Amazing Thailand

A m a z i n g T h a i l a n d

Thailand is a country located in the centre of mainland Southeast Asia. Its area of 198,115 square miles (513,115 square kilometres) consists of two broad geographic areas: a larger section in the north and a smaller peninsular section in the south. The main body of the country is surrounded by Myanmar (Burma) to the west, Laos to the north and east, Cambodia to the southeast, and the Gulf of Thailand (Gulf of Siam) to the south. Peninsular Thailand stretches southward from the southwestern corner down the Malay Peninsula; Myanmar extends along the western portion of the peninsula as far as the Isthmus of Kra, after which Thailand occupies the entire peninsula until reaching its southern border with Malaysia at roughly latitude 6?? Bangkok, Thailand's capital and chief port, is in the main portion at the head of the Gulf of Thailand. The country was officially called Siam until 1939 and again briefly in 1945-48. The several ethnic and religious groups represented among Thailand's people are characteristic of the cultural diversity that for centuries has spread southward from China and eastward from India. Indeed, the name "Thai" to describe the country's people came into use only in the 20th century. Here we present a map of Thailand and a map of Bangkok, capital of Thailand, for your easy reference. Click each map to see a larger, more detailed version. The map below shows the central part of Bangkok. Metropolitan Bangkok consists of a very large area and cannot be covered by a single map.
Visit Bangkok

Bangkok is the capital and chief port of Thailand. It is the only cosmopolitan city in a country of small towns and villages and is Thailand's cultural and commercial centre. Bangkok is located on the delta of the Chao Phraya River, about 25 miles (40 kilometres) from the Gulf of Thailand. It was formerly divided into two municipalities--Krung Thep on the east bank and Thon Buri on the west--connected by several bridges. In 1971 the two were united as a city-province with a single municipal government. In 1972 the city and the two surrounding provinces were merged into one province, called Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Bangkok Metropolis).

Today, Bangkok Metropolis has a total area of 604 square miles (1,565 square kilometres). It is a bustling, crowded city, with temples, factories, shops, and homes juxtaposed along its roads The Grand Palace in Bangkok, where the former Royal Family used to live many years ago. Beside the Grand Palace is the Emerald Buddha Temple, one of the most famous Buddhist temples in Asia. This is a "must see" site for all Thai citizens as well as visitors from abroad. Come visit us this year to experience and enjoy the one and only Amazing Thailand for yourself. You will not be disappointed.

Thailand Festivals

T h a i l a n d F e s t i v a l s

Loy Krathong

"Loy" means "to float" and a "Krathong" is a lotus-shaped vessel made of banana leaves. The Krathong usually contains a candle, three joss-sticks, some flowers and coins.
In fact, the festival is of Brahmin origin in which people offer thanks to the Goddess of the water. Thus, by moonlight, people light the candles and joss-sticks,
make a wish and launch their Krathongs on canals, rivers or even small ponds. It is believed that the Krathongs carry away sins and bad luck, and the wishes that have been made for the new year due to start. Indeed, it is the time to be joyful and happy as the sufferings are floated away.

The festival starts in the evening when there is a full moon in the sky. People of all walks of life carry their Krathongs to the nearby rivers. After lighting candles and joss-sticks and making a wish, they gently place the Krathongs on the water and let them drift away till they go out of sight.
A Beauty Queen Contest is an important part of the festival and for this occasion
it is called "The Noppamas Queen Contest". Noppamas is a legendary figure from the Sukhothai period. Old documents refer to her as the chief royal consort of a Sukhothai Kng named "Lithai". Noppamas was said to have made the first decorated Krathong to float in the river on the occasion.
In Bangkok, major establishments such as leading hotels and amusement parks organise their Loy Krathong Festival and the Krathong contest as mojor annual function.
For visitors to Thailand, the Loy Krathong Festival is an occasion not to be missed. the festival is listed in the tourist calendar. Everyone is invited to take part and share the joy and happiness.

