Dusit and Ratchatewi District
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Dusit Zoo has a very good collection of animals from around
the world. It is ideal for a family outing or just for those
who would like to know more about animal behaviour. The
Dusit Zoo was established in 1938 and covers an area of
118 rai in the Dusit District of Bangkok. Under the administration
of The Zoological Organization under the Royal Patronage
of H.M. The King, it welcomes more than 2,500,000 visitors
a year. It takes care of over 1,000 birds and nearly 2,000
animals. Major sections include a Nocturnal Animals Exhibit
where you can see how they live in the night- time environment.
The Reptiles and Amphibians Center has more than 70 species.
There is a special Children’s Zoo where youngsters can have
contact with small animals that are of interest to children.
You can learn about animal behaviour at the Animal Presentation
area including how they live in their respective environments.
Visitors can witness and
experience
the animals in person. For having more fun, there is playground
where children can really enjoy themselves on amusement
rides. There are other more sedate rides available on the
lake.
Getting there: Bus routes 18, 28, 70,
108, 510, 515, 539, 542
Opening Hours: Daily from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Admission : Adult 30 baht, Child 5 baht
Tel : 02-2812000, 02-2827111-3
The Ananda Samakhom Throne
Hall
The Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall is the beautiful white building
facing the Royal Plaza where the statue of H.M. King Chulalongkorn
(Rama V) stands. In 1906, His Majesty commissioned the construction
of a new Throne Hall within the grounds of the Dusit Palace.
The name Ananda Samakhom was taken from a previous building
that had deteriorated and was no longer usable. The foundation
stone was placed by His Majesty King Chulalongkorn on the
occasion of the 40th anniversary of his ascension to the
throne.
The
design and construction was supervised by Chao Phraya Yommaraj,
with a team of Italian architects, engineers and painters.
It took nine years to complete the building, which is designed
in Italian Renaissance style. The exterior is decorated
with marble imported from Carrara in Italy. As beautiful
as the exterior is, it is the exquisite paintings inside
that really take your breath away. These paintings, by Mr.
C. Riguli and Prof. G. Chini, trace the history of the Chakri
Dynasty from Kings Rama I to Rama VI. The north side dome
is painted to depict King Rama I on his return from a battle
in a neighboring country, while the eastern dome has paintings
of Kings Rama II and Rama III and their support for the
arts.
Getting there: Bus routes 70, 72, 503
Open Hours: Daily from 9.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (except public
holidays)
Admission : 50 baht (proper attire is essential)
Tel : 02-628 6300 ext. 5119 – 5121
The Equestrian Statue
of King Rama V the Great
Established in 1908 in the reign of King Rama V with a fund
raised by the Thai people, the statue was cast in Paris
by a French craftsman. The remaining fund was spent by King
Rama VI on the establishment of “Chulalongkorn University”,
which was named after King Rama V.
Open : Daily
Admission : Free
The Press Museum
Located in the same building as the Press Association
of Thailand on Ratchasima Road, Dusit district (opposite
Suan Dusit Rajabhat University), this is the first museum
to have been established to enhance press occupation and
be a source of study and information as well as valuable
historical data about the Thai press from past to present.
The exhibition is displayed through modern information technology.
The first portion presents the press in the past by imitating
the working atmosphere of reporters represented by wax models.
Next are the political, economic as well as social roles
of the press and biographies of outstanding personalities
such as Dr. Bradley, Prince Narathipphongpraphan, M.R. Kukrit
Pramoj, Kularb Saipradit, Malai Choopinij and Isra Amantakul.
There are also images of King Rama IV– founder of Thailand’s
publishing business established to publish declarations
and royal gazettes, the first newspaper for Thai people
– and King Rama VI – a press king who granted freedom for
newspaper publication. The museum features an exhibition
on newspapers and magazines and provides a library service,
as well.
Opening Hours: Mon. – Fri. from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Advance
contact is required)
Admission : Free Tel : 02-6697124 – 6 Fax : 02-2415929
Vimanmek Palace
An outstanding example of 19th century architecture. While
admiring the craftmanship of the carpenters, you will travel
back through time to gain a rare insight into the lifestyle
of royalty.
Vimanmek
Mansion, the principal building in the palace compound,
was built for King Rama V on land he named “The Dusit Garden”
located between Padung Krungkasem and Samsen canals. The
completion was celebrated on March 27, 1901 and King RamaV
took up residence until 1906. The mansion was originally
his Summer Palace, the Munthaturaltanaroj Residence, on
Sri Chang Island. It was dismantled and re-built at the
present location under the supervision of HRH Prince Narissaranuwaddhiwongse.
