Bangkok Things to Do Tips by leffe3

Wonderful place to see authentic Thai residential architecture and SEAsian art.

An American, Thompson was an entrepreneur who, having moved to Thailand, set up home and worked tirelessly in the promotion of Thai silk. He built is home from derelict Thai houses throughout the country as well as collecting SEAsian artefacts.

Thompson disappeared while out walking in the Cameron Highlands in Malaysia in 1967. His body has never been found - fuelling many stories about his disappearance.

Whatever the reason, he left beyond this magnificent home which was given to the Thai government as a museum. As well as the house, there is a small cafe and a great shop to buy extensive examples of Thai silk.

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Address: Soi Kasem San 2, Thanon Phra Ram I

An extraordinary Hindu temple, built in the 1860s by Tamil immigrants, sits alongside Thanom Silom, close to the major western hotels.
(also known as the Maha Uma Devi temple).

Ornate and colourful is an understatement for this structure, which, while open to tourists to wander through the open courtyards and shrines, does not allow photographs to be taken inside the compound.

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Address: Thanon Silom

The number one destination on any visit to Bangkok, and understandably so. It is, quite simply, awesome.

Walking through the gates of the Grand Palace complex, the open space in front of you provides a great view of the whitewashed walls running round the perimter of Wat Phra Keow along with the towering chedis and prangs beyond (although approaching the site from the surrounding streets in any direction provides views of the extraordinary structures).

The whole complex was built in 1782 as the celebration of the new capital of Bangkok as it moved from Ayuthaya and also a suitable resting place for the new home of the Emerald Buddha.

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Address: Grand Palace

Whilst the Wat Phra Kaew (or Temple of the Emerald Buddha) is the most visited part of the complex - the Grand Palace itself being distinctly European in style, except for the rooves of the buildings (known in translation as westerner in a Thai crown). There are more than 100 buildings representing more than 200 years of Thai architecture. Most of the Royal Palace is off limits - you can wonder past and see from the outisde (even though the Palace is rarely used), although the Dusit Throne Room is occasionally open for the public.

Note that as part of the complex is a royal palace, wearing of shorts or even a sleeveless shirt will result in refusal of admission. There are sarongs etc for hire before the ticket office. Alternatively (as there is always a queue) get one from across the road.

And it ain't cheap - entrance to the Palace and Wat is now a staggering (by local standards) 250 baht. Open from 8.30am - 3.30pm

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The most sacred building in the Grand Palace complex, housing the Emerald Buddha bought from Wat Arun across the river at the end of the 18th century. The Emerald Buddha is the most revered of all images of the Buddha in Thailand. And what a home has been created for it! Mother of pearl in-lay, gilt bronze garudas, Cambodian stone lions (singhas) stand guard at the doors. The interior is a mass of gold, stunning murals and a buddha sitting in an incredibly ornate glass case but which is only 66 cms high. It is also carved from a single lump of jade - not emerald. The Buddha is believed to have been carvd in the late 15th century.

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Phone: 02-224-1833
Address: Maharaj Pier, Chao Phraya, Bangkok
Website: http://www.discoverthailand.com/

The most dominant structure, certainly seen from outside the walls, is the plain gold clad facade of this Chedi. Built in the 1850s by King Mongkut (Rama IV) to hold a piece of Buddha's breastbone, the golden tiles were added by is son, King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). Its simplicity and plainess certainly makes it one of the most striking within the Wat. It is also one of the first you come across as you enter the site.

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Phone: 02-224-1833
Address: Maharaj Pier, Chao Phraya, Bangkok
Website: http://www.discoverthailand.com/

The intended original building to house the Emerald Buddha, but it was decided that it was too small to house the most revered icon of them all. Nowadays, the building is open only on Chakri Day (April 6) although the exterior will certainly keep you busy!

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Phone: 02-224-1833
Address: Maharaj Pier, Chao Phraya, Bangkok
Website: http://www.discoverthailand.com/

Built as the library to house Buddhist scriptures, the building is closed to the public. But like so many of the buildings, the exterior will keep most of us happy for hours! It's extraordinary, and rivals that of the Bot of the Emerald Buddha and its intricacies of decoration.

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Phone: 02-224-1833
Address: Maharaj Pier, Chao Phraya, Bangkok
Website: http://www.discoverthailand.com/

Telling the story of the Ramakien, there are 178 panels running round all four walls/cloisters of the compound. Painted in the late 18th century, they have been frequently 'touched up' due to the humidity of the city. The first panel is to be found behind Wihan Yat (opposite Phra Mondop) and run clockwise.

The Ramakien is the epic Thia story of good triumphing over evil - Rama is the perfect hero, Tosakan the demon king. The epic is attributed to the 15th century with Thai defeat of Angkor. All Chakra kings since the 18th century have taken Rama as one of their names: Ayutthaya was named after Ayodhya, a fictional land in the tale.

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Phone: 02-224-1833
Address: Maharaj Pier, Chao Phraya, Bangkok
Website: http://www.discoverthailand.com/

Those cheerful looking, bigger than life statues found guarding the gates of the compound are known as Yakshas. Placed at the beginning of the 18th century, they are said to protect the Emeald Buddha from evil spirits - interesting as the yakshas represent characters from the Ramakien - including, in the case of the green yaksha, the demon king Tosakan.

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Phone: 02-224-1833
Address: Maharaj Pier, Chao Phraya, Bangkok
Website: http://www.discoverthailand.com/