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Key Attractions

Royal Grand Palace

The Royal Grand Palace is a glittering walled complex with several buildings highly decorated using tiles and ceramics. Building was begun in 1782 when Bangkok was founded as the capital of Thailand and houses Wat Phra Kaeo where the sacred Emerald Buddha rests, not covered in emeralds but jade. There is even a scale model of Angkor Wat.

Na Phra Lan Road
Tel: (02) 222 6889.
Opening hours: 0830-1530 daily.
Admission: B125.

Vimanmek Mansion

Vimanmek Mansion
is the world's largest building made entirely of golden teak. It used to be a royal summer retreat and was dismantled and rebuilt in Bangkok in 1900. The mansion stands in carefully manicured lawns. It is located close to the current royal residence. Visitors are not free to wander but must take a guided tour, which take place every 30 minutes.

Ratchawithi Road
Tel: (02) 281 8166.
Opening hours: 0900-1600 daily.
Admission: B50.

Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha)

Wat Pho
is the oldest and largest temple in Bangkok and houses an enormous gold-plated Reclining Buddha 46m long and 15m high. Today, it is also renowned for its teaching of herbal medicine and traditional massage.

Thai Wang Rd
Tel: (02) 222 0933.
Opening hours: 0900-1700 daily.
Admission: B20.

National Museum

One of the largest and most comprehensive museums in the region, the National Museum houses a vast collection of artefacts from the neolithic period through to more recent periods. The building, begun in 1782, is fascinating in its own right having been built in traditional Thai style. The museum is so large that it needs more than one visit, but if time is short it must be spent in the lovely teak pavilion, housing personal royal belongings.

Na Phrathat Road
Tel: (02) 224 1396.
Opening hours: 0900-1600 Wed-Sun.
Admission: B20.

Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)

Located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, Wat Arun has a 79m-high tower decorated with multicoloured ceramic tiles, which makes it a landmark along the river. The effect of the tiles is best observed at a distance. Built in the nineteenth century it was the first home of the Emerald Buddha before it was transferred to Wat Phra Kaeo.

Arun Amarin Road
Tel: (02) 465 5640.
Transport: Boat from Tha Tien Pier.
Opening hours: 0700-1700 daily.
Admission: B10.

Jim Thompson Thai House

Jim Thompson was an American who came to Bangkok after World War II and the Jim Thompson Thai House was his home until he mysteriously disappeared in Malaysia in 1967. He completely revived the Thai silk industry and his house, traditionally Thai in style, is now a museum showing his collection of Asian artefacts.

Soi Kasemsan 2, Rama I Road
Tel: (02) 215 0122.
Opening hours: 0900-1630 daily.
Admission: B100.

Royal Barge National Museum

The royal barges are rarely used by the royal family because of their age and a few of them are now preserved in the Royal Barge National Museum on the Thonburi side of the river. The long, narrow boats are intricately gilded. The figure on the bow of each boat signifies whether it carries the King and Queen or other members of the royal family.

Khlong Bangkok Noi
Tel: (02) 242 0004.
Opening hours: 0830-1630 daily.
Admission: B10.



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