Damnernsaduak Floating Market |
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| Here local merchants have everything on display and for sale from boats laden with products which are ferried along the waterways to the markets. Take a long tail boat along the many small canals to the floating markets and experience traditional Thai lifestyle on the water. A trip to the floating markets can be arranged with one of the many tourist centres most or with most hotels in Bangkok. |
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| Chao Phraya River |
Get a different view and angle of Bangkok from a river taxi and experience what life is like along the Chao Praya River. |
| Taking the Chao Praya Express Boat is the easiest way of doing so and along the way many sightseeing opportunities and attractions like Wat Arun, temples and the Grand Palace is interesting to see. This river divides the city in two with the old part on the one and the new on the other side. There are several boat tours during the day as well as dinner cruises. Dine in luxury while you watch the lit-up buildings and temples of Bangkok. Long-tail boats are also available stopping at many old temples along the way. |
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| Bangkok Royal Grand Palace |
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| The Grand Palace is not lived in by the king, but used for ceremonial purposes. It is made up of smaller buildings and most notably the Wat Mahatat and the Wat Phra Keow (The Royal Chapel). This is also where the famous Emerald Buddha can be seen, one of the most revered Buddha images in Thailand. |
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| Wat Pho – Temple of The Reclining Buddha |
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| Wat Pho or Wat Phra Chetuphon has considerable historical significance. Covering an area of around 20 acres, it is the largest Wat in Bangkok, and built two centuries before Bangkok became the capital. The Wat Pho is also famed for housing the Reclining Buddha, standing 15 meters high and 46 meters long. This is a sight that is definitely worth a visit. |
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| Emerald Buddha |
The world famous Emerald Buddha is carved from a large piece of green jade. The Emerald Buddha is 66 cm in height from the base to the head and the lap is 48.3 cm wide. The Emerald Buddha is in a seated position with the right leg resting on the left one. However, there is no evidence to prove the sculptor or the origination of the statue. |
| The Emerald Buddha first appeared in 15th century in Chiang Rai and based on its style it seems to be from the Chiang Saen period. King Rama I had two robes made for the Emerald Buddha. One robe was draped on the statue in summer and the other in the monsoon season. Later, King Rama III added another robe for the winter. Even in the present days, the three robes are solemnly changed at the start of each season by the King of Thailand. |
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| Wat Traimit (Golden Buddha) |
Wat Traimit is not particularly impressive as far as Bangkok Wats go, but the real reason to go is to see the famous Golden Buddha. |
| The 3 meter high Buddha statue is made entirely from 5.5 tons of solid gold, making it the largest solid gold icon in the world. The Buddha was discovered in 1957 when a large stucco (plaster/cement) covered Buddha was accidentally dropped while being moved, and the resulting cracks revealed the golden Buddha beneath. It is thought that the Buddha was originally covered hundreds of years ago in order to hide it from the invading Burmese. |
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| Chatuchak Weekend Market |
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| The Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok is the biggest weekend market in the world. There is absolutely nothing you cannot buy here. More than 10 000 stalls or booths covers the market area displaying clothes, jewelry, spices, leather goods, art, ethnic handicraft, ceramic products, furniture and anything else you can think of. Of course, half the fun of shopping in Bangkok for items is the bargaining part. Everything at the markets is negotiable and the vendors will expect you to do so. |
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| Siam Water Park |
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| Located in the eastern suburb of Minburi is Suan Siam or Siam water Park. It is a children’s water paradise featuring an artificial surf and sea, waterfalls, huge waterslides, whirlpools and fountains. There are also playgrounds, aviaries an open zoo and botanical gardens.
When you have done your shopping and the kids are complaining about the Bangkok heat, arrange a trip with your hotel and go splash around with them, cool down and have something to drink at one of the restaurants. Siam water Park is open daily from 10:00 am to 06:00 pm. |
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| Other Attractions |
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| Also visit the Bangkok Dusit Zoo, several museums in Bangkok, the snake farm, the crocodile farm and many other attractions. Full day and half day tours of Bangkok can be arranged via your hotel or one of the many tourist centers in Bangkok. |