Songkran
Songkran is a Thai traditional New Year which starts on April 13 every year and lasts for 3 days. Songkran festival on April 13 is Maha Songkran Day or the day to mark the end of the old year, April 14 is Wan Nao which is the day after and April 15 is Wan Thaloeng Sok which the New Year begins. At this time, people from the rural areas who are working in the city usually return home to celebrate the festival. Thus, when the time come, Bangkok temporarily turns into a deserted city.

The values for community is to provide the opportunity to create unity in the community such as to jointly acquire merits, to meet each other and to enjoy the entertaining events. And for the society value is to create concern upon environment with cooperation such as to clean houses, temples, public places and official buildings. Thais value the religion bye means of merits acquisition, offerings alms to monks, Dhamma Practice, listening to sermon and monks-bathing.
Songkran is a Thai word which means "move" or "change place" as it is the day when the sun changes its position in the zodiac. It is also known as the "Water Festival" as people believe that water will wash away bad luck.
The Songkran tradition is recognized as a valuable custom for the Thai community, society and religions. The value for family is to provide the opportunity for family members to gather in order to express their respects to the elders by pouring scented water onto the hands of their parents and grandparents and to present them gifts including making merits to dedicate the result to their ancestors. The elders in return wish the youngsters good luck and prosperity.

In the afternoon, after performing a bathing rite for Buddha images and the monks, the celebrants both young and old, joyfully splash water oon each other. The most-talked about celebration takes place in the northern province of Chiang Mai where Songkran is celebrated from April 13 to 15. During this period, people from all parts of the country flock there to enjoy the water festival, to watch the Miss Songkran Contest and the beautiful parades.

Illuminated Boat Procession

The festival of the Illminated Boat Procession or "Lai Reua Fai" in Thai and "Lai Heua Fai" in local dialect is an ancient tradition of northeastern people. In the past, the festival was held in several provinces in this region, later only some provinces still proserve this tradition especially Nakhon Phanom Province where the annual event draws visitions from different directions. It has end of Buddhist Lent.
Originally, the boats were made of banana logs or bamboo but modern versions can be made of wood or synthetic materails. A boat's length was about 8 to 10 meters. Inside the boat, there were sweets, steamed-sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves (Khao Tom Mud) and other offerings while the outside of the boat was decorated with flowers, joss-sticky, candles and lamps. At night the fire boats were launched on the Mekong River and illuminated in a spectacular display.
The festival of the Illuminated Boat Procession takes place at the end of the Buddhist Rains Retreat or Ork Phansa (usually some time during October). On this occasion, residents of several villages will jointly observe Ork Phansa by launching intricatedly decorated little boats on the Mekong River when the night falls. Boat racing and a wax castle procession are also included in the festival. The event was said to have carried down from several generations as a means to worship Lord Buddha who, according to Buddhist legend, returned to earth after completing his 3-month mission in heaven.
Meanwhile, the ceremony of launching fire boats will usually be performed in the evening before the sunset. Buddhist monks will be invited to chant, give precepts and deliver a sermon. However, the participants must bring joss-sticks and candles to take part in a religious rite. As soon as the sun's rays disappear, the boats will be lit and launched on the Mekong River to worship Lord Buddha.
At this time, in the middle of the Mekong River, light in various shapes from the floating boats can be seen from a long distance and this is considered as a significant symbol to uphold Buddhism. The event brings about happiness to all Buddhists while foreign visitors will enjoy watching a marvelous illuminated display.

