|
Bangkok, while relatively a young capital,
is an exhibition of extremes and transition. With towering skyscrapers
and a colorful mix of markets and hushed golden temples, visitors to
Bangkok never run short of new nooks to explore and venues for photo
opportunities.
Travelers on a budget usually head for the Banglamphu district,
which is just a short walk from the dazzling Grand Palace and Wat Po
and the very expansive National Museum. For a little bit of
adventure, visitors may explore the dark alleys of Chinatown's bazaars
or head for the water: the great Chao Phraya River is the
backbone of a network of canals and a useful way of crossing the city.
Places to Visit in Bangkok:
 Temples
and Traditions
First on every Bangkok visitor’s list are the temples. Bangkok's
dazzling temples are a unique part of the capital's heart and soul. No
visit is ever complete without having visited at least two of the many
grand temples in Bangkok. Being a sacred place, the dress code is
strictly conservative. No shorts, or revealing tops, otherwise you
simply won't be allowed in. This applies particularly to Wat Phra
Kaeo (inside the Grand Palace.)
Must Visit Temples: Wat Phra Kaeo (Temple of the Emerald Buddha),
Wat Arun (temple of Dawn), Wat Po (Temple of the Reclining Buddha), Wat
Mahathat, Wat Traimit, Wat Saket (Temple of the Golden Mount), Wat Sutat
(Great Swing)
 Palaces
Bangkok's heritage is reflected in its palaces and mansions. The city
has quite a wealth of palaces that are grandly built and sumptuously
decorated. Bangkok's number one attraction, The Grand Palace is one of
the most magnificent examples of this.
 The
Waterways
Water has always been known to be the center of civilizations. As with
Bangkok, much of the city’s history evolved along the banks of the Chao
Phraya River and the adjoining canals. While no longer the "Venice of
the East" as described by early visitors, Bangkok's waterways still
breathe life into the city.
 Museums
Bangkok’s exhibitions are not only on the inside but also on the
outside. With some structures of stunning architectural detail, some of
Bangkok's museums are housed in buildings, which are just as interesting
as the contents. For example is Kamthieng House, a former 19th
rice farmer's teak house offers an glimpse of Thai life rural in the
past while The Royal Barge Museum offers an insight into a unique Thai
tradition.
 The
Ancient City
Monuments, traditional houses, and temples, taken from Thailand's past,
and reproduced with lots of detail, give you a feel for the Siam of
hundred years ago. Many are almost as big as the originals. Other
attractions include a street full of old handicraft stalls, royal
barges, a sculpture garden and an old market town.
A Few Oddball Places
Thai hospitality includes that eagerness to please tourists and deliver
on expectations. Hence, here are a few places which, though not exactly
of popular taste, may appeal to those with “eccentric” interests.
Forensic Museum
If you're into weird, macabre, and gut-wrenchingly eerie, this is it. To
be found here are preserved corpses of convicted killers like Thailand's
most famous mass murderer See-Uey, the Chinese cannibal.
Also exhibited are murder weapons, a stomach churning exhibition of
autopsy photos and glass jars in containing stillborn children preserved
in formaldehyde. Close to museums of anatomy, parasitology, medical
history, and anthropology. The Museum of Anatomy next door, in an old
1930's building contains a very close up and personal look at the human
body. Visited by medical students it's fascinating in a weird kind of
way.
Location: 2nd floor, Adulaydejvigrom Building, behind Siriraj Hospital,
Phrannok Road.
Open Mon-Fri, 9 am-4 pm.
Admission Free
Corrections Museum
Definitely not for the faint hearted. The prison that once housed author
Warren Fellows "The Damage Done," has just a few watchtowers and a few
cells, but the museum's tableaux of past prison activities and execution
methods is a pretty grisly experience. There always was that adage of
“different strokes for different folks.”
Location: Banglamphu - Romanee Lert Park
Ten minutes from Golden Mount
Mon-Fri - 8:30am - 4:00pm
|
