8/8/2019 Bangkok Old City Attractions

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bangkok-old-city-attractions 1/7

Bangkok Old City AttractionsWhat to See in Bangkok Old City

The majesty and grandeur of Rattanakosin's temples, palaces and pavilions, which date back to thebeginning of the Chakri Dynasty and the foundation of the new capital, rarely disappoint. For those seekingan initiation into Thailand's unique culture and history, a visit here is a must. Bangkok's longest boulevard,Rachadamnoen Avenue, is the scene of royal pomp and ceremony during times of celebration, mass-protest

and demonstration during upheaval.

It links the Houses of Parliament at the north end, and leads to the Grand Palace at the other. Other

significant sights include Makahan Fort, the Temple of the Golden Mount - a glittering 59-metre high chedion a man-made hill - and Wat Sutat. The latter is one of the city's oldest temples and site of the GreatSwing, where young men used to ride perilously high in an attempt to grab a bag of silver coins - until theKing banned it back in 1932 on account of the many deaths it caused. The striking-looking Democracy

Monument , built in 1932 to commemorate the peaceful transition from absolute monarchy to constitutionalmonarchy, is also on Rachadamnoen.

 

Khaosan Road

The popular book 'The Beach' famously described Khao San Road as "the centre of the backpackinguniverse". Judging by the truth-seeking travellers who converge here to shop, exchange tales and preparefor their next stint on the backpacker trail, it's a phrase that sums it up pretty much perfectly. Read more...

8/8/2019 Bangkok Old City Attractions

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bangkok-old-city-attractions 2/7

Wat Pho (Temple of Reclining Buddha)

Wat Pho (the Temple of the Reclining Buddha), or Wat Phra Chetuphon, is located behind the splendidTemple of the Emerald Buddha. It's the largest temple in Bangkok and famed for its huge and majesticreclining Buddha measured 46 metres long and covered in gold leaf. Read more...

Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)

Wat Arun, locally known as Wat Chaeng, is situated on the west (Thonburi) bank of the Chao Phraya River.It is believed that after fighting his way out of Ayutthaya, which was besigned by a Burmese army at thetime, King Taksin arrived at this temple just as dawn was breaking. Read more...

Wat Phra Kaew

The most important Buddhist temple in Thailand. Located in the historic centre of Bangkok, within thegrounds of the Grand Palace, it enshrines a highly revered Buddha image meticulously carved from a singleblock of jade. Read more...

The Grand Palace in Bangkok

If there is one must-see sight that no visit to Bangkok would be complete without, it's the dazzling,spectacular Grand Palace, undoubtedly the city's most famous landmark. Built in 1782 - and for 150 years

the home of the Thai King, the Royal court and the administrative seat of government. Read more...

8/8/2019 Bangkok Old City Attractions

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bangkok-old-city-attractions 3/7

Wat Mahathat

The headquarter of Thailand's largest monastic order and Vipassana Meditation centre, Wat Mahathat is animportant centre for the study of Buddhism and meditation. Although most programmes are in Thai, thereare some in English and the temple has become a popular place to learn the Vipassana meditation

method. Read more...

Bangkok National Museum

In the former grounds of the 18th Century Wang Na Palace, The National Museum houses the largest

collection of Thai art and artifacts in the country. It's definitely worth a visit, especially if visiting nearby WatPhra Keow or the Grand Palace. Read more...

Other Temples in Bangkok

In addition to Bangkok's must-see temples are a panoply of interesting worship places most guidebooks fail

to mention. These hidden gems include: Wat Benchamabophit, Wat Bowonniwetwihan, Wat Chanasongkram,Wat Rakhang, Wat Ratchabophit, Wat Ratchapradit and Wat Thepthidaram. Read more...

8/8/2019 Bangkok Old City Attractions

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bangkok-old-city-attractions 4/7

Queen's Gallery

The Queen's Gallery opened in 2003 in response to Her Majesty Queen Sirikit's initiative to create apermanent public space to exhibit and promote the works of both established and up-and-coming Thai

artists. Set in a five-storey building, the gallery covers 3,700 square metres of minimalist space to showcasepermanent as well as changing exhibitions.

Opening Hours: 10:00 - 19:00; closed on Wednesdays

Location: 101 Ratchadamnoen Klang Road (near Phan Fah Bridge)Tel: +66 (0)2 281 5360-1

Baan BatHouse of Monk’s Alm BowlLiterally translated as ‘house of monk’s alm bowl’, Bann Bat is perhaps the last existing place in Bangkokthat still hammers out – by hand – the brass bowl that Buddhist monks carry with them during the morning

alms round. The Baan Bat community (or Monk’s Bowl Making Village) has been producing monk’s almbowls since the late 18th Century, but today less than five households continue to make a living selling their

craft.

Tucked away in a narrow backstreet just south of Wat Saket (The Golden Mount Temple), it looks nodifferent from any other backstreets of Bangkok, where the same old, non-descriptive buildings fail to giveany hints to what’s hidden down the alley. But step inside and look very closely – you will notice stacks of 

unfinished brass bowls lying about and constant banging noise echoing through the air.