The three-storey Vimanmek Mansion is the largest golden
teak building in the world, built in an architectural style
that reflects European influences. There are two right-angled
wings, each 60 metres long and 20 metres high. The section
where The King resided is octagonal and has four storeys.
The mansion has 81 rooms, halls and ante-chambers. Following
King Rama V moving to Amporn Satarn Mansion in 1906, Vimanmek
Mansion was un-occupied until 1925 when King Rama VI gave
permission for his wife, HRH Indharasaksaji to take up residence
there. She stayed there until his death. For the next 50
years it was used as just a storage area for the Bureau
of the Royal Household until 1982 when HRH Queen Sirikit
initiated its restoration as a museum to commemorate King
Rama V. Today, there are 31 exhibition rooms. Exhibits include
a silverware room, ceramic display room, glassware and ivory
display. Some of the rooms have been preserved to retain
the atmosphere of the earlier era, particularly the bedrooms,
bathrooms and the Audience Chamber. Other buildings in the
compound also house displays of various artifacts and precious
art objects.
Getting there: Bus Routes 18, 28, 108, 510, 515
Opening Hours: Open to the public everyday from 9.30 am.
To 3.15 pm.
Admission Fee: Baht 100. If you have visited The Grand Palace
on the same day you will have also received an entrance
ticket to Vimanmek Palace which is valid.
Contact: Telephone: 02-6286300 – 9
Bangkok
Dolls & Museum
Bangkok Dolls have won several awards for their
creations. A single-storey workshop and Doll Museum in the
Chandavimol family compound at 85 Soi Ratchataphan (Soi
Mo Leng) in Bangkok’s Makkasan district is the magnet for
several visitors who wish to inspect these miniature creations
in all their wondrous variety.
Open : Mon - Sat from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission : Free
Tel : 0 2245 3008
Geological Resource Museum
(Minerals and Rocks Museum)
Located on the first floor of the Emerald Building next
to the Department of Mineral Resources on Rama VI Road,
the museum is attached to the Bureau of Geological Survey,
Department of Mineral Resources, and was established in
1948. It exhibits minerals, rocks, fossils as well as ancient
tools made from minerals and rocks in 3 sections: 1. Geology,
featuring the Earth, plate movements, earthquakes, minerals
and rocks, geological surveys, ground water and fossils;
2. Mineral Resources, displaying specimens of gemstones
and precious stones, uses of minerals, mineral fuels, petroleum
and minerals from abroad; 3. Special Exhibition, currently
showcasing dinosaur fossils in Thailand. The museum is open
on weekdays during 9 a.m.-4.30 p.m. Admission is free but
advance contact in writing addressed to the Director-General
of the Department of Mineral Resources is required.
Open : Mon to Fri from 8.30 a.m. - 4.30 p.m.
Admission : Free
Tel : 0 2202 3669, 0 2202 3670 Fax 0 2202 3754
Pratunam
Pratunam is one of the older shopping areas in Bangkok that
has a highly-deserved reputation among bargain shoppers.
Passing through the area, you will see many shops on the main roads. But the real activity is in the market hidden behind the stalls and shops. Here you’ll find a huge variety of low cost clothes, fashion accessories, shoes, watches, electronic gadgets and all sorts of souvenirs. It is usually very congested as there are many eager shoppers looking for their bargains. Pratunam is the location for Thailand’s tallest building, the Baiyok Tower. This is the major wholesale center for the garment trade. It is very popular with minor and major international traders, particularly those from Africa. There is even an African restaurant nearby. Bargain hunters looking for good deals on computers, accessories and software flock to Pantip Plaza, which is now known throughout the world for its low prices.
How to get there: Bus routes 2, 11, 23, 60, 62, 72, 93,
140, 511, 512
Suan
Pakkad Palace
A visit to this exquisite collection of traditional Thai
homes, set in beautiful gardens, gives you an insight into
the appreciation of art and gardening by members of the
Royal Family.
Named after the cabbage patch (Suan Pakkad) which used to
occupy this land, it was built as a weekend resort by HRH
Prince Chombhotpong Paripatra of Nagor Svarga and his consort,
Mom Ratchawong Pantip. They took up permanent residence
there after World War II. The compound contains seven traditional
houses that display the diverse art collection assembled
by these connoisseurs. Images of the Thai Royal Family,
model boats, drums and religious artifacts are displayed
in House 1.
The reception area of House 2 exhibits personal items such
as ivory boxes and bowls inlaid with mother-of pearl. Lovers
of Thai musical instruments will be impressed by the collection
in House 3 which also has a palanquin, nielloware and ceramics.
