WHERE TO GO IN BANGKOK 9 ‘Must Visit’ Temples (preferrably in one day) 1. Wat Chana Songkram (วดชนะสงครามั ราชวรมหาวหาริ ): Cha4-na4 Song5-kraam1 means ‘to win a war’. Thus, it is believed that visiting this temple will help you overcome all the obstacles in your life. The temple is on the Chakrapong Road, and is opened from 8am to 4pm everyday. 2. Bangkok City Pillar Shrine (ศาลหลกเมั องื ): The pillar symbolises the establishment of the community. It is believed that visiting Saan Lak Mueang will remove all the bad luck and make your life well-established. The shrine is on the Lak Mueng Road, opposite Sanam Luang and is opened from 5.30am to 7.30pm. 3. Temple of Emerald Buddha (วดพระศรั รี ตนศาสดาั ราม): Also known as Wat Pra Kaew. The Emerald Buddha is known to be the most revered Buddha image in Thailand, and is the figure of Bangkok. Visit of this temple is believed to bring you wealth. The temple situates inside the Grand Palace and is opened from 8.30am to 3.30pm each day, apart from when a royal ceremony is taken place inside. (A visit early on Sunday is likely to guarantee your entrance though.) 4. Wat Po (วดพระเชตั พนวุ มลมิ งคลารามั ราชวรมหาวหาริ ): contains the longest golden-plated Reclining Buddha in Thailand (46 metres in length). It is sometimes regarded as the first public university in Thailand, as temples are main centres for education in the past. A visit is believed to bring you peace. The temple is on Sanamchai Road, and is opened 8 to 4 everyday. 5. Wat Suthat (วัดสทุ ศนั เทพวราราม ราชวรมหาวหาริ ): is renowed for the 19th century painting in the main Chapel. Su2-tad4 means good vision. Thus, a visit is believed to bring you that. The temple is just opposite the City Hall and the Giant Swing, and is opened 8 to 4 each day. 6. Chaopor Suea Chinese Temple (ศาลเจาพ อเส อื ): is one of the three main Chinese temples in Bangkok, dedicated to a deity in disguised of a tiger (suea5). A visit is believed to bring you power and authority. The temple is on Tanao Road and is opened from 8 to 4. An early visit is recommended. 7. Wat Rakhang (วัดระฆงโฆษั ิตาราม วรมหาวหาริ ): was built during the Ayutthaya Era. Its miniature Buddha Image is very well-known and can be found on the necklace of many Thai Buddhists. A visit is likely to bring you respect from other peopl. It is on Arun-Amarin Road, on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. The temple is opened each day 8 to 4. 8. Temple of Dawn (วดอรั ณราชวรารามุ ราชวรมหาวหาริ ): also known as Wat Arun, is best known for a porcelain encrusted 79 metre central pagoda which sparkles in the sun. It is also on Arun-Amarin Road, but is usually reached by speedboat from the opposite bank (Ta3 Dtian1). It is, again, opened everyday from 8 to 4. A visit is believe to bring ‘brightness’ to your life. 9. Wat Kanlayanamit (วัดกลยาณมั ตริ วรมหาวหาริ ): is also best approached by speedboat. The largest bell in Thailand can be found in this temple. A visit is believed to give you a good journey home, wherever you believe your home is. It is opened everyday from 8 to 4. University of Warwick Thai Society Thai Language and Culture Course Other Recommended Temples to Visit Marble Temple (วดเบญจมบพั ิตร ดสุ ตวนารามิ ): sometimes known as Wat Benja. The central chapel was built in a square shape and is covered with marble, containing 52 Buddha images of different styles. The temple was constructed by the order of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). The word ben1-ja2 means ‘five’. It situates on Nakornpathom Road. Wat Saket (วัดสระเกศ ราชวรมหาวหาริ ): is renowned for its ‘golden mount’ or poo1-kao5 tong1, which dated from the 19th century. A Lanka-style chedi on the top contains relics of Lord Buddha and offers a panoramic view of historic Bangkok. It is opened from 8 to 5.40 daily. Wat Ratchanadda (วัดราชนัดดาราม วรวหาริ ): is famous for the lo1- ha2-pra1-saat2, a Burmese-style chapel tower built in cast iron, being one of the only three of a kind in the world. The temple is located opposite the Golden Mount, next to Laan Pubpla Maha Jessada Bodin. More information on temples in Bangkok can be found at http://www.dhammathai.org/watthai/watthai_e.php Other Recommended Places Grand Palace (พระบรมมหาราชวงั ): ‘Phra Borom Maha Rajawang’ was built to be the centre of Bangkok at the start of the city in 1782. It was used as the main palaces for Their Majesty Kings Rama I, II and III. The main highlights are the Chakkri Maha Prasat Mansion and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The