Location: Rattanakosin

8/8/2019 Bangkok Old City Attractions

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bangkok-old-city-attractions 5/7

National Gallery

Housed in a former Royal Mint built during the reign of King Rama V, the National Gallery displays work byThai artists from the 17th Century onwards. Inherited by the Department of Fine Arts in 1974, it includes

permanent exhibitions of works by King Rama VI and H.M. King Bhumibhol Adulyadej, traditional muralsfrom early periods in the capital's history, and pioneering Thai modern art.

Particularly evident is the influence of Western schools of art, like impressionism and cubism, on recent Thaiartists. There is also an area featuring temporary exhibitions of art from home and abroad, everything from

painting and sculptures to prints and installations. Read more...

Opening Hours: 09:00 - 16:00 (Wednesday - Sunday)

Location: 4 Chao-Fa Road, opposite the National Theatre, RattanakosinTel: +66 (0)2 282 2639

Silpa Bhirasri Memorial & Museum

Many who've lived in Bangkok their whole lives don't know who Silpa Bhirasri is. Without exception though,they've seen his work. He was an Italian-born sculptor who first came to Thailand in 1923 to work for theDepartment of Fine Arts. Today he's regarded as the father of modern art in Thailand, his work on show inpublic places throughout the city. Many iconic and impressive landmarks and monuments were cast by his

able hands, and some of his best-known works include the Democracy Monument and statues of KingTaksin, King Rama I and King Rama VI.

This memorial and museum at Silapakorn University is located in the building he not only lived, worked andtaught in, but also designed. It maintains the original atmosphere, with paintings and sculptures as well as

implements used on show. Works of several of his pupils are also displayed, including famous painters FuaHaripitak, Khien Yimsiri and Saway Tantisuk.

Opening Hours: 09:00 - 12:00 (Monday to Friday, closed on weekends and public holidays)Location: Fine Arts Department, Silpakorn University, RattanakosinTel: +66 (0)2 223 6162

8/8/2019 Bangkok Old City Attractions

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bangkok-old-city-attractions 6/7

Democracy Monument

Circled by perpetual swarms of traffic, the Democracy Monument on Ratchadamnoen Road is a largeWestern-style symbol of Thailand's adoption of democracy and liberty. Field Marshall Plaek Pibulsonggram

commissioned it to commemorate the June 1932 military coup that led to the country's first democraticconstitution in place of absolute rule. He intended the monument to be the equivalent of the Arc deTriomphe, its European style a symbol of a newly invigorated Bangkok complete with similar Westernfreedoms.

Like most monuments built in a spirit of self-congratulation, however, it came to resemble propaganda more

then a celebration of a remarkable democratic awakening. By the time it was built in 1939, the regime hadturned autocratic, factions in the regime leading to what was in effect a military dictatorship. Since then,however, it has gained a legitimacy it once lacked, pro-democracy demonstrators using it as a rallying point

in 1973, 1976 and 1992.

Designed by Italian-born Thai citizen Corrado Feroci (who later adopted the Thai name Silpha Bhirasi), it's

rich with symbolism relating to the constitution's birth date of June 24, 1932. In its centre is a pedestal,inside of which is a copy of the original 1932 constitution.

The four surrounding wing-like structures are 24 metres high to represent the date the constitution wassigned, and each one symbolises one of the four branches of the Thai armed forces that guard it. Bas relief 

sculptures at the base of the monument depict the armed forces both as champions of democracy and asthe personification of the Thai people.

Location: Ratchadamnoen Road, Rattanakosin (Old City)

Sanam Luang

Situated at the heart of old Rattanakosin city, Sanam Luang (the Royal Field) has been in existence since

the founding of Bangkok (around 200 years ago).The area was also known as 'Thung Pra Meru' (RoyalCremation Ground), because it was originally used for royal cremations up until the reign of King Rama III,when the king decreed that all cremations be held outside the old city walls.

Surrounded by famous attractions such as the Grand Palace, Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the National

Museum, National Gallery, the Supreme Court, and Ministry of Defense, Sanam Luang is a gathering groundfor various activities throughout the year. Take part in the kite flying festival around March and see a

8/8/2019 Bangkok Old City Attractions

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/bangkok-old-city-attractions 7/7

plethora of colours in different shapes and sizes floating in the sky. Alternatively, have a family picnic inbreezy late afternoon while watching an exciting game of sepak takraw (Asian football).

You can also feed the pigeons, or even have your fortune told! The Royal Ploughing Ceremony in May marksthe start of the new planting season. It's when the royal oxen are brought out to plough the field, and to

provide an omen for the coming plantation.

As the year draws to an end, people congregate at Sanam Luang to celebrate the King's birthday on

December 5, Constitution Day on December 10, and to usher in the New Year. Once in four years when thenational elections come around, Sanam Luang is also where intense and vociferous political campaigning

takes place.

Location: Phra Nakorn (near Khao San Road and the Grand Palace)

Read more: Bangkok Old City Attractions - What to See in Bangkok Old

City http://www.bangkok.com/rattanakosin/what-to-see-and-do.htm#ixzz17DglmpEF