ATTRACTIONS

Bangkok Attractions

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

The Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is an escape from the Western-style shopping malls of Bangkok and a glimpse into the past, revealing the centuries' old way of life of the residents whose stilt-houses perch on the canals. Visitors can explore the market with boat trips and sample the wares of local farmers as they do so. They can also enjoy the experience of floating through one of Thailand’s many river villages.

Transport: Bus 78 from Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal to Damnoen Saduak Bus Terminal; Opening time: Daily 6am to 11am; Admission: Free

Bangkok Attractions

Royal Grand Palace

Construction of the palace began in 1782 and was completed in time for the coronation of King Rama I, and opened in 1785 to signify the end of the Burmese invasion of Thailand. The palace itself is made up of a complex array of smaller buildings, most notably the Wat Mahatat (the Palace Temple) and the Wat Phra Keow (the Royal Chapel), which houses the famous Emerald Buddha sculpted from a single piece of jade, and one of the most revered objects in the Kingdom.

Address: Na Phralan Road, Phra Nakhon; Website: www.palaces.thai.net; Telephone: (0)2 623 5500; Opening time: Daily 8.30am to 4.30pm; Admission: B 250 (adults); children free

Bangkok Attractions

Royal Barges National Museum

The Royal Barges National Museum houses several decorative royal barges, the earliest of which dates back to 1357. Most of the barges served as War Vessels at one point, and were subsequently used on royal or state occasions on the Chao Phraya River. Due to their age the barges are now rarely used, but their intricate designs reflecting Thai religious beliefs and local history are of great importance to the country’s heritage. The barges were last used at the end of 1999 to celebrate the king’s 72nd birthday.

Address: Arun Amarin Road, Bangkok Noi; Website: www.thailandmuseum.com; Telephone: (0)2 424 0004; Opening time: Daily 9am to 5pm; Admission: B 30

Bangkok Attractions

The Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho)

Situated adjacent to the Royal Grand Palace, Wat Pho is Bangkok’s oldest, largest and most famous temple. The grounds of Wat Pho contain over 1,000 statues of Buddha, and the temple houses one of Thailand’s most spectacular sights, the Reclining Buddha - a 157ft (48m) long and 49ft (15m) high statue that is gold-plated and inlaid with Mother-of-Pearl on the soles of its feet. In the 19th century King Rama III turned Wat Pho into a centre of learning and visitors today can still have a massage and learn about the ancient art of Thai Medicine.

Address: 2 Sanamchai Road; Telephone: (0)2 222 5910 or (0)2 226 2942; Transport: Bus 6, 8, 12 (aircon); public buses 1, 25, 44, 47, 62 and 91; or express boat to Tien pier; Opening time: Daily 8am to 5pm (closed from 12pm to 1pm); Admission: B 20

Bangkok Attractions

Jim Thompson�s House

American silk entrepreneur Jim Thompson deserves most of the credit for the current popularity of Thai silk around the world. His fame increased when, in 1967, Thompson disappeared in the Cameron Highlands of Malaysia under mysterious circumstances. He has never been heard of since. The house itself is an excellent example of Thai residential architecture, and inside is a display of his Oriental art and antique collection, as well as an array of his personal belongings.

Address: 6 Soi Kasemsan 2, Rama 1 Road; Website: www.jimthompsonhouse.com; Telephone: 662 216 7368; Opening time: Daily 9am to 5pm (last tour leaves at 4.30pm); Admission: B 100 (proceeds to Bangkok�s School for the Blind)

Bangkok Attractions

The Golden Buddha (Wat Traimit)

Dating back to the 13th century, Wat Traimit stands nearly 10ft (3m) tall, weighs over 5 tons and is believed to be solid cast gold. It was discovered by accident in 1957 when an old stucco image was dropped by a crane, shattering the plaster shell to reveal the brilliantly shining gold underneath. The statue is breathtaking and is thought to have come from the Sukhothai period when it was covered with plaster to hide it from the Burmese invaders.

Address: Traimit Rd; Opening time: Open daily from 9am to 5pm; Admission: 20B donation

Bangkok Attractions

National Museum

Originally built in 1782, the National Museum is located within the grounds of the Royal Palace, just a 15 minute walk from the palace of the Emerald Buddha, and displays thousands of artefacts ranging all the way from Neolithic times to present day. It is known as Thailand's central treasury of art and archaeology. Many of the actual buildings are works of art themselves, surrounded by brightly-coloured pavilions and boasting some of Southeast Asia's most ornate jewellery and historical treasures.

