Historic building - Temples - Museum - Top sights
Thonburi & Riverside
Thonburi is the west bank of the Chao Phraya river in Bangkok, Thailand.
After the sack of Ayutthaya in 1767, General Phraya Taksin made Thonburi the new capital of Siam for a chief period of time. Unlike Ayutthaya and Rattanakosin, so many battles had to be fought out that Taksin did not have the time and resources to build a new grand capital. It is hard to believe this was once the country's capital, as little archeological structures remain.
While Thonburi may not have the major monuments like other former capitals, the district retained an entirely different identity, as it only was officially incorporated in Bangkok in 1971.
Therefore, Thonburi stayed less developed than other parts of the city, and several of the traditional small canals still exist here. The cool and peaceful atmosphere, as well as the traditional Thai way of life with floating vendors and orchard farms, make Thonburi a surprisingly fascinating district.
Riverside is Bangkok's oldest and most historical area (included here are all several areas along the Chao Phraya River - Chinatown, Bo Be and Ratchadamnoen).
Slowly winding its way through the city, the mighty Chao Phraya drains a
river basin the side of britain. Until the begining of the 20th century,
Bangkok was devoid of asphalt roads ans commerce was condcuted by boat
on this great brown swathe and it's network of interconnecting klongs (canals).
Chao Praya River
The river boat is cheap and you can move fast in Bangkok. You will also avoid the worst heat and pollution's from traffic. There are many piers along the river.
Thon Buri canals
(trip)
A trip along Bangkok’s canal is one great way to see a number of the major sites from an interesting perspective, without the hassle of having to navigate Bangkok’s city streets. A leisurely cruise along one of Bangkok’s water ways affords passengers a glimpse inside the daily life of locals. Boats can be boarded from any pier along the canals. The Chao Phraya Express boat passes many of the city’s major sites. The quiet canals of Thon Buri, across the river are a world away from modern Bangkok and show how Bangkok once was when it was described as the ‘Venice of the East’ a century ago.
Open: daily, early morning to evening,
Admission: Thai 250 Baht per person, Foreigner 300 baht per person.
Pak Khlong Talat
Pak Khlong Talat, is located next to the Chao Praya river. The vegetables and fruits sold here are transported from neighboring parts of Thailand.
Royal Barges Museum
this museum is home to the spectacular barges that are used by royalty for very special ceremonies. on the mouth of Khlong Bangkok Noi, walk from the Phra Pinklao bridge. Daily 9AM-5PM. This place displays several Royal Barges, and their ornaments used for waterborne state ceremonies. The ornately carved barges were crafted in the early centuries, taking the form of famous mythical creatures of the Ramayana epic. The most impressive is the Suphannahongse or Golden Swan, the red and gold Royal river procession for the Kathin (robe presenting ceremony) at Wat Arun. To Reach the museum you have to walk through an alley that snakes through a residential neighborhood. Simply follow the signs until you reach the museum and you won't get lost. B100, B200 if you want to bring a camera with you.
Open: Daily 9.00 am - 5.00 pm, Closed: Dec 31 & Jan 1
Admission Fee: Thai 10 Baht, Foreigner 30 Baht.
Wat Arun (temple of Dawn)
With its spectacular river side location and the soaring 82 meter spire set right in the centre of the temple, Wat Arun is another of Bangkok’s top attractions. It’s also one of the oldest, pre-dating the founding of Bangkok when the original capital was set up in Thon Buri across the river. Makes an excellent sunset backdrop from river boats. Located opposite Wat Po, catch boats from Tha Tien pier behind the Grand Palace.
Open: Mon-Tue, Thu-Sun 8.30 am - 5.30 pm, Close: Public Holidays
Admission Fee: 10 Baht.
Bobe Market
Bobe Market is located next to the Khlong Phadung Krungkasem canal and offer clothes, more clothes and even more clothes. Behind the canal, all kind of garments are sewn by hundreds of women and some men. Bobe Market is somehow a little unplanned and large in size, so prepare yourself for some walking. If you are looking for a larger consignment of clothes, this is definitely the place. The fabrics and clothes are often sold by weight. You can go here by canal boat, taxi or tuk-tuk.
Wat Rakhang (Temple of the Bells) ***
Formerly known as Wat Bang Wa Yai, situated on Arunammarin Road. The front of the temple is on the bank of the Chao Phraya River. This temple was built during the Ayutthaya period, later it was reconstructed and upgraded as a Royal Temple by King Tak Sin. The name "Wat Rakhang" which means "Temple of the Bells", is due to the discovery of a huge bell at this temple in the reign of King Rama I. This significant second category Royal Temple was the residence of many supreme patriarchs of the Rattankosin period including “Somdej Toah”, the highly respected monk in the reign of King Rama V. Things of note are the beautiful mural paintings in the ordination hall, the image hall and the bell tower.
