Bangkok Things to Do Tips by SirRichard

This former Royal Pavillions are also known as "Lettuce Farm Palace".
There are several wooden houses and a very nice garden. After buying the ticket you will be showed an itinerary to follow through the rooms.
It was the Princess private residence till it was turned into a museum, where you can still see her collection of antiquities.
Most of the pavillions are open and are simply decorated.

It's got a nice souvenir shop downstairs (by the ticket office) too.

This palace seemed to me more cozy and enjoyable than the Vimanmek Teak Mansion, too huge for my taste...

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Phone: 02-2461775-6,02-2472079
Address: 352-354 Sri Ayudhya Road ,Phyathai , Bangkok
Directions: From Phyathai BTS station turn right and walk along the road about 3 minutes , you 'll see a group of Thai tradition house .That's museum.
Website: http://www.suanpakkad.com

This thai house is one of my favourite spots in Bangkok. I like it because is not too big and is beautiful, both the pavillions and the gardens.
It was the home of the american businessman Jim Thompson, who lived here in the 50s. He had a slik business, lived in this house, which he refurbished and fullfilled with antiques and had the industry, as well as the workers houses, at the other side of the canal.
He lead an interesting life, was socially prominent, rich, antiques lover, CIA agent... until he disappeared in the Cambodian jungles in the 60s

The entrance fee is 100 bahts. You have to wait till a group is gathered, then you go in a guided tour around. No photos allowed in the upper floors.
There is a nice bar with a pond, and a souvenir shop, where you can find the famous silks, and other luxury items.

There I found a wonderful watercolors book on Thailand, highly recommendable if you like painting.

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Address: Rama I Road, Pathumwan District, Bangkok
Directions: From Siam Square, take Th Phra Ram I towards the west, and turn right at the 2nd alley. Go till the end and there you are, just before the canal.

This huge Royal Palace located in the north part of BKK, near the Dusit Zoo, includes several pavillions in traditional Thai architecture and beautiful gardens.
I had the intention to visit it, but whe I finally arrived there (walking from Khao San Road, more than 30 minutes) I was tired and there 4 buses of tourists arriving, so I just took a pic from the gate, turned around, hailed a tuktuk and visited instead the "Lettuce farm Palace" a smaller and (for me) nicest Royal Residence, much more relaxed than this huge complex.

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Address: Rajavithi Road, Dusit
Directions: Behind Bangkok's National Assembly. It is open between 9am and 4pm. The dances are performed twice daily at 10:30am and at 2pm. Entrance fee is 50 Baht for adults.
Website: http://www.thaistudents.com/guidebook/vimanmek.html

This area near Hualamphong Station is very interesting if you like old asian markets, chinese medicine shops, traditional chinese restaurants and so.
The old market is in Talat Kao.

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Address: Ratchawongsi Pier, Chao Phraya River Tour, Bangkok
Directions: To view typical China Town scences straight ahead to Ratchawongsi Road until the intersection of Yaowarat Road.

This huge official building is near the Dusit Zoo, behind the Vimanmek Teak Palace. It is used nowadays for royal and important state ceremonies. I didn't try to enter, but I think is not open to the public...

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This temple was very near the Hualamphong Train Station.
As you enter there is a big temple in the middle and the ticket office is on your left. I bought the ticket (though nobody was controlling the entrance) and climbed the steps at the left up to the small pavillion where the Golden Buddha is.

It is very nice this medium sized Buddha all covered in gold. Around him you will find people offering flowers and little gold shhets to other smaller buddhas and monks statues.

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Phone: 623 1226
Address: Thanon Yaowarat
Directions: Near Hualamphong Railway Station

Once part of the Royal Dusit Palace, this park was made zoo in 1938.
It has a big lake where you can hire paddleboats too. There are many food stalls and is a good place to come for a walk on weekends. Elephants rides anda nimal feeding shows are other attractions here.

Open 08-18h. 20 Bahts admission fee

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Address: 71 Rama V Road, Dusit
Directions: Near the Vinamnek Teak Palace and the National Assembly hall.
Website: http://www.zoothailand.org/dusit/

This famous temple is called the "Temple of Dawn" because, being in the west part of the river, makes a great scenery for sunsets, when the sun hides behind its magnificient silhouette...

Most people enter this temple crossing with a boat from the opposite bank. Once there, I liked to walk around the lonely courtyards and gardens, I was practically alone there (maybe is not the usual thing) and I felt it all was very peaceful and quiet, after all the rush in the city... You can climb a bit the tower, but I didn't (too much work for me :-)))

The Emerald Buddha used to be here, but was moved to Wat Phra Kaeo in 1785.

It closes at 5:30 pm

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Phone: 02-466-3167
Address: Tha Tien Pier, Chao Phraya River
Directions: From the "Wat Pho pier" take a cross river ferry to Wat Arun.