palace dates back to the reign of King Rama V.
The buildings within the palace represent a variety of Thai,
Chinese and Victorian styles. Climb the spiral staircase
to the top floor of the Red Chinese tower for a great view
of the grounds. The small lake in the center features a
large Thai pavilion, considered a classic example of Thai
architecture. Today, the Royal Family sometimes uses the
palace as a residence and for receptions or banquets. The
Chao Phraya Express Boat company runs tours to the Palace
from Bangkok on the weekends.
Address:
Highway 32
20 kilometers south of Ayutthaya
Bang Pa-In Thailand 13160
Phone: +66 35 261 044, +66 2 224 9477-80
Fax: +66 2 225 8787
Kanchanaburi:
Kanchanaburi
is worth visiting just to see the famous "Bridge Over
the River Kwai," part of the "Death Railway"
linking Thailand with Burma during World War II. Another
attraction is the JEATH War Museum (short for Japan, England,
Australia, Thailand and Holland) where displays depict the
POWs' suffering. The nearby War Cemeteries contain the remains
of 6,982 Allied prisoners who died during the construction
of the railway. The surrounding area is spectacular, with
its beautiful natural attractions, waterfalls, flora and
fauna. Accessible by bus or by train.
Address:
130 kilometers west of Bangkok
Kanchanaburi Thailand 71000
Phone: +66 34 511 200; 34 512 500 (Tourist
Information Office)
Fax: +66 34 511 200
Suan Pakkad Palace:
The
well-tended grounds, known literally as Lettuce Garden Palace,
are a beautiful lush contrast to the noisy concrete jungle
outside the perimeter. The traditional wooden Thai buildings
were built in common rather than royal style on the orders
of a granddaughter of King Rama IV. Today they contain her
substantial collection of historical artifacts. The rear
Lacquer Pavilion was moved from the former capital, Ayutthaya.
While the artworks and architecture are noteworthy, you
may find yourself simply lingering throughout the wonderful
gardens.
Address:
352-354 Si Ayutthaya Road
Between Phayathai and Ratchaprapop Roads
Bangkok Thailand 10400
Phone: +66 2 245 0568, 245 6368, 246 1775-6
Fax: +66 2 247 2079
Wat Phra Keo:
As
old as the city of Bangkok itself--also known as the Temple
of the Emerald Buddha--this wat lies in a complex that covers
1.5 square kilometres and features over 100 buildings, including
those of the Grand Palace. Highlights include the recently
restored murals of scenes from the Ramakian (the Thai version
of the Indian Ramayana) and the 75-centimeter-tall jade
Emerald Buddha itself, the most highly revered Buddha in
the country. Audio cassette tours are now available for
hire. Dress appropriately (cover shoulders and arms).
Address:
Na Phralan Road
Phra Borommaharatchawong
Bangkok Thailand 10200
Phone: +66 2 222 0094, 222 6889, 222 2208
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Art/Antique Market: |
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Bang Sai Royal Folk Arts and Crafts Center:
A number of Thai handicrafts are produced and sold here,
such as baskets, wood carvings, artificial flowers, silk
products and miniature Thai dolls. The people who produce
them are from rural areas all over Thailand. Most have been
trained at the folk center. Visitors can learn about the
lives of farmers in Thailand, and also help them by buying
their beautifully and uniquely crafted Thai products.
Address:
Bangkok-Ayutthaya Highway
18 kilometers from Bang Pa-In intersection on Bang Sai-Sam
Khok Road
Bang Sai Thailand 13290
Phone: +66 2 35 366 666-7, Fax:
+66 2 35 366 668
Chao
Phraya River Cultural Center:
Located on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya
River, this Center presents the culture and history of Thailand.
A range of handicrafts are made and displayed. Visitors
can watch the craftspeople at work from 6pm-10pm. They can
then purchase these beautiful crafts including painted umbrellas,
pottery and Thai silk. Each evening, a cultural show is
presented from 7pm. First, enjoy a buffet dinner of traditional
Thai food. After your meal, a short film will be shown about
Thailand and life on the Chao Phraya River. Then relax and
enjoy the showcase of traditional Thai music and dance.
Address:
94 Soi Charoen Nakorn 21
Banglumprulang, Klongsan
Bangkok Thailand 10600
Phone: +66 2 860 1266, 439 3477-8
Thai
Nakon:
This store specializes in "nielloware"
products. Originally European, the intricate skill of nielloware
has been practiced in Thailand since the 12th century. It
is used mainly to produce jewelry and ornaments. Designs
are first engraved or drawn on to a silver object, then
the background is beaten down and filled with nielo (an
amalgam of lead, copper, silver and sulphur). After heating
to fuse the metals, the surface is sanded and highly polished,
resulting in a design of silver contrasting with the smooth,
jet-black metal. Thai Nakon's products include: photo frames,
teaspoon sets and 12-piece dinner sets.
Address:
79 Prachachiphatai Road
Ratchadamnerm
Bangkok Thailand 10200
Phone: +66 2 281 7867
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Museum: |
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National
Museum:
National
Museum, the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia,
contains and 18th century palace and a group of well-designed
buildings, housing Thailand's artistic treasures from
prehistoric to contemporary.
