The capital of Thailand was established at Bangkok in 1782 by the first king of the Chakri Dynasty, Rama I. (Thailand's first capital was Sukhothai followed by Ayuthaya). At the time of its founding, it was dubbed Krung Thep, meaning City of Angels. Bangkok is a national treasure house and the country's spiritual, cultural, political, commercial, educational and diplomatic center. The population of Bangkok is about 8 million people. It's one-tenth part of the country's population. Today's Bangkok is incredibly urbanized, but beneath its modern veneer lies an unmistakable Thai-ness. This colorful mosaic of the old and new still present in Bangkok has proved to be a unique attraction. The gift Bangkok offers is the assurance you will never be bored. In 2002 Bangkok celebrated 220 years as the national capital.
BANGKOK'S ATTRACTIONS GRAND PALACE AND WAT PHRA KAEW (TEMPLE OF THE EMERALD BUDDHA)
Also called the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, this temple adjoins the Grand Palace on common ground, which was consecrated in 1782, the first year of Bangkok rule. The 945,000-sq-metre grounds encompass more than 100 buildings that represent 200 years of royal history and architectural experimentation. Together they have been added to by the different Thai monarchs and consequently feature several different types of architecture. Most of the architecture can be classified as Ratanakosin, or old Bangkok style, with lots of minor variations. The palace is a very colourful place, with extensive murals along the inside walls of the compound. The king only uses the palace on certain ceremonial occasions, such as Coronation Day, and his residence is in the other, more of a modern style palace.
The so-called Emerald Buddha, or Phra Kaew Morakot, is not emerald but probably made of jasper quartz or perhaps nephrite jade. It stands 60cm to 75cm high, depending on how it is measured. It's not known for certain where the image originated or who sculpted it, but it first appeared on record in 15th-century Chiang Rai. It is said to have been placed in Chiang Rai's own Wat Phra Kaew (literally Temple of the Jewel Image), covered with plaster and gold leaf. The image supposedly lost its plaster covering in a fall.
King Rama I, the founder of Chakri dynasty, had the Emerald Buddha moved to the new Thai capital in Bangkok and had two royal robes made for it, one to be worn in the hot season and one for the rainy season. Rama III added another to the wardrobe, to be worn in the cool season. The three robes are still solemnly changed at the beginning of each season by the king himself. The huge hot (central sanctuary) at Wat Phra Kaew in which it is displayed was built expressly for the purpose of housing the diminutive image.
TEMPLES CITY There are a lot of glittering Buddhist temples (about 300) in Bangkok, which are worth to visit. The best of them are:
- Temple of the Golden Buddha (Wat Traimit) - its attraction is the impressive 3 1/2 -meter tall, 5 1/2 -ton, solid gold Buddha image.
- Temple of Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho) is the oldest and largest temple in Bangkok; it features the largest reclining Buddha and the largest collection of Buddha images in Thailand. The tremendous reclining Buddha, 50 meters long and 15 meters high, illustrates the passing of Buddha into nirvana.
- Golden Mount Temple (Wat Sa Ket) - from the foot of the Golden Mount opens a good view of Old Bangkok rooftops.
- "Marble Temple" (Wat Benchamabophit), built of white Carrara marble.
- Tenple of the Great Relic (Wat Mahathat) is located near Thammasat University. The temple houses Mahachulalongkorn Buddhist University, one of the two highest seats of Buddhism learning in Thailand. Meditation classes are offered for foreigners.
WAT PHO This world famous temple is located right next to the Grand Palace on the south side. It is one of Bangkok's oldest and largest temples. Wat Pho was built by King Rama I nearly 200 years ago and house th egigantic gold-plated Reclining Buddha. This unique image is 46 metres in length and 15 metres high with beautifully inlaid mother-of pearl. Wat Pho is also regarede as the first centre of public education and is sometimes called "Thailand's first University". The building housing the Reclining Buddha is open daily from 8.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m. Admission fee is Baht 20.
