Location / Bus Route

Grand Palace
Service Route 1, 3, 9, 15, 25, 30, 32, 33, 39, 43, 44, 47, 53, 64, 80, 82, 91, 201,
203, 501, 503,508, 512

Wat Phra Kaeo
Service Route
1, 3, 9, 15, 25, 30, 32, 33, 39, 43, 44, 53, 59, 64, 80, 82, 91,201,
203, 501, 503, 508, 512

Wat Poh
Service Route
1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 25, 43, 44, 47, 53, 60, 82, 91, 123, 501, 508

Wat Arun
Service Route 19, 57, 83

Wat Saket (The Golden Mount)
Service Route 8, 37, 47

Wat Benchamabophit
Service Route 5, 72, 503

Wat Ratchanatdaram
Service Route 2, 15, 39, 44, 47, 56, 59, 68, 79, 503, 509, 511

Wat Suthat
Service Route
10, 12

Victory Taksin Maharat in Bangkok
Service Route 3, 7, 20, 42, 43, 84, 89, 103, 105, 111, 120, 149, 505, 510

Victory Monument in Bangkok
Service Route 8, 12, 14, 17, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 34, 36, 38, 39, 54, 59, 62, 63, 74,
77, 96, 97, 104, 108, 139, 140, 157, 204, 502, 503, 509, 510,
513

Phahurad
Service Route
25, 48

National Library in Bangkok
Service Route 3, 6, 9, 30, 32, 33, 43, 53, 64, 65, 516

Science Museum
Service Route 2, 23, 25, 38, 71, 72, 98, 501, 508, 511, 513


Democracy Monument in Bangkok
Service Route 2, 3, 6, 9, 15, 32, 33, 39, 42, 44, 47, 59, 60, 64, 68, 70, 79, 82, 91,
201, 503, 509, 511, 512, 10, 12, 35, 96, 56

National Stadium
Service Route 11, 36, 47, 48, 73, 73ก, 93, 204, 508

Ratchadamnuen Boxing Stadium
Service Route 70, 201, 503, 509

Lumphini Boxing Stadium
Service Route 4, 13, 22, 45, 46, 74, 109, 115, 116, 141, 149,

Sanam Luang
Service Route
1, 2, 3, 9, 15, 19, 25, 30, 32, 33, 39, 42, 43, 44, 47, 53, 59, 60,
64, 68, 70, 79, 80, 82, 91, 123, 124, 201, 203, 503, 508, 512

National Museum
Service Route 15, 19, 30, 32, 33, 39, 43, 53, 59, 64, 70, 80, 82, 123

Bang Lumpu (Kousan Road)
Service Route 3, 6, 9, 56, 64

Sou Ching Cha
Service Route
10, 12, 15, 19, 35, 42, 48, 73, 96


Anandhasmakhom Palace
Service Route 70, 72, 503

Vimanmek Mansion Museum
Service Route 18, 28, 108, 510, 515

Dusit Zoo (Kou Din Zoo)
Service Route 5, 18, 28, 70, 108, 510, 515

Safari World Zoo
Service Route 26, 71, 60, 96, 501

Jatujak Park
Service Route
3, 8, 26, 27, 28, 29, 34, 38, 39, 44, 52, 59, 77, 96, 104, 108, 112,
134, 136, 138, 145, 502, 503, 509, 510, 512, 513

China Town
Service Route
1, 4, 7, 25, 35, 40, 53, 501

Bang Kuntian Beach
Service Route 68, 101, 105, 140, 141

Prasamut Jedee
Service Route 20

Korkred
Service Route 32, 51, 52, 152, 505,

Dream World
Service Route
523, 538

Silom Road
Service Route
1, 15, 16, 35, 36, 75, 93, 115, 163, 502,505, 514

Water Gate (Pratoo Nam)
Service Route 2, 11, 14, 23, 38, 58, 60, 62, 72, 79, 93, 99, 139, 140, 511,
512

Taling Chan Water Market
Service Route 79, 83

Vimanmek Teak Mansion

Originally contructed on Ko Si Chang in 1868 and moved to the present site in the Dusit Palace grounds in 1910, this beautiful L-shaped, three-storey mansion (Central Bangkok map; Phra Thi Nang Wimanmek; 02-6286300; admission 100B, free with Grand Palace ticket open 9.30am-3.15pm daily) contains 81 rooms, halls and anterooms, and is said to be the world's largest golden teak building. The staircases, octagonal rooms and lattice walls are nothing short of magnificent, but in spite of this, the maansion retains a surprisingly serene and intimate atmosphere.

