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The Grand Palace
The Grand Palace or Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang
for Thai is today used by the king only for
certain ceremonial occasions such as Coronation
Day and is closed to the four building (Borombiman
Hall, Amarindra Hall,Chakri Mahaprasat,Dusit
Hall) are worth a swift perusal, however, for
their royal bombast.
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Wat Bowonniwet Wihan
Wat Bowonniwet is the national head-quarters
for the Thammayut monastic sect, the minority
sect Mahanikai Buddhism. King Mongkut, founder
of the Thammayuts, began a royal tradition
by residing here as a monk; but in face, he
was the abbot of this wat for several years.
King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) and Crown
Prince Vajiralongkorn, as well as several other
males in the royal family, have temporarily
ordained as monks here. The temple was founded
in 1826, when it was known as Wat Mai.
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The National Museum and
Gallery
The National Museum is the largest
museum in Southeast Asia and an excellent place
to learn something about Thai art. The Museum,
founded in 1874 by King Rama V, is housed in
the Palace of Wang Na, originally home to the
second King and part of the Grand Palace. The
visit starts with a useful introduction to Thai
history. Note the black-stone inscription from
Sukhothai, the oldest-known record of the Thai
alphabet. The National Art Gallery Located opposite
the National Theatre, Chao Fa Road, Krung Thon
Bridge, Bangkok, the National Art Gallery exhibits
works produced by Thai and some foreign artists.
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The National Theater
Situated on the right side of the National Theatre
is directly under the administration of the
Department of Fine Arts with the mission to
organize theatrical performances particularly
the Sisuk Nattakam programme which is staged
on the last Friday and Saturday of each consecutive
month. For more information please telephone
(02)224-1342 or (02)221-8191 during office hours.
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The Giant Swing
Wat Suthat is featured as Bangkok’s tallest
Wiharn and houses a 14th century Buddha’s last
24 lives. The courtyard is filled with odd statues
of scholars and sailors, brought as ballast
in rice boats returning from China, while King
Rama II has carved the doors of the Wat. In
an annual ceremony to celebrate the rice harvest
that was still observed just before World War
II, men used to ride on the Giant Swing and
try to grab a bag of silver coins attached to
a pole; only the teak arch remains.
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Wimanmek Teak Royal Mansion
Museum
Wiman Mek Palace, the Palace in the Clouds,
a three-story mansion originally built in 1868
as a summer house on the island of Kho Si Chang,
It was moved to Dusit Hall in 1901 and, quite
understandably, soon became King Rama V’s favorite
place, being used as the royal residence between
1902 and 1906.
With its European style, Wiman Mek palace is
built according to Thai tradition, using golden
teak wood and not a single nail. Teak wood contains
a special oil which makes it resistant to heat
and heavy rain, and which also acts as an insect
repellent.
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Lohaprasart
This temple dates from the mid 19th century.
Built under King Rama III’s reing, it is an
unusual specimen,possibly influenced by Burmese
models. Loha Prasat (Metal Palace) , ome of its
tourist attractions with 37 surrounding
spires and a total height of 36 metres, is the
only one of its kind existing in the world,
The Wathas a well-known market selling Buddhist
amulets or magic charms in all sizes, shapes
and styles.
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The Emeral Buddha Temple
Wat Phra Kaew; in the official name Wat Phra
Si Rattanasatsadaram or The temple of the Emerald
Buddha, additions the Grand Palace on common ground,
cobicb toas consecrated in 1782,the first gear
of Bangkok rule. The 945000 square-meters compound
cn compasses over 100 buildings that represent
200 years of royal history and architectural
experimentation. Most of the architecture can
be classical as Bangkok or Rattanakosin style.
Wat Phra Kaew is the holiest of all Thai temples,
and statue of the small green-jade Buddha,high
on its golden altar in the Chapel Royal, is
the most sacred in thailand.
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The Marble Temple
This temple is made of white Carrana marble so
hence its tourist mame, Marble Temple; this
most recent of royal temples was built at the turn
of the century under King Rama V. The ;argest
Bot is a prime example of modern Thai architecture.
The courtyard behind the Bot exhibits 53 Buddha
images (33 originals and 20 copies), representing
famous images and styles from all over Asia,
Thailand and other Buddhist countries, It is
an excellent place to watch religious festivals
and moonlit processions, Unlike most other temples,
monks don’t go out seeking alms but are instead
by merit-makers visited between 06.00 - 07.00 a.m
.
