Bangkok Attractions - Top Sightseeing and things to see

Attractions

AMUSEMENT PARKS These are always favourites with the kids and Bangkok has a number of such establishments. From the see the whole city or country in an hour’ type, to those with cascading water-slides and the like. One of the more popular of these is the Siam Park, telephone: 5170075 which has a number of pools , water slides and a wave pool. It costs around 200 Baht for adults and 100 Baht for children. Catch a number 26 or 27 bus from the Victory Monument or bus number 60 from the Democracy Monument or get a taxi to take you the 10 km outside Bangkok city to the park itself.

ANCIENT CITY and CROCODILE FARM Although not actually in Bangkok but rather located in Samut Prakan Province which is close by, you will discover these popular attractions. The only crocodile farm located close to the city is one on the Old Sukhumwit Road in Samutprakan, that has a regular shows, lots of crocodiles and a tiger that you can take your photo with as well as other animals.

BANGKOK DOLL MUSEUM Located on Soi Ratchataphan , off Ratchaprarop Road, this museum exhibits dolls from many countries including Thai dolls in both classical and tribal costumes. It is open from Monday to Saturday from 8.00 a.m. until 5.00 p.m.. Call 245 3008 for more information.

BOAT/CANAL TRIPS Bangkok’s water highways are a fun way to explore the city no matter what your ages are. There are various trips offered along its many meandering waterways. You can choose to do a quick trip lasting an hour or more or join in on a longer trip on something like the Mekhala River Cruise which takes in much of the waterway history, visiting palaces and ancient wats en-route.

CHATUCHAK PARK Situated next to the better-known Chatuchak Weekend Market on Phahonyothin Road, Chatuchak Park is a nicely landscaped park and is considered one of the major parks of Bangkok. This is a nice spot for relaxing after an exhausting shopping at the market and like Lumpini park, boats can be rented to paddle around the waterway.

CHINATOWN located east of Hualaphong Station. Like most Chinatowns, there are plenty of temples and traditional-style Chinese shop-houses, with different areas specialising in different things.

PATPONG used to be known as the red light district of South-East Asia does not live up to its international image any more. Still, there are plenty of go-go bars remaining and enough happening to retain a raucous atmosphere. The market here is also good.

ERAWAN SHRINE is situated near the World Trade Center on the southeast corner of Rama I and Ratchadamri Roads. Some wonderful photo opportunities occur when followers come to worship.

GRAND PALACE Without doubt, the Grand Palace is the best of Bangkok's tourist attractions. Here you will find a collection of ornate temples and other buildings constructed in a variety of Thai styles. The complex is open daily from 8.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. Admission is 125 Baht.

VIMANMEK PALACE Or Vimanmek Mansion Museum, located on Ratchawithi Road behind the National Assembly, is the world’s largest golden teak building. The 3-storey palace contains 81 rooms, halls and ante- chambers. A guided tour inside the building is provided to visitors. Other buildings in the same compound are also used as museums and display various items and art objects. The compound is open daily from 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. Admission is 50 Baht.

JIM THOMPSON'S THAI HOUSE This remarkable Thai-style house, was the work of Mr. Jim Thompson, an American who came to Thailand at the end of the Second World War and revived the Thai silk industry. His house, now a museum, is at the end of Soi Kasemsan 2 opposite the National Stadium on Rama I Road. On permanent display are Mr. Thompson’s collection of Asian artifacts and many other fabulous antiques. It is open everyday from 9.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Admission costs 100 Baht. Volunteer guides explain the collection to visitors.

KHAMTHIENG HOUSE This is a classic northern-style teak house, originally constructed in Chiang Mai more than 200 years ago and donated to Siam Society by its owners. It is located at 131 Soi Asoke (Sukhumvit Soi 21). A variety of Thai flora can be seen in its garden. Also on display are items used daily by Thai farmers and fishermen. It is open daily except Sundays and Mondays from 9.00 a.m., to 5.00 p.m. Admission fee is 100 Baht.

DREAM WORLD Bangkok's newest and largest amusement park, the most popular ride is the "Big Splash" water flume, supposedly the largest in the world. Dream World's rides are the most technologically advanced in the entertainment industry in Thailand, while its Dinotopia exhibit takes visitors back 150 million to the Jurassic era when dinosaurs ruled the earth.

