Bangkok
Bangkok is one of Asia’s most cosmopolitan cities. Created as the Thai capital in 1782 by the first monarch of the present Chakri dynasty, Bangkok is a national treasure house and Thailand’s spiritual, cultural, political, commercial, educational and diplomatic centre.
Bangkok exceeds 1,500 square kilometres in area and is home to one-tenth of the country's population. Major tourist attractions include glittering Buddhist temples, palaces, timeless “Venice of the East” canal and river scenes, classical dance extravaganzas, and numerous shopping centres.
Bangkok International Airport and the new Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Attractions
Grand Palace
Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo This inner-city riverine landmark contains several buildings with highly detailed architectural features. Wat Phra Kaeo within the same compound, is a treasure house of Thai arts, and houses the Emerald Buddha, the most revered Buddha image in Thailand.
see more sightseeing tours
Jim Thompson Museum
Jim Thompson Museum This collection of traditional Thai-style houses, fashioned into one dwelling, belongs to the man who helped restore the Thai silk industry after World War II, and today, preserved as a museum, contains a priceless collection of Asian objects d’ art. The canal side museum is located in Soi Kasemsan 2 on Rama I Road opposite the National Stadium.
Open: Daily from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Bangkok Dolls & Museum Bangkok Dolls
Bangkok Dolls & Museum Bangkok Dolls have won several awards for their creations. A single-storey workshop and Doll Museum in the Chandavimol family compound at 85 Soi Ratchataphan (Soi Mo Leng) in Bangkok’s Makkasan district is the magnet for several visitors who wish to inspect these miniature creations in all their wondrous variety.
Open: Mon to Sat from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.
King Prajadhipok Museum
King Prajadhipok Museum The King Prajadhipok Museum was formerly called the Parliamentary Museum. It was under the care of the Secretariat of the National Assembly and was housed in the basement beneath the King's Monument in front of the National Assembly Building. The museum enjoyed the blessing and patronage of Her Majesty Queen Rambhai barni during the reign of King Prajadhipok, the seventh king of the Chakri dynasty. In 1980 Her Majesty kindly donated personal articles belonging to King Prajadhipok, for public exhibition.
On 7 December 2002, the museum was reopened at its new home, in The elegant building of a National Heritage Site, is very close to Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue. The main purpose of opening this museum was to exhibit the biography and lifework of His Majesty King Prajadhipok, Rama Vll, who agreed to a constitutional monarchy for the People of Thailand and became the first king in Thai history to rule under A legal constitution.
Wat Arun
Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) This famous Chao Phraya riverbank landmark diagonally opposite the Grand Palace, is best known for a porcelain encrusted 79 metre central pagoda which sparkles in the sun. The temple can be reached either by Arun Amarin Road or by boat from Tha Tian Pier near Wat Pho.
Open: Daily from 7.30 a.m.-5.30 p.m.
Wat Benchamabophit
Wat Benchamabophit Located on Si Ayutthaya Road, this unique marble temple was constructed during the reign of King Rama V. It employs European ecclesiastic details, such as stained glass windows, and contains a superb cloister collection of bronze Buddha images.
Open: Daily from 8 a.m.-5.30 p.m.
Wat Bowon Niwet
Wat Bowon Niwet This temple is located on Phra Sumen Road in the Bang Lamphu area. Built in 1829, it is the shrine-hall of Phra Phutthachinnasi, a very beautiful Buddha image which was moulded in about 1357. This is one of the most important temples of Bangkok, whose one-time chief abbot was King Rama IV before he ascended the throne. King Rama IV and King Rama VII, as well as His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej had resided here during their monkhood.
Open: Daily from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Wat Intharawihan
Wat Intharawihan Located on Wisutkasat Road, this temple is well known for a huge standing Buddha image called Luang Pho To. The image, built in the reign of King Rama IV, is 32 metres tall and 10 metres wide. The topknot of the Buddha image contains a relic of Lord Buddha brought from Sri Lanka.
Open: Daily from 8.30 a.m.-8 p.m.
Wat Mahathat
Wat Mahathat This old temple was built in the reign of King Rama I. Located on Na Phrathat Road near Thammasat University, the temple houses Mahachulalongkorn Buddhist University, one of the two highest seats of Buddhist learning in Thailand and also offers meditation classes for foreigners.
Open: Daily from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Wat Pho
This large and extensive temple neighbors the Grand Palace enclave on Thai Wang Road and contains a gigantic gold plated Reclining Buddha some 46 metres long and 15 metres high with inlaid mother of pearl soles. The temple is also regarded as the first center of public education and is sometimes called ‘Thailand’s first university’.
Open: Daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Wat Ratchabophit
Wat Ratchabophit The temple is located on Fuang Nakhon Road near Wat Pho. Built by King Rama V in 1869, it was in keeping with tradition that each monarch constructed a temple to mark his reign. The temple is a mixture of local and western styles, showing an awakening interest in new ideas and a desire to experiment with them. The exterior of the chapel is in the Thai style, but the interior is decorated in the European style.
Open: Daily from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Chatuchak Park
Chatuchak Park This is located at the junction of Phahonyothin and Vibhavadi Rungsit roads. There are nine pieces of ASEAN sculptures that enhance the character of the park.
Open: Daily from 5 a.m.- 8 p.m.
Lumpini Park
Lumpini Park This was a huge open space once belonging to King Rama VI, who issued a royal command to turn the area into a public park as a gift to Bangkok residents. It is located on Rama IV Road, between Ratchadamri and Witthayu (Wireless) roads, with entrance gates on all sides.
Open: Daily from 5 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Queen Sirikit Park
Queen Sirikit Park This is situated east of Chatuchak Park on Phahonyothin Road. It was built to commemorate the 60th birthday anniversary of HM Queen Sirikit. A big pool in the park contains three fountains and a fine collection of both Thai and foreign lotuses.
Open: Daily from 5 a.m.-8 p.m.
Dusit Zoo
Dusit Zoo Located beside the Royal Plaza, Bangkok’s oldest zoo contains a collection of popular African and Asian mammals and birds in an ornamental garden.
Open: Daily from 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
http://www.zoothailand.org/en/main.php
Safari World
Safari World Bangkok’s greatest open zoo and leisure park is located in Min Buri, via Km. 9 on Raminthra Road. The 300-acre complex comprises a Safari Park populated by African and Asian mammals, a Marine Park with amusing performances of well-trained dolphins and seals, a Bird Park and a Games Corner.
Open: Daily from 9.00 a.m.-5.00 p.m.
Siam Park City
Siam Park City Located in suburban Min Buri on Sukhaphiban 2 Road, this water amusement park contains a man-made sea with towering slides. Satellite attractions include children’s playgrounds, aviaries, an open zoo and a botanical garden.
Open: Mon to Fri 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat-Sun and Public Holidays 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre
Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, 60 New Ratchadaphisek Road, Khlong Toei, Bangkok. For more informatiton, call: 0-2229- 3000-9
From: www.tourismthailand.org