Bangkok Attractions
1.Phra Sumeru Fortress
Located on the corner where Phra Athit Road and Phra Sumeru Road meet, this fortress was constructed in the reign of King Rama I in 1783 along with 14 other fortresses and battlements surrounding the capital. Its shape is an octagonal one with three levels. Inside the walls, there are steps leading up to the fortress. Altogether, there are 38 rooms for ammunition and weapons. The roof collapsed during the reign of King Rama IV or V, but was restored by the Fine Arts Department in the
early 1980s using old photographs as a guide. Nowadays, there is a small park surrounding the fortress. Visitors can enjoy a pleasant walk along the Chao Phraya River all the way to Phra Pinklao Bridge.
2.Suan Pakkad Palace & Museum
Located on Si Ayutthaya Road not far from the intersection of Phaya Thai, Suan Pakkad Palace is the former residence of Princess Chumbhot of Nagara Svarga, one of Thailand’s leading gardeners and art collectors. In the compound of the palace, visitors will see 8 traditional Thai houses. Collections include: Asian art and antiques, seashells, mineral crystals, pottery and
bronze objects from the prehistoric burial ground Ban Chiang, in Northeast Thailand. The complex is open daily from 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. and the entrance fee is 100 baht. Tel. 0 2245 6368 Website: www.suanpakkad.com.
3.Royal Barges National Museum
Located on Khlong Bangkok Noi off the Chao Phraya River and not far from the Phra Pinklao Bridge, this shed has a display of several ornately carved royal barges with unique designs and decorative details. These barges are used on royal and official occasions and formerly served as war vessels.
The most beautiful and well-known barge “Suphannahong” is used by the king only when he makes his royal river procession for the Kathin Ceremony, a Buddhist tradition of offering robes to monks, usually held during October or November. There is also “Narai Songsuban Ratchakan Thi Kao”, the latest royal barge especially built on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of His Majesty the King’s Accession to the throne in 1996. The royal barges were also used during the Rattanakosin bicentennial celebrations and the reception ceremony of the APEC 2003.
The shed is open to the public every day from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. There is an admission fee of 30 baht and extra charges forshooting videos and photographs (100 baht per camera). Tel. 0 2424 0004
4.The Erawan Shrine
At the corner of Ratchadamri and Phloen Chit Roads, countless Thais and other Asian tourists who seek good luck visit this very popular shrine, as it is reputed to have the power of granting wishes. Many come to pay homage by offering flower garlands and pray to the four-headed image of the Hindu God “Brahma” to grant their wishes. To reinforce the wish or express appreciation to the God, they will donate wooden elephants or hire a group of Thai classical dancers to perform a dance
with live music. The number of dancers and the length of the performance are directly tied to the generosity of their donation.
All around plumes of incense smoke rise so thickly that they overcome the traffic fumes at this busy intersection.
5.Prasat Museum
Located at No. 9 Krung Thep Kritha Road Soi 4, Bang Kapi in the eastern area of the city, the museum houses a vast collection of artefacts from prehistoric to Rattanakosin periods (from 1782 A.D. to the present). Within the museum complex, there are various styles of architecture, like a baroque building, a smaller replica of the Red Palace in the National Museum, and a replica of Ho Tri Klang Nam (Tri Pitaka Pavilion - a library for Buddhist scriptures) of Wat Yai Suwannaram. Prasat Museum
is open daily from 10.30 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. except Monday, with an admission fee of 500 baht a person ( in case of one person,
a minimum admission fee of 1,000 baht will be charged). The tours run from 9.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. (about 2 hours) and must
be arranged in advance. Tel. 0 2379 3601, 0 2379 3607
6.Jim Thompson’s House
An early partner in the Oriental Hotel, Jim Thompson, an American serving here, decided to devote his energies to develop a thriving Thai silk industry. Due to his efforts, Thai silk is now famous all over the world and justly renowned for its quality, colours and patterns. Thompson, trained as an architect and gardener, also built a fine collection of traditional Thai houses,
fashioned into one dwelling where he lived during his lifetime.
After his tragic death, the house remains preserved as a museum containing a priceless collection of Asian objets d’art. The museum, located centrally at Soi Kasemsan 2 on Rama I Road, is accessible by bus, taxi and the sky train. Entrance fee is 100 baht. The museum opens daily from 9.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. with the last tour at 4.30 p.m. Tel. 0 2215 0122, 0 2216 7368. Website: www.jimthompsonhouse.com
7.Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute
Located near Chulalongkorn Hospital, on the corner of Henri Dunant and Rama IV Roads, the Snake Farm contains an interesting collection of poisonous snakes which are “milked”for their venom from which anti-snake bite serum is produced.
It is open from 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. on weekdays and 8.30 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. on holidays. Visitors can watch the venom extracted from the snakes by experts, in demonstrations at 11.00 a.m. and 2.30 p.m. on weekdays and at 10.30 a.m. on holidays. The admission fee is 70 baht. Tel. 0 2225 0161-4 Website: www.redcross.or.th
8.Dusit Zoo
Situated on Rama V Road, in the Dusit District, near the Royal Plaza, Bangkok’s oldest zoo contains a collection of popular African and Asian mammals and birds in a botanical garden. With an additional section for children, it is ideal for a family outing.
The zoo is open every day from 8.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. The admission fee is 30 baht for adults and 5 baht for children. Tel. 0 2281 2000, 0 2282 7111-3 Ext. 128 Website: www.zoothailand.org