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The Golden Buddha Temple (Wat Traimit)
At the end of Yaowarat (china town) Road, near bangkok Hualamphong Railway Station, is a temple situated on Traimit Road. This temple is known for its famous Golden Buddha, constructed during the Sukhothai period.
The Golden Buddha was discovered by accident as an outer Buddha image broke when it was moved and the inner Golden Buddha was revealed. The image, of solid gold, is three metres high and weighs five and a half tons. The building holding this image is open to the public everyday from 09.00 a.m. - 05.00 p.m.
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The Golden Mount
(Wat Saket)
Wat Saket is an undistinguished temple except
for the Golden Mountain or Phu Khao Thong, on
the West side of the grounds. The steep climb
up the Golden Mountain puts everything back
in perspective and offers views over Rattanakosin
Island that are simply stunning .
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The Parliament
The Palace was built in the reign of King Rama
V using marble for construction in Italian Renaissance
architectural style. King Rama V desired to
use the Palace for receiving foreign dignitaries
and meetings of the Royal
Advisory Council for national development. The
Palace was completed in the reign of King Rama
VI. The ceiling of the dome was highlighted
by exquisite fresco paintings of important Royal
functions during the reign of King Rama I up
to King Rama VI of the Royal House of Chakri.
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The Old Prison House
This name was graciously given to the park by
H.M. the Queen. It was a detention area before
being transformed into a public park. Original
constructions have been maintained such as the
watch tower. Within, there is a building constructed
during the reign of King Rama V which now servers
as a penal museum and shop for selling products
made by prisoners. The open space inside has
been turned into a garden and recreation ground.
Suan Saranrom
This is an old park, and originally a garden
in the Saranrom Palace. It is now a part of
the ministry of Foreign Affairs Complex. The
park itself was built in 1874 in the reign of
King Rama V. In the park there is a monument
of Queen Sunanda built in 1880.
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The Democracy Monument
This monument was erected to commemorate Thailand’s
change from Absolute Monarchy to Constitutional
Monarchy on June 24,1932. The monument was designed
by Professor Silpa Bhirasri with the core structure
in the form of a large copper tray carrying
the Constitution and supported by a pedestal.
The copper tray is the largest in Thailand with
a height of three metres and weighting four tonnes.
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Mae Phra Thorani
(Goddess of the Earth)
This is a monument of the Goddess of the Earth,
sitting twisting her hair in a booth decorated
with beautifully sculptured mortar. It was built
by Queen Sowabha, the Queen Mother in the reign
of King Rama VI. At the end of her twisted hair,
a stream of water flowed into a container for
people to use. In other word, it was a public
fountain and the waters were considered holy.
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Phra Sumeru Fortress
Phra Sumeru Fortress was constructed in the
reign of king Rama I in 1783 and was located
in the north side along with other 14 fortresses
and line of walls surrounded the capital. The
shape of the Fortress was an octagonal one turning
towards Klong Banglamphoo away from the new
Banglamphoo Gate or Banglamphoo intersection
at present about nearly one kilometer.
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The
Old China Town
Bangkok’s China Town is an old business centre
covering a large area around Yaowarat Road and
Charoen Krung Road (New Road). There are many
small streets and alleys full of shops selling
all types of goods including wholesale items
such as household good, stationery, and toys.
The area is always lively, and market stalls
abound. There is a profusion of gold shops as
well as traditional Chinese foodstuffs and restaurants.
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Flea Market (Antique)
Located near China Town, in the area around
Mahachak Road and Soi Chong Charoen Phanit,
this market specialists in hardware such as
wire-cutters, screwdrivers, and other kinds
of tools. This area also features a market selling
all kinds of antiques and electrical goods.
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Exotic Flower Market
Pak Khlong Talat : literally meaning
“a market by the mouth of the canal”, is the
collective name for five adjacent markets, which
have altogether been transformed to become the
biggest and most important wholesale market
and distribution centre for vegetable, flowers
and fruits. It is located on Maha Rat Road near
the Memorial Bridge.
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Banglumpoo Shopping District
A shopping area once frequented solely
by local people and now a popular place for
tourists. This area offers various inexpensive
items, especially ready-made clothes, handbag,
men’s and ladies’ shoes, cosmetics and curios.
Bargaining is recommended.
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