Historic building - Temples - Museum - Top sights
Historics buildings
Architecturally inspiring and a fascinating insight into Thailand's rich culture, Bangkok's heritage is reflected in its palaces and mansions. Bangkok's number one attraction, the Grand Palace is breathtakingly exquisite. Shimmering in gold, alongside the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, it represents the best in Thai traditions. After that, don't forget to visit Vimanmek Mansion, the world's biggest wooden building made from golden teak - fascinating! Take a closer look at some of the capital's other cultural gems for an insight into this fascinating city.
Victory Monument
Constructed in 1941 by military dictator Plaek Pibulsongkhram to commemorate the 59 Thais who lost their lives in the short and inconclusive French Indochina War. However, Pibulsongkhram was kicked out in 1944 and the patch of land gained by the Thais was handed back to Laos and Cambodia in 1945, making the "victory" a little hollow, and these days this spiky Bangkok landmark is now better known as Bangkok's largest local bus hub. If traveling north by Skytrain, you'll be treated to a 180-degree curving panorama of the monument, and this is the best view you can get as actually reaching the base of the monument would require passing through a triple-laned traffic circle maelstrom of buses.
Location: Phahonyonthin
Wat Phra Kaew and Grand Palace
Places you almost 'have to' visit! Rather close to Khao San Road and
Banglamphu. You can go there by taxi, tuk tuk or why not a cheap river
boat on the Chao Praya river to pier Tha Chang. From there it's just
walking distance to this beautiful temple and the amazing Grand Palace. located in the grounds of the Grand Palace,
Wat Phra Kaew is among the top attractions, attracting tourists with its
stunning temples, towering golden chedi, ornately decorated interiors
and the much reverred though diminutive Emerald Buddha.
The palace, although not as impressive as the surrounding temples, is an interesting example of new-Baroque architecture. Fine murals are also on display, and there is a decorations and coins museum on site. It’s the one site all tourists get to while in Bangkok.
Open: Daily 8.30 am - 3.30 pm,
Admission Fee: Foreigner 350 Baht for both the palace and the temple
Location: Rattanakosin
Vimanmek Teak Mansion and Dusit Throne Hall
this is the world’s largest teak construction, located within the complex of the Dusit Palace. The impressive architecture, design features and exemplary works of art are some of the finest examples in the country, while the photograph collection of King Bhumibol is an interesting insight into the lives of the Thai monarchy. Well preserved, it offers a good glimpse into Royal life during the reign of King Chulalongkorn in the late Nineteenth Century when Siam was at its zenith. Located opposite Dusit Zoo, in the leafy Dusit suburb, easily reached from Khao San Road and the Grand Palace. The adjacent neo-classical Throne Hall was one of King Chulalongkorn’s European inspired fancies and is used for ceremonies, such as the King’s 60 year reign celebrations where hundreds of thousands packed the arcade in front, it looks impressive but is off limits to the public.
Open Hours: Daily 9.30 am - 4.00 pm.
Admission Fee: Student/Monk 20 Baht, Adult 75 Baht, Foreigner 100 Baht.
Location: Rattanakosin
King's Birthday Celebration Arch
This Chinese-style ceremonial gate is located at the Odeon Circle. Passing it makes you feel like you really entered Chinatown.
Location: Chinatown
King Rama IV statue
Located in front of Lumphini Park, the statue was sculpted by Professor Corado Feroci, or Silpa Bhirasri as he was called by his Thai name, who gave it a final touch on 7 June, 1941. It was open on 27 March, 1942.
Open: Daily
Location: Silom & Sathorn
Admission: Free
Suan Pakkad Palace
Located on Si Ayutthaya Road, this complex of five Thai-style houses was once the residence of one of Thailand’s leading art collectors, Prince Chumbhot of Nagara Svarga. It houses an extensive collection of Asian art and antiques, including items from the prehistoric Ban Chiang civilization, and also an impressive collection of sea-shells. Khon (classical Thai masked dance) Museum and Traditional Thai Music Museum are also established here.
