Bangkok attractions

While first impressions might be that Bangkok is just another big city where everyone is focused on going about their day-to-day business, Bangkokians enjoy their free-time and there is no shortage of attractions for them to choose from. Some are free, such as Lumpini Park, while others require paid admissions.

Check out the variety of things you can do in Bangkok from the list below.

Wichaiyaprasit (Bangkok) Fortress

Built during the reign of King Nari the Great, the Wichaiyaprasit Fortress, or Bangkok City Fortress, is one of two such fortresses built to house a French military garrison to protect Bangkok. Its sister fortress on the eastern bank of the Chao Phraya River, named the Thonburi Fortress, was destroyed in a battle between Thailand and France during the reign of King Petratcha during the Siamese revolution in 1688.

The Thai Grand Palace, Bangkok

Of all the tourist attractions in Bangkok the Grand Palace on the banks of the Chao Phraya River on Ratanakosin Island is one of the most visited. The complex and the myriad of buildings inside its white fortress walls are not just the former home of previous kings, but also that of the country’s former administrative chiefs.

Construction on the 21.84ha (about 53.96 acres) site began in 1762 during the reign of King Rama I, first of the present day Chakri dynasty kings, with successive monarchs increasing the number of buildings explaining the variation in architectural styles found throughout the compound.

Though less than half of the buildings and area encapsulated within the 1,900 meters (about 6,200 feet) of embattlement studded walls are accessible to the public, this one location – more than three times larger than London’s Buckingham Palace – houses a number of attractions people flock to see.

Despite the fact that no member of the Thai royal family has lived at the palace since the death of King Ananda Mahidol in 1946, it is still regarded by Thais as the main Thai royal palace.

Only the Outer and Middle Courts are accessible to visitors. The Inner Court, where previous kings’ royal consorts and daughters lived, a mini city populated entirely by women and prepubescent boys remains closed to the public, it’s traditions, features, and architecture a secret known to only a few.

The Outer Court houses the former offices of the war ministry, the mint and the state department, as well as Wat Phra Kaew, – the Royal Chapel – commonly called the Temple of the Emerald (or Jade) Buddha and the Royal Pantheon (Prasat Phra Thep Bidon), while in the Center Court visitors will find the impressive Chakri Maha Prasad Hall.

Temple of the Emerald (or Jade) Buddha

The Emerald Buddha is regarded as Thailand’s most sacred Buddha image and hundreds of Thais attend the temple (Wat Phra Kaew) housing it each day to pray. Visitors should note that for Thais, Wat Phra Kaew is the most important temple in the kingdom, hence the reason why Thais are admitted free and foreigners pay.

Prasat Phra Thep Bidon – "The Shrine of the celestial Ancestors"

The Royal Pantheon (Prasat Phra Thep Bidon – "The Shrine of the celestial Ancestors" was originally built to house the Emerald Buddha but was later deemed to small. It now contains life-size effigies of previous Chakri dynasty kings but is only opened to the public each year on April 6th, the anniversary of the founding of the Chakri dynasty.

Chakri Maha Prasad Hall

Located in the middle of the Central Court, Chakri Maha Prasad Hall is the largest of all the buildings accessible to the public, its design a combination of Italian renaissance and traditional Thai architecture.

Each wing is topped by a Mondop, a layered and heavily ornamented spire similar to a Hindu Mandapa, or shrine. The center, and tallest Mondop, holds the ashes of the eight previous Chakri dynasty kings, while the flanking Mondops hold the ashes of Chakri princes who never ascended the throne.

The hall is open to the public on weekdays only and houses a magnificent mother-of-pearl throne and a mother-of-pearl bed used by past monarchs to relax between meetings. Today, Chakri Maha Prasad Hall is still used conducting state business and grand, elegant functions.

The Grand Palace is open every day from 8.30am to 3.30pm, unless it’s being used for a state function. Ignore the touts working outside the palace area who tell you it’s closed. Admission to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the Central Court of the Grand Palace is Bt300 (about $US9). The admission fee also includes an admission ticket to Vimanmek Mansion that can be used within seven days of your Grand Palace visit. There is a strict dress code for visiting the Grand Palace. Men must wear long pants and shirts with sleeves - no tank tops or similar. If wearing sandals or flip-flops, socks must be worn. Women must be similarly modestly dressed. No see-through clothes, bare shoulders, etc. If you arrive improperly dressed, there is a booth near the entrance that can loan you clothes to cover up, though you must leave your passport or credit card