Wat
Kalayanamit
situated on the mouth of Bangkok Yai canal on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River opposite Rajinee School. It is also close to Kudichin old community and Santa Cruz Church. This Royal Temple was named after Chao Phraya Nikornbodin, a noble man of King Rama III who donated his own residence and bought a piece of land to built a temple. Wat Kalayanamit is well known for a large Buddha image named “Phraputtatrirattananayok”, which is 15.44 meter tall and 11.75 meter wide. This image is also called "Sampokong" by the Chinese-Thai race worshippers. Every day during the Chinese New Year festival, this temple is crowded by thousands of the Chinese Thai visitors. Other interesting items in this temple are the Chinese style ordination hall, which was the previous residence of Chao Phraya River.
Wat Intrawat
A temple located on Thanon Wat Inthrawat road and a canal, in the Bang Phrom section of the Taling Chan district, is up the road from the nearby "open" market in (nearby) Bang Ramat.
Wat Kok Poe Ram
A temple located on a side road of Phutthamonthon Sai 1 road, in the Taling Chan district.
Wat Prayoon
Beautiful white temple at the Chao Phraya river. It can best be photographed from the Memorial Bridge at dusk or night, when it is illuminated. Before 5PM, you might want to visit the Khao Mor Cemetery next to it, as it is an interesting walk up a hill.
Wat Poe
A temple located on Phutthamonthon Sai 1 road in the Bang Ramat section of the Taling Chan district, near the Southern Bus Terminal ("Sai Tai Mai").
Wat Suwannaram
33 Charansaniwong Road. A big Royal Temple on the banks of the Bangkok noi canal built during the reign of King Rama I and renovated during the reign of King Rama III. Inside are murals depicting the Jutaku, deities and the Buddha image in subduing the mara posture. These works of art of the early Rattanakosin period (19th century) are considered as the best survival mural paintings in Bangkok.
House of Museums
The House of Museums is located at 170/17 Mu 17, Khlong Pho Land, Soi Khlong Pho 2, Sala Thammasop Road, Thawi Watthana, Bangkok 10170. It is accessible by driving along Phutthamonthon Sai 2 Road toward the railway track or Khlong Maha Sawat. At the end of the road, turn left onto Sala Thammasop Road and follow the sign to the museum. The exhibition features a collection of old as well as modern items of various uses of both townspeople and villagers such as toys, books, stationery and kitchen and household utensils, forming a legacy of the past to be inherited by the present. The modern 3½-storey building of 3 chambers covers a total area of 232 square metres. The first floor lends an old atmosphere of shop houses before 1957 including a café, drugstore, barber’s, etc. There are rooms displaying alternate exhibitions on various topics, as well.
Open: Sat-Sun from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission: Adult 30 baht, Child 10 baht.
Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre
Located on Borom Ratchonnani Road beyond the Southern Bus Terminal, this centre is a national institution responsible for systematic gathering processing and servicing of anthropological data scattered throughout the country. A variety of exhibitions on Social and Cultural Development in Thailand, Ethno-Archaeology, Thai Ceramic Collections, as well as the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s Biography can be viewed.
Open: Mon- Sat from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m
Admission: Free
Siriraj Museum
Located on the 2nd floor of the Adulyadej Vikrom Building inside Siriraj Hospital, Thailand’s first medical institute. The museum comprises the Congdon Anatomical Museum, Songkran Niyomsane Forensic Medicine Museum, Prehistoric Museum, Pathology Museum and Traditional Thai Medicines Museum. The museums are old and dusty with little English signs, but still some foreigners like to visit them, especially the Forensic Medicine Museum for it's creepy collection of medical oddities similar to the Mütter Museum in Philadelphia.
Sunthorn Museum
Situated at 82/10 Sukhaphiban 1 (off Phetkasem Road near Lotus Supermarket), this is a private museum operated by Mr. Sunthorn Chunothaisawat. It houses invaluable antiques from different periods such as BMW Motorcycles in the World War Periods, various types of old clock, lamps, children toys made out of zinc, Raios, Irons, type writers, Fans and sewing machines which are still maintained in good condition.
Open: Sat from 11 a.m.to 5 p.m.
Admission: 200 baht
King Taksin the Great Monument
This is an equestrian statue situated at Wongwian Yai Circle on Prachathipok Road. The king is portrayed with his right hand holding a sword, measuring approximately 9 metres in height from his horse’s feet to the spire of his hat. The statue rests on a reinforced concrete pedestal of 8.90 x 1.80 x 3.90 metres. There are four frames of stucco relief on the two sides of the pedestal. The opening ceremony of this monument was held on 17 April, 1954 and a homage-paying fair takes place annually on 28 December.
Open: Daily
Admission: Free
Princess Mother Memorial Park
This beautiful park is on Soi 3 Somdet Chao Phraya Road, Khlong San District. It was built near the Wat Anongkharam community where Somdej Phra Srinagarindra Boromarajajonani, HRH the Princess Mother (mother of King Rama IX) had resided during her childhood. The park comprises a full scale model of the Princess Mother’s house and the old buildings renovated as exhibition halls displaying the life story of Her Royal Highness the Princess Mother as well as the history of the Wat Anongkharam community.
Open: Garden - Daily from 6 am. to 6 pm. (except public holidays). Museum – Daily from 9 am. to 4 pm.
Admission: Free
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