Princess Chumbhot’s extensive mineral collection is on show
in House 4, while House 5 has examples of Ban Chiang pottery.
The Sukhothai era is depicted with ceramics, earthenware
utensils and figurines in House 6.
The
theatrical aspect of Thailand is on display at the Khon
Museum is House 7. This exhibit includes Khon masks, costumes,
accessories and a model of a troupe performing the Ramakien.
Other displays and exhibitions are in the Lacquer Pavilion
and the Marasi Gallery which also has an information system
on Ban Chiang art and culture.
How to get there: Bus routes 14, 17, 38, 77
BTS Skytrain : Phaya Thai station.
Open : Daily from 9 am. - 4 pm.
Admission : 100 baht
Tel : 02-2454934, 02-2461775-6
Victory Monument
The monument is situated on Phahonyothin Road.
It was constructed in 1941 under the premiership of Field
Marshal Plaek Pibulsongkhram in order to praise the heroic
deeds of soldiers, policemen and civilians who sacrificed
their lives in a dispute between Thailand and France on
the demarcation between Thailand and other Indochinese nations.
The dispute ended with a compromise being agreed by the
two parties, and 59 casualties. Victory Monument was, therefore,
established as a memorial to their bravery.
Open : Daily
Admission : Free
Thai Labour Museum
This
museum is located at the former office of the State Railway
of Thailand Labour Union on Nikhom Rotfai Road, Makkasan,
Ratchathewi. It exhibits a historical background of Thai
labour in 7 rooms: Room 1, slave labour and corvée system
– the foundation of ancient Thai society – presenting the
history of Thai labour since ancient times; Room 2, Chinese
coolies - early hire workers - featuring their way of life;
Room 3, labour and the country’s reforms in the reign of
King Rama V – a major transitional period in Thai history;
Room 4, labourers and the 1932 Revolution – labourers before
and after the revolution; Room 5, from World War to the
Cold War – Thai labour under critical situations during
World War II and the Cold War; Room 6, from the 14 October
uprising to the economic crisis – life of Thai workers during
the pro-democracy period, women and child labour, truck
drivers and boxers; Room 7, labour artist Chit Phumisak
– dedicated to Chit Phumisak, a significant thinker and
intellectual. The exhibition in each room is displayed through
various media such as television, slides and computer, which
make it more interesting and easier to understand. The museum
also provides a library service with books and research
reports about labourers and computer training for workers.
Open : Wed - Sun from 10 a.m. – 4.30 p.m. (except Mon –
Tue and national holidays)
Admission : Free
Gem and Jewellery Institute
of Thailand
Located at the Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University
Pathumwan, the institute was established to help develop
and support the gem and jewellery industry of Thailand.
It is dedicated to the collection, preservation, study and
display of gems, jewellery and gemmological equipment. There
are also gem identification services and library.
Museum : open on Mon-Fri from 9 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.
Admission : 100 baht
Tel : 0 2218 5470-4 ext.24, 0 2652 5252
www.git.or.th
Jim
Thompson's Museum
This exquisite collection of traditional Thai house stands
as a museum to the man who revived the Thai silk industry
after the Second World War.
The story of James H.W. Thompson is one upon legends are made. After serving in the U.S.A. armed forces, Jim Thompson settled in Thailand and found the tremendous opportunity to re-establish the Thai silk industry. In recognition of his services to the country, he was bestowed the royal award of “The Order of the White Elephant”.
The company he founded, Jim Thompson
Thai Silk, is recognized worldwide for its brilliant creations.
He was an avid collector Asian artefacts and antiques and
The Jim Thompson's House is possibly the epitome of his
collection.
Before
his mysterious disappearance in the Cameron Highland in
Malaysia in 1967, his house was the “talk of the town” where
he entertained his friends and visitors including the like
of Somerset Maugham.
The house sits on approximately a half acre of land on Mahanak Canal. Ban Khrua village where his silk weavers lived and worked. Is just on the other side of the canal. To build the house he gathered 6 original traditional teak structure from different parts of the country and brought carpenter from Ayutthaya who completed the house in 1959.
The gardens are equally impressive with a lush tropical jungle imitating nature’s haphazard beauty right in the center of the city.
Jim Thompson’s connoisseur collection of antiques and artifacts is on permanent exhibition, making this a magnificent museum of the lifestyle of the legend.
How to get there: BTS Skytrain to National
Stadium Station
Bus routes 15, 32, 39, 53, 59, 70, 80, 82
Open daily: 9.00 am. to 5.00 pm.
Admission fee: Adult 100 baht, Child 50 baht.
