| Reviews and photos of Bangkok attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Bangkok sightseeing. Bangkok Map |
 | Bangkok Things To Do | Tips 771 - 780 of 3090 |  |
Wat Pho is the largest temple in Bangkok as well as the oldest, occupying 20 acres adjacent the Grand Palace. It was built by King Rama I beginning approximately 1793. The temple was enlarged by King Rama III beginning in 1839 to serve not only a religious function but also as a major university. Painting, statues, and engraved inscriptions were intended to educate the Thai people on literature, science, warfare, and also traditional thai massage. The wall inscriptions are the oldest writings on the practise of traditional massage today as earlier writings were destroyed during the destruction ot the Ayyuthya by Burmese invaders. The temple remains a center for traditional Thai medical education and practise as well as massage. The complex houses the largest collection of Buddhas in Thailand, more than 700. Approximately 400 of these statues are arranged around the main temple. The adjacent images include some of them. Leave a Comment Address: Tha Tien Pier, Chao Phraya River, BangkokPhone: 02-221-991Directions: The entrance to Wat Pho is on Chetuphon road. Entrance is 20B. It's open every day, opening hours are from 08.00am to 5.00pm, with a break from 12.00pm to 1.00pm.Website: http://www.discoverthailand.com/
|
 | |  |
Visiting Bangkok?
Read reviews about Bangkok Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
The Jim Thompson House & Museum is a worthwhile sightseeing destination in Bangkok.
Jim Thompson was an American, rumored to be a CIA agent, who fell in love with Thailand. Thompson is credited with revitalizing the Thai silk industry and even was awarded the highest honor for a foreigner, the Order of the White Elephant.
The story of Thompson's life and the mystery of his disappearance all add to the allure of the wonderful collection of Thai artifacts in his home. Thompson was not just a collector but he was also seeking to preserve Thailand's history from destruction.
The house & museum are open for guided tours from 0900 to 1700. The tour takes approximately 30 minutes and costs 100TBH.
|
Passing through the canals, we observed daily life in areas unencumbered by tourist destinations. Life went on despite long boats carrying loads of tourists with cameras intruding on residential communities. There were a surprising number of occupied houseboats in addition to the many houses on land or stilts. There was no acknowledgement of our presence except for the vendors - we were just a part of life on the canals (not necessarily welcome). Leave a Comment
|
The Grand Palace is a must see while in Bangkok. Entry is 200 Baht and you are able to just wonder around yourself but I felt like being slightly ripped off by hiring my own personal guide. This cost me a fortune and I tried to bargain her down but she insisited that her price was the same regardless of how many people she was guiding. I figured oh well, at least I'll get a private tour! I have to admit that the guide was very good. She grabbed my hand and dragged me through the crowds to semi quiet spots before explaining the particular building we were at and then getting in front of the crowds when we actually entered the buildings. I would have been left behind on my own and also not learnt nearly as much about the history of the palace and the significance of the temples.
The opening hours for the palace are: 9.30am - 3.15pm
Tickets sold until 3pm
Traditional Thai Dance Shows at: 10.30am and 2pm.
History:
The Grand Palace was established in 1782 and it housed the royal residences, throne halls, government offices as well as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. It covers an area of 218,000 square metres and is 1900 metres in length. It was built after King Rama I's assention to the throne as the Palace had previously been located in Thonburi (then the capital of Thailand). King Rama I moved the capital to Bangkok and built the Grand Palace as his residence and government offices.
|
| | |
Canal (khlong) transport is the chosen method of getting to work and back home for some 60,000 thousand Thais. They don't take the boat for fun but do so because it is a very efficient, inexpensive and fast way to commute. But for tourists, taking a commuter canal boat can not only be a great way to get from A to B, it can also be great fun. Don't be put off by reviewers who say it is too dangerous. Sure, the water is filthy and the boats come into and leave the piers at quite a lick, so it's not suitable if you are carrying luggage or you are unsteady on your feet. But if you keep your wits about you it's safe enough, and well-worth the effort. You will see a side of Bangkok not possible by any other means of transport.
The main artery of the inner city commuter canal system is called Klong Saen Saap and runs from The Golden Mount (Poo Cow Tong) all the way to Bangkapi, a distance of some 18 kilometres. There are 23 stops on the route, many of them at road bridges. So if, for example you are staying in Cow Saan Rd, and you want to go to Jim Thomson's House get on the boat at Golden Mount and get off at Charoen Phon; if you want to do some shopping or catch a movie get off at Hua Chang (near Siam Bridge) and take a short stroll to some of the city's main shopping malls such as MBK, Paragon or Siam Centre. If you want to get to Sukhumvit Rd stay on the boat for another couple of stops; if you want to go to the Eastern Bus Station (Ekamai) ask the ticketman or a fellow passenger to tell you when you get to Prasan Mit, etc.
On your way you will sometimes see people swimming (believe it or not!), you will see into the shacks of the khlong people, some will wave to you, while others will go quietly about their chores, washing clothes, cooking, watching TV, feeding their children.