Vimanmek was the first permanent building on the Dusit Palace grounds. It served as Rama V's residence in the early 1900s, was closed in 1935 and reopened in 1982 for the Ratanakosin bicentennial. The interior of the mansion contains various personal effects of the king, and a treasure trove of early Ratanakosin art objects and antiques.

English-language tours are held every half-hour between 9.30am and 3pm. The tours cover around 30 rooms and last an hour. Smaller adjacent buildings display historic photography that documents the Chakri dynasty.

Vimanmek is towards the northern end of the grounds, which also contains Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall, Royal Elephant Museum. landsscaped gardens and a stage for traditional dancing shows (at 10.30am and 2pm). As this is royal property, visitors wearing shorts or sleeveless shirts will be refused entry.

Bus Nos 70, 72 and 510 willdrop you at Th U-thong Nai, Th Si Ayuthaya and Th Ratwithi respectively.

Democracy Monument

This Large, Art Deco monument-four hightly stylised angel wings arranged in a circle at the intersection of Th Ratchadamnoen Klang, Th Din So and Th Prachatipatai-was erected in 1932 to commemorate Thailand's momentous transformation from absolute to constitutional monarchy. Italian artist Corrado Feroci designed the monument and buried 75 cannonballs in its base to signify the year BE475 (AD 1932). Before immigrating to Thailand to become the nation's "father of modern art", Feroci designed monuments for Italian dictator Benito Mussolini.

In recent years "Th Demo" has become a favourite spot for public demonstrations, most notably during the antimilitary, prodemocratic protests of 1992.

Wat Rajanadda

Wat Rajanadda

• Somewhat off the beaten track but well worth a visit, very close to the Saen Saep canal boat terminus and the Golden Mount, and easily spotted since its spires are of black iron, not the usual glittery gold. The wat itself is a 5-storied gleaming white structure with rows of Buddhas and nice views from up top, very elegant, calm and relaxing after the crowds at the big temples. Entrance is free; also check out the Buddhist amulet market nearby.
  

• The wat has a well-know market selling Buddhist amulets or magic charms (phra phim) in all sizes, shapes and styles. The amulets not only feature images of the Buddha, but also famous Thai monks and Indian deities. Full Buddha images are also for sale. Wat Rajanadda is an expensive place to purchase a charm, but a good place to look.

Wat Saket

Temple of the Golden Mount

Wat Saket itself (the temple complex at the bottom of the hill) dates back to the Ayutthaya era, when it was called Wat Sakae. The wat was restored under Rama I (1782-1809).
Wat Saket was used for cremation ceremonies, which were not permitted inside the walled city. During a plague in the reign of King Rama II (1809-24), 30,000 bodies were brought here.

• The Golden Mount is an artificial hill constructed under King Rama III (1824-51). When the king tried to build a chedi here before the hill existed, it collapsed because of the soft soil beneath. He therefore made a strong pile of mud and bricks to support it.
  It was Rama IV (1804-68) who crowned the new hill with the intended chedi. He also shored up the hill with 1,000 teak logs because it was already sinking into the swampy ground.
  Rama V (1853-1910) added the chedi that stands today, enshrining within it a relic of the Buddha, said to be from India or Nepal, given to him by the British. The concrete walls were added during World War II to prevent the hill from eroding and the structure collapsing.
  


• Wat Saket is not generally considered a notable temple in its own right, and most visitors come for the Golden Mount. However, it is interesting for its long history and its use as a cremation and burial site for so many people.

• To the reach the top of the Golden Mount, you must ascend an exhausting 318 steps. On a clear day, the view from the top includes old Rattanakosin Island and the rooftops of Bangkok.

Wat Benchamabophit Dusitvanaram

• Wat Bnchamabophit (The Marble Temple)

Wat Benchamabopitr Dusitvanaram (simply called Wat Benchamabopitr) or “The Marble Temple” as known to foreigners is most satisfactory architecturally with its symmetry and lovely proportions. The Uposatha Hall (Bot or Ordination Hall) was constructed from Carrara marble from Italy and showing distinct European neo-classical influence. It was designed by H.R.H. Prince Narisranuvattivongse, half brother to King Chulalongkorn, Rama V, and has been reckoned for its architectural and decorative arts of finest Thai craftsmanship, say, second to none in the world. It attracts the interest of tourists throughout the world to come to visit with a large number each year.