Contact: Tel: 0 2216 7368 www.jimthompson.com
King Rama VI Statue
Located in front of Lumphini Park, the statue was sculpted
by Professor Corado Feroci, or Silpa Bhirasri as he was
called by his Thai name, who gave it a final touch on 7
June, 1941. It was open on 27 March, 1942.
Open : Daily
Admission : Free
Lumphini
Park
The green zone in the city
This is where businessmen, tourists and Bangkok residents
come to jog. Older folks practice their Tai Chi while others
just relax in the fresh environment.
Lumphini Park was originally an open
field called “Sala Field”, the private property of King
Rama VI. In 1925 he donated it to the nation as the first
public park. The name “Lumphini” comes from the birthplace
of Lord Buddha. The park was used as a fair ground and as
the site for The Siamrath Phiphithapan Trade Fair held to
promote Thai products.
Covering an area of 58 hectares, Lumphini Park has so much
to offer visitors right in the center of the city. The lush,
green lawns are ideal for family picnics, while the two
lakes have paddle and rowing boats for rent. Throughout
the park there are vendors selling cool drinks and snacks.
For the literary minded, there is a public library located
within the park. Another way to exercise the brain is to
sit at one of the many tables that are used for playing
oriental board games such as checkers and Chinese chess.
During the cooler months of the year,
December and January, there are free concerts titled “Sundays
in the park.” These concerts feature a whole range of musical
entertainment from The Bangkok Symphony Orchestra to rock
bands, traditional ensembles and Thai country music called
“ Luk Tung”. The performances start at 5.00 p.m. and seating
is on mats on the grass. The early bird gets the best position.
How to get there: BTS Sky Train to Saladaeng Station, Subway
to Lumphini Station.
Bus routes 4,13, 22, 45, 47, 141
Open : Daily 5 am. - 8 pm.
Admission : Free
Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute
(Snake Farm)
The Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute is a popular
attraction for both tourists and scientists, right in the
heart of Bangkok. Here you can see some very venomous snakes
actually doing good for the community.
Thailand is the habitat for many varieties of venomous snakes as well as harmless species. Under the auspices of the Thai Red Cross Society, the snake farm was established and officially opened on November 22, 1923 to extract venom from the snakes in order to study and develop anti-venom serum to treat snake bite victims.
The poisonous snakes that are indigenous to Thailand are cobra, king cobra, banded krait, Russell’s viper, some pit vipers and sea snakes. These venomous snakes are provided by Thai farmers who are also snake catchers by profession. The snake farm pays them according to species and size.
The normal procedure for extracting the venom is through the use of a glass receptacle with a membrane cover. The snake handler holds the snake just behind the head and places the glass receptacle for the snake to bite into the membrane. The venom flows into the glass receptacle. The venom is then used to make the vaccines.
Visitors can see the extraction of the venom at scheduled times and wander through the breeding and holding areas to see the venomous snakes close at hand.
How to get there: BTS Skytrain to Saladaeng Station,
Subway to Samyan Station
Bus routes 4, 45, 47, 50, 67, 74, 76, 141, 501
Open : Mon. - Fri. from 8.30 a.m. - 4.30 p.m., Sat., Sun.
and Public Holidays from 8.30 a.m. - 12 noon.
Venom extraction : Mon. - Fri. at 11 a.m. and 2.30 p.m.
holidays at 11 a.m.
Slide presentation in Enlish : 30 minutes before venom extraction.
Admission : 70 Baht
Tel : 0 2252 0161-4
Shopping Street - Siam Square to Chidlom
Bangkok’s
Fashion City
This is the major shopping area of Bangkok. It is very popular
with tourists and Thais, particularly young, fashion-conscious
Thai girls. The area started to develop around Siam Square
in the late sixties when Chulalongkorn University utilized
its land bank adjacent to the university.
Since then, it has continued to progress with new shopping centers being built even now. Starting from the Pathumwan junction it stretches all the way to Wireless Road.
The original development, Siam Square, is particularly popular with university students and young Thai’s who have just started their business careers. There is a well-used phrase on mobile phone calls “Meet you at Siam”. Opposite Siam Square is Siam Center which was the first western-style air-conditioned shopping complex in Thailand. Now this area has many other shopping complexes.
The next section in this area is around the Ratchadamri and Ratchaprasong intersection where there are a selection of 5-star hotels and major shopping complexes catering for the more up-market shoppers. Many of the world’s leading fashion designers have boutiques in this locale.
The Central World Plaza is the largest complex in this area and the site for Bangkok’s New Year Countdown celebrations. During the cooler months of November to January, the major breweries sponsor the setting up of beer gardens on the plaza in front.