Address: Na Phra That Rd; Telephone: (0)2 224 1333; Opening time: Open Wednesday to Sunday from 9am - 4pm. Free English-language tours: Buddhism culture on Wednesday 9.30am; Art, culture, religion on Thursday 9.30am; Admission: 40B

Bangkok Attractions

Wat Suthat and the Giant Swing

This temple is among the oldest and largest in Bangkok and is home to the beautiful 14th-century Phra Buddha Shakyamuni, a Buddha image that was brought from Sukhothai. It is also known for its exquisite wall paintings which were done during the reign of Rama III. The enormous arch made of teak outside the wat is all that remains of an original swing which was used to celebrate and thank Shiva for a bountiful rice harvest. Teams of men would ride the swing on arcs as high as 82ft (25m) into the air, grabbing at bags of silver coins with their teeth. The swing ceremony was discontinued in 1932 due to countless injuries and deaths, but the thanksgiving festival is still celebrated in mid-December after the rice harvest.

Address: Sao Chingcha Square; Telephone: (0)2 222 0280; Opening time: Open daily from 9am to 9pm; Admission: B20 donation

Bangkok Attractions

Wat Benchamabophit (The Marble Temple)

Wat Benchamabophit, also known as the Marble Temple, is constructed of white Carrara marble and is known as one of Bangkok's most beautiful wats where even the courtyard is paved with polished white marble. The temple's name literally means 'The Temple of the fifth King located nearby Dusit Palace'. Built of Italian marble and designed by Prince Naris, a half-brother of the king, it is unique in that, unlike older complexes, there is no wihaan or chedi dominating the grounds. The wat houses many Buddha images representing various regional styles. Inside the ornate Ordination Hall (Ubosot) is a Sukhothai-style Buddha statue named Phra Buddhajinaraja, and buried underneath this statue lie the ashes of King Rama V.

Address: Si Ayutthaya Rd; Telephone: (0)2 281 2501; Opening time: Open daily from 8am to 5pm; Admission: 20B

Bangkok Attractions

Vimanmek Mansion Museum

Built by King Rama V in 1901, the exquisite golden teakwood mansion, also known as Vimanmek Palace, is located in the Dusit Palace complex. It was restored in 1982 for Bangkok's bicentennial and King Rama IX granted permission to transform Vimanmek Mansion into a museum to commemorate King Rama V by displaying his photographs, personal art and handicrafts, and to serve as a showcase of the Thai national heritage. The informative hour-long tour takes visitors through a series of apartments and rooms, a staggering 81 in total, in what is said to be the largest teak building in the world. It is now a major tourist attraction and a definite must for anyone visiting the intriguing city of Bangkok.

Address: 192 Ratchavitee Rd, Dusit Palace grounds; Telephone: (0)2 281 8166; Opening time: Open daily from 9.30am to 4pm. Classical Thai dance, folk dance, and martial art demonstrations given daily at 10.30am and 2pm; Admission: 50B; free to visitors with a 200B ticket to the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo

Bangkok Attractions

Chatuchak market

Chatuchak or JJ market is said to be the largest flea market in the world. 'Organized' along narrow grid lines under tin roofs this enormous market is packed tight with all of Thailand's wears. Around 15,000 stalls are loosely categorised into clothing, crafts, food, and animal sections and it is probable that shoppers will quickly become disoriented. Some of Thailand's illegally traded animals are sold here and vendors are quick to spot signs of oncoming raids. Yet a host of legal but bizarre goods are traded; cock fighting roosters, monkeys, fake designer gear and antiques are just the tip of the iceberg. The market is only open on the weekends from 8 am to 6 pm and on Fridays for wholesalers. It is easily reached by the sky train from the Mo Chit station and by subway.

Opening time: Weekends from 8am to 6pm

Bangkok Attractions

Muay Thai

Fight fans will get a kick out of Thailand's national sport Muay Thai. The matches can be best watched at the Rajadamnern stadium but be warned, the prices for foreigners or farang are much more than local's. Usually less than 10 matches are arranged for a night but the brutality of the style means that some of these result in quick KOs. The events are a mix of traditional Thai music and traditional pre-match customs before the hard hitting fight that utilises elbows, knees, fists, and shins to knock out the opponent. Several types of tickets are available, the more expensive fight floor, and the more rowdy informal gambling area on the second tier. Tourists should watch their hand movements as they can be interpreted as willingness to bet. Fights can be seen on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays in the evening. Lumpini Park also showcases fights to a more touristy audience.