Bangkok Things to Do Tips by xuessium

Folks who love Thai silk or Thai architecture should not miss Jim Thompson's House.

Jim Thompson came to SE Asia during WW2 and soon found opportunities that would bring fame and wealth. Realising the potential of Thai silk, he almost single-handedly brought global fame to the art of Thai silk weaving.

He was a lover of Thai architecture and travelled throughout Thailand to bring back items that he wanted for his dream house. Sometimes, houses were brought back plank by plank and rebuilt. Folks would not miss the european styled black & white marble tiles at the basement of the main galley - these were from a palace that was about to be torn down and he salvaged it.

Jim Thompson disappeared in the highlands of the Cameron Highlands in Malaysia in 1967 and the house was eventually returned back to the Thai government under a trusteeship.

You are not allowed to wander around on your own. Compulsory guided tours (in groups of different languages) were given for visitors and you will be guided from room to room, hall to hall. The house is tasteful designed and rich with architecture gems. Take your time to marvel at the beauty of Jim's House and imagine yourself in his shoes.

There is a cafe/restaurant for folks wanting a drink/or a meal and of course, you can't really be in Jim's House without taking a look (and buying) the product that he made famous, wouldn't it? There is an in-house boutique selling products made from Thai silks as well as momentos for your visit.

Opening Hours : 09:00 to 17:00 everyday with the last Guided Tour at 16:30*

Admission : Adult 100 baht; Students 50 baht

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Phone: (662) 216-7368
Address: 6 Soi Kasemsan 2, Rama 1 Road, Bangkok
Directions: Getting to the Jim Thompson House :
Located in the center of Bangkok, opposite the National Stadium on Rama I Rd, it is conveniently reached by car, taxi, Tuk tuk, or the Sky Train (Bangkok Transit System).
Nearest Skytrain station: National Stadium.
Website: http://www.jimthompsonhouse.com/index.asp
Other Contact: Fax: (662) 612-3744

The most important of them all. Here, sitting inside Wat Phra Kaew is the much revered Emerald Buddha. A symbol of the country and legends go that should the Emerald Buddha be destroyed, so will Thailand. So revered is the figurine that the Thai monarch comes every change of season to cloth the Buddha in elaborate and solemn ceremonies.

The Wat comes with 3 main pagodas. Thai, Khmer and Islamic architectural styles stood next to each other, each an indication of the identity of the people that made up Thailand.

Wander through the many galleries of paintings/murals storytelling the fables/myths/legends and history of Thailand. I would recommend that you take a guided tour (free) to learn more about the stories behind each painting/mural.

The Royal Family does not reside in the The Grand Palace and is used for ceremonial purposes instead. The main buildings were built for King Rama V, whose travels to Europe brought back a marriage of Thai and western (especially Windsor) architectural styles.

The central Throne Hall is flanked by reception areas decorated with galleries of portraiture. The central room on the second floor is used as a shrine for the reliquary ashes of various Thai monarchs.

Opening Hours:
Open to the public everyday, except during special Royal Ceremonies, from 8.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m.

Admission Fee:
Baht 250, and includes admission to Wat Phra Kaew, The Royal Thai Decorations & Coins Pavilion in the same compound and to Vimanmek Mansion Museum on Ratchawithi Road.
Additional Baht 100 for rental personal audio guide in various languages.

Visitors are required to dress appropriately.
1. No shorts, tights, mini & short skirts & tight fitting trousers as outer garments.
2. No see-through shirts and blouses, culottes or quarter length trousers.
3. No sleeveless shirts or vests as outer garments.
4. No sandals (without ankle or heel straps).
5. All shirt sleeves, whether long or short, can not be rolled up.
6. No sweat shirts & pants, wind-cheaters, pajamas and fisherman trousers.

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Phone: 0 2623 5500
Address: Maharaj Pier, Chao Phraya, Bangkok
Directions: How to get there:
- BTS Skytrain to Taksin Station. From here take a Chao Phraya River Express boat to Tha Chang Wang Luang Pier. It is a short walk from the pier to the entrance to The Grand Palace public entrance.
- Or you can just take a taxi.
Website: http://www.palaces.thai.net, http://www.tourismthailand.org/destinationguide/list.aspx?provinceid=1&typeid=7

Next door to Wat Phra Kaew/Grand Palace so you can visit both places in one day.

This is home to the Reclining Buddha. Enter the hall and you will be bedazzled by the gold reflecting off the body of the Buddha and as well from the tiles used for the base, which are made from mother-of-pearls.

A number of visitors (yours truly included) will donate some money (20 Bahts is now the standard, circa 2006) and in turn receive a bag of coins, which you would then deposit one coin at a time into alm bowls that had been placed as a perimeter around the Reclining Buddha. There is exactly enough coins for all the alm bowls and when you have finished your round (which also means you will be exiting the Hall) you would supposedly be blessed. This act is optional.

