Bangkok

             Welcome to Bangkok, Thailand

     Even though Bangkok is over 200 years old but it still keeps its charm as a tourism place due to its precious Thai architecture. Talking about Bangkok, tourists will think of beauty of ancient places such as The Grand Palace and other Palaces around Sanam Luang (Royal Field) which is the heart of Bangkok. Temple of the each Reign are worth visiting because Thai people take our Kings as centre of Buddhism, another charming thing is "Wai (worship)' to show respect by putting hands together, this does not only show the faith we have as Buddhists but also our lucky charm. Now, we will take you to view Bangkok's charms.

Dusit  Mahaprasat  Throne  Hall

Visiting the Grand Palace and Ancient Places

     Dusit  Mahaprasat  Throne  Hall,  is the central building amongst the other ones in the Grand Palace, located at the Central section, on its west side located Pimarn Rattaya Throne Hall, Left Flanking Royal House, Right Flanking Royal House and other smaller units called Ruan Jan which is connected to the inner part of the Palace. This Palace was admired as first class architecture of 1789. Dusit Mahaprasat Throne Hall was buist by King Rama I on the location where former Amarindrapisek Mahaprasat Throne Hall which was strike by thunder.

     Dusit Palace is the Palace which was built in King Rama V Era when the returned form his first trip to Europe in 1897. In 1899 His Majesty purchased a piece of farm land between Padung Krundasem Canal and Samsen Canal and arranged to build a pavilion for his temporary accommodation, and gave it name "Suan Dusit". Later when the palace was built and His Majesty visited quite often, a new Royal Residence was built and called "Suan Dusit Royal Residence" until King Rama Vi Era, His Majesty gave it a new named called "Suan Dusit Palace".

Vimanmek Palace

     Vimanmek Palace was the world's largest teak wood buiding and is the first permanent palace inside Suan Dusit Palace built in King Rama V Era. Its architecture is so fire and beautiful with western influence. In 1982 was Rattanakosin City (Bangkok) 200th Anniversary, Her Majesty th Queen arranged for the building to be renovated to turn it into King Rama V's personal museum. At the moment Vimanmek Palace is under the supervision of Bureau of Royal House Hold.

Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall

     Ananta Samakhom Hall, before it was the throne hall of Dusit Palace, its name came from one of the Building in the Grand Palace which was built in King Rama V Era.

Apisek Dusit Throne Hall

Apisek Dusit Throne Hall is a one storey building built of wood with crafted wood in flowery pattern, also stain glass and crafted Moore Art cement. This hall locates on the east side of Vimanmek Palace and was built in King Rama V Era after His Majesty returned from his first trip from Europe to be a throne hall and dining place for Dusit Palace and for Royal families and government officers to hold an annual Saun Dusit Celebration. It was built in 1903 and completed in 1904  2 years after Vimanmek Palace and the grand opening ceremony was held on 16th April 1904.

     Ampornsathan Throne Hall is another Throne Hall in Dusit Palace. In the same year when Vimanmek Palace was finished. King Rama V arranged to have another throne hall built on the west side of Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall, at that time it was called Ngae Taeng Park (Ivory colour), later it was given a new name called Ampornsathan Throne Hall in 1950. When His Majesty Kiong Bhumiphol returned from Switzerland, he resided there before his mariage and coronation.

     Nowadays, this throne hall is the place to keep important Buddha and God statues such as Phra Buddha Bussayarattana and Phra Siam Devathiraj (different one from the one in Paisarn Thaksin Throne Hall) etc.

Golden Mountain

Golden Mountain or Phra Borombunphot is a part of Wat Sraket Raja Vora Maha Viharn which was built in King Rama III Era to imitate the Golden Mountain Temple in Ayutthaya Era, this project finished in King Rama V Era, inside stores Buddha's holy relic its shape is like mountain with pagoda.

     Lohaprasat in Wat Raja Naddaram Vora Viharn which was built in King Rama III Era (King Jessadabodindra) in 1846 for His Royal Granddaughter Princess Sommanus Wattanawadee. This is one of Thailand most valuable ancient remains which were admired as the only metal architecture remains in the world. The name "Lohaprasat" is an Indian name which  had been used since Lord Buddha time. Prince Dumrong Rajanuparb gave the meaning of this as "A builing with metal top"

Lohaprasat

     Lohaprasat is a Thai architecture 7 storey building with 37 tops referring to 37 major Buddhism Dharma. 7th floor is the top of the building which keeps Lord Buddha's holy relic, built of bicks and cement, the top has 37 tips in the shape of pagoda, there is a hall in the central part with spiral staircase, now Lohaprasat is the only remaining complete metal building

Phra Sumen Fortress

     Pom Phra Sumen is the fortress built in King Rama I Era,  at that time there were 14 fortresses built to protect the capital, but when time passed these fortresses sere no longer in use so they were torn down but Pom Phra Sumen is one of the 2 remaining fortresses, another one is called Pom Mahakarn. The name Phra Sumen is used to name the Road as well.

