Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall & Vimanmek Mansion

credit: koninklijkhuis & KrabiSeason

Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall

Located on Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue, this beautiful Throne Hall was built in the reign of King Rama V using marble for construction in the Italian Renaissance architectural style. The ceiling of the dome is highlighted by exquisite fresco paintings of important royal functions during the reigns of King Rama I up to King Rama VI of the Royal House of Chakri.

Nowadays, Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall is primarily used to hold important royal and state ceremonies. Recently, the Hall welcomed leaders from many countries participating in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2003 hosted by the Royal Thai Government. The Hall opens only on the 2nd Saturday of January (Children’s day). However, the outdoor portion is open daily from 9.30 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.

Vimanmek Mansion

This is the largest golden teakwood building in the world, built in 1901 by King Chulalongkorn the Great (Rama V) as a royal residence. It is located behind the National Assembly Building. The 3-storey mansion contains 81 rooms, halls and antechambers. It was renovated and extensively restored by the order of H.M. Queen Sirikit to house priceless treasures and a collection of late 19th and early 20th century royal memorabilia. Situated on the east wing of Vimanmek Mansion is Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall, a one-storey teak building built in the reign of King Rama V. The Hall is now Thailand’s first handicraft museum where Her Majesty the Queen collects handicraft masterpieces, created by members of her SUPPORT Foundation. In the museum, visitors will find handicrafts such as nielloware, Thai silk with various unique designs, Liphao basketry made from finely split jungle vines like beautiful trays and handbags studded with jewels in different designs such as the green metallic wings of an indigenous beetle.

Near the entrance to Vimanmek Mansion is the Royal Carriage Museum with splendid examples of ancient horse-drawn carriages. Vimanmek Mansion is open daily from 9.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. Tickets are available until 3.00 p.m. There are Thai classical dance performances at 10.30 a.m. and 2.30 p.m. Admission is 100 baht. For visitors with a ticket to the Grand Palace, admission is free. Golf car rental is 400 baht per hour. Polite and modest attire is required.
Tel. 0 2280 5928 Website: www.vimanmek.com

shopping in Bangkok 4 - Pratunam Phetchaburi Road Suan Lum Night Bazaar Sukhumvit Thewet Woengnakhon Khasem

Pratunam/Phetchaburi Road Areas

- It is an all-time clothes-selling mall, but today’s teens prefer buying at Platinum instead. SiamSquare is also another very good place to take a look!

“The area is best known for inexpensive ready-made clothing, which is sold partly in a street market where bargaining is the order of the day. Major hotels include the Amari Watergate and the
Indra Regent. A few hundred metres west along Phetchaburi Road from the Amari Watergate Hotel and across the street, is an enormous computer goods establishment called Pantip Plaza for
the cyber-connoisseur, devoted to hardware, software and other electronic goods. It offers incredibly good value. This is a place to spend a whole day in, the true Aladdin’s cave for computer geeks. Not only can visitors buy a brand-name computer and a tailormade computer assembled on the spot with very low prices, but they can also buy second-hand computers and have their computer repaired for a very reasonable price. As in all Thai plazas, there is good food to eat, too. www.pantipplaza.com Also in this area is Baiyoke Tower II, the highest edifice in Bangkok with buffet restaurants on the 77th and 78th floors that offer a spectacular panorama of the city. Around its base, there are many small markets and shopping streets to explore.”

RatchadamriRoad

Suan Lum Night Bazaar

– It’s okay if you like, but I won’t buy things here! + Recommended Thai Puppet shows

“Suan Lum Night Bazaar is located on the east side of Lumphini Park. It is a big new place for shoppers to spend their time and money shopping at night from 5.00 p.m. to 12.00 p.m. The large area has many restaurants, pubs, beer gardens, and stalls (fashionable clothes, handicrafts and handmade products, mostly OTOP). There are traditional small Thai puppet shows (Tel. 0 2252 9683-6) and the BEC-TERO Hall where visitors can catch internationally famous classical, rock and pop concerts and iceskating shows.”

Patpong Night Bazaar

Sukhumvit Area

– Hotels & Shopping Malls, Shopping Markets

“This long thoroughfare is Bangkok’s major artery and its major hotels include the Landmark, Ambassador and Sheraton Grande. The major shopping areas are concentrated between Soi
Nana (Sukhumvit 3) and Sukhumvit 24 and there is a thriving street market. A variety of shops, shopping centres, plazas and department stores including Robinson and the Emporium (mostly imported brand-name merchandise) offer a great range of choices to buyers. Also, check out H1 on Sukhumvit Soi 55, a very hip place for a trendy lifestyle in Bangkok, which has a shop with imported furniture from Italy , a graphic bookshop, restaurants and home-made ice cream. The area is a group of white buildings surrounded by trees and bushes.”

