Sanam Luang and City Pole

This oval public ground in front of the Grand Palace enclave is used for various royal ceremonies, including the Royal Ploughing Ceremony each May, and is edged by several noteworthy institutions .

On the southeast corner is the City Pillar Shrine or San Lak Muang placed there by King Rama I as the foundation stone for the new capital of Bangkok.

National Museum

National Gallery Museum

Wat Mahathat

Wat Pho

Located on Thon Buri side (or the west bank of the chao Phraya River), the temple can be reached either by Arun Amarin  Road or by boat from Tha Tien Pier, near Wat Pho.  The most attractive structure in this temple is the 79-metre-high pagoda or "Phra Prang", which is decorated with ceramic tiles and fragments of multi-cikiyred oircekaub.  Wat Arun was restored during the brief Thonburi period to be the Royal Chapel of King Taksin.  It is called the "Temple of the Dawn", and the most beautiful view of it is from the east side of the river at sunset.

Royal Barge National Museum  (Tel: 424-0004)

This shed, where several royal barges are displayed, is located near Phra Pin Klao Bridge on Thon Buri side. The barges were used on royal occasions and formerly served as war vessels. The most beautiful barge is “Suphannahong” used by the king only when he made his royal river procession for the Kathin Ceremony, a Buddhist tradition of offering robes to monks, usually during October or November.  The unique design and decorative details of each barge should be of great interest to all visitors.  The shed is open everyday from 9.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m. Admission fee is 30 Baht.

Pak Khlong Talat

This is a wholesale market for all kinds of cut flowers and vegetables. It is located on Maharat Road near the Memorial Bridge. The colourful flowers and the bustling atmosphere is the charm of this market, especially when the market is crowded in the early morning and in the evening.

Wat Suthat and "The Giant Swing "

Wat Thepthidaram

Located on Mahachai Road, the temple was built in the reign of King Rama III with a mixture of Chinese architectural styles. Sunthon Phu, one of Thailand's greatest poets, had resided in this temple during his monk hood from 1840-1842. His residence is now open to the public.

Democracy Monument

This monument, located in the middle of Ratchadamnoen Avenue, was conceived and constructed to commemorate the peaceful changeover from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy on 24 June, 1932.  

Wat Ratchanatdaram

 
Located on Mahachai Road, the temple was built in the reign of King Rama III in 1846. Loha Prasat, the temple's main attraction, standing 36 meters high with 37 surrounding spires, is the only one of its kind left in the world. Next to the temple is the area for welcoming an important foreign guest and a memorial, statue of King Rama III.

The Golden Mount  

Located in the the compound of Wat Sa Ket with the entrance on Boriphat Road, this is an artificial hill topped by a gilded pagoda which is 260 feet in height from its base.  Begun by King Rama III and completed in the reign of King Rama IV, the golden mount is one of the most celebrated landmarks in Bangkok’s old area and offers a panoramic city view from the top.  

Wat Indravihan

Located in the Bang Khun Phrom area on Wisutkasat Road, this temple is well known for a huge standing Buddha image called Luang Pho To. The image, built in the reign of King Rama IV, is 32 meters tall and 10 meters wide. The topknot of the Buddha image contains a relic of Lord Buddha brought from Sri Lanka.

Wat Benchamabophit (The Marble Temple)

Tel: 281-2501 Located on Si Ayutthaya Road, near Chitralada Palace, this unique marble temple was constructed during the reign of King Rama V. It employs European ecclesiastic details, such as stained glass windows, and contains a superb cloister collection of bronze Buddha images.

Vimanmek Royal Mansion
(Tel: 281-1569, 281-1518, 281-6880 http:// www.palaces.thai.net)

Located on Ratchawithi Road Behind the National Assembly, it is the world’s  largest building made entirely of golden teak.  Removed from Ko Sichang in Chonburi province, it was rebuilt here in 1900 by the command of King Rama V. The mansion has many exhibition rooms, some of shich maintain the atmosphere of the past.  A guided tour inside the building is provided to visitors.  Other buildings in the same compound are also used as museums, ans display various items and art objects; for example, H.M. King Bhumibol’s photography, H.M. Queen Sirikit’s collection of handicraft masterpieces created by rural people, paraphernalia of rank and portraits, old clocks, ancient cloth, and royal carriages.

The compound is open daily from 9.00 a.n.-4.00 p.m. Admission fee is 50 baht. There are also traditional Thai dancing shows at 10.30 a.m. and 2.00 p.m. Proper attire is required.