Walk through the grounds of the complex. There are many large stupas (effectively tombstones) littering the grounds. Marvel your through the many halls and galleries, guarded by figurines and statues, as well as wonderful architectural touches. Wat Pho is possibly the most Chinese-influenced of all of Bangkok's Wats.

Wat Pho is also home to the Thai Traditional Medical Science School and Body Massage. Grab a traditional Thai Massage at the school. You have a choice for cheap but non air-conned and slightly more expensive but with air-con rooms. Massage service fee 250 baht / hour. No hanky panky here. Certainly, not in a Wat!

Decent dress code for visiting places of worship applies.

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Phone: (662) 225-9595
Address: Tha Tien Pier, Chao Phraya River, Bangkok
Directions: Wat Pho is located on Sanam Chai Road and Maharaj Road next to the Grand Palace.
Entrance is 20B. It's open every day, opening hours are from 8am to 5pm.
Website: http://www.watpho.com/

Wat Arun appeared as a silhoutte on the logo for the Tourism Authority of Thailand. It is called Temple of Dawn; When seen from the opposite bank of the river; it glistens in the sunlight during the day and stands dark and noble at dawn or dusk.

This is a temple that is slightly different from other Bangkok Wats. It is built with a very strong Khmer influence. The most eye catching part of the Wat is the Central Tower (called a Prang), completed in 1851. This main tower, as well as the smaller ones are supported by rows of seemingly dancing demons and monkeys and are built of brick covered with stucco. The decorations are unique; thousands of pieces of multicolored Chinese porcelain.

A very steep and narrow row of steps lead to a balcony high on the central tower. The circumference of the base of the structure is 234 meters, and the central prang is 250 foot high.

There is a mini-flea market at the exit of the Wat should you choose to do some shopping while you are at it.

Entry into the Wat is 20B.
Decent attire required for visits to places of worship applies.

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Address: Tha Tien Pier, Chao Phraya River
Directions: From this pier take a cross river ferry to Wat Arun.
The Wat is almost opposite Wat Phra Kaew & Wat Pho.
Website: http://www.watarun.org/index_en.html

You couldn't possibly visit Thailand and not go for at least a session. Amen.

Wat Pho and Marble House are already famous spots to grab good, clean, decent Traditional Thai massages. On the advice of a local friend, I decided to try out Health Land Spa. "Value for money", she claimed. And as always, the guru is never wrong. Amen.

As I was near Patpong, my entourage decided to have a go at the Sathorn main branch. The exterior of the building glowed amberish in the evening. Inside, I find more glowing bodies. Contented looking folks, seemingly walking on air. Amen.

My group opted for the Traditional Thai Massage. It was 450 Bahts for 2 hours. Compared to the price back home, it was practically a steal. Amen.

We were made to exchange our dirty shoes and sandals for Japanese style footwear in the outer waiting room and then our masseuses guided us to our room where all 5 of us will be getting our massages in group privacy...but not before you get out of those stinky clothes and don airy pyjamas. Very soon, the soothing humming of the air-con and the experienced hands of the masseuses were kneading each of us towards heaven. One of my mate fell into a snoring slumber, much to our amusement. Amen.

The massage ends with a serving of a sweet infusion, brewed I suspected from pandan leaves with a touch of lemongrass and ginger. A most wonderful way to end 2 hours. Amen.

CHOICES (Nov 07):
Aromatherapy Body Massage: 850 Bahts/1.5 hrs
Traditional Thai Massage: 450 Bahts/2 hrs
Body Polish: 750 Bahts/1 hr
Ayuravedic Massage: 300 Bahts/1 hr
Facial Treatments: 1500 Bahts/1 hr
Thai Herbal Compress: 750 Bahts/2 hrs
Foot Reflexology: 250 Bahts/1 hr
Tourmaline Sauna: 300 Bahts/1 hr

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Phone: 66-2-6378883
Address: 120 North Sathorn Road, Silom, Bangrak
Directions: Alight Chong Nonsi BTS, follow the track and walk towards Surasak BTS. Cross the bridge and turn right as the track curved and walk for another 5-8 minutes. The branch is along the main road. Do not branch off at side roads.
Website: http://www.healthlandspa.com/home.html
Other Contact: Fax: 66-2-6345353

How to see Bangkok from above? Well, short of hiring a helicopter for a day, try the 84th storey high observatory floor of the Baiyoke Sky Hotel.

