Bangkok : Places to See
National Museum
Bangkok's National Museum, on the banks of the river, is the largest of its kind in South-East Asia and holds a wonderful collection of Thai art. All styles and periods are represented, from Dvaravati to Ratanakosin. Permanent collections focus on traditional musical instruments from Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Indonesia, Chinese weaponry, ceramics, clothing, woodcarving and textiles.
Vimanmek Palace
Also called the 'Castle in the clouds', Vimanmek Palace is the summer palace built out of teakwood commissioned by King Rama V The three-storey 81-room mansion houses impressive furniture and royal jeweller)' and objects of interest that were actually used by the king.
Grand Palace And Temple Of The Emerald Buddha
The most important landmarks in the 'City of Angels' are the Grand Palace and rhe Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The Palace is a large walled complex comprising several buildings dating back 200 years that are used for specific occasions. The royal temple houses the most revered Buddha image in Thailand, exquisitely carved from a block of jade.
Wat Pho
One of Bangkok's oldest and largest temples, made popular by housing the gigantic, gold-plated reclining Buddha. The temple has the largest collection of Buddha images and is the centre for the tea'ching and preservation of traditional Thai medicine. You can study massage techniques or get one here.
Temple Of Dawn (Wat Arun)
Across the Chao Phraya River is the Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun). The temple predates the city's founding and is beautifully adorned with glass and ceramic mosaics.
Jim Thompson's House
It retains the remarkable Thai style architecture and contains a valuable South East Asian art collection. Jim Thompson was an American who revived the Thai silk industry after World War-II and later disappeared mysteriously into the Malaysian jungles. The house has been left the same since his disappearance.
Muay Thai
Muay Thai is Thailand's indigenous sport where contestants' every body parts can be used as weapons. Fights are regularly held at two venues - Lumpini Stadium and Ratchadamnoen Stadium.
The Royal Barge Museum
The Royal Barge Museum houses the elaborate barges that are used for royal and governmental functions. The most beautiful and famous one is the Suphanahongse, a golden swan barge used solely by the king.
Lumpini Park
Amidst high-rises, Bangkok has ample space for parks, with Lumpini Park being one of the largest one. A large, artificial lake with row boats, well manicured gardens and walking path makes it a great escape. Get there early in the morning and join in the T'ai chi
Chinatown
Chinatown offers the visitor an astonishing array of jewellery, hardware, wholesale food, and automotive and fabric shops, almost all at cheaper prices. Site of antiques (some of them real!) and an annual Vegetarian Festival, Chinatown has been a permanent Chinese-Thai residential area since 1782. One hundred years later there were 245 opium dens and a huge number of pawnshops, gambling houses and brothels. These days the area is a little tamer, but you can still find many pawnshops and even a few brothels if you look in the right (or wrong) direction.
Pahurat (Little India)
Bangkok is a cultural melting pot and there's no better evidence of this than Pahurat, on the edge of Chinatown. A wide variety of Indian goods arc available in this small area, ranging from an astonishing array of silks to Thai shoulder bags. The choice is amazing, the haggling is fierce and the bargains can he unbelievable. Head down little alleys into the 'bowels' of this area and you'll find foodstuffs, household items anda thriving culture that might ordinarily pass by unnoticed.
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