The Death Railway Bridge
The world-famous railway bridge over the River Kwai is in Kanchanaburi province about 130 kms west of Bangkok. The bridge is well-known all over the world because almost half a century ago about 16,000 Allied POWs died while building the "Death Railway" to Burma. The prisoners were forced by the Imperial Japanese Army in the World War II to build a strategic railway through the disease ridden jungle and treacherous rivers of the province.
The railway was built with the strategic of Burma and other Asian countries to the west. The construction began on September 16, 1942 and the materials for the bridge were said to have been brought form Java and assembled here. It was estimated that the construction would take five years to link Thailand and Burma by rail, but the Japanese army forced the POWs to complete the 415-km railway in just 16 months but the bridge was in use for only 20 months before the Allies bombed it in 1945.
Apart from the horrifying death toll of the POWs during the construnction, it is believed that about 100,000 coolies, many from Thailand, Burma, Malaysia and Indonesia also lost their lives.
After the end of World War II, the Allied forces placed the remains of the dead to rest in two war cemeteries near the site of the bridge. Every year during the first week of December, there is a light and sound presentation detailing the construction and the bombing of the historic railway bridge by the Allied forces. It is a popular event with Thai and foreign visitors. During the fair, a constant stream of visitors flow to Kanchanaburi. River Kwai Bridge Week KanchanaburiNovember 23 - December 5,2001
Bringing back to life a piece of history during World War II, the presentation on the Bridge of the River Kwai is scheduled for 11 nights. Highlights include archaeological and historical exhibitions, traditional entertainment, stalls selling local products, rides on a vintage train, and a light-and-sound presentation at the bridge every night.

Vegetarian Festival

TrangOctober 16 -25 , 2001 Oringinating in the 19th century, this annual event is conducted by the locals of Chinese descent who engage in a ten-day vegetarian diet. There are merit-making ceremonies at local Chinese temples as well as processions of ascetics performing extraordinary feats

Bangkok Fashion Week

Bangkok Fashion Week hits the capital with its Grand Opening on 14 March 2006 offering a string of events starting 15 March 2006 and going on right through to the ‘After Party' on 19 March This year will prove to be an even bigger spectacle than last year, with catwalk shows, the latest designs from the world of fashion and showcasing Thailand 's fashion talents. “We want to elevate Thai brands and become more internationally recognizable. Thai designers now have the capacity to achieve the global
presence. BFW'06 will be a great opportunity to showcase our talented designers in a Thai arena,” said Pramode Vidtayasuk, Bangkok Fashion City Project Director.

BFW'06 will be held at Queen Sirikit Convention Centre and include trade shows for the textile, garment, jewelry, leatherwear and footwear sectors, as well as talks from industry professionals. The final day will highlight the work of recent design school graduates. The collections of around 40 Thai brands will be shown over the five days.

If you are in town try catching BFW'06 – if last year was anything to go by you won't be disappointed. Around 70,000-100,000 visitors and 1,000 local and international buyers are expected to attend.

When talking about fashion or designers, women around the world, and Thai women also, will think of those internationally renowned designers and brand names like Gucci, Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Ferragamo, Moschino etc., most of which are of French and Italian origins. It seems there are no international brand names belonging to Asia. But things are changing now. In the foreseeable future, it is predicted that Thai designers and brand names may become one of the leaders.

Thai Food - Cooking

Thai food has become in recent years one of the world's favorite cuisines. When we speak of "Thai food ", we are in fact talking of four very distinct regions in the country, each with their own culinary traditions. We are speaking too of the dishes created in the royal courts and palaces of Old Siam, that have been passed down through many generations of chefs, and finally into public domain.
Good food also comes up from the street level, and many of Thailand's most popular dishes can be found at the smallest food stalls and restaurants. And there is the influence of China, India, Malaysia and other neighbouring countries. So all these different factors come together under the label "Thai food", and you will find them in varying degrees at any Thai restaurant you care to visit, anywhere in the world.

One of the most distinctive aspects of the cuisine is its use of herbs and spices. With regard to the spices, some Thai dishes are very hot, but by no means all of them. The herbs have another function, in addition to providing flavour, in that they all have to varying degrees various medical and therapeutic benefits.
Thailand has a long history, going back to ancient times, of the use of herbs for medical purpose, and this in turn has permeated the ways of cooking and preparing food. Coupled with its low-fat qualities and its essential freshness, this helps make thai food one of the healthiest anywhere. Another important aspect about Thai food is the hospitality and friendiness, the sheer enjoyment of good companionship and of eating that is such a powerful element of the Thai personality. Sharing a meal is an important part of the day for any Thai person, and meal are very seldom taken alone. That is why all the dishes are generally served at once during Thai meal, and why there is a communal spoon placed alongside each dish for people to help themselves and to serve others.
A Thai meal ideally is a communal affair, principally because the greater the number of dinners the greater the number of dishes that can be sampled. Diners choose what ever they require from share dishes and generally add it to their own plate of rice. All the dish are serve simultaneously, or nearly so. The object is to archive a harmonious blend of the spicy, the subtle, the sweet and sour, and a meal is meant to be equally satisfying to the eye, nose and palate.
Thailand is blessed with many varieties of plants, herbs and spices which ensure s balanced diet. Today, visitors can both relish classic Thai menus and the benefits of a natural diet, and study the art of Thai cooking at several specialist schools in Bangkok and major beach resorts.