The building is 309m tall (or about 182 people standing on top of each other). If you find taking the lift a hassle, try the 2060 steps instead for a 1 hour climb. Do not worry about not seeing the view, the building has 1740 window panes. Less you worry about earthquakes, the piling of the tower runs 65m deep underground (~22 storey building) and the inside of the building occupies an area of 179400 square meters (or about 80 soccer fields).

Look for the ticket booth at the entrance of the Hotel. There is a separate lift you'll take to reach the apex. The first stop: the 77th storey for a quick browse through some exhibits and drown yourself in statistics. Connect to another lift, and you'll be on your merry way to the 83rd where you'll get to walk around an air-conned observatory area (and maybe buy a souvenir) before going for the real thing: the rotating observatory on the 84th in open air.

See BKK in circles.

After you're done spinning around, hop back to the 83rd, hunt for the rooftop bar to claim a free drink (anything on the menus for 200 Bahts or less), take some breathers before you go right back out to conquer BKK again.

Entry is 200 Bahts (circa Nov 07)

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Address: 222 Rajprarop Road, Rajthevee, Bangkok 10400
Directions: From BTS Siam station, take 1 stop to Ratchathewi station. Exit down the right hand stairs, take a right at the next main intersection and walk down Phetchaburi until you see Platinum department store (10-12 mins walk). Or take a tuk tuk/taxi to the area.
Website: http://www.baiyoke.co.th

In 1953, the Thai Hotel and Tourism Co. started the construction of Erawan Hotel. When it was near completion in 1956, the management consulted an astrologer for an auspicious date for its grand opening. As it turned out, the astrologer pointed out that the date when the foundation stone was laid was not suitable, and advised that a Brahman shrine and a guardian spirit shrine should be built to correct the error.

The management brought in the Dept. of Fine Arts to design and build the statue of Brahma according to the traditions of the department. The gilded plaster statue was enshrined at the Erawan Hotel on November 9, 1956.

Both Thai and foreign visitors come to play their respects at the Shrine, which is widely known as the Erawan shrine. The number of worshippers is increasing every year. They come to pray to Brahma to grant their wishes, or simply to enjoy the exotic sights, sounds and atmosphere. It has been claimed that the shrine is very potent and usually wishes will come true...but in doing so, you must come back every year to pay your homage.

The original Erawan Shrine was destroyed by a demented man in March 2006. A replacement was quickly built and the Shrine re-opened to great fanfare in May 2006.

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Address: Chidlom Station, Bangkok
Directions: Near the Sogo Dept. Store and almost opposite Gaysorn Shopping Centre.
Website: http://www.hotelthailand.com/ezine/2001/issue5/zine3.html

Had always wanted to visit the place....especially having seen the temple made a pitstop for Bangkok on season 9 of "The Amazing Race".

Truth be told, the temple is a little out of the way. It's off the main city centre but "Let's Go" guide for Bangkok 2005 advised that bus 72 is the best way to get here. I arrived by taxi.

Honestly, I was a little underwhelmed. I had expected lots and lots of marble; blame it on the dull afternoon sun, it just well, wasn't shimmering bright. (The marble used was reputedly imported from Carrara in Italy) The Ubosot Hall (Bot or Ordination Hall) was designed by H.R.H. Prince Narisranuvattivongse, half brother to King Chulalongkorn, Rama V.

The temple is a little small in size, and certainly less grand that some of Bangkok's grander temples. But the starking red roof-white marble pillar combination made for great photography!

Oh, and don't miss walking around perimeters of the main courtyard of the temple - you will find black-coloured statues (rather unique since most temples opted for gold ones) of the buddha in various forms, including an emancipated version showing the Prince Siddhartha while he was employing suffering oneself as a mean to enlightenment.

Entry fee is 20 Bahts (circa Jul 2006)

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Address: Si Ayutthaya Road, Bangkok
Directions: Near Chitralada Palace

I confessed: I did not even bother to step in (well, except the gift shop). Singapore has one. I've been to the one in Melbourne. And I have been IN the real thing off countless islands, not to mention the Great Barrier Reef. My friends however visited it and came back with raving reviews....so it can't really be all bad. Probably a great place to bring kids!

Open 9am-10pm daily.
Entry fee (circa Jul 2006):
Adults: 450 bahts
Children: 280 Bahts

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Phone: 66 (02) 6872000
Address: B1-B2 Floor, Siam Paragon
Directions: The nearest BTS station is Siam.
Website: http://www.siamoceanworld.co.th
Other Contact: 66 (02) 6872001

This makes a lovely getaway from Bangkok...just 1.5 hours journey by train or coach from Bangkok.

For more details, please access my IMPREXXION: AYUTTHAYA page.

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Address: Ayutthaya
Directions: Take a train from Bangkok, the train goes frequently. It is about 90km from Bangkok.