Dusit Zoo

Dusit Zoo, managed by the Zoological Park Organisation, is where visitors can inspect various species of tropical animals.  In the middle of the area is a large pond with boat and paddleboat services.  It is open everyday from 8.00 a.m. - 6.00 p.m. Admission fee is 30 Baht for adults and 10 Baht for children.

China Town

Bangkok's China Town is an old business centre covering a large area around Yaowarat and Charoen Krung Roads.  There are many small streets and alleys full of shops selling all types of goods.  The area is always lively and market stalls abound.  It has been the main centre for trading by the Chinese since they were moved from their old site some 200 years ago. Nearby is Phahurat Market, one of the city's renowned cloth centres.

Wat Trai Mitts

Princess Mother Memorial Park Tel: 437-7799, 439-0902

This beautiful park is located on Soi 3 Somdet Chao Phraya Road, Khiong San District. It was built near the Wat Anongkharam community where Somdej Phra Srinaganndra Boromarajajonani, Her Royal Highness the Princess Mother had resided during her childhood. The park comprises a full scale model of the Princess Mother's house and the old buildings renovated as exhibition halls displaying the life story of Her Royal Highness the Princess Mother as well as the history of the Wat Anongkharam community.

Suan Pakkard Palace

Tel: 245-4934  Located on Si Ayutthaya Road, this complex of five Thai-style houses occupies a beautiful garden and houses an important collection of Asian antiques. A lacquer pavilion is decorated with sumptuous late Ayutthaya period gold leaf mural. There is also a Khon Museum where masks and costumes of the classical play are on display.
It is open daily from 9.00 a.m.-4.00 p.m. Admission fee is 80 Baht.

Jim Thomson's Thai House

Tel: 216-7368, 612-3744, 215-0122  This collection of traditional Thai-style houses, fashioned into one dwelling, belongs to the man who helped restore the Thai silk industry after World War II, and, today, preserved as a museum, contains a priceless collection of Asian objects art. The canal side museum is located in Soi Kasemsan 2 on Rama I Road opposite the National Stadium.
It is open Monday-Saturday, 9.00 a.m. until 4.30 p.m. Admission is 100 Baht.

This interesting spot is located at the corner of Henri Dunant and Rama IV Roads west of Chulalongkorn Hospital. It is a section of the Thai Red Cross, where one can have cholera, smallpox, and typhoid inoculations, as well as rabies treatment.  The institute has become a popular tourist attraction because of its large collection of live poisonous snakes. It is open from 8.30 a.m. – 4.30 p.m. on weekdays and 8.30 a.m. – 12.00 a.m. on holidays.  The extraction of venom from the snakes is demonstrated at 11.00 a.m. and 2.30 p.m. on weekdays, and at 11.00 a.m. on holidays.  Admission fee is 70 Baht per person.

The Khamthieng House

Tel: 661-6470-7  Located in the garden of the Siam Society on Sukhumvit Soi 21 (Asoke), this 200-year-old northern Thai-style house contains a collection of traditional implements used by Thai farmers.
It is open daily except Sundays and Mondays from 9.00 a.m.-5.00 p.m. Admission fee is 100 Baht. 

Science Center for Education

Tel: 392 -1773, 392-5951-9  Situated next to the Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekarnai) 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 other devices created for fun and education.
The museum is open daily except Mondays and public holidays from 8.30 a.m.-4.30 p.m. Admission fee is 30 Baht for adults and 15 Baht for children.

Ban Chang Thai

This house is where Thai puppets are made and displayed. It is situated on Soi 10 Ekkamai Road off Sukhumvit Road.  Thai puppet shows are held occasionally. Call 391-3807 for more information.  

Philatelic Museum (Tel:271-2439)

The museum is on the 1st floor of the Metropolitan Postal Bureau behind Sam Sen Nai Post Office, Saphan Khwai area. It is open on Tuesday – Saturday from 9.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. There is no admission fee.  Thai and foreign stamps of the past are on display.  The collections of post books in both Thai and foreign languages are available at the library.  Stamps and accessories for stamp collection are on sale.

Hall of Railway Heritage (Tel: 243-2037-9)

This is a train museum where steam engines, train models, and miniature trains are exhibited along with the story of world railway systems.  It is located on the western side of Chatuchak Park adjacent to Kamphaeng Phet Road.  It is open to the  public only on Sundays from 5.00-12.00 a.m.