Bangkok Info Guide : Rattanakonsin Area

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.

Wat Pho or Wat Phra Chetuphon as the Thai's often names it, is the largest and one of the oldest temple in Bangkok. You'll find it on Chetuphon road.

located beside the neo-baroque Grand Palace, Wat Po is a complex of stunning temples with intermingling spires of intricate and ornate design. The most outstanding attraction is the massive, 40 meter reclining Buddha which is one of the most impressive and certainly the largest in all of Thailand. Also noted for its ancient school of massage.

National Museum is home to a large and impressive collection of Thai art spanning many eras. It’s probably one of the most important repositories of Southeast Asian antiquities in the world with many impressive items on display covering Buddhist art spanning 1500 years. There are also displays on the history of Thailand, with information in English. Large enough to keep you occupied all afternoon, the museum has a wide ranging collection of artefacts covering all aspects of ancient and recent Thai history. Located beside the Grand Palace opposite the Sanam Luang ground.

This is one of the more important impressive of Bangkok’s many temples and a chance to experience a temple compound without too many tourists. Nearby is the recently renovated Giant Swing - a bizarre and unique sight used in Brahman rites festivals. In the Grand Palace vicinity near the Democracy monument.

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.

this was once the highest point in the city until skyscrapers arrived in the second half of the twentieth century.

Built on the remains of a collapsed giant pagoda, this elevated temple offers magnificent views of the city, and is attached to Wat Saket, it supposedly holds a Buddha relic.

This is the bohemian and backpacker capital of Asia, there is a constant flow of tourists from every conceivable corner of the world as well as ‘out there’ Thai’s who come and go in a never ending stream. People watching is taken to a new extreme here with 24-hour performances from random passers-by. The area is packed with tourist agents, bars, restaurants and nightclubs, while the street stalls offer a good selection in cheap clothing and counterfeit goods. If you really want to go the whole hog while travelling, Khaosan is the place to have your fake dreadlocks sewn on.

Find in the Banglamphu area (Phra Nakhon district), in the West of Bangkok City, not so far from the Chao Phraya river and the Grand Palace.

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.

Dusit zoo, managed by the zoological park organization, is where visitors can inspect various species of tropical animals. in the middle of the area is a large pond with boat and paddleboat services.

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.

Saphan Phut Night Market

Every evening (except Wednesdays) the area around the Memorial Bridge (known amongst Thais as Saphan Plut) on the Rattanakosin side of the river is packed with vendors and shoppers trading for apparels and entertainment items include T-shirts, sneakers, jeans, related accessories, DVD’s, CD’s, video games and more.

Some counterfeit brand-name clothing like Ralph Lauren, Armani, Fred Perry as well as creative pieces can be found; plenty of food stalls, too. Bartering is almost not necessary, as the prices are amazingly cheap. The market is popular amongst local teen shoppers. It opens from 17:30 (or later on a rainy day) until around midnight.

Location: Rattanakosin

Adjacent to Wat Mahathat, between Maharat Road and the river, is Bangkok's biggest amulet market, where a fantastic array of religious amulets, charms, talismans, and traditional medicine is sold.

Each Sunday, hundreds of the faithful squat on the ground studying tiny images of the Buddha with magnifying glasses, hoping to find one that will bring good fortune or ward off evil.

Each amulet brings a specific kind of luck — to get the girl, to pass your exams, to keep bugs out of your rice stock, or to ward off your mother-in-law.

The newer amulet market is part of Wat Ratchanada, off the intersection of Mahachai Road and Ratchadamnoen Klang Road, across from the Golden Mount at Wat Saket.

The national sport of Thailand. You should absolutely not miss it if you enjoy action sports!
Ratchadamnoen Stadium is located on Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue.

Fight nights on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, starting at 6.30 pm.

Bohemian cafes, a tranquil park and an old fort converge upon one tree-shaded street.