Thai food has become in recent years one of the world's favorite cuisines. When we speak of "Thai food ", we are in fact talking of four very distinct regions in the country, each with their own culinary traditions. We are speaking too of the dishes created in the royal courts and palaces of Old Siam, that have been passed down through many generations of chefs, and finally into public domain.Good food also comes up from the street level, and many of Thailand's most popular dishes can be found at the smallest food stalls and restaurants. And there is the influence of China, India, Malaysia and other neighbouring countries. So all these different factors come together under the label "Thai food", and you will find them in varying degrees at any Thai restaurant you care to visit, anywhere in the world.One of the most distinctive aspects of the cuisine is its use of herbs and spices. With regard to the spices, some Thai dishes are very hot, but by no means all of them. The herbs have another function, in addition to providing flavour, in that they all have to varying degrees various medical and therapeutic benefits.Thailand has a long history, going back to ancient times, of the use of herbs for medical purpose, and this in turn has permeated the ways of cooking and preparing food. Coupled with its low-fat qualities and its essential freshness, this helps make thai food one of the healthiest anywhere. Another important aspect about Thai food is the hospitality and friendiness, the sheer enjoyment of good companionship and of eating that is such a powerful element of the Thai personality. Sharing a meal is an important part of the day for any Thai person, and meal are very seldom taken alone. That is why all the dishes are generally served at once during Thai meal, and why there is a communal spoon placed alongside each dish for people to help themselves and to serve others.A Thai meal ideally is a communal affair, principally because the greater the number of dinners the greater the number of dishes that can be sampled. Diners choose what ever they require from share dishes and generally add it to their own plate of rice. All the dish are serve simultaneously, or nearly so. The object is to archive a harmonious blend of the spicy, the subtle, the sweet and sour, and a meal is meant to be equally satisfying to the eye, nose and palate.Thailand is blessed with many varieties of plants, herbs and spices which ensure s balanced diet. Today, visitors can both relish classic Thai menus and the benefits of a natural diet, and study the art of Thai cooking at several specialist schools in Bangkok and major beach resorts.

BANGKOK NIGHT

A night in Bangkok at the Asia Airport Hotel (our favorite airport hotel!) and then to Phuket by Thai Airlines, then by minivan to the ferry pier at the southern tip of Phuket and then a ferry to Koh Phi Phi Don (Big Phi Phi Island) where we stayed at the the Andaman Beach Resort a quiet, and secluded complex of bungalows away from the noise and bars of the village. Outside our hotel in Bangkok is the local Iron Chef competition - all possible types of Thai yummies
A city that combines ancient traditions with modern cultural diversities. No other city in Asia weaves a daily mosiac as colourful and exciting as Bangkok. The modernization of Bangkok has turned the "City of Angels" into a busting merropolis without losing of where it all began. It is not surprising to turn a corner on a busy street in the central business district only to encounter the tranquility of a centuries old Buddhist Temple.