     Pom Phra Sumen was built in King Rama I Era, it is very beautiful and useful, it has ramparts, Gun holes, cannon ball and other weapons stores but it was deteriorated until 1981. Fine Arts Department renovated it into same old condition shown in the picture from King Rama V time, the landscape was also redone and named "Santi Chaiprakarn Pavilion".

Giant Swing

     Giant Swing is a big swing which the top part was gorgeously craved, all painted in red it is an ancient remain which was built since King Rama I Era in front of Brahmiest Temple in 1784 for Treeyumpawai Ritual which is the Brahmiest new year. Later in King Rama V Era, it was moved to place in front of Wat Suthat until now, Fine Arts Department has registered it as an important ancient remain on 22nd November 1949.

City Pillar Shrine

     City Pillar Shrine is located close to the Royal Grand Palace, it is considered one of the most sacred place worshipped by the Thais, constructed at the very beginning of the establishment of the Bangkok city in year 1782. This shrine was built, according to the Brahmin belief, to enshrine the Angels  descended from heaven to guard the city. The Fine Arts Department announced its registration as National Historical Site on 17th June 1975. Because the Shrine is highly believed to be holy and sacred, people from all walks of life come to worship it to ask for blessings from the divinity to grant ghem their wishes. It is open everyday from 5:30 am - 7:30 pm.

    To visit Grand Palace tourists can only view Vimanmek Palace and Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall daily during 9:30 am - 3:00 pm., admission fees for Vimanmek Palace for Thai 75 Baht, foreigners 100 Baht, Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall for Thai 30 Baht, foreigners 50 baht, Tel. 0 - 2628 - 3600 - 9.

Mahakarn Fortress

     Mahakarn Fort is just one of the two remaining fortresses of medieval Bangkok. It is located next to Wat Ratchantdaram. The area where the king built his palace is called Rattanakosin. To ensure that Rattanakosin is well protected, the king had three rings of defensive canals dug. Placed at strategic location around the canals were 16 gates and 14 forts. The forts are called Phra Sumen, Yukornton, Mahaprab, Mahakan, Mootaluog, Seurtayan, Mahachai, Charkphet, Phisua, Mahaluok, Mahayak, Phrachun, Phra-Ar-Thit and Isintorn. Today only Phra Sumen and Mahakan remain.

     Mahakan Fort is octagonal in shape. It is 38 meters wide and 4.9 meters tall. It has three floors with staircases leading to the first two. The highest floor is an octagonal tower with an entrance. In addition to the fort, part of the medieval city wall is still standing today. It runs for some 200 meters along Maha Chai Road. Mahakan Fort marks the second ring canal into Rattanakosin. Here, Khlong Bang Lamphu meets Khlong Ong Ang.

      Mahakan Fort was inscribed as a National Ancient Monument of Thailand by the Fine Arts Department in 1949. Under the government of Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat, lights were installed at the fort to beautify it. The fort appeared on the 10 baht note for a while during the reign of King Rama IX.

        Amazon.com    Widgets

Copy Game

Bangkok National Museum

    The history of the National Museum Bangkok dates back to 1874 when His Majesty, King Rama V opened the first public "museum" to exhibit the royal collection of King Rama IV, and other objects of general interest, at the Concordia Pavilion inside the Brand Palace. Later, the Museum was transferred to its present site, the "Wang Na", or "Palace to the Front" which had been the palace of the Prince Successor. In 1926, it was named the "Bangkok Museum" and subsequently developed into the National Museum Bangkok, when it came under the direction of the Department of Fine Arts in 1934.

    The Bangkok National Museum is the main branch museum of the National Museums in Thailand. It features exhibits of Thai art and history. The museum was established and opened in 1874 by King Rama V to exhibit relics from the rule of King Rama IV's rule. Today the galleries contain exhibits covering Thai History back to Neolithic times.

    The museum is located in the former palace of the vice king, next to the Sanam Luang.

    The National Museum Bangkok
is open from 9.00 a.m.-4.00 p.m.
every day except Monday,
Tuesday and National holidays.
The admission fee is 40 baht.
Tel. (+662)224-1404,224-1333
Fax.(+662)224-1404,224-9911