Be warned: The service starts quite early in the morning but shuts down at 8pm. Address: From Golden Mount to Bangkapi and beyondDirections: Runs through the centre of Bangkok from West to East
|
| | |
Visiting Bangkok?
Read reviews about Bangkok Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
Quite a head for a tip huh? For an inexpensive country like Thailand this is for those on a budget, and also for the ones who wanna buy too much. When changing money more than 4500 machines, included the ATM, can be used to withdraw cash. Banks or the more rare private money changers offer the best foreign-exchange rates. Most banks charge a 23THB commission and duty for each travellers cheque cashed ...
The best to change your money is at SUPER RICH. In the case you wanna win some and want to change a sum of money all at once (when thinking of a lot of changing you'll loose every time the charges) this place is the best rate!. Got this super rate by my brother who always wanna change US Dollars and Euro's (US$ = 15 Stang, Euros can be even only 10 Stang).
Aonther suggestion is VASU, near Nana SkyTrain Staion, it's located within a travelagency on the corner of Soi 7/1 and Sukhumvit, go to the back for money exchange. Note: dividing of Thai Baht in 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1000 notes, and coins of 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 Satang. Leave a Comment
|
| | |
After doing the rounds in Chatuchak we took a couple of cabs to get to the temples. This one, suggested by Suraphon, wasn't far from the palace, if I remember right. We would have gone to the palace if we had time but we didn't because by the time we got there it must have been around 3...almost closing time.
This temple has beautiful modern thai architecture with the signature gold trimmings on the windows, the roofs, and of course the buddhas. Leave a Comment
|
Ayuthaya is listed on many sites and books as a must see, so satisfy your urge, but please promise me you will not do so on a guided tour as I did, because my experience was very unsatisfying. First of all our tour guide, although nice, insisted on talking the whole time and he repeated EVERYTHING he said at least three times, I felt like I was in a twilight zone. Secondly we spent very little time in Ayutthaya and only visited a small amount of the temples, we saw none of the trees with carved faces and so on, it was mildly dissapointing. Afterwards we went to Bang Pa'in Palace, by far my least favorite tourist destination I have EVER BEEN!!!!! Basically the guided tour to Ayuthaya is one of my least favorite days traveling ever, right up there with the day I battled Montezuma's revenge in Montezuma, Costa Rica. GO and see it, but on your own accord, not on a tour!!!!!
|
| | |
Oh you simply MUST get a traditional Thai massage. There is nothing like it in the world, and this from a girl who gets a home massage at least once a month and visits a spa about once every 3 months. It is unbelievable and an experience you will never forget. I came out feeling brand new!
The Healthland Spa is the perfect place for this indulgement. It's a large luxurious establishment with 7 floors of private rooms and a very competent staff. It is open from 9am to 11pm. Leave a Comment
|
On our way to Wat Traimit from the water taxi stop we went wandering through the narrow alleys and markets of Chinatown. To see a real taste of Bankok I would now recommend this experience to anybody. The alleys are packed with stalls and people, and you will see fewer tourists round here (at least not many fereng).
If you want to do any shopping for gold while in Bangkok then the shops here may be your best bet. Leave a Comment
|
|
- Marriott Bangkok Resort N Spa
257 Charoennakorn Rd Samrae Thonburi, Bangkok - Grand Mercure Park Avenue
30 Sukhumvit Road Soi 22, Klongtoey, Bangkok - Conrad International Bangkok
87 Wireless Rd All Seasons Place, Phatumwan, Bangkok - Somerset Park Suanplu
39 Soi Suanplu, S Sathorn Rd, Bangkok - Intercontinental Bangkok Ex L
973 Ploenchit Road, Bangkok - The Menam Riverside Hotel
2074 Charoen Krung Road, Bangkok - Royal Princess Larn Luang (269 Larn Luang Road Pomprab )
269 Larn Luang Road Pomprab, Bangkok - Swissotel Nai Lert Park
2 Wireless Rd, Bangkok - Oriental
48 Oriental Ave, Bangkok - Centre Point Sukhumvit Thong Lo
304 Sukhumvit Soi 55, Bangkok - Conrad Bangkok
87 Wireless Rd All Seasons Place, Phatumwan, Bangkok - Shangri La Hotel
89 Soi Wat Suan Plu New Road, Bangrak, Bangkok - Swissotel Le Concorde Bangkok
204 Ratchadapisek Road Huay Kwang, Bangkok - Holiday Inn Bangkok
971 Ploenchit Rd, Pathumwan (formerly President Hotel Bangkok), Bangkok - Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel And Towers
2 Charoen Krung Road Soi 30 (Captain Bush Lane), Siphya, Bangrak, Bangkok
|
on January 14, 2006
on July 6, 2007
on June 24, 2008
on April 15, 2007
on October 21, 2006
on February 3, 2003
on May 25, 2008
on April 21, 2007
on July 21, 2004