Khaosan road
Centre of the Backpacking Universe

The popular book 'The Beach' famously described Khao San Road as "the centre of the backpacking universe". Judging by the truth-seeking travellers from across the globe who converge here to shop, exchange tales and prepare for their next stint on the backpacker trail, it's a phrase that sums it up pretty much perfectly. For over twenty years now, this has been the base camp of choice for backpackers exploring Thailand and South East Asia.
Its little wonder then that everything they could need or want can be found here. Packed into a straight 1km long strip that spans only a couple of blocks are countless budget guesthouses and hotels, internet cafes, restaurants, massage parlours, travel agents, clubs, bars, bookshops, tailors, chemists, market stalls, tattoo shops and much, much more. So much in fact, that shops, the people and the party spirit have spilled over into nearby Soi Rambuttri.
With its carefree, anything-goes vibe it's quite unlike anywhere else in Bangkok and, probably, the world. In recent years there's been a subtle makeover, an influx of fast-food outlets, swanky bars and mid-range hotels helping the area to shed its shabby image. Only slightly though - it's still got an in-your-face energy that is all its own, and is still the stage for a cast of bizarre, multiethnic characters. Today, so infectious is the atmosphere of this famous backpacker barrio that it's also popular with locals, especially artisans and art students. Stay too long though and it may all wear a little thin.

Patpong

One of the world's most (in)famous red-light districts, Patpong is where it all started (Thailand's Go-Go culture) and has even been immortalised in a James Bond chase-sequence. Its two parallel side-streets, found between Silom and Surawongse Roads, house around 100 neon-lit strip bars offering risque sex shows, purchasable pole-dancers and post-op ladyboys. But while for men Patpong is likely to mean 'adult', for women, families and the kids Patpong definitely means 'market'. At night this teems with hawkers and humble stalls selling what is mostly tourist tat.
For the serious flesh-seekers, Patpong has long since been usurped as the 'king of the scene' by its counterparts around Sukhumvit. However, its reputation means it's still a huge attraction, mainly for sightseers more interested in ogling at - rather than indulging in - the carnal delights (and horrors) on offer.

Go-Go shopping after dark
In fact, because of the Patpong Night Market the area's seedy edge has been softened considerably. At night the area teems with tourists and backpackers shopping for that illusive bargain. Some pretend to look interested in the fake Gucci handbags before temptation gets the better of them and they venture inside to witness one of the famous shows they've heard so much about. If you go for this it pays to be careful; while now rare, there have been reports of tourists being ripped off (especially when buying a drink for one of the 'hostesses') and clobbered with hefty bills after heading upstairs into one of the bars.
Also, if you plan to hijack one of the girls for a raunchy rendevous, it's advisable too to take good care of personal belongings once you've paid the 'bar fine'. However, whatever your take is on the Go-Go Bar scene, there's no denying that Patpong is still far safer than your average Western city centre. It's very well policed - there's a tourist police office at the end of the road, and CCTV cameras - and you'll find entire families nonchalantly walking around during market hours

Royal City Avenue (RCA) Bangkok
Royal City Avenue (or just RCA as it is known by locals) is one of the biggest entertainment areas in Bangkok, but as visitors are concerned, probably the least know. RCA is a long road hosting a multitude of different types of bar and clubs. Very much a Thai scene, RCA is frequented by Bangkok’s young scene, mainly university students letting off steam. Lots of variety of music depending on the bar you visit. Multi-million watt sound systems blast out Thai disco, house, R&B, and the usual American / Brit pop.
What’s great about RCA is the wide range of places to eat and drink and the variety of themes in the clubs and restaurants. Catering for the local youth, it’s not an overpriced venue. The new MRT connections have made RCA more accessible and so it is more often finding itself on the tourist map. Be warned though, if you are over 30 you’ll feel old! Great place to visit if you are young and in Bangkok for an extended period, otherwise it’s probably not going to be a high priority against some of the more central entertainment areas.

Others like Club Time Out, JazzIt and Club Astra push other genres of dance music than just hip-hop, regularly playing host to top-notch international DJ'ing talent. There's also Zeta, a girls-only bar catering to the city's blossoming after-dark lesbian scene.
With RCA notorious in its previous incarnations as a magnet for underage teens, bringing ID is a must. All of the clubs will ask you for it as a matter of course - whether you look 17 or 27. Also, with the music volumes set ear-splittingly high, clubbing in RCA is not for you if you want to chat all night long with friends, not unless you're especially good at lip-reading.
If the party spirit doesn't infect you, RCA's House Cinema is another good option. Screening films from all the corners of the world it's the place to catch the Korean, Japanese or Indie flick the bigger cinema complexes wouldn't touch.

