Thing to see at Bangkok yai & Bangrak District
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Wat Arun
Make sure you set aside one late afternoon to
see and photograph this imposing sight at sunset with the
Chao Phraya River in the foreground. These photographs will
bring back beautiful memories of Bangkok. The temple was
built during the Ayutthaya period and was originally called
“Wat Makok” after the name of the local village “Tambol
Bangmakok.” Meaning “Village of Olives”. Wat Arun gets its
name from “Aruna”, the Indian god of the dawn, hence its
common name “The Temple of Dawn”. The location of the temple
is in the area that used to be occupied by the palace of
King Taksin who re-established the Siamese Kingdom after
the fall of Ayuttaya more than two hundred years ago. The
main Buddha image is believed to have been designed by King
Rama II. Wat Arun, often called “The Temple of Dawn”, is
one of the most remarkable visual identities of Bangkok.
The imposing Khmer-style “prang” or tower is 104 metres
tall and decorated with bits of porcelain that was used
as ballast by boats coming from China. It is surrounded
by four smaller “prangs”. Construction of the “prangs” were
started by King Rama II and completed by King Rama II. The
central balcony is an ideal spot for looking across the
river to The Grand Palace and The Temple of The Emerald
Buddha. Each year at the end of the three-month lent period
for Buddhist monks, H. M. The King or his appointed representative
travels down river in a Royal Barge Procession to present
new robes to the monks. This ceremony is called “Royal Tod
Kathin”.
How to get there: Bus routes 19, 57, 83
Open daily: 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Admission fee: Baht 20
Contact: Tel: 02-4655640
Chao
Phraya River Cruise
“The River of Kings”
The Chao Phraya River is the most important waterway in
Thailand. Boats of all sizes ply this river ranging from
huge container ships that berth at Klong Toey Port to small
dugouts. Its most recognized water transporters are the
rice barges and the long-tail boats. Then there are cross
river ferries and the river express boats serving as water-born
buses bringing commuters to the city from as far up-river
as Nonthaburi. A cruise on the Chao Phraya River gives you
a new perspective on Bangkok as you pass by the imposing
Prangs of Wat Arun, the majestic Grand Palace and the Temple
of The Emerald Buddha.
You’ll see a different side of commerce as huge lines of rice barges are towed by a small tugboat and other barges carrying cargo as diverse as sand and gravel, even soft drinks and beer. There are a number of ways you can experience life on the river. You can take a voyage on a luxuriously converted rice barge leaving from Bangkok on a leisurely journey all the way up to the ancient capital at Ayutthaya. There are also purpose-built luxury cruisers making the same trip. Or you can see the river life the same way the locals do by catching a river express boat. There are converted rice barges and Chinese junks that offer lunch and dinner cruises. The evening dinner cruise can be particularly romantic, sipping fine wine at a candle-lit table.
For those who want a more budget-priced journey, there are small river boats that are available for hire by the hour.
Rare
Stone Museum
This is a train museum where steam engines, train
models, and miniature trains are exhibited along with the
story of world railway systems. It is located on the western
side of Chatuchak Park adjacent to Kamphaeng Phet Road.
Open : Sat. - Sun. from 5 a.m. - 12 a.m.
Admission : Free
Tel : 01-6155776
Silom
Road
The heart of business of the country
Like so much of Bangkok, Silom Road is a street of contrasts.
The glass-clad office towers are populated by bankers, investors,
corporate lawyers and the like, while on the kerbside there
are young people selling cheap clothing and trinkets. Starting
at the southern end, you’ll find the “The Gem Capital of
The World” where there are many jewellery shops and out
of sight in the offices, gem traders from around the world
are negotiating with their Thai counterparts. In this area
there is also a Indian temple where devotees stage colourful
festivals according to their Hindu gods. The mid-section
of Silom Road is mainly office buildings with some more
jewellery shops, handicrafts and bronzeware shops.
There is a small lane beside the Bangkok Bank headquarters building called Soi La Lai Sap which becomes very crowded at lunchtime as the female office workers shop for inexpensive cosmetics and clothes. There are also stall where they have their midday meal.
On the northern end there are more office blocks and some department stores as well as many international fast food restaurants. And of course more curbside vendors selling fried bananas. The last side street on the northern end is Soi Thaniya which is like a “Little Tokyo” with its many bars and restaurants catering to an exclusive Japanese clientele.
How to get there: Sky train to Saladaeng Station. Subway to Silom Station. Bus routes 15, 76, 77, 163, 164, 177, 504, 514, 547
Science
Centre for Education
Situated next to the Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekkamai) on Sukhumvit
Road, this is an exhibition centre on a variety of scientific
knowledge. Among the attractions are a planetarium, an aquarium
as well as permanent exhibitions of sports science, communication
technology and natural environment.
Opening Hours: Exhibition: From Tue to Sun (except public
holidays) from 8.30 a.m. - 4.30 p.m.
Planetariam: 1-hour shows at 11 a.m. and 2.30 p.m. Additional
shows on Sat & Sun at 10 a.m. and 1.30 p.m.
Admission : Exhibition and Planetariam - Adult 40 baht,
Child 20 baht
Tel : 02-3925951 - 9
Source: Information by Tourism Authority of Thailand
