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Bangkok
With its many temples, palaces, museums and markets, Thailand's
capital requires a minimum of three days to appreciate the
very least of its sites, though a week would give serious
travellers a little more time to soak up more of Bangkok's
wonders.
Rattanakosin - One of Thailand's
Jewels of the Mekong includes the Grand Palace and Wat Po
- click here - for
a feature on Rattanakosin.
The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo
- Featuring some of the most spectacular architecture in Southeast
Asia, this huge compound near Sanam Luang occupies an area
of about one square mile. The palace and temple were the inspiration
of the first king of the Chakri dynasty upon moving his capital
across the river from Thonburi. Begun in 1782, the palace
buildings are highly decorated with unique architectural details.
The royal temple of Wat Phra Kaeo houses the Emerald Buddha,
the most sacred Buddha image in Thailand.
Wat Pho - One of Bangkok's oldest
and largest temples, Wat Pho, to the rear of the Grand Palace,
was inaugerated by King Rama I nearly 200 years ago as Thailand's
first university. Today it is best known as an international
study centre for Thai massage technique and home of the 46-metre
long, 15-metre high gold-plated Reclining Buddha statue, which
has the 108 auspicious signs of the Buddha depicted in mother-of-pearl
inlaid upon its soles.
Jim Thompson's Thai House - Jim Thompson
was an American who came to live in Thailand at the end of
WWII, after service in the OSS in Asia. He made Bangkok his
home and set about turning the Thai silk industry into a multi-million
dollar export business. His remarkable Thai-style house, near
the National Stadium, is now a museum filled with the rare
Asian antiques he spent his life collecting
 Wat
Arun (Temple of the Dawn) - Despite its name, Wat Arun
is best seen at sunset when its bright white, 79-metre tall
prang takes on a beautiful golden glow, sparkling as the light
hits the many gilded areas. Set on the west bank of the Chao
Phraya River, opposite the Grand Palace, it can be reached
by road, or by ferry crossing from Tha Tien Pier, near Wat
Pho.
Wat Benchamabophit (The Marble Temple)
- Constructed during the reign of King Rama V, near Chitralada
Palace, Wat Bop, as it is commonly known, is best visited
in the early morning to hear the monks chanting inside the
chapel. The interior of the main building is magnificently
decorated with cross beams of lacquer and gold. Bronze Buddha
images lines the walls of the large inner courtyard.
Wat Suthat - Next to the giant swing
on Banrung Maung Road, Wat Suthat is best known for its collection
of gilded Buddha images in the Viharn and the exquisite murals
in the main building dating from the reign of King Rama III
(1824-1851).
Vimanmek Teakwood Mansion - The world's
largest golden teak building, this three-storey, 81-room wooden
palace is located behind Bangkok's National Assembly. In the
same compound are buildings containing some of the collections
of the royal family, including displays of HM King Bhumiphol's
photography, HM Queen Sirikit's collection of rural handicrafts,
portraits, old clocks, ancient cloth, royal carriages, and
the paraphernalia of rank.
Day excursions from Bangkok
Ayuthaya
The ancient capital of Thailand between 1350 and 1767, Ayuthaya
was once proclaimed the Venice of the East by Western travellers
visiting it at the height of its beauty. However, the city
was robbed and razed by the Burmese, leaving only a few ruined
monuments to its four hundred years of greatness.
Ayuthaya has many sites of historical and religious significance.
Among the most impressive are: Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon built
in 1357; Wat Phanan Choeng which predates Ayuthaya becoming
the Thai capital; Wat Mahathat built in 1384 with its tall
spire; and the nearby Wat Rat Burana. The Viharn Phra Mongkhon
Bophit houses one of Thailand's largest bronze Buddha images
- one of the very few not destroyed by the Burmese. Many important
relics can also be found in the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum.
One of the easiest and most comfortable ways to visit this
ancient capital is by the boat/coach excursions operated by
the river cruise boat companies - providing just enough time
to appreciate the ancient ruins, stupas, temples, and magnificent
Buddha images. The more dedicated tourist may wish to spend
one or two nights Ayuthaya. The city, just 85 km from Bangkok,
can be reached easily by local bus or train.
 Bang
Pa-In Summer Palace - Once the country residence of every
Ayuthaya monarch after King Prasat Thong, the summer palace
fell into eighty years of disuse when the capital was moved
to Bangkok. King Rama IV had the palace compound expanded
in the 19th century, and his son, King Chulalongkorn constructed
the royal palace as it is now seen today.
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market -
A photo opportunity and popular tourist attraction, the floating
market is a colourful collection of small boats on the klong
(canal) with tradionally dressed ladies selling fruits, vegetables
and many other items. Best visited early in the morning, the
floating market is about an hour outside of Bangkok, and on
a full day trip is best combined with either the River Kwai,
or the Rose Garden.
Rose Garden Country Resort & Cultural
Show - Performances of various Thai sports and entertainment,
including Thai folk dancing, Thai boxing, cock fighting and
sword fighting demonstrations are the highlights of the Thai
Village Cultural Show at this beautiful 60-acre resort, located
about 32 kilometres from Bangkok.
Samut Prakan Crocodile Farm - 30
km southeast of Bangkok, this claims to be the world's largest
crocodile breeding farm. These monstrous reptiles are reared
for their skin and flesh which is considered a delicacy at
certain restaurants. The highlight of the day is the famous
crocodile wrestling show. The farm also has a small zoo, a
dinosaur museum, and multivision slide presentation on extinct
animals.
Kanchanaburi
Though it is possible to visit Kanchanaburi for a day, it
is preferable to spend at least one night in the town in order
to best explore the area. Although there are modern hotels
in Kanchanaburi town, the best way to experience the beauty
of the river is to stay on one of the floating bamboo rafts.
The Bridge on the River Kwai - The
famous bridge, which is still used by the train, pedestrians
and motor bikes, is the best known symbol of the 415 km railway
line. An estimated 16,000 Allied prisoners of war and 90,000
forced labourers from Singapore, Malaya, Java, Vietnam, Burma
and Thailand are thought to have perished in its construction.
There are two War Cemeteries, one close to the town, the other
- more peaceful, and consequently, more moving - at Chongkai,
across the river.
The Erawan Falls - 67 km from the
town are some of the most beautiful falls in Thailand. A three
hour boat trip takes you to the Sai Yok Falls, and includes
a visit to the impressive limestone cave of Tham Daowadung.
Hell Fire Pass - In the space of
13 weeks in 1943, prisoners working night and day excavated
this 110 metre long, 17.5 metre deep and 10 metre wide railway
cutting from solid rock. Some of the worst Japanese atrocities
occurred here: 68 young men were beaten to death for being
too exhausted, or too sick to work. The place came by its
name because the lamps used for lighting during the night
gave it a hellish appearance.
The pass, located near kilometre marker 66 on the Sai Yok-Thong
Pha Phum Road is now the site of a Memorial Museum, opened
in April 1998 by Australian Prime Minister John Howard, under
the auspices of the Australian War Graves Commission.
The JEATH War Museum - On the banks
of the Mae Klong River inside Wat Chai Chumphon, this museum
tells the story of the atrocious living conditions imposed
on the prisoners, with chilling exhibits and photography depicting
the suffering endured by them. (JEATH stands for Japan, England,
America, Australia, Thailand and Holland).
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