Thong Lor

Thong Lo (or Thong Lor or Thonglor, Thai: ทองหล่อ) Sukhumvit Soi 55, is a road in Watthana district, Bangkok, Thailand. It is becoming famous for varieties of multi-national restaurants as well as trendy shopping malls, international shops, bars and night spots. From the small dead end road of the upscale residential area with canals on both sides in the 1960s, development and road enlargement to six lanes occurred in the early '80s, and attracted residences for expatriates. The road became a popular international gourmet area in the 1990s, with mainly Italian, Japanese and upscale Thai restaurants. There also many Japanese bars as well as local pubs and karaoke bars.

Yaowarat China Town

Lying south of Dusit and Banglamphu, the Chinatown (เยาวราช) district is one of the oldest areas of Bangkok as Chinese merchants were originally moved to this area in the early 1780's when Bangkok was founded. One of the main streets of this area, Charoen Krung (translating as 'Prosperous city'), was actually Bangkok's first paved road, so it's English name, New Road, couldn't really be more inappropriate nowadays. The area has got a somewhat seedy historical reputation for large numbers of opium dens, brothels (which hung green lanterns outside, giving it the name of the Green Light district), pawnshops and a fondness for gambling. Today, gold shops and pawnshops are still very popular in Chinatown and can be found almost anywhere. Drug dealing, prostitution and gambling (all now illegal in Thailand) are also still thought to be widespread in this area, though they are not likely to be very

Details
Entrance to Wat Traimit is 20B, it's open from 9.00am to 5.00pm everyday. The markets in general are open until the late evening. Chinatown is not far from the Ko Rattanakosin area, including the attractions there such as Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Pho. Banglamphu is also just a short distance north of Chinatown.
Ordinary buses 1, 7, 8, 37, 49 and 75 will take you into Chinatown, some stopping on Charoen Krung, others on Worachak road (near the Thieves Market) though the river is normally a better bet due to the consistent traffic jams round here. The Tha Ratchawong pier is just a few hundred meters from Yaowarat road and Sampeng Lane.

Tourist Attraction

Referring as many aliases given, the "City of Angels" , the " City of cultures" , the " Land of smile",etc. guests who come visiting Bangkok, will see, enjoy and experience the contrast of modern development amidst the historic land of culture and attraction. You will mostly arrive to our country through our main airport in Thailand, Don muang International Airport. Here are the places where the world knows as "Bangkok". To help you get the most from your visit, and make your stay the most memorable, we have set out the most essential materials in brief from the overview of Thailand, and follows by the focus of our unique tourism detail as follows;


THE GRAND PALACE The Grand Palace is a truly amazing architectural construction. It is a large complex covering an area of 218,000 square meters which was built in the early years of Chakkri dynasty.



WAT PHRA KAEO The Temple of Emerald Buddha , the Upper Terrace, and the Subsidiary Buildings on the north. The point we are at is the Upper Terrace in front of the Prasat Phra Dhepbidorn .



WAT PHO This large and extensive temple neighbours the Grand Palace on Thai Wang Road and houses the very impressive gigantic gold plated reclining Buddha which is some 46 metres long and 15 metres high.



ROYAL GRAND PALACE When King Rama I took the throne as the first monarch of the Chakri Dynasty in 1781, he moved his capital from Thonburi to the other bank. He then ordered the construction of the Royal Grand Palace as the centre of the new city.
Inside the Royal Grand Palace are the Maha Monthien group of buildings, the Throne Halls, and other palaces and buildings. These have been renovated, refurbished, repaired, extended and added to continually as appropriate to every reign since then.

Kaosan Road
The word Kaosan in Thai means rice, this use to be a place where rice are sold (uncooked) that's where the name came from. Now it is the gate way for economy class tourist where cheap accommodations and active night life is offered.
The night life in Kaosan is very lively from cheap street side restaurants to large establishments. The ambiance is quite unique a mixture of foreign tourist and young locals in a present day street side Bangkok setting with international music. Many services are offered here from hair beads services to 10 baht Padthai (Thai stir fried noodles).