• Wat Benchamabopitr is a royal monastry belonging to first class ranking of Rajavaravihara. It covers the area of about 12 acres, locating in Dusit District of central Bangkok with just a distance of five to ten minute-walking to H.M. the King’s Chitralada Palace in the northeast, Dusit Palace and the Parliament House in the North-west, and the Government House in the south. The four main roads passing nearby the temple are the Rama V Road in the east, Sri Ayudhya Road in the north, Rajadamnuennok Avenue in the west, and Phitsanulok Road in the South. Wat Benchamabopitr was founded by King Chulalongkorn, Rama V of the Chakri Dynastry on 1 March 1900 (counded as Thai 1899). The layout was very well-planned and demarcated by Buddha quarter (Buddhavas like the Uposatha Hall, etc.), monk living quarter (Sanghavas like the monk cells, schools, etc.), and lay helper living quarter outside the southern fence.

• Historycal Background

Wat Benchamabopitr was built on the site of an old temple which was at different times called Wat Laem or Wat Saithong ofwhich the origin was not known. In the reign of King Rama III, its name was firstly mentioned in Thai history that in 1826 Prince Anuvong of Vientiane, Kingdom of Laos at that time, revolted against Thai Kingdom and moved his troops through northeastern Thailand until to Khorat plateau to attack Bangkok capital. King Rama III had ordered to call up armies vigorously and sent three organized fighting forces to defeat Laotiane troops at the Khorat plateau. At the same time, he appointed Prince Bibidh Bhogabhubendra, a son of King Rama II as chief commander to organize the army to defend Bangkok. The site of Wat Laem or Wat Saithong was the headquarters of the chief commander of the central armies. Within a few days, Anuvong’s troops were defeated at the Khorat plateau before marching down to Bangkok. After the war, in gratitude of the temple, Prince Bibidh Bhogabhubendra together with his full four brothers and sisters had restored this temple and erected five pagodas (chedi) in row in front of the temple in 1827-1828. In the reign of King Mongkut, Rama IV, the King was pleased to rename the temple “Wat Benchabopitr” meaning the temple of the five princes and princesses.

• Phra Buddhajinaraja

Phra Buddhajinaraja is the main Buddha of the Uposatha Hall. The image is a replica of Phra Buddhajinaraja at Wat Phra Sri Ratana Maha Dhatu, Phitsanulok province. The image is in bronze, seated with one leg above the other, in the attitude of subduing mara, the knee-span width is about 1.90 meter and the image required 2.5 tons of bronze. It is enshrined on the throne with a balustrade in front. The arched flame as appears today had been rebuilt by King Rama VII to have replaced the old one of which the workmanship was unsatisfactory. In casting the image, King Chulalongkorn, Rama V, had ordered Phra Prasiddhi Patima gone to mould from the original model at Wat Phra Sri Ratana Maha Dhatu in Phitsanulok province. After his approval, the king had graciously presided over the casting ceremony on 20 October 1901 and the casting had been undertaken in separated pieces. The image was then transported by water to the foundry of the royal navy to be finished. After that the image had been shifted to the boat marching in procession to have it enshrined in the Uposatha Hall on 13 December 1901. Having seen all the works from moulding, casting and finishing had been well done, the king was too pleased to put on a sash of diamonds worn by royalty to Buddha image on 12 December 1901, a day before enshrining it in the Uposatha Hall. Even after the enshrining, the king was also pleased to have taken off his sash of Decoration of the Highest Order of Nopharatana Rajavarabhorn to be presented to the Buddha image. At the end of the year 1909, the king had ordered to employ Mr. Tsuruhara, a teacher of the School of Craftsmanship, Tokyo, to come to paint the image in gold. After finishing, the king ordered to have organized the celebration of Phra Buddhajinaraja on 5 August 1910. That ended the period of King Chulalongkorn, Rama V, as he passed away on 23 October 1910.

