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Bangkok - Thailand
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Bangkok: Bangkok was established as
Thailand's capital in 1782 by the monarch of
the present Chakri dynasty. Over the next
two centuries, it developed in many ways
reflecting the modern dynamism. This
sprawling capital straddles the Chao Phraya
River ( the river of the kings) and was at
one time riddled with klongs (canals).
However, its ancient glories were well
maintained, especially in the old areas
around the Grand Palace. Today, Bangkok has
become the principal gateway and prime
tourist attraction for both domestic and
international travelers. Bangkok occupies a
total area of 1,568 square kilometers on a
flat alluvial plain divided by the Chao
Phraya River. Composed of about 50 districts
(Khets), it is home to one-tenth of the
country's population. Thon Buri, a former
capital, is now a district under the
administration of the Bangkok Metropolis.
According to a local magazine, no one can
claim to have seen Bangkok i its entirety.
The popular tourist attractions included
glittering Buddhist temples, palaces, canal
and river scenes (Venice of the East) and
numerous shopping centers. Bangkok is one of
the Asia's most cosmopolitan cities. |
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Places of
interest in and around Bangkok |
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Grand Palace
and Wat Phra Kaeo. This inner city
riverine landmark contains several buildings
with highly detailed architectural features.
Wat Phra Kaeo within the same compound, is a
treasure house of Thai arts, and houses the
Emerald Buddha, the most revered Buddha
image in Thailand. |
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Wat Arun
(Temple of Dawn). This famous Chao
Phraya riverbank landmark diagonally
opposite the Grand Palace, is best known for
a porcelain encrusted 79 meters central
pagoda which sparkles in the sun. The temple
can be reached either by Arun Amarin Road or
by boat from Tha Tian Pier near Wat Pho. |
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Vimanmek
Mansion Museum. This is the world's
largest golden teak building located in the
compound of the Dusit Palace on Ratchawithi
Road. The tree-storey royal mansion has 81
rooms, halls and ante-chambers containing
find de siecle royal memorabilia. Other
beautiful buildings in the same compound
display various items and art objects
including H.M. Bhumibols's photography, H.M.
Queen Sirikit's collection of handicraft
masterpieces created by rural people.
paraphemalia of rank and portraits, old
clocks, ancient cloth, and royal carriages. |
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Lumpini
Park. This was a huge open space once
belonging to King Rama VI, who issued a
royal command to turn the area into a public
park as a gift to Bangkok residents. It is
located on Rama IV Road, between Ratchadamri
and Witthayu (Wireless) roads, with entrance
gates on all sides. |
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Crocodile
Farm. This large farm with over 60,000
fresh and saltwater crocodiles is some 30
kilometers from Bangkok in Samut Prakan
Province. Other creatures including trained
elephants, gibbons, lions, and snakes are
also found here. The exciting crocodile
wrestling show is performed every hour.
There is also a Danosaur Museum where
various species of life-size dinosaurs and
their skeletons are on display. |
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Sukhumvit.
This is one of Bangkok's main
thoroughfares, and the long road is lined
with shops, boutiques and modern shopping
plazas ranging from Soi 3 (Nana) up to Soi
63 (Ekkamai). Most shops and restaurant are
concentrated between Soi 3 and Soi 21 (Asok)
and along shortcuts between Asok and Ekkamai. |
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Chatuchak
Weekend Market. Located adjacent to
Chatuchak Park, the weekend market, open on
Saturday and Sunday, is a Bangkok landmark
where you can buy just about everything from
clothing to potted plants and everything in
between-a paradise for browsers and
bargain-hunters alike. The market also
offers items of furniture and home decor. It
is also where professional and amateur
art-lovers and artists meet. |
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Floating
Market. This popular attraction is some
80 kilometers west of Bangkok, accessible by
regular bus from the Southern Bus Terminal.
Everyday, hundreds of vendor boats crowd the
market area in the early morning till noon.
The Chao Phraya River and Canals:
Nineteenth-century Bangkok was laced with
canals, giving the capital the designation
'Venice of the East'. Surviving canals, and
the Chao Pharaya River provide memorable
vignettes of traditional waterborne
way-of-life that has remained essentially
unchanged over the centuries. Riverine
Bangkok offers some of the capital's most
arresting sights, particularly at night when
the weather is cooler and light reflections
bestow the Chao Phraya River with flickering
magic and romance. An ideal way to cruise. |
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Ayutthaya.
The ancient city of Ayutthaya, founded
in AD 1350 was capital of Thailand for over
400 years. Its extensive ruined monuments
are now protected as a World Heritage site.
Besides the monuments, other sightseeing
attractions are former Royal Palace
compound, former elephant kraal (wild
elephant training center). |
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