The Victory Monument is a large military monument in Bangkok, Thailand. The monument is located in the district of Ratchathewi to the north-east of the centre of Bangkok, on a traffic island at the intersection of Phahon Yothin/Phaya Thai and Ratchawithi/Din Daeng Roads.
The monument was erected in June 1941 to commemorate the Thai victory in the brief war with the French colonial authorities in Indo-China, which resulted in Thailand annexing some territories in western Cambodia and northern and southern Laos. These were among the territories which the Kingdom of Siam had been forced to cede to France in 1893 and 1904, and patriotic Thais considered them rightfully to belong to Thailand.

The Democracy Monument is a public monument in the centre of Bangkok, capital of Thailand. It occupies a traffic circle on the wide east-west boulevard Thanon Ratchadamnoen Klang, at the intersection of Thanon Dinso. The monument is roughly halfway between Sanam Luang, the former royal cremation ground in front of Wat Phra Kaew, and the temple of the Golden Mount (Phu Kao Thong).


Benjasir Park
Benjasiri Park was built on a 29-rai plot of land donated to the BMA who turned it into a park to commemorate the 60th Birthday of HM Queen Sirikit on August 12, 1992.



RAMA VIII BRIDGE
RAMA VIII BRIDGE Rama VI bridge was built in 1922 during the reign of King Rama VI at Bangson Sub-District . It was designed to be a rail link between the eastern bank of the Chao Phraya River and the western bank, and thus connect the railway system of Bangkok with the west and south of the country. The bridge has a beam of eight metres, allowing medium-sized ships to pass beneath it.During World War II, the bridge was severely damaged. Repairs were started in 1950, during the reign of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

LUMPHINI PARK
This 360-rai (about 58-hectare) plot of land was formerly known as the Saladaeng field, and was the private property of King Rama VI. In 1925 the King donated the land to the nation to be used as a public park and fair ground. The Siamrath Phiphitthapan Trade Fair held here to promote Thai products among Thais and foreigners was discontinued after the death of the king. The name Lumphini given by the King came from the name of the birthplace of the Lord Buddha.




JIM THOMPSON'S HOUSE
Jim Thompson House is a house belong to the late James H.W. Thomson who came to Thailand as an officer in the US forces during World War II. When he war ended, he decided to settle in the Kingdom.


CHITRALADARAHOTARN PALACE King Rama VI used to write his literary war in this area formerly known as Sompoy Field. H later named the pavilion Chitraladarahotarn Palace, and King Rama VII commanded it to be annexed to Dusit Garden Palace. Today the palace is thq residence of Their Majesties King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit

Chatuchak Market: A heaven for shoppers, especially if they are ready to bargain. The plant market is held every Wednesday and Thursday, while at the weekend it becomes the biggest market in Thailand , bringing together 8,000 stalls from all parts of the country. A look at the plan of the market shows that it is divided into 26 areas. The kinds of products to be found include antiques, books and magazines , fashions, food, furniture, handicrafts, jewellery , paintings, pets, plants, and miscellaneous items.


GIANT SWING The Ceremony of Triyampavai-Tripavai, was one of the 12 Royal ceremonies held in each month since the Sukhothai period. It was carried out in December, the first lunar month. By the Rattanakosin period




PHRA ATHIT ROAD An important community which grew with the Royal city, it is a centre of government, art and culture. The road lines the Chao Phraya river bank with the palaces of nobles



ROMMANINAT PARK In 1889, King Rama V ordered the purchase this land to build a place of detention and the aining and rehabilitation of the inmates. When )nstruction was complete, it was called, Khuk iahantathot or "New Prison."




Phra Sumeru Fortressbuilt in the reign of King Rama I, is the largest existing fortress of all 14 which now only two exist. The other is the Mahakan Fortress. The large area was established as a public park on the occasion of the 6th cycle of King Rama