%b%crFloating Markets %b%c* and other Bangkok, Thailand Things to Do Tips

These are very important business centres for those who live on the banks of the many inland waterways and away from road. Every day, from about 6.00-11.00 am you will see small boats weighed down with all kinds of tropical fruits and vegetables and other produce from the orchards or nearby communities assemble for business. There are 4 floating markets which visitors can see.

Taling Chan Floating Market is a weekend market held in front of Taling Chan District Office. It starts from around 9.00 am to 4.00 pm. There is a boat service which is available for sight-seeing along the canal where you can see the garden and village lifestyle

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Directions: The market is also accessible by buses No. 79 and 83 which pass nearby.

This amazing Thai-style house was the work of Mr Jim Thompson an American who came to Thailand at the end of the Second World War and revived the Thai Silk industry. He later disappeared in the Malaysian jungles and it still remains a mystery to this day.

The house is now a museum and on permanent display are Mr Thompson's collection of Asian artifacts such as blue-while Chinaware Cambodian stone figures benjarong (a multi-coloured porcelain made in China) wooden Burmese statues and many other fabulous antiques.
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Directions: Soi Kasemsan 2 (opp National Stadium on Rama I Road)

Wat Traimit (Temple of the Golden Buddha) was constructed during the Sukhothai period and is well known the Golden Buddha housed inside. The image is of solid gold and stands 3 metres high and weighs in at 5 ½ tons.

Initially, this golden Buddha figure was completely covered with plaster to try and conceal it from the enemy which was invading Thailand and was installed as the main Buddha image in the main temple building of Choti-naram Temple or Wat Phrayakrai, Yannawa District.

The temple was then deserted and in about 1931 and the East Asiatic Company moved in and extended its operations in the area of the abandoned temple. They decided to move the Buddha image into their building and in doing so the plaster was broken revealing the gold below. Once stripped, the Buddha has been a treasure for its artistic, historical and cultural significance.

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Directions: Traimit Road end of Yaowarat Road (near Hualamphong Railway Station)

This world famous temple is located right next to the Grand Palace, on the south side. It is one of Bangkok's oldest and largest temples. Wat Pho was built by King Rama I nearly 200 years ago and houses the gigantic gold plated reclining Buddha.

This unique image is 46 metres in length and 15 metres high with beautifully inlaid mother-of-pearl soles. Wat Pho is also regarded as the first centre of public education and is sometimes called ''Thailand's First University'.

The building housing the Reclining Buddha is open daily from 9.00 am.-5.00 pm.
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The feet of the Buddha's is intricately inlaid mother-of-pearl.

This photo really cannot do them justice, they were simply beautiful.

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This is a real city landmark in Bangkok and shouldn't be missed. This huge compound was built by King Rama I in 1782 for the Chakri dynasty and it is an interesting mix of Eastern and Western architectural styles from Thai to Italian Renaissance. All around the complex are high white walls, the whole site occupies an area of about a square mile. The palace was begun in 1782 and consists of several buildings all highly decorated. The Royal chapel, Wat Phra Kaeo, is in the same compound.

My tour guide was a history student at the university. He was extremely knowledgeable on the history of the Grand Palace which was great but after a couple of hours of listening - or being lectured - I was all tied up in knots as to this Rama and that Rama's Rama, and the other Rama's Rama... exhausting.

The complex is open daily from 8.30 a.m.- 3.30 p.m. Proper dress is essential.

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Pantheon (Prasad Phra Tepbidorn). Originally built in 1856 to house the emerald Buddha but was found to be too small for large ceremonies.

In the shape of Greek cross, with its roof crowned by yellow prang, it houses the standing statues of the first eight kings of the Chakri dynasty.
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Address: Grand Palace Complex

The Grand Palace is not open at night -it closes at 3.30pm however if you are on a private tour and can get your driver to go past the complex, you won't be disappointed.

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The Dusit Group where the audience hall is found. The focal point is the throne of mother-of-pearl which is surmounted by the usual nine-tiered white canopy, the mark of a duly crowned King. At the back of this audience hall is one of the living quarters. All are built in pure Siamese architecture of perfect proportions.
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Address: Grand Palace

The Chakri Residence was built in 1882 by English architects with an unusual mixture of styles.

The facade is Italian Renaissance which is crowned by roofs which are placed one on top of the other and decorated with pointed spires and naga serpents
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Address: Grand Palace