Bangkok Attractions

The Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaeo: This Bangkok landmark, which features some of the most spectacular architecture in Southeast Asia, should be the first place on a visitor’s itinerary. Its huge compound on Na Phra Lan Road near Sanam Luang is surrounded by high white walls and occupies an area of about a square mile. The palace, begun in 1782, consists of several buildings with highly decorated architectural details.

The magnificent Royal chapel, Wat Phra Kaeo, which is in the same compound, houses the Emerald Buddha, the most sacred Buddha image in Thailand.   The complex is open daily from 08.30 – 15:30 . This is located  within the Grand Palace compound on the right hand side before entering the palace’s inner gate. The pavilion displays old coins and other monetary exchange units used in Thailand since the early 11^th century. In the same building, adjacent to9 the coin collection, is a display room for Royal regalia, decorations and medals. Most of the items seen were used in former royal courts. Some are made of gold and are elaborately patterned. Tha pavilion is open every day from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm.

The Royal Thai Decorations and Coin Pavilion : This is located  within the Grand Palace compound on the right hand side before entering the palace’s inner gate. The pavilion displays old coins and other monetary exchange units used in Thailand since the early 11^th century. In the same building, adjacent to9 the coin collection, is a display room for Royal regalia, decorations and medals. Most of the items seen were used in former royal courts. Some are made of gold and are elaborately patterned. Tha pavilion is open every day from 09.00 to 15.30.

Vimanmek Mansion (The Celestial Residence) Located behind Bangkok’s National Assembly, this is the world’s largest golden teak building. The 3 storey palace contains 81 rooms, halls and ante-chambers containing fin de siecle royal memorabilia.

Jim Thompson's house : This collection of tradional Thai-style house, fashioned into one dwelling, belongs to the man who helped restore the Thai silk industry after world war II, and, today, preserved as a museum, contains a priceless collection of Asian objects d’ art. The canalside museum is located in Soi Kasemsan II on Ramma I road, opposite the National Stadium. Admission fee is Baht 100. Open Monday through Saturday, 09:00 – 16:40.

Suan Pakkard Palace : Located on Sri Ayutthaya Rod, this complex of five-style house occupies a beautiful garden and houses an important collection of Asian antiques. A lacquer pavillion is decorated with sumptuous late Ayutthaya period (1350-1767) gold-leaf murals.  It is openm daily from 09:00 – 16:00. Admission fee is Baht 80.

National Library : Located near Wa Sukri Pier on Samsen Road, the National Library houses important historical books and manuscripts, plus an extensive music library. Also featured here are occasional documentary projections, discussion and exhibitions. It is open daily during 09.30 –19.30, except for national holidays.

Ban Kamthieng (Siam Society Head Quarters) : Ban Kamthieng is a traditional Thai house, originally constructed in Chiang Mai more than 200 years ago, and donated to the Siam Society by its owners and reconstructed in Bangkok. A large variety of Thai flora and fauna can be seen in the garden of the house, which is at 131 Soi Asoke (Soi 21) Sukhumvit Road. Also on display are items used daily by Thai farmers and fishermen. It is open daily except national holidays from 09.00am to 17.00. An admission fee of 50 baht is charged to help maintain the property and grounds.

Ban Chang Thai (House of THai Artisans) : This is a living museum that preserves and displays samples of the 10 fields of traditional Thai arts and crafts, all under one roof. There are exhibitions of the different crafts, and visitors can  watch demonstrations by top artists in each field, including a daily puppet show by National Artist Chin Sakulkaes and her troupe. Located in Ekamai Road, Soi 10, the House is open daily from 10.00 to 17.00.

Museum of Imaging Technology : The first camera and photograph museum to be established in Asia, this is located at the same building as the Department of Photographic Science and Printing Technology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University. Historic photographs and imaging equipment as well as its technological evolution are on display. Modern photographic arts and techniques as well as advanced technology of three dimensional photographs, electronic photography and printing technology are also exhibited. The museum is open on Thursday from 10.00 to 16.00. Admission fee is Baht 100.

Pasteur Institute (Snake Farm) : Located at the corner of Henri Dunant Road and Rami IV Road west of Chulalongkorn Hospital, the Pasteur Institute, also known as the Snake Farm because of its large collection of poisonous snakes, is a section of the  Thai Red Cross, where one can have cholera, smallpox and typhoid inoculations as well as rabies treatment.

The Snake Farm is open to the public everyday between 8.30 am and 4.30pm on weekdays and 08.30 -12.00 pm on public holidays. The extraction of venom from the snakes is demonstrated daily at 10.30 am and 2.00pm on weekdays and at 10.30 on public holidays. Admission fee is 70 Baht.

Prasart Museum :   This houses a vast collection of artifacts from pre-historic through Rattanakosin periods. Various styles of architecture, such as a baroque building, a smaller version of the National Museum, and an imitation of Ho Phra of Wat Yai Suwannaram, are scattered within the museum complex. Prasert Museum is open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during 10.00 am-3.00. Admission fee is Baht 300 (snake and beverage included). It is also open on weekdays for group visitors. Please make advance contact at Prasart Museum, Tel: 379-3601,3793607.

Geological Museum : This is located in the Department of Mineral Resources on Rama VI Road, opposite the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Minerals, rocks, artifacts of the old ages are on exhibition. The exhibition is divided into 2 categories; geology and mineral resources. There are usually other exhibitions held on special occasions. The museum is open daily from Monday to Friday during 09.00 – 16.00 Admission is free.

Suan Pakkad Palace : Set on Si Ayutthaya Road not far from the intersection of Phayathai Road, this place used to be the residence of Princess Chumphot of Nagara, Svarga, one of Thailand’s leding art collectors. There is a cluster of five traditional Thai houses, overlooking a beautifully kept garden. They house a large collection of Asian art and antiques. One building exhibits a collection of seashells, mineral crystal and painted pottery from Ban Chiang. Suan Pakkad Palace is open every day except Sunday from 9.00am to 4.00 pm. There is an admission fee of 80 Baht.

Royal Barges National Museum : This dry dock, where several royal barges are displayed, is located on Khlong Bangkok Noi off the Choa Phraya River not far from Phra Pin Klao Bridge. The barges are used for special Royal ceremonies such as the Royal Kathin Ceremony. One of the most beautiful and will-known barges in the “ Suphannahongse”, now replaced by the “Narayana Song Suban Rama IX:, as the King’s Royal Barge. The unique design and decorative details of each barge should be of great interest to all visitors.

The museum is open to the public every day from 08.30 to 16.30. There is an admission fee of 10 Baht.

Bangkok Dolls & Museum : All kinds of Thai dolls are made in this factory which is on Soi Ratchataphan (Soi Mo Leng) off Ratchaprarob, in the Pratunam area of Bangkok. It is open to visitors who may inspect and buy dolls, every day except Sundays and public holidays from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm.

Halls of Railway Heritage :  Located on Kamphaeng Phet Road, the Hall has an extensive collection of steam engines, train models, and miniature trains of various sizes, along with photographs and paintings depicting development of world railway systems and several other related objects.

The Hall of Railways Heritage is open every Sunday between 05.00  – 12.00 am. Admission is free. For more information please contact the Thai Rail Fan Club, Tel: 2432037-9

Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat : This royal temple is on the western side of the river in Tambon Bang Si Muang. It was built in a mixed Thai and Chinese architectural style.  The temple features exquisite porcelain-decorated gables, a castellated enclosure and excellent mural painting.