Bangkok was founded in 1782 by the first monarch of the present Chakri dynasty. It is now the country’s spiritual, cultural, diplomatic, commercial and educational hub. It covers an area of more than 1,500 square kilometres, and it is a home to approximately ten million people or more than 10% of the country’s population.
Over the last few decades, Thailand’s capital city, Bangkok, has changed into a modern, exciting and sophisticated city. It offers visitors not only the cosmopolitan amenities they would expect from other big cities, but also a unique treasure trove of cultural attractions. Thailand, in the heart of Southeast Asia, was never colonised and thus kept its unique culture and heritage intact. Bangkok offers visitors the opportunity to experience fascinating glimpse of Thailand’s gentle culture amidst the bustle of a great and dynamic metropolis. This great city has had astounding success in combining the ancient and modern world.
For tourists, Bangkok has a feast of attractions to offer. The city is dotted with 400 glittering Buddhist temples of great beauty and fascination, magnificent palaces, classical dance extravaganzas, numerous shopping centers and traditional ways of life, especially along the “Venice of the East” timeless canals and the Chao Phraya River of the “River of Kings” winding through the city. It is worth taking a trip along its waters before exploring further into different canals to take a glimpse of old Bangkok.
Where to go in Bangkok since Thammasat University is located in central of Bangkok, recommended places are:
If you like to explore Thai temple, we recommend:
- Temple of Emerald Buddha, also known as Wat Prakaew, The Emerald Buddha is known to be the most revered Buddha image in Thailand, and is the figure of Bangkok. Visiting of this temple is believed to bring you wealth.
- Wat Po contains the longest golden-plated Reclining Buddha in Thailand (46 metres in length). It is sometimes regarded as the first public university in Thailand, as temples are main centers for education in the past.
- Temple of Dawn also known as Wat Arun, is best known for a porcelain encrusted 79 metres central pagoda which sparkles in the sun. A visit is believed to bring “brightness” to your life.
- Wat Suthat is renowned for the 19th century painting in the main Chapel. Su-tud means good vision. Thus, a visit is believed to bring you that.
- Chaopor Suea Chinese Temple is one of the three main Chinese temples in Bangkok, dedicated to a deity in disguised of a tiger (Suea). A visit is believed to bring you power and authority.
- Wat Rakhang was built during the Ayutthaya Era. Its miniature Buddha Inage is very well-known and can be found on the necklace of many Thai Buddhists. A visit is likely to bring you respect from other people.
- Wat Kanlayanamit is also best approached by speedboat. The largest bell in Thailand can be found in this temple. A visit is believed to give you a good journey home, wherever you believe your home is.
If you like to see palaces architecture, we recommend:
- Grand Palace Phra Borom Maha Rajawang was built to be the centre of Bangkok at the start of the city in 1782. It was used as the main palaces for Their Majesty Kings Rama I, II and III. The main highlights are the Chakkri Maha Prasat Mansion and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
- Royal Barges Museum “Oo Reua Phra Raj Pitee” contains all barges/boats used by the kings and the Royal Family for over 200 years, including the famous Narai Songsuban as exhibited during the 2003 APEC summit in Bangkok.
- Wimannek Royal Mansion was the main Royal Residence of King Chulalonkorn (Rama V). It is the largest known Royal Mansion on earth to be built with golden teak.
For real city life, we recommend:
- Chatujak Market is a very popular weekend market, both for tourists and Thais, with over 8,000 shops and stalls selling broad range of goods, especially souvenirs and crafts, in very comfortable prices. The market is on Pahonyothin Road and is opened from 7.00 a.m. to 6.00 a.m. on the weekends.
- Joe Louis Theatre performs a great mixture of art where the Thai Khon is mixed with the western puppets wonderfully. The main show is based on Rammakian, a great epic novel based on the Indian story Rammayana composed by Their Majesty Kings Rama I and II. The theatre is at the Lumpini Night Bazaar, Patumwan.
- Bangkhuntean Seaside is the only place you will ever find real seashores in Bangkok, there is no beach though. The highlight is a huge number of good seafood restaurants around.
- Pratu Nam is quite nice for shopping without emptying your wallets.
- Siam Square is a kind of “Thai High street” a place where shoppers cannot miss.
- Central World Plaza and the Emporium is the place to shop for high-end or brand name goods.
- Khao San Road is the place where overseas people meet. It is quite nice during the Songkran Festival.
- China Town or Yaowarat is famous for many varieties of delicious foods and it becomes “Foods Street” at night. There are many small streets and alleys full of shops and vendors selling all types of goods.