	Historic building - Temples - Museum - Top sights Rattanakosin Rattanakosin is the historical heartland of modern Bangkok, spiritual epicentre of the Kingdom. King Rama I located the capital here in 1782 because he thought it would easier to defend than previous site Thonburi. Surrounded by man-made Klongs (canals) and the Chao Phraya River and immune to high-rise developments, its charms. 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.	Bar at Millenium Hilton at Sofitel Silom
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 Wat Pho and the Reclining Buddha Wat Pho or Wat Phra Chetuphon as the Thai's often names it, is the largest and one of the oldest temple in Bangkok. You'll find it on Chetuphon road. located beside the neo-baroque Grand Palace, Wat Po is a complex of stunning temples with intermingling spires of intricate and ornate design. The most outstanding attraction is the massive, 40 meter reclining Buddha which is one of the most impressive and certainly the largest in all of Thailand. Also noted for its ancient school of massage. Open: Daily 8.00 am 5.00 pm Admission Fee: Foreigner 50 Baht and it is opened every day between 8.00 am and 5.00 pm. The National Museum National Museum is home to a large and impressive collection of Thai art spanning many eras. It’s probably one of the most important repositories of Southeast Asian antiquities in the world with many impressive items on display covering Buddhist art spanning 1500 years. There are also displays on the history of Thailand, with information in English. Large enough to keep you occupied all afternoon, the museum has a wide ranging collection of artefacts covering all aspects of ancient and recent Thai history. Located beside the Grand Palace opposite the Sanam Luang ground. Open Hours: Wednesday to Sunday 9.00 am - 4.00 pm Admission Fee: Thai 50 Baht, Foreigner 200 Baht. Wat Suthat and the Giant Swing This is one of the more important impressive of Bangkok’s many temples and a chance to experience a temple compound without too many tourists. Nearby is the recently renovated Giant Swing - a bizarre and unique sight used in Brahman rites festivals. In the Grand Palace vicinity near the Democracy monument. Open: Daily 8.00 am - 6.00 pm Admission: free Wat Mahanat 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 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.. Wat Bowon Wat Bowonniwet Vihara is a first class royal monastery located on the northeast side of Rattanakosin island. Wat Bowon is a major Buddhist temple in Phra Nakhon district, Bangkok, Thailand. The temple is a center of the Thammayut Nikaya school of Thai Theravada Buddhism and has been a major temple of patronage for the Chakri dynasty. It is the shrine-hall of Phra Phutthachinasri which was moulded in about 1357. Open: Daily 8.00 am - 6.00 pm Admission: free Wat Chana Songkhram This is probably one of the best know temples among foreign visitors as it is located right opposite the famous Khaosan Road. This temple is Wat Chana Songkhram Ratchaworamahawihan, another second-class royal temple built in the pre-Rattanakosin era. The main chapel of Wat Chana Songkhram houses the buddha image, Phra Buddha Norasee Trilokachet Mahetthisak Puchaniyachayantakhodom Boromsasada Anaworayan. Open: Daily 8.00 am - 6.00 pm Admission: free Golden Mount and the Wat Saket this was once the highest point in the city until skyscrapers arrived in the second half of the twentieth century. Built on the remains of a collapsed giant pagoda, this elevated temple offers magnificent views of the city, and is attached to Wat Saket, it supposedly holds a Buddha relic. Open: Daily 8.00 am - 5.00 pm Admission: 10 baht. Khao San Road- Thanon Khao San This is the bohemian and backpacker capital of Asia, there is a constant flow of tourists from every conceivable corner of the world as well as ‘out there’ Thai’s who come and go in a never ending stream. People watching is taken to a new extreme here with 24-hour performances from random passers-by. The area is packed with tourist agents, bars, restaurants and nightclubs, while the street stalls offer a good selection in cheap clothing and counterfeit goods. If you really want to go the whole hog while travelling, Khaosan is the place to have your fake dreadlocks sewn on. Find in the Banglamphu area (Phra Nakhon district), in the West of Bangkok City, not so far from the Chao Phraya river and the Grand Palace. 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. Dusit zoo Dusit zoo, managed by the zoological park organization, is where visitors can inspect various species of tropical animals. in the middle of the area is a large pond with boat and paddleboat services. Open: Daily from 8.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. Admission fee is 30 baht for adults and 10 baht for children 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. Saphan Phut Night Market Every evening (except Wednesdays) the area around the Memorial Bridge (known amongst Thais as Saphan Plut) on the Rattanakosin side of the river is packed with vendors and shoppers trading for apparels and entertainment items include T-shirts, sneakers, jeans, related accessories, DVD’s, CD’s, video games and more. Some counterfeit brand-name clothing like Ralph Lauren, Armani, Fred Perry as well as creative pieces can be found; plenty of food stalls, too. Bartering is almost not necessary, as the prices are amazingly cheap. The market is popular amongst local teen shoppers. It opens from 17:30 (or later on a rainy day) until around midnight. Location: Rattanakosin Amulet Market Adjacent to Wat Mahathat, between Maharat Road and the river, is Bangkok's biggest amulet market, where a fantastic array of religious amulets, charms, talismans, and traditional medicine is sold. Each Sunday, hundreds of the faithful squat on the ground studying tiny images of the Buddha with magnifying glasses, hoping to find one that will bring good fortune or ward off evil. Each amulet brings a specific kind of luck — to get the girl, to pass your exams, to keep bugs out of your rice stock, or to ward off your mother-in-law. The newer amulet market is part of Wat Ratchanada, off the intersection of Mahachai Road and Ratchadamnoen Klang Road, across from the Golden Mount at Wat Saket. Location: Rattanakosin Ratchadamnoen Stadium - Thaiboxing The national sport of Thailand. You should absolutely not miss it if you enjoy action sports! Ratchadamnoen Stadium is located on Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue. Fight nights on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, starting at 6.30 pm. Phra Athit Road Bohemian cafes, a tranquil park and an old fort converge upon one tree-shaded street.
Rattanakosin - Thonburi - Chinatown - Sukhumvit - Silom & Sathorn - Pathumwan - Ratchadaphisek - Phahonyothin - Around Bangkok
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