Shopping Centre on Rajdamri Road

Thewet Market

- No comment, really

“Reachable by the river taxi, as well as road transport, this market is best known for potted plants and shrubs. “

Pathumwan

Woengnakhon Khasem

-2^nd Hand goods + antiques need bargaining

"Better known as the “Thieves Market”, located between Yaowarat Road and Charoenkrung Road, this area sells antiques including Thai and Chinese objets d’art, porcelain, brassware, copperware and furniture inlaid with mother-of-pearl. Bargaining is essential."

Click on the Link below for more Information

shopping in Bangkok Mainpage
: http://bkk-tour.blogspot.com/2008/05/shopping-in-bangkok.html

shopping in Bangkok 2 - Banglamphu BoBe Chatuchak Mahesak Silom Charoenkrung Road
: http://bkk-tour.blogspot.com/2008/05/shopping-in-bangkok-2-banglamphu-bobe.html

shopping in Bangkok 3 - Langkrasuang Pak Klong Talat Patpong Suriwong Silom Phahurat Phloen Chit Pathumwan
: http://bkk-tour.blogspot.com/2008/05/shopping-in-bangkok-3-langkrasuang-pak.html

Shopping in Bangkok 3 - Langkrasuang Pak Klong Talat Patpong Suriwong Silom Phahurat Phloen Chit Pathumwan

Langkrasuang Market

-2^nd Hand goods + antiques need bargaining

“Between the Royal Hotel and the Ministry of Interior, a row of shop-houses sell moderately priced second-hand goods, like antique cameras, typewriters, musical instruments, radios and all manner of electrical goods. Bargaining is recommended. “

Suan Lum Night bazaar


Pak Khlong Talat

– The Flower Market

“This market is at the base of Phra Buddha Yodfa Bridge along Chakrawat Road. Also known as the “flower market”, most people come to buy flowers from lilies, carnations, roses, daisies to orchids, and so on. Vendors can arrange beautiful bouquets for every occasion.”

Pratunam


Patpong/Suriwong/Silom Areas

– Hotels and shopping spot (not so cheap, though)

“Major hotels in this area include the Montien, the Pan Pacific, the Sofitel and the Dusit Thani. Silom Road is the main artery of Bangkok’s commercial heart and paralleled by Suriwong Road, while Patpong runs crosswise between the two. At night, this area has a lot of vivid entertainment. In addition to housing dozens of specialist shops and boutiques representing all the major products, this area also boasts many branches of wellknown retailers and several shopping plazas. Street stalls also abound, most notably at Patpong”s famous night bazaar. This area comprises Bangkok’s major business and entertainment areas as well. A variety of shops, supermarkets and plazas spoil the shopper by offering jewellery, gemstones, antiques, ceramics, leather goods, clothing, handicrafts, Thai silks and cottons, electronic devices, cameras and computer gears and a variety of other goods.”

Pratunam


Phahurat Bombay Market

– This is a good place for buying cloth

“There is a large Indian minority in Thailand. Merchants have spread out all over Asia from Southern India and many have come to Thailand. Many have arrived to trade the brightly-coloured cloth used to make saris and the beautiful ankle-length dresses Indian women like to wear. In Phahurat Market, on Phahurat Road parallel to Yaowarat Road just west of chinatown and towards the river, visitors will find a variety of supplies to suit the clothing needs of those Indian ladies and more. The market sells all kinds of cloth from plain white cotton to batik to silk, to cover every need; for cushions, curtains, upholstery coverings, suits, dresses and skirts. Think of the cloth requirements or even the buttons and tassels one needs, and it is a good bet one will find what one wants here. Cloth is sold by the metre, straight from the bolt. It is usually very cheap. Phahurat is a market really worth exploring. Not only is it a cloth centre, but a spice centre as well. As visitors go round the market, they will be aware of that spicy, Indian smell made up of incense, which they can buy here, and of course Indian curry. Visitors can buy incense to lend their living room an exotic atmosphere; search the tiny side streets for spices and other Indian specialties, household goods and shoulder bags in Thai silk.”

China Town

Phloen Chit/Pathumwan Areas

– Hotels + Teens Fashion Center + skywalk&BTS

“Big-name hotels include the Grand Hyatt Erawan, Arnoma, Regent, Imperial and Novotel. The area has several department stores and shopping centres, including the Central World Plaza, on the 7th floor of which the duty-free shopping outlet is located, Central Chitlom, Gaysorn Plaza, Siam Square, Siam Discovery Centre, and MBK Center. Visitors will certainly find something they take a fancy to.”