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Address:
Na Phrathat Road
Phra Borommaharatchawang
Bangkok Thailand 10200
Phone: +66 2 224 1333, Fax:
+66 2 224 1404
Bank of Thailand Museum:
The museum is located in the Bangkhunphrom Royal Palace,
which was originally the residence of His Royal Highness
Prince Baripatra, and now houses the offices of the Bank
of Thailand. On
view are a large collection of coins used as a medium of
exchange since pre-historic times. The evolution of Thai
money from glass beads to bullet coins to present day currency
is presented in a fascinating display.
Address:
273 Samsen Road
Wat Sam Phraya sub-district
Bangkok Thailand 10200
Phone: +66 2 283 5286, Fax:
+66 2 283 5283
Jim
Thompson's House and Museum:
This small but fine museum is the former home of
the man who saved the Thai silk industry from collapse.
Constructed from six different traditional teak houses,
the walls were reassembled from the outside in. Inside you
will find Jim Thompson's beautiful collection of art and
artifacts from Thailand and Southeast Asia. The guided tours
are extremely informative and the grounds have just had
a new bar and exhibition area added. A must-see, especially
when you add in all the mystery surrounding Thompson's disapperance.
Address:
6 Soi Kasem San 2
Rama I Road
Bangkok Thailand 10330
Phone: +66 2 216 7368, 612 3744, 215 0122
Khamtieng
House:
Kamthieng House (or Ban Kamthieng) was originally constructed
on the Ping River in Chiang Mai and was moved to Bangkok
in the 1960s when it was over 100 years old. The house is
now used as an ethnological museum, showcasing the arts,
crafts and every day working tools of Thailand's northern
ethnic groups. In addition there is a very impressive northern-style
garden, setting the scene on this charming museum. The house
is supposedly haunted by three former female residents,
who were so fond of their abode they didn't want to give
it up, even in death.
Address:
131 Soi 21, Sukhumvit Road (Asoke)
On the grounds of the Siam Society
Bangkok Thailand 10110
Phone: +66 2 661 6470-7, Fax:
+66 2 258 3491
Prasart
Museum:
Prasart Museum is a centre for education and research for
those interested in Thai antiquities. The museum houses
a vast collection of antiques from the prehistoric to the
Ayutthaya and Rattanakosin eras. Various styles of Thai
architecture are on display, including a replica of the
Red Palace, housed in the National Museum. The garden contains
several Sukhothai period terra cotta pieces, complimenting
the setting of rare Thai and foreign plants.
Address:
9 Krung Thep Kritha Road, Soi 4A,
Hua Mark, Bangkapi
Bangkok Thailand 10240
Phone: +66 2 253 9772 (office); 379 3601
(museum)
Fax: +66 2 253 9772
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Fun Days Out: |
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Dream World:
Established
in February 1994, this venue has proven to be a very popular
and safe place to spend the weekend and holidays with children.
Built on a 70-acre entertainment complex, it offers a variety
of arcade games, fun rides and such attractions as a snow
tour, go-carting, air-gun shooting and many more. Admission
fees are refunded when it rains for more than two hours.
Address:
62 Moo 1 Rangsit Nakhon Nayok Road
Pathumthani Thailand 12130
Phone: +66 2 533 1152, Fax:
+66 2 533 1899
Dusit Zoo (Khao Din):
This
popular, government-owned zoo opened in 1954. Considered
both a public park and a place for recreation, it occupies
a land area of 35-acres and a water area of 12-acres. Apart
from the animals there is plenty of scope for other activities,
or just relaxation. As with most zoos, the fun is watching
the smiles on the faces of the children, as they see the
giraffes amble along with their awkward gait and the monkeys
showing off their dexterous acrobatics. It also houses a
70-year-old crocodile, chimpanzees, Asian elephants, birds
and fish.
Address:
71 Rama V Road
Bangkok Thailand 10300
Phone: +66 2 281 2000, Fax:
+66 2 282 1621
Future Park Rangsit:
The
children won't be happy until they have visited Future Park
Rangsit. They are guaranteed a great time at this action-packed
Amusement Park and Fun World, which is linked to a major
shopping center. The Amusement Park offers children never
ending fun with bumper cars, a monorail, an ocean ride,
mini-bumper cars and a merry-go-round to name but a few
attractions. At the Fun World, kids can scream their lungs
out in the ghost house and spend the rest of the day working
their way through all the other games available.
Address:
Viphavadee Rangsit Road
Rangsit
Bangkok Thailand 10210
Phone: +66 2 958 2001-2
Yoyo Land:
This
entertainment zone has been operating since 1994 and since
then has seen hordes of children pass through its doors.
It is a great place to bring your kids for a fun time on
the weekends. The activities are aimed at children aged
3-10 years.
Address:
Fourth Floor, Seacon Square
904 Srinakarin Road
Bangkok Thailand 10260
Phone: +66 2 721 8888, Fax:
+66 2 721 9444
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