World City Guide

Key Attractions

Royal Grand Palace
The Royal Grand Palace is a glittering walled complex that houses several palaces, all highly decorated with tiles and ceramics. Building was begun in 1782 when Bangkok was founded as the capital of Thailand. The complex houses Wat Phra Kaeo, the holiest of all Thai temples, where the sacred Emerald Buddha rests, not covered in emeralds but jade. There is even a scale model of Angkor Wat. There is a strict dress code and visitors wearing shorts, mini-skirts, sleeveless shirts or flip-flops will be refused entry, although it is possible to hire trousers and plastic shoes.

Na Phra Lan Road
Tel: (02) 222 6889.
Website: www.palaces.thai.net
Transport: Served by numerous buses.
Opening hours: Daily 0830-1530.
Admission: B200.

Vimanmek Palace
Vimanmek Palace is the world’s largest building made entirely of golden teak. It used to be a royal summer retreat and was dismantled and rebuilt in Bangkok in 1900. The 81-room mansion stands in carefully manicured lawns, located close to the current royal residence, and contains 31 exhibition rooms. Visitors are not free to wander but must take a guided tour, which take place every 30 minutes. Highlights include Thailand’s first indoor bathroom and the oldest typewriter with Thai characters. The dress code is the same as for the Royal Grand Palace.

Ratchawithi Road
Tel: (02) 628 6300.
Website: www.palaces.thai.net
Transport: Served by numerous buses.
Opening hours: Daily 0930-1600 (last tour at 1515).
Admission: B100. Free once a ticket to the Royal Grand Palace has been purchased (ticket valid for 30 days).

Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha)
Wat Pho is the oldest and largest temple in Bangkok and houses an enormous gold-plated Reclining Buddha, which is 46m (150ft) long and 15m (49ft) high. Today, the temple is also renowned for its teaching of herbal medicine and traditional massage.

Thai Wang Road
Tel: (02) 225 9595.
Website: www.watpho.com
Transport: Served by numerous buses.
Opening hours: Daily 0800-1700.
Admission: B20.

National Museum
One of the largest and most comprehensive museums in the region, the National Museum houses a vast collection of artefacts from the neolithic period through to more recent periods. The building, begun in 1782, is fascinating in its own right, having been built in traditional Thai style. The museum is so large that it needs more than one visit, however, if time is short, it must be spent in the lovely teak pavilion, which houses personal royal belongings. Free guided tours in English are given by volunteers at 0930 on Wednesdays and Thursdays and are highly recommended.

Na Phrathat Road
Tel: (02) 224 1333.
Website: www.thailandmuseum.com
Transport: Served by numerous buses.
Opening hours: Wed-Sun 0900-1600.
Admission: B50.

Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)
Located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, the 17th-century Wat Arun has a 79m-high (259ft) tower decorated with multicoloured ceramic tiles, which makes it a landmark along the river. The effect of the tiles is best observed at a distance. It was the first home of the Emerald Buddha before it was transferred to Wat Phra Kaeo in 1785. There is a nightly light and sound show between October and May.

Arun Amarin Road
Tel: (02) 465 5640.
E-mail: cmo@cm.co.th
Website: www.watarun.org
Transport: Boat from Tha Tien Pier.
Opening hours: Daily 0730-1730.
Admission: B20.

Jim Thompson Thai House
Jim Thompson was an American who came to Bangkok after World War II and the Jim Thompson Thai House was his home until he mysteriously disappeared in Malaysia in 1967. He completely revived the Thai silk industry and his house, traditionally Thai in style, is now a museum showing his collection of Asian artefacts. The house is a complex of six traditional Thai teak structures brought to Bangkok from various parts of Thailand and its construction was completed in 1955. The house can only be visited on a guided tour.

6 Soi Kasemsan 2 Song, Rama I Road
Tel: (02) 216 7368.
E-mail: info@jimthompsonhouse.com
Website: www.jimthompsonhouse.com
Transport: Skytrain National Stadium station.
Opening hours: Daily 0900-1700 (last tour at 1630).
Admission: B100; concessions available.

Royal Barge National Museum
The royal barges are rarely used by the royal family these days because of their age. A few of them are now preserved in the Royal Barge National Museum on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya River. The eight long, narrow boats on display are intricately gilded and each need between 50 and 60 rowers to take their oars. The figure on the bow of each boat signifies whether it carries the King and Queen or other members of the royal family. The most important barge is the Suphannahong, exclusively used by the King.

Khlong Bangkok Noi
Tel: (02) 424 0004.
Website: www.thailandmuseum.com
Transport: River taxi.
Opening hours: Daily 0900-1700.
Admission: B30.