• Admission 20B. open 8am-5.30pm daily

• Wat Ben is diagonally opposite Chitlada Palace. Bus Nos 503 (air-con) and 72 stop nearby

Royal Barges National Museum

• The royal barges are long, fantastically ornamented boats used in ceremonial processions on the river. The largest is 50m long and requires a rowing crew of 50 men, plus seven umbrella bearers, two helmsmenand two navigators, as well as a flagman, rhythmkeeper and chanter.
• The barges are kept in sheds, on the Thonburi side of the river. The sheds are next to khlong Bangkok Noi, near Saphan Phra Pin Klao (Phra Pin Klao Bridge). Suphannahong, the king's personal barge, is the most important of the boats. Made from a single piece of timber, it's the largest dugout in the worlk. The name means "Golden Swan",and a huge swan head has been carved into the bow of the barge. Lesser barges feature bows carved into other Hindu-Buddhist mythological shapes such as naga (mythical sea serpent) and garuda (Vishnu's bird mount).
• One of the best times to see the fleet in action on the river is during kathin, the royal ceremony where robes are presented to monks, at the end of phansaa (the Buddhist Rains Retreat, ending with an October or November full moon) when new robes are offered to the monastic contingent.
  

• You must pay and ad tna l00B if you want to take photos.
• The easiest way to get to the museum is by the cross-river ferry from Tha Phra Chan to Tha Rot Fai (the Roman-script sign says "Railroad Station"). The museum is just across the canal from the train station but the closest bridge is the elevated highway. Walk along the street parallel to the railway tracks past the fruit market until you come to a set of stairs that leads to the elevated highway over the canal. Once on the other side, signs will direct you through a labyrinth of concrete walkways that pass a poor housing area and eventually lead to the barge sheds. You can also get there by long-tail boat during a one-hour tour. Boats can be chartered from any pier on the Bangkok side of the river, or you can join a guided tour with Chao Phraya Express Boat (02-623 6001).

National Museum

• On the western side of Sanam Luang, the National Museum is the largest museum in Southeast Asia and an excellent place to learn about Thai art. All periods and styles are represented from Dvaravati to Ratanakosin, and English-language literatre is available. Room 23 contains a wellmaintained collection of traditional musical instruments from Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Indonesia. Other permanent exhibits include ceramics, clothing and textiles, woodcarving, regalia and weaponry.

• The musem bildings were built in 1782 as the palace of Rama I's viceroy, Prince Wang Na. Rama V turned it into a museum in 1884.

• In addition to the exhibition halls, there is the restored Buddhaisawan (Phutthaisawan) Chapel. Inside the chapel (built in 1795) are some well-preserved original murals and one of the country's most revered Buddha images, Phra Phut Sihing. Legend says the image came from Sri Lanka, but art historians attribte it to 13th-century Sukhothai.

• Free English-Language toure of the museum are given by volunteers on Wednesday (Buddhism) and Thursday (Thai art, religion and culture). These guided tour are excellent. The tours are also conducted in German (Thrsday), French (Wednesday) and Japanese (Wednesday). All tours start from the ticket pavilion at 9.30 am.

• The museum is serviced by bs Nos 30, 32, 47 and 53.

Sanam Luang

Sanam Luang (Royal Field)

• Just north of Wat Phra Kaew. Sanam Luang has been a place of central importance for the Thai people for centuries. Sanam Luang is Thai for royal ground, and it is the traditional site for royal cremations, and for the annual Ploughing Ceremony in which the king officially initiates the rice-growing season. The most recent ceremonial cremation took place here in March 1996, when the king presided over funeral rites for his mother. Before that the most recent Sanam Luang cremations were held in 1976, without official sanction, for Thai students killed in the demonstrations of that year. A statue of Mae Thorani, the earth goddess (borrowed from Hindu mythology's Dharani), stands in a white pavilion at the northern end of the field. Erected in the late 19th century by King Chulalongkorn, he statue was originally attached to a well that provided drinking water to the public.
  
• Before 1982, Bangkok's famous Weekend Market was regularly held at Sanam Luang (it's now at Chatuchak Park). Nowadays the large field is mostly used as a picnic and recreational area. A large kite compettion is held here during the kite-flying season (mid-February to April).
  
  Sanam Luang is a hub for several bus lines, including Nos 30, 32, 47 and 53.
  

The Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha

The Grand Palace

Adjoins Wat Phra Kaew in a common compound, and is where you will end up after exiting Wat Phra Kaew. Despite the proximity of the two, there's a distinct contrast in style between the very Thai Wat Phra Kaew and the more European inspired designs of the Grand Palace (the roof being the exception). The Grand Palace is nowadays used only for occasional ceremonial purposes and is no longer the royal residence. The present King Bhumibol (Rama IX) lives in Chitralada Palace (also closed to tourists), which is located not too far away in Bangkok's Dusit district. Though the interior of most of the buildings remain closed to the public

Highlights of it are:

- Boromabiman Hall, built by King Rama VI and every king since has lived here at some time.

- Amarinda Hall, the original residence of King Rama I and the Hall of Justice. Nowadays it's impressive interior is used for ceremonial occasions and coronations. It contains the antique throne, used before the Western style one presently in use.

- Grand Palace Hall / Chakri Maha Prasat. Visitors are allowed inside the spacious European style reception room. This building has not been used for royal residence since the mysterious death of King Rama VIII (the older brother of the current King), found shot dead in his room in 1946. The reverence for the monarchy in Thailand means that, even today, this remains a completely taboo subject to talk publicly about in Thailand.

- The impressive Dusit Hall, rated as perhaps the finest architectural building in this style.

- The Museum, which has information on the restoration of the Grand Palace, scale models of the Wat and Palace and numerous Buddha images. Labels are in Thai only, but there are free English tours available frequently. Entrance is 50B.

Wat Phra Kaew- The Temple of the Emerald Buddha

Wat Phra Kaew itself, generally known to the Thais as Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram, is perhaps the main attraction. This is Thailand's most important and sacred temple, so you're expected to act with due respect inside it. It houses the tiny (between 60 and 75 cm) Emerald Buddha, which is located high above the heads of the worshippers and tourists. Not much is known for certain about the statue, except that it isn't actually made of emerald but rather of green jade or jasper. Getting a good look at it is difficult as photography is forbidden inside the temple, and it's perched so high up inside it's glass box that it's difficult to really see.

It's thought to have been made in the 15th century and was the cause of several wars before ending up for good in Bangkok in 1782. The image is considered a talisman and holds tremendous significance for Thailand and the Thais. The 'robe' that it wears is changed 3 times each year by the King himself, at the start of each season: A diamond encrusted gold robe during the hot season, a solid gold robe in the cool season and a gilded monk's robe in the rainy season.There are also many other Buddha images inside the temple. Despite it's national importance, Wat Phra Kaew is the only temple in Thailand that doesn't have any resident monks, and so is not a seat of Buddhist learning in the same way as the likes of Wat Pho and Wat Mahathat..

There's plenty of options for getting to the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew. Ordinary buses 44, 47 and 91 stop on Thaiwang road between Wat Pho and Wat Phra Kaew. Ordinary buses 1, 25, 44, 47, 82 and 91 also stop on Maharat road, on the west of Wat Phra Kaew. On nearby Sanam Luang, north of Wat Phra Kaew, ordinary buses 3, 15, 30, 32, 43, 44, 59, 64, 70, 80, 123 and 201 all stop, as well as aircon 6, 7, 12, 39 and 44. The Tha Chang river express boat stop is also very near. If you're staying in Banglamphu, it's possible to walk there via Sanam Luang. It's only about a 1 km walk, but involves crossing some large and busy roads which don't have any obvious crossing places.

Bangkok Overview

Bangkok (Krung Thep)

• Krung Thep (City of Angels) is Thailand's capital and largest city. It's in the central part of the country, on the Chao Phraya River near the Gulf of Thailand (still often called the Gulf of Siam). Bangkok is Thailand's administrative, economic, and cultural center, and a major commercial and transportation center of Southeast Asia.

• The tourists call Bangkok as the City of Angels because of Bangkok’s many attractions such as Temple, River and Shopping center. The population of Bangkok is about 6,000,000 (in 2005). Bangkok is the growth pole of the whole kingdom with total area of 1568.737 square kilometers.

• The capital of Thailand was established at Bangkok in 1782 by the first king of the Chakri dynasty, Rama I. the name Bangkok comes from Bang Makok, meaning "Place of Olive Plums", and refers to the original site, which is only a very small part of what is today called Bangkok by foreigners. The official Thai name for the city is quite a tongue twister :

"Krungthep mahanakhon amonratanakosin mahintara ayuthaya mahadilk popnoparat ratchathani burirom udomratchaniwet mahasathan amonpiman avatansathit sakkathattiya witsanukamprasit"