Click on the Link below for more Information

shopping in Bangkok Mainpage
http://bkk-tour.blogspot.com/2008/05/shopping-in-bangkok.html

shopping in Bangkok 2 - Banglamphu BoBe Chatuchak Mahesak Silom Charoenkrung Road
http://bkk-tour.blogspot.com/2008/05/shopping-in-bangkok-2-banglamphu-bobe.html

shopping in Bangkok 4 - Pratunam Phetchaburi Road Suan Lum Night Bazaar Sukhumvit Thewet Woengnakhon Khasem
http://bkk-tour.blogspot.com/2008/05/shopping-in-bangkok-4-pratunam.html

shopping in Bangkok 2 - Banglamphu BoBe Chatuchak Mahesak Silom Charoenkrung Road

Banglamphu

-Wholesale here, real CHEAP! I mean Banglamphu itself, not only the KaosanRoad

“Near the river exists this lively market and commercial area favoured by locals for its good bargains; however, over the last twenty years, it has become famous for Khao San Road, where backpackers and budget travellers have found a home away from home. The road has gone more upscale in recent years, however, and now has a Boots and Burger King. Although the street is not very long, Khao San Road is extremely interesting with people from all over the world examining the market stalls, looking for accommodation, eating in cheap restaurants and using cyber cafes. This is where you can buy second-hand books and cheap clothing, reserve a really inexpensive hotel or
guesthouse, or just sit in an open-air restaurant watching people go by and guessing where they come from. In the evenings, loud music takes over and during the Songkran water festival, visitors will not escape a soaking. It is a good humoured friendly place and well worth visiting. Website: www.khaosanroad.com”

Bo Be Market

– Our used-to-be-popular clothes selling mall

“This well-known clothing market opens at 10.00 a.m. and is situated along Krung Kasem Road, near Saphan Khao and the Department of Technical and Economic Cooperation on the therefore,
bargaining is necessary if one is preparing to buy large quantities.”

Chatuchak Weekend Market

– everything sold here, weekend is preferable - weekdays are also available in some parts – need to bargain for things – check the prices first

“Located near the Bangkok Bus Terminal (Mo Chit II), this enormous weekend market, hugely popular with local and foreign shoppers is open every weekend from dawn to dusk approximately 7.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. Chatuchak Weekend Market is a Bangkok landmark where visitors can buy just about everything from all over Thailand, ranging from clothing to pets and everything in between - a paradise for browsers and bargain-hunters. It is also where professional and amateur art-lovers and artists meet.”

Mahesak/Silom/Charoenkrung Road Areas

– Recommended Food & buying gold and Chinese products

“Besides major hotels including the Shangri-La, the Royal Orchid Sheraton, the Holiday Inn and the Oriental, this area contains a major gemstone-dealing and jewellery manufacturing area and
houses boutiques, art galleries, department stores and plazas, including the River City Complex where a wide selection of goods can be found everywhere with an emphasis on antiques, tailored clothing and contemporary Thai and Asian paintings. Yaowarat is what the Thais call Chinatown and a purely Chinese community has lived here for many years. The inhabitants, of course, onsider themselves Thai now and many can no longer speak Chinese, but a look at their faces will tell their origins. It is an interesting place to explore. Two of Chinatown’s symbolic roads are Yaowarat Road leading westwards from near Wat Trimit, and Sampheng Lane, running parallel south of Yaowarat. Busy Yaowarat Road is Chinatown’s main street, and has surely one of the greatest concentrations of gold shops anywhere. There are dozens of shops, all in red and gold, most with competitive prices. Much of the gold is over 99% pure. Thais buy it not only for decorative purposes but also as savings for a rainy day, because gold shops will gladly buy back gold at the daily rate, for a small charge. This area is also famous for fine Chinese food, where you can get bird’s nest soup, dim sum, and other traditional Chinese delicacies. Shops also offer selections of Chinese herbs for sale. The narrow, crammed Sampheng Lane is a very busy predominantly pedestrian street. It is a hive of constant commercial activities, mostly in textiles and cloth, and a fascinating street to walk along.”

Click on the Link below for more Information

shopping in Bangkok Mainpage: http://bkk-tour.blogspot.com/2008/05/shopping-in-bangkok.html

shopping in Bangkok 3 - Langkrasuang Pak Klong Talat Patpong Suriwong Silom Phahurat Phloen Chit Pathumwan
: http://bkk-tour.blogspot.com/2008/05/shopping-in-bangkok-3-langkrasuang-pak.html

shopping in Bangkok 4 - Pratunam Phetchaburi Road Suan Lum Night Bazaar Sukhumvit Thewet Woengnakhon Khasem
: http://bkk-tour.blogspot.com/2008/05/shopping-in-bangkok-4-pratunam.html

Shopping in Bangkok (MainPage)

Shopping in Bangkok

What could give shopaholics more pleasure than SHOPPING! The thing is when you are luckily at a right place in a right time; you could even buy it at a bargain price. Anyway, good luck doesn’t come to you so often. So what? Don’t care about those rare Lucks. It doesn’t come? Fine, you can go find it yourself!

