Bangkok - City of Angels
Bangkok is the country's spiritual, cultural, diplomatic, commercial and educational hub and was founded in 1782 by the first monarch of the present Chakri dynasty. Bangkok covers an area of more than 1,500 square kilometers, and it is home of more than approximately ten million people or more than 10% of the country's population.
Bangkok Highlights
Grand Palace & Wat Pra Kaew -"Temple of the Emerald Buddha"
The Grand Palace, being famous for the uniquely impressive buildings it comprise, is also the site chosen by the first monarch of the Charki Dynasty, King Rama I, to built his residence,. Just outside the Wat Pra Keaw complex is Lak Muang, the city's sacred boundary stone. Inside the complex is he most beautiful and important temple in Thailand. It's here to see carved from a single block of jasper, the highest revered Buddha image of Pra Keaw Marakot.Wat Traimit sanctuary for the world's largest gold Buddha image with is presumable 700 - 800 years old
Wat Arun - "The Temple of Dawn"
The Temple is named after Aruna, the 'Indian God of Dawn'. is noted for its Pagoda's, which are decorated with Chinese porcelain.
The central prang is at a height equivalent to a 20 story building and is the tallest of its kind in Thailand and sits majestically on the side of the 'Chao Phraya River'.
Wat Arun is an architectural representation of Mount Meru, which is the center of the world in Buddhism.
Wat Phra Chetuphon - "Wat Pho" - "Temple of the Reclining Buddha"
The 16th century Wat is the oldest, largest and has the most pagodas (71) of any monastery in the Bangkok. Wat Pho was the first Open University in Thailand and known as the birthplace of the traditional Thai Massage.
The Temple is known for its giant 'Reclining Buddha', 46 meters long and 15 meters high.
Wat Benchamabophit - "The Marble Temple"
'Wat Benchamabophit'was built during the reign of King Rama V. Mainly with material from several countries, it's on e of the most modern examples of Thai religious architecture.
The name "The Marble Temple" gets this Wat because its main chapel is contracted in white Carara Italian marble, this Wat house a replica of what many consider to be the finest Buddha image ever made in Thailand, Phra Phutthachinarat of Phitsanulok.
Wat Suthat Thepphawararam
Construction was started during the reign of King Rama I, and is a royal temple of the first grade, one of only six such temples in Thailand.
Carried on thru the reign of King Rama II and completed by King Rama III.
The architectural style of a unique double roof it the building most conspicuous feature. Inside, over the alter, his eighthly great disciples.
All are painted in natural colors and life size.
Vimanmek Mansion
The Vimanmek Mansion also called the 'Vimanmek Palace' is a former royal palace in Bangkok. It is a golden teak wood building and also known as the 'Vimanmek Teak Mansion' and the largest of its kind in the world
The Palace / Mansion was built in 1901 as the royal residence of King Rama V.
Today it stands as a private museum where priceless treasures and a collection of the late Kinks memorable are on display.
Thailand National Museum
The Thailand National Museum is the largest of its kind in South East Asia.
The Museum contains an 18th century palace and features exhibits of Thai art and history as well as housing Thailand artistic treasures from prehistoric to contemporary.
Also on display are artifacts from the recently excavated Ban Chiang, located in the northeast of Thailand and traced back tat least 6.000 years.
Jim Thompson's House
The Jim Thompson House was the home of ' James H.W. Thompson', a legendary American who started the local Thai silk industry and also, by the way, constructed this house bearing his name.
Since his disappearance in 1967 during his holiday to the Cameron Highlands in Malaysia there are only little change in the house and is today one of the best private, collections of Thai culture.
Nearby Attractions
The Floating Market, an insight into typical canal side Thai life.
Ancient City, the world's largest living out door museum filled with replicas of Thailand past and works of art.
Pra Pathom Chedi, the world's tallest Buddhist monument
Samutprakarn Crocodile Farm and Zoo is one of the worlds largest with over 60.000 crocodiles, some of which can't be largest with where on this earth.
Snake Farm, founded in 1923, its main propose is to produce anti snake bite vaccines and serums. Snake milking can be seen daily.
Rose Garden, featuring daily Thai culture show.
The Weekend Market, called so because its only open on weekends, this Bangkok's largest market offers a bargain hunters paradise.
Sampharn Elephant Ground & Zoo one of the most interesting place in Nakhon Pathom.