The last point on this Fashion City map is Central Chidlom, another upmarket department store. This is at the Chidlom and Lang Suan intersection. Soi Lang Suan has many
condominiums and a variety of restaurants and bars catering
to the more affluent members of society.
How to get there: Skytrain to Siam or Chidlom Stations
Bus routes 2, 15, 16, 21, 25, 29, 34, 40, 45, 47, 50, 54,
73, 79, 93, 141, 163, 204, 508, 511, 513
Siam
Ocean World
The Siam Ocean World, a world class aquarium in downtown
Bangkok, will be open in November 2005. The project will
be the South East Asia largest aquarium at 10,000 square
metres (the size of two football fields). Holding 4 million
litres of water, it will feature huge sharks, stingrays
and groupers along with penguins, exotic typical fish, a
huge rain forest display and many weird and wonderful marine
animals. For more information, call 0 2687 2000 or visit
http://www.siamoceanworld.com
Museum of Imaging Technology
The first camera and photograph museum established
in Thailand and Asia, is located at the same building as
the Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University on Phaya
Thai Road. Historic photographs and imaging equipment, as
well as its technological evolution are collected and displayed.
Modern photographic arts, techniques and printing technology
are also exhibited.
Open : Mon - Fri from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Admission : 100 baht.
Tel : 0 2218 5581-3 www.chula.ac.th
Suan Lum Night Bazaar
A
fun place to shop and dine
The Suan Lum Night Bazaar is a great place for an inexpensive
night out that offers fabulous shopping, restaurant or food
court dining, live entertainment and a superb choice of
beers.
The shopping area is well laid out with neat streets lined on both sides with shops selling clothes, handicrafts, souvenirs, and a myriad of other items. There are alleyways between the main streets, which are crammed with smaller stalls offering great bargains. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at what you might find here. Spread throughout the complex, are many restaurants and bars. The range of cuisine is quite extensive including Thai and Chinese seafood, Indian, Japanese and German.
As you wander along the main street, you’ll see The Joe Louis Puppet Theatre. This is truly unique. This is a puppet theatre presenting performances of the ”Ramakien”. With three puppeteers manipulating each puppet. They are in full view of the audience and even come off the stage.
The main attraction at Suan Lum Night Bazaar is the huge beer garden and food court covering an area about the size of two football fields. On three sides there are stall selling a delicious variety of food cooked before your eyes. There are also beer stalls on the right hand side offering all the local beers, many imported brands and some local brews from micro breweries in Bangkok and Chiang Mai.
The center piece is a large stage where the latest lacal and foreign hit songs are performed by a variety of singers with their back up dancers. Great entertainment for free. All the food and drink stalls operate on a coupon system so it is easy to keep track of your spending.
How to get there: Suan Lum Night Bazaar
is on the corner of Wireless and RamaIV Roads. There is
a Subway Station at Lumpini and the nearest BTS Skytrain
station is Saladaeng.
Bus routes 4, 13, 14, 17, 22, 43, 45, 46, 47, 50, 62, 76,
109, 115, 116, 149, 173
Sukhumvit Road
Where
the foreigners live and hang out. Sukhumvit Road runs
all the way from the railway crossing at Ploenchit to the
Cambodian Border in Trat. But the section from the first
soi to Soi 55 is the one relevant to this presentation as
it has much to offer visitors and locals alike.
There are restaurants all the way along Sukhumvit Road and in just about every side street. These cover just about every cuisine known to man. The area around Soi Nana at the beginning of Sukhumvit Road has many restaurants, particularly those serving Middle Eastern and Indian cuisine. This area is also well-known for its lively bar scene.
There are many hotels ranging from 5-star to cheaper establishment in the area from Soi Nana to Asoke Road. There are also a variety of international fast food restaurants as well as those serving French, Italian, Japanese and Korean in addition to Thai and Thai-Chinese meals. Another street of bars, Soi Cowboy, is just past Asoke Road.
The restaurants and hotels continue up
Sukhumvit Road and all the side streets. There is a beautiful
park, Benchasiri Park, just before you reach The Emporium,
yet another high class shopping center. The condominiums
in this area have a high number of expatriate Japanese families
residing here, so there are more Japanese restaurants and
bars in this locale. Some call it “Little Tokyo”.
Soi 55, also known as Soi Thonglor, is another street of
restaurants and shops catering to the well-to-do. Opposite
the entrance to Soi Thonglor on Sukhumvit Road, is a small
soi that fills up at night with a multitude of food vendors
and their carts serving supper into the early morning.
How to get there: BTS Skytrain has many stations. Subway
Sukhumvit Station Bus routes 2, 23, 25, 38, 40, 48, 71,
98, 501, 508, 511, 513
Source: Information by Tourism Authority of Thailand
