Grand Palace and other Bangkok, Thailand Things to Do Tips

If you go to Bangkok you should visit the Grand Palace. It is a very nice place to wander around. It is generally pretty crowded as most people also think that it is a "must see". You have to be dressed properly or you will not be allowed onto the grounds. If you are not dressed properly they have a changing room with Proper Clothes for you to wear. For ladies mini-skirts and or to much skin showing will not be allowed. For men ..No shorts Flip-flops raggity clothes or pajamas. Don't worry though if your not dressed properly the security guy will let you know and direct you to the Free Changing Room. I have visited the Grand Palace several times and have enjoyed each visit.

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Phone: 02-224-1833
Address: Maharaj Pier, Chao Phraya, Bangkok
Directions: The combined compound is open 8.30am to 3.30pm everyday. Cost is 200B (if you are Thai, it's free), and includes admission to Vimanmek Mansion and Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall, both in the Dusit area.
Website: http://www.discoverthailand.com/

Wat Suthat and the Giant Swing (Sao Ching Cha) are quite interesting as there is some cool history that comes from here. There used to be a Festival held here with a bag of gold suspended high off the ground and participents would try to swing high and reach out to get the gold. One of the Kings banned the event because to many people died trying for the gold! Now it is a nice place to wander around and take photos and dream about the days of seeing the people willing to risk their lives for a small bag of Gold!!

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Address: Kanlayana Maitri Road
Directions: It's a short walk from Democracy Monument

Just going to Wat Arun is half of the fun. You must take a riverboat across the Chao Phrya to the Thonburi side which just cost just pennies. I love being on the river in Bangkok so when I'm in Bangkok I go to Wat Arun quite often.
It is called the Temple of the Dawn also. Built in the 17th Century when Thonburi was the capital of Thailand.
It is open from 8:30 to 5:30 Pm Thereare colored light shows offered at certain times...You could check with the local tourist office to times and dates that the show will be offered.

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Address: Thonburi
Directions: Take the cross-river ferry from Tha Thien Near Wat Pho. 2 baht

This is a cool Buddha statue as it is 5? tons of solid Gold! There is a neat story behind the "discovery" of the Buddha image too. Sometime in the last few hundred years it was hidden under a plaster covering to hide it from invaders and it was apparently forgotten about. I don't know how would forget about your 5? ton solid Gold Buddha but it was. Then sometime in the 1960's the plaster covered Buddha was being moved and the outer covering fell off to reveal what was insided!! Finders Keepers??? Better to arrive here early before the tour buses show up. The first visitors are allowed in at 9:00 am.
This Temple is kind of a weird place in my opinion. Because there is a Money Changer right on the grounds of the Temple. What for? Maybe so you can give donations? On most of my visits the other tourists are very aware of the smallness of the room that houses the Buddha. Everyone seems to stand to the side and everyone takes turns snapping their photos. It has always seemed to work out pretty good.
Wat Traimit is quite easy to find as it is near the Hualamphong train station. It is good to combine a visit to Wat Traimit with Chinatown as they are quite close together.

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Phone: 623-1226
Address: Intersection of Thanon Yaowarat and Charoen Krung
Directions: It's pretty close to the Hualompong Railway station.

I love wandering around Chinatown. There are so many things to be seen that I don't have any idea what they are for or even what they are but I just love looking at the stuff. Of course everything is written in Chinese with some places also including Thai script but you won't see much English. Some of the shop keepers do speak a little English. It is a great place to get a bowl of Kuay Teow!!!

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