Sights and Sounds of Bangkok

Bangkok has many breath taking sights though at first glance, Bangkok appears to be a huge concrete jungle. However, in between the skyscrapers, elevated highways and shopping centres are some of the most beautiful temples and monuments. Bangkok is a charming city that will impress you by its exotic blend of tradition and modernity.  Representing a very individualistic genre of architecture the "wats" are renowned for the images of Buddha that they house. Each wat warrants a special visit simply because of the manifestation of architectural brilliance.

 

Temples and Palaces

The Grand Palace 
The Grand Palace is one of Bangkok’s most impressive sights. The glittering golden rooftops and soaring pagodas of this impressive palace and temple complex can be seen as visitors travel along the Chao Phraya River, capturing the imagination of all who pass by.
The Grand Palace was built in 1782 and was home to the Thai Royal Family for 150 years. Although Chitralada Palace is now the main royal residence, this magnificent structure is now open to the public and is still used for ceremonial purposes. Visitors should allow plenty of time to explore the Grand Palace and the temple complex. In addition to the palace itself, which is elaboratly decorated and features impressive guardian statues, Wat Phra Kaew can also be found here. This is one of Bangkok’s most famous temples as it is home to the much celebrated Emerald Buddha statue. It should be noted that a strict dress code applies to all who want to enter this sacred site. Modesty is important here, and knees, shoulders and toes must be covered. Visitors need to dress conservatively, avoiding backpacker items such as sandals, shorts and vest tops.

Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho)

Occupying a 50-acre site next to the Royal Grand Palace, Wat Pho is the oldest and largest temple in Bangkok. It was built in 1688 during the reign of King Petraja of Ayutthaya and contains one of Thailand's most spectacular sights, a 46-metre (150-ft) long and 15-metre (72-ft) high statue of a reclining Buddha. The statue itself, which is gold-plated and inlaid with mother-of-pearl on the soles of the feet, was not added until 1832 serves to illustrate the passing of Buddha into nirvana (the state of absolute blessedness). Visitors can wander amongst the peaceful rock gardens, chapels and stupas. Wat Pho is also an important centre for Thai medicine and massage and thus founded Thailand's oldest seat of learning. It is still possible to have a massage or learn about the art of Thai massage and medicine at Wat Pho today.

 

Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)

Located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, the 17th-century Wat Arun has a 79m-high (259ft) tower decorated with multicoloured ceramic tiles, which makes it a landmark along the river. The effect of the tiles is best observed at a distance. The temple was the first home of the Emerald Buddha before it was transferred to Wat Phra Kaeo in 1785. There is a nightly light and sound show between October and May.

Wat Trai Mit

The Trai Mit temple is famous for its 3-metres high Golden Buddha weighing about five and a half tons.It is believed that the Golden Buddha is more than 700 years old. The Golden Buddha was installed initially in Wat Phrayakrai in the Yannawa area of Bangkok in the reign of the King Rama III. It stayed there until 1931. When the temple had fallen out of use and was abandoned, the Ecclesiastical Commission had relocated the statue to the Wat Trai Mit.

 

 

Museums

Jim Thompson’s House
Jim Thompson was a silk trader and collector who built this lovely tradition teak Thai-styled house in the forties and the area has now been all but swallowed up by high rises. It remains a quiet oasis not far from Siam Square with a wonderful display of Thai artefacts and is well worth seeing.

 

The National Museum
The largest of its kind in southeast Asia, this huge former palace is packed with Thai cultural items and antiquities. It is located near the grand palace and well worth a visit to appreciate the legacy of ancient Siam.

 

Royal Barges Museum

Located across the river, this museum houses the magnificent royal barges that are used occasionally for ceremonies and are unique in their design and appearance. It’s an often over-looked but interesting peep into the pomp and ceremony of Thailand’s royal processions.

 

 

Other Interesting Sights

 

Ayutthaya

This was the Thai capital for over 400 years until its destruction in 1767. Ruins of numerous temples and palace buildings cover a vast area. The beauty of the place is such that it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is located 76km (47 miles) north of Bangkok and can be reached by bus, train or boat.

 

Kanchanaburi (Bridge over the River Kwai)

Located 122km (76 miles) from Bangkok is the site of the infamous Bridge over the River Kwai. Built by Allied PoWs during WWII, this is an area of exceptional natural beauty, with forested mountains and wooded valleys. Two immaculately maintained Allied war cemeteries are located just outside of the town. Kanchanaburi can be reached by either bus or train or by tour bus from Bangkok.

Damnoan Saduak Floating Market

Although this market is 80km (50 miles) west of Bangkok, it is far more interesting than the floating market in Bangkok, as it has not been turned into a tourist attraction. In the early morning, the narrow canals are full of small boats carrying fruit and vegetables sold by local women.

 

 

Rose Garden

The Rose Garden is a popular tourist attraction located 32km (20 miles) to the southwest of Bangkok. It features daily cultural shows, including dancing and Thai boxing. The resort is set in well-kept gardens and is open 0800 to 1700.

 

 

Bangkok Safari World Zoo and Marine Park

Take the family on a full-day guided excursion out of Bangkok to Safari World, Thailand's greatest and most popular open zoo. Covering over 200 acres, Safari World comprises of two main attractions - Safari Park and Marine Park. If you have never been to Africa then the Safari Park is the ultimate safari experience. Drive in the comfort of your car through the African designed landscapes to see hundreds of animals from all over the world. At the Marine Park you can take a jungle cruise, see the white tiger exhibit, visit adventure island or catch one of the many exciting shows including a stunt show, dolphin show or professional water skiing.

 

There is so much to see in Bangkok that of you wish to include everything in your itinerary, you have to ensure that you extend your stay. There is the China Town, Bangkok's old business center that can supply you with almost everything under the sun. If you cherish the desire to have a trip of Thailand, you might as well visit the Ancient City. It is miniature Thailand within Bangkok that will a walk round which will delight you to no end. Due to the scale of Bangkok it can seem like a daunting task to navigate your way around the maze-like streets to try to find all of the sights on your own or get it organised through a local guided tour. If you don’t want to embark on a full-blown city tour, one fun way to see a number of the city’s sights in a relatively short space of time is to embark on a canal trip. These boat rides are interesting in their own right, allowing you to get a glimpse of old-style Bangkok canal side life, and you’ll also get the chance to stop off, or get dropped off, at one of Bangkok’s many temples. In fact, Bangkok was once known as the ’Venice of the East’ for all its canals, but most have now been filled in to make way for streets, and other have become sewers.