Also known as Krung Thep which means
the City Of Angels, the city is considered one of
the biggest cities in the world. For a city of this
size, Bangkok is surprisingly full of quiet escapes.
The must-see attractions include Wat Phra Kaew, Grand
Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Traimit. Another attraction
well worth a visit is the Bang Pa In, the former summer
residence of the royal family in the 17th century,
located 37 miles north of Bangkok. It's a collection
of buildings that reflect both Oriental and European
influences.
Floating
Market
Large floating market
on Khlong Damnoen Saduak in Ratchaburi Province.
Location : 104 km SW of Bangkok
Operating hours : 06:00 - 10:00
This fort is situated where Klong Banglamphu
meets Chao Phraya River. Built at the same time as the city
wall in King Rama I, Phra Sumen Fort is one of a 14 forts
along the city limit builted to protect Bangkok. The fort
is a hexagonal-shaped concrete structure, topped with pointed
roof which was partly restructured during the period of
King Rama V-VII. The Fine Arts Department repaired and restored
it in 1959, 1981 and recently in 1999 as part of the city's
new river-front public park, Santichaiprakarn park.
The building was originally used as the
Royal Mint. After the Royal Mint was relocated, the building
was transferred to Fine Arts Department who renovated and
changed it to the National Gallery. The one and only National
Gallery houses a collection of traditional and contemporary
paintings by leading Thai artists. The gallery has temporary
shows of various Asian artists and permanent exhibitions
of modern Thai art.
The Bangkok National
Museum is dedicated to preserving the national cultural
heritage through collections of art, archaeological and
cultural objects in the Palace of the Crown Prince near
the Grand Palace. The Gallery of Thai History is located
in the Sivamokhaphiman Hall, with the Prehistory Galley
at the rear of the building. The History of Art collection
is displayed in the South and North Wings and the Minor
arts, Royal Cremation Chariots and Ceremonial Objects are
exhibited nearby in other buildings within the palace compound.
A visit here gives a superb introduction to Thai art, culture
and history
Resplendent in gold,
these historic craft rarely grace public events today. Used
occasionally by the King and the Royal family when they
travelled by river. The most graceful formation of the Royal
barge procession can be seen at an annual procession to
offer gifts to the monks at Wat Arun. These barges can be
viewed daily by the public in their Royal barge sheds. Due
to the space limitation, only eight most important barges
are kept here.
