Attractions in Bangkok

Attractions in Bangkok

Ban Kham Thieng

Ban Kham Thieng is a 200 year old, classic teak house in the northern country style. It comes from Chiang Mai and was rebuilt in Bangkok. The house belonged to a worker and shows the simple country life in the north during the last century. It contains a collection of traditional tools from Thai farmers and rice field fishermen.

Address: 131 Soi Asoke (Soi 21), Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok
Telephone: (02) 661 64 70
Opening hours: Tue-Sat 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Website: http://www.siam-society.org
Entry fee: With admission fee.

Disabled access: No
UNESCO: No

Great Royal Palace

The magnificent royal palace is a complex of several palaces that are richly decorated with tiles and ceramics. The foundation stone was laid in 1782 when Bangkok was declared the capital of Thailand. The complex includes Wat Phra Kaeo, the holiest of all Thai temples, in which the consecrated emerald Buddha is located. However, this is not covered with emeralds, but with jade. There is also a small model of the Angkor Wat here. Visitors must adhere to a strict dress code and are not allowed into shorts, sleeveless shirts or beach sandals; but you can borrow pants and plastic shoes.

Address: Thanon Na Phra Lan, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Bangkok
Telephone: (02) 623 55 00
Opening hours: Daily 8.30am-3.30pm.

Website: http://www.palaces.thai.net
Entry fee: With admission fee.

Disabled access: No
UNESCO: No

Jim Thompson Thai House

The Jim Thompson Thai House was the home of an American who came to Bangkok after the Second World War and completely revitalized the Thai silk industry. In 1967 he suddenly disappeared in Malaysia in a very mysterious way. Today, his house, built entirely in traditional Thai style, is a museum that displays Asian art objects. It consists of a complex of six traditional teak houses that have been brought to Bangkok from different parts of the country. It was completed in 1955. Guided tour only.

Address: 6 Soi Kasemsan 2, Rama I Road, Bangkok
Telephone: (02) 216 73 68
Opening hours: Daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last tour at 4:30 p.m.).
Website: http://www.jimthompsonhouse.com
Entrance Fee: With admission fee.

Disabled access: No
UNESCO: No

Ko Kret

Behind the airport, 20 km north of the city, lies the tiny island of Ko Kret, almost untouched by the nearby metropolis. There are no streets on the island and most of the residents live from the pottery and from the fruits and flowers of the many plantations. The island can be reached via highways 31 and 35 and then by ferry from Pak Kret Pier.

Address: Pak Kret Pier
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

National Museum

The National Museum is one of the largest and most extensive museums in the area and houses a huge collection of art objects from the Neolithic period to the recent past. The building, built in traditional Thai style from 1782, is worth seeing in itself. The museum is so big that it takes more than one visit to get a thorough tour. However, if you have little time, you should spend it in the charming teak pavilion, which houses the personal belongings of the royal family. Free tours in German are offered by volunteers on Thursdays 9:30 a.m., in English on Wednesdays and Thursdays 9:30 a.m. and are highly recommended.

Address: Na Phrathat Road, Bangkok
Telephone: (02) 224 13 33
Opening hours: Wed-Sun 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Website: http://www.bangkok.com/attraction-museum/national-museum.htm
Entry fee: With admission fee.

Disabled access: Yes
UNESCO: No

Royal Barges National Museum

Since the royal barges are very old, they are rarely used by the royal family. Few have survived to this day and are housed in the Royal Barges National Museum on the Thonburi side of the river. The eight boats on display are long, narrow and very artistically gilded. Each needs between 50 and 60 people to row. A figure on the bow of the boats shows whether the king, queen or other members of the royal family are being transported.

Address: Khlong Bangkok Noi, Bangkok
Telephone: (02) 424 00 04
Opening hours: Daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Website: http://www.bangkok.com/attraction-museum/royal-barges-museum.htm
Entry fee: With admission fee.

Disabled access: No
UNESCO: No

Suan Pakkad Palace Museum

Suan Pakkad Palace was once the residence of Princess Chumphot, one of Thailand’s leading art collectors. This complex includes five traditional wooden Thai houses brought to Bangkok from other parts of the country and surrounded by one of the city’s most beautiful gardens. The museum houses a significant collection of antiques.

Address: Sri Ayutthaya Road, Bangkok
Telephone: (02) 245 49 34
Opening hours: Daily 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Website: http://www.suanpakkad.com
Entrance Fee: With admission fee.

Disabled access: No
UNESCO: No

Vimanmek Palace

The Vimanmek Palace is the largest building in the world made entirely of golden teak. The palace served as a summer residence for the royal family and after being dismantled, it was rebuilt in 1900 in Bangkok. The manor house has 81 rooms and is surrounded by a carefully manicured lawn. Here is also the first bathroom in Thailand, which was built in a house, as well as the oldest typewriter with Thai characters. The current royal residence is not far away. Visitors cannot move around freely, but must take part in a guided tour that takes place every 30 minutes. The dress code corresponds to that of the royal palace.

Address: Ratchawithi Road, Bangkok
Phone: (02) 628 63 00
Hours: Daily 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

Website: http://www.palaces.thai.net
Entry fee: With admission fee.

Disabled access: No
UNESCO: No

Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)

Wat Arun Temple is located on the western bank of the Chaophraya River and dates from the 17th century. It has a 79 m high tower decorated with colorful ceramic tiles, which makes it a striking landmark on the river. The effect of the tiles can best be observed from a distance. The Emerald Buddha was housed here before being taken to Wat Phra Kaeo Temple in 1785.

Address: Arun Amarin Road, Bangkok
Telephone: (02) 465 56 40
Opening hours: Daily 7 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.

Website: http://www.bangkok.com/attraction-temple/wat-arun.htm
Entry fee: With admission fee.

Disabled access: No
UNESCO: No

Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha)

Wat Pho is the oldest and largest temple in Bangkok. Here you can see the huge – 46 m long and 15 m high – statue of the lying Buddha, completely covered with gold leaf. Nowadays, the temple complex is also known as a teaching facility for herbal medicine and traditional massage. There is a strict dress code.

Address: Thanon Thai Wang, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Bangkok
Phone: (02) 222 09 33
Opening hours: Daily 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Website: http://www.bangkok.com/attraction-temple/wat-po.htm
Entry fee: With admission fee.

Disabled access: No
UNESCO: No

Tourist offices

Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)

The TAT Call Center (Tel: 1672) is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Address: 1600 New Phetburi Road, Makkasan, Rajatevee, Bangkok
Telephone: (02) 250 55 00
Opening hours: Daily 8.30am-4.30pm.

Website: http://www.tourismthailand.org

Wat Arun Temple, Bangkok