Open: Daily 9.00 am - 4.00 pm
Location: Patumwan
Admission Fee: Thai Adults 50 Baht, Children 20 Baht / Foreign Adults 100 Baht, Children 50 Baht
King Rama I the Great
Memorial
Built in commemoration of Bangkok’s 150th anniversary celebrations in 1932, the monument is situated at the foot of Pathom Boromrachanuson or Rama I the Great Memorial Bridge on the Bangkok side. King Rama I was the first king in the Royal House of Chakri and founder of Bangkok as the capital of the Kingdom of Siam, as Thailand was formerly known. He was born in Ayutthaya, one of Thailand’s former capitals, on 20 March, 1736, accessed to the throne on 6 April, 1782, and passed away 27 years later., Open: Daily, Admission: Free
Location: Chinatown
National Memorial
It is on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road slightly beyond Don Muang Railway Station. Covering an area of 38 rai, the National Memorial is under the responsibility of the Armed Force Education Department, Supreme Command Headquarters. There are wall paintings depicting historic events in Thai history from the Sukhothai period to Rattanakosin period, replicas of royal decorations, bas-reliefs of the establishment of the city and models recounting historic battles in Thai history.
Open: Mon- Fri from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Phahonyonthin
Admission: Free
Ancient City
offers tourists a step back in time and almost perfect replications of Thailand’s most historically renowned sites and monuments. In some cases original structures have been moved here and others were rebuilt from plans, to recreate originals that have long since disappeared. This open-air museum is located amid tranquil lakes and beautiful gardens and is a great way to see historical sites from all over Thailand without travelling! Located in Samut Prakarn, an hour south of the city by taxi, but worth it - highly recommended.
Open: Daily 9.00 am - 5.00 pm
Location: Around bangkok
Admission Fee: Foreign Adults 300 Baht/Each, Children 150 Baht/Each, Thai Adults 150 Baht, Children 75 Baht
The
King Rama V Equestrian Monument
The King Rama V Equestrian Monument is the first monument dedicated to a Thai king. It stands in the Royal Plaza to the south of Dusit Garden, Bangkok. The monument depicts King Rama V astride a magnificent stallion riding high on a pedestal. The majestic dome of the Ananta Samakorn Throne Hall in the background completes the regal scene.
Built to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the coronation of King Rama V or King Chulalongkorn, the King Rama V Equestrian Monument was completed 1908. Cast in Paris by a French sculptor, the monument took a year to complete. King Rama V inaugurated the monument himself.
The funds for the monument were raised from public donations as an expression of the people's love and gratitude to King Rama V for his reforms in modernizing the kingdom. A million baht was raised, a huge sum of money in those days.
After the death of King Rama V in 1910, his son, King Rama IV established Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, in honor of his father, with the remaining funds.
Visitors to Thailand in the 1980s would probably remember the 10 baht bank note which has the King Rama V Equestrian Monument printed on the back. These notes have since been withdrawn and replaced by the 10 baht coin.
The monument is deeply revered by Thais who can be seen at all times of the day at the monument praying and paying homage to the great king. Some observe special days for visits, namely Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.
Location: Rattanakosin
Thian Fah Foundation
This atmospheric complex incorporates a hospital and another, more elegent, shire dedicated to Kuan Yim.
Actually being a small clinic that uses traditional Chinese as well as common practices, most interesting to foreign visitors is the courtyard. It has a giant typical Chinese-style building with an impressive roof. It is dedicated to the goddess Ming.
Location: Chinatown
Rattanakosin - Riverside - Chinatown - Sukhumvit - Silom & Sathorn - Pathumwan - Ratchadaphisek - Phahonyothin - Around Bangkok
Copyright @ Thailand Tourist Guide - Design by Cisko Design - Photo by Chris Martin for Cisko Photo