WAT ARUN (TEMPLE OF THE DAWN) This world famous temple is located right next to the Grand Palace on the south side. It is one of Bangkok's oldest and largest temples. Wat Pho was built by King Rama I nearly 200 years ago and house th egigantic gold-plated Reclining Buddha. This unique image is 46 metres in length and 15 metres high with beautifully inlaid mother-of pearl. Wat Pho is also regarede as the first centre of public education and is sometimes called "Thailand's first University". The building housing the Reclining Buddha is open daily from 8.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m. Admission fee is Baht 20.
PHRA THI NANG VIMANMEK AND ABHISEK DUSIT THRONE HALL Vimanmek Palace is located behind Bangkok's National Assembly and is the world's largest building made entirely of golden teak. The three storey wooden palace hs 81 rooms, halls and ante-rooms, excluding verandahs. Near the entrance to Vimanmek Palace is the Royal Carriage Museum where 13 royal house-drawn carriages once used during the reign of King Rama V are kept. The collection is splendid and regarded to be of great historical value. Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall (The Support Museum), a one storey teak building built in the reign of King Rama V, is situated on the east wing of Vimanmek Throne Hall. Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall is now Thailand's first handicraft museum where Her Majesty The Queen collects handicraft masterpieces created by members of the Support Foundation. In the museum, visiotrs can find such handicrafts as nielloware, Thai silk with various unique disigns, "Lipao" basketry like beautiful trays, handbags studded with jewels in different designs such green beetle. The compound is open daily from 9.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m. Admission fee is Baht 50 per person. Free guide available (Tel. 02 2818166, 02 2811569, 02 2811518, 02 2805926)
CHAO PHRAYA RIVER CRUISE AND CANAL TOUR You can observe the panorama of the Old Bangkok side by side with the modern urban river life from the water taking a motor boat trip of about 11/2 hours along the main Bangkok river - Chao Phraya which was at the old times the only transport gateway to Bangkok. You will sail by (and may stop at) one of the most beautiful Bangkok Temples - The Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun) and get a close look at a daily life of Thai people living in riverside houses. Open from 7 to 11 a.m. there is a floating market - boats selling fresh fruits and souvenirs. You can also make a stop at the Snake Farm located along the river, which has daily snake shows: feeding snakes, venom extraction and a man, catching cobra. Or you may wish to take a dinner cruise along the Chao Phraya River dining in the restaurant on the boat.
THE NATION MUSEUM Within walking distance of the Grand Palace, across the Pramane Ground, is one of the largest and most comprehensive museums in Southeast Asia. The National Museum has over one thousand artifacts ranging from neolithic times to the present Bangkok period. The complex also begun in 1782 consists of several old but beautiful buildings of colorful Thai architectural design. The museum is open every day, except Mondays, Tuesdays and public holidays from 9.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m. Admission fee is Baht 40.
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 later disappearance in the Malaysian jungles remains a mystery to this day. The 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 such as blue/white China ware Cambodian stone figures Benjarong (a multicolored porcelain made in China) wooden Burmese statues and many other fabulous antiques. Jim Thompson's House is open from Monday to Saturday inclusive from 9.00 a.m. - 4.30 p.m. Admission costs Baht 100. Volunteer guides explain the collection to visitors.
SAFARI WORLD Covering 7km2, Safari World provides you with two very special ways to learn about the animal kingdom. The Safari Park immerses you into the animals' world as you are seemingly caged in the car and the animals are left in their natural habitats. The Marine Park gives you a chance to visit different shows with animals.
DREAM WORLD an amusement park, a beautiful theme park which provides entertainment to millions of tourists.
THAI CLASSICAL DANCE & DINNER Spend a beautiful evening in one of the several Thai classic dance/dinner theatres in the city. Thai dinner, selected dance performances by professional dancers dressed in glittering national costumes, sometimes martial arts are also on display.
SAMUTPRAKAN CROCODILE FARM & ZOO The world's largest ?rocodile Farm where more than 60 000 crocodiles are kept is located 25 km south of Bangkok. Here you will experience thrilling world famous "Crocodile Wrestling" and "Acrobatic Elephant" stage shows. In the farm you can ride an elephant and have your pictures taken with exotic animals.
Chiang Mai Hotel - Chiang Mai Resort, Thailand Hotel Reservation Service by Allresort Thailand