LUMPHINI PARK If you are stuck in Bangkok and want to relax, close to amenities but ‘away from it all’ then Lumphini Park is the place to go. It has an artificial lake in its centre and one can hire paddle-boats at a rate of around 20 Baht an hour or simply meander through the wonderful greenery along well laid paths or lie back and relax on the well tended lawns. There are areas to picnic, a jogging track, a snack bar and in the windier months it’s a popular place for kite flying.

MUSEUM Within the walking distance of the Grand Palace is one of the largest and most comprehensive museums in Southeast Asia. Bangkok’s National Museum houses a vast collection of artifacts found in all parts of the country ranging from Neolithic times, Sukhothai, Ayuttthaya to Bangkok period. The complex, begun in 1782, consists of several old, beautiful buildings of colourful Thai architectural design. The museum is open everyday, except Mondays, Tuesdays, and annual holidays, from 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. Admission is 40 Baht.

PLANETARIUM Located next to the Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekamai) on Sukhumvit Road, this is an exhibition center on a variety of scientific knowledge including astronomy, communication technology, and biology. Visitors can also enjoy seeing an interesting aquarium, a computer world, a planetarium, as well as other devices created for fun and education. It is open daily except Mondays and public holidays from 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Admission fee is 30 Baht for adults and 15 Baht for children.

RARE STONE MUSEUM The museum features a fascinating display of over ten thousand unique pieces of rare stones from Thailand and various countries around the world. Among the items are precious stones, fossils, mineral crystal objects, stalactites, etc. The museum is located at 1048-1054 New Road, Bangrak and is open daily from 8.00 a.m.-5.00 p.m.. Admission fee is 100 Baht. Telephone: 2365666.

SCIENCE MUSEUM The Science Museum is part of the National Science Museum's project which aims to be recognized as one of Asia's leading science and technology museums. The six exhibition floors of the museum are each devoted to different aspects of science and technology including the traditional Thai technology. Visitors are encouraged to touch, to try things for themselves and to have fun with the exhibits in line with the 'Hands-on' concept. The museum is located at the Technopolis, Khlong 5, Rangsit-Nakhon Nayok Road. Open Tuesday-Sunday, 9.30 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is 20 Baht for children and 50 Baht for adults. Tel: 5774172-8 To get there, one can take the air-conditioned bus no. 1155 from Rangsit Market or Future Park Shopping Centre.

SNAKE FARM The most informative snake farm in Bangkok is that of the Thai Red Cross Research Institute open from 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 pm. Monday to Friday and till noon on Saturday and Sunday, they not only show one how they extract the snake venom but also put on an informative slide show as well. Feeding time is 3 p.m. and admission is 70 Baht. Located on th Rama IV near Th Henri Dunant, it’s a worthwhile spot to visit. Give them a call on 2520161.

SAFARI WORLD One of the largest open zoos in the world the park also houses a marine park. Residing inside its protective boundaries are both African and Asian animals including rare white pandas. Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. admission is 290 Baht for adults and 185 Baht for children (children 3 – 12 years get free entry). Catch the number 26 bus from the Victory Monument to the suburb of Miniburi then take a songtaew from there to the park.

ZOO Originally a private botanical garden for Rama V, the Dusit Zoo is now one of the premier zoological facilities in South-east Asia. Entry is 20 Baht for adults and a mere 5 Baht for children. Small circuses perform on weekends and public holidays between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Buses to catch there are numbers 10, 18 or 28. All go past the main entrance off Th Ratwithi, where the zoo is situated.

WAT PHRA KAEO , situated in the same compound of the Grand Palace, is a treasure house of Thai arts, and houses the Emerald Buddha, the most revered Buddha image in Thailand. Three main buildings inside the temple which form up a glittering scene are the Golden Stupa, enshrining the relics of the Buddha, the Phra Mondop or the Library, housing the Tripitaka or a Buddhist scripture, the Royal Pantheon which is a pavilion used for keeping statues of deceased kings of Chakri dynasty. Besides, the 178 section mural paintings which depict the story of the Ramayana are the superb masterpiece of Rattanakosin artisans.
The compound of Wat Phra Kaeo and the Grand Palace is open daily from 8.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m.. The admission fee is 200 baht , including the entry to the Royal Thai Decorations & Coins Pavilion in the same compound and to Vimanmek Mansion Museum on Ratchawithi Road.