At least, when you are in Bangkok, it is simply understandable that things are all cheap! Our cost of living is lower than most of you, visitors from other countries. However, some might say they’ve bought something with a really high price in Thailand and I also can’t help that it is true. But that was because when Thais see you as a newly arrived foreigner they will cheat (can I use this word for the case?) you by telling a higher price. How to avoid something like this in Thailand? It’s almost impossible! To help you buy at a lower price is even easier. Right, my suggestion for you to buy goods at their regular prices is so easy. You should go shopping at my suggested places, just that! These places are selling things at their should-be prices.

Click on the Link below for more Information

shopping in Bangkok 2 - Banglamphu BoBe Chatuchak Mahesak Silom Charoenkrung Road
: http://bkk-tour.blogspot.com/2008/05/shopping-in-bangkok-2-banglamphu-bobe.html

shopping in Bangkok 3 - Langkrasuang Pak Klong Talat Patpong Suriwong Silom Phahurat Phloen Chit Pathumwan
: http://bkk-tour.blogspot.com/2008/05/shopping-in-bangkok-3-langkrasuang-pak.html

shopping in Bangkok 4 - Pratunam Phetchaburi Road Suan Lum Night Bazaar Sukhumvit Thewet Woengnakhon Khasem
: http://bkk-tour.blogspot.com/2008/05/shopping-in-bangkok-4-pratunam.html

The Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaeo (The Temple of the Emerald Buddha)

Temples and Buildings of Cultural Interest

Bangkok takes great pride in its large number of fascinating temples around the capital. The major ones can be found in the Rattanakosin area on the western side of the city.

The Rattanakosin area is called an island but has been incorporated into the city. A trip there will allow visitors to see many attractions within a short distance of one another.

The Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaeo
(The Temple of the Emerald Buddha)

The splendid Grand Palace enclosure is home to many ornate temples and buildings with a variety of architectural styles. Gold leaf, reflective tiling and Buddha images are to be seen everywhere. The magnificent Wat Phra Kaeo, a treasure trove of Thai arts and home to the Emerald Buddha, Thailand’s most revered Buddha image, is at the heart of the complex, but there is much else of interest to be seen in the Grand Palace compound, such as the Royal Thai Decorations and Coin Pavilion, where a permanent exhibition of royal regalia, decorations, medals and coins dating back to the early 11th century is on display.

The complex is open daily from 8.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. except on special days designated for royal ceremonies to be announced later. The admission fee is 200 baht which includes entry to Vimanmek Mansion and the Coin Pavilion. Visitors are advised that polite and modest dress is essential.

Tel. 0 2623 5500 ext. 3100 Website: http://www.palaces.thai.net/

credit: tourismthailand.org

Introducing Bangkok of Siam

Bangkok

Bangkok offers visitors the opportunity to experience fascinating glimpses of

Thailand’s gentle culture amidst the bustle of a great and dynamic metropolis.

Bangkok was founded in 1782 by the first monarch of the present Chakri dynasty. It is now the country’s spiritual, cultural, diplomatic, commercial and educational hub. It covers an area of more than 1,500 square kilometres, and it is home to approximately ten million people or more than 10% of the country’s population.

Over the last few decades, Thailand’s capital city, Bangkok, has changed into a modern, exciting and sophisticated city. It offers to visitors not only the cosmopolitan amenities they would expect from other big cities, but also a unique treasure trove of cultural attractions. Thailand, in the heart of Southeast Asia, was never colonised and thus kept its unique culture and heritage intact. Bangkok offers visitors the opportunity to experience fascinating glimpses of Thailand’s gentle culture amidst the bustle of a great and dynamic metropolis. This great city has had astounding success in combining the ancient and modern world.

For tourists, Bangkok has a feast of attractions to offer. The city is dotted with 400 glittering Buddhist temples of great beauty and fascination, magnificent palaces, classical dance extravaganzas, numerous shopping centres and traditional ways of life, especially along the “Venice of the East” timeless canals and the Chao Phraya River or the “River of Kings” winding through the city. It is worth taking a trip along its waters before exploring further into different canals to take a glimpse of old Bangkok.

If there's an opportunity for you to visit Thailand,

just grab it at once and come to visit us here.

There's something more

than you think you'll see!

Thailand, the Land of Smile,

is still waiting for you to discover!

Sa-Wad-Dee Thailand

credit: tourismthailand.org