Grand Palace is opened for tourists everyday from 8.30 to 3.30, with an entry fee of 250 baht. Jatujak Weekend Market (ตลาดนัดจตจุ กรั ): is a very popular weekend market, both for tourists and the Thais, with over 8,000 shops and stalls selling broad range of goods, especially souvenirs and crafts, in very comfortable prices. The market is on Pahonyothin Road and is opened from 7 to 6 on the weekends. Royal Barges Museum (อเรู อพระราชพื ธิ )ี : ‘Oo Reua Phra Raj Pitee’ contains all barges/boats used by the Kings and the Royal Family for over 200 years, including the famous Narai Songsuban as exhibited during the 2003 APEC summit in Bangkok. The museum is on Arun Amarin Road and is opened from 9 to 5 each day, except during the New Year and Songkran Festival. Giant Swing (เสาชงชิ า): Sao Ching Cha was used for a Hindu annual ceremony of Tri Yampawai in the whole of 19th century. It situates on Barungmueang Road, just in front of the Bangkok City Hall. Democracy Monument (อนสาวรุ ยี ประชาธ ปไตยิ ): ‘Anusawaree Prachatipatai’ is 3-metre high, in a shape of four bayonets around in protection of the constitution. It was built in remembrance of the Coup d’Etat on 24 June 1932, when the King’s authoritarian power was removed by a bloodless coup, turning Siam into a democratic country. Wimanmek Royal Mansion (พระทนี่ งวั่ มานเมฆิ ): was the main Royal Residence of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). It is the largest known Royal Mansion on earth to be built with golden teak. It is opened for visitors from 9.30 to 4. The admission fee is 100 baht. University of Warwick Thai Society Thai Language and Culture Course Dusit Zoo (สวนสัตวด สุ ติ ): or usually known as Suansat Khao Din. The zoo was built in the heart of Bangkok with the area of circa 47000 sq.m. It is opened each day from 9 to 6; the admission fee is 30 baht. If you have not seen enough of wild animals in the zoo, then the House of Parliament (Rat4-ta2-sa2-paa1) is right opposite it... might see some more wildlife over there! Victory Monument (อนสาวรุ ยี ชยสมรภั มู ):ิ ‘Anusawaree Chai’ situates on Phahonyothin Road, and can be easily approached by BTS Sky Train. It was built in 1941 in memory of the Indochina War where a conflict with France led to 59 Thai deaths. Thailand, however after the war, remained as the only country in rhe region to retain independence under the threat of Western Imperialism. Joe Louis Theatre (นาฎยศาลา หุนละครเลก็ โจ หลยสุ ): performs a great mixture of art where the Thai Khon is mixed with the western puppets wonderfully. The main show is based on Ramakian, a great epic novel based on the Indian story Ramayana composed by Their Majesty Kings Rama I & II et al. The theatre is at the Lumpini Night Bazaar, Patumwan. Perfomance times are at 7.30 and 8.45. The ticket costs 600 baht, but is deifinitely well-worth it! Bangkhuntean Seaside (ชายทะเลบางขนเทุ ยนี ): is the only place you will ever find real seashores in Bangkok; there is no beach though. The highlight is a huge number of good seafood restaurants around. Anywhere else? Wat Trimit is where you can see the largest Buddha Image in Thailand. Pratu Nam is quite nice for shopping without emptying your wallets. Siam Square is a kind of ‘Thai High Street’; a place where shoppers cannot miss. Central World Plaza and the Emporium are place to shop for high-end or brand name goods. Of course, many are still cheaper than here in Britain. Khao San Road is the place where overseas people meet. Quite nice during the Songkran Festival I must say. China Town or Yaowarat if you just can’t get away from food! Stan Saowapa is the place to go if you like snakes. It is the largest Snake Farm in Bangkok. Lumpini or Ratchadamnoen Boxing Rings are the place to go for the fans of Muay Thai. Escape the capital? Hua Lam Pong is the main train station in Bangkok. Mo Chit is the main bus station for the north and northeast. Sai Tai Mai is the main bus station for the south. Ekkamai is the main bus station for the east. Places we hope you don’t end up in... British Embassy: or Sa2-tan5-tood3 Ang1-grit2. No need to explain what it is... But if you are in any big trouble, this place should welcome you. It is on a junction of Ploenchit and Wittayu (Wireless) Roads, not very far from Ploenchit SkyTrain Station. Main switchboard number is +66 (0) 2305 8333. Police Station: or Rong1-pag4 is surely the place you never ever wanna be. Dial 191 or 123 in emergency. Special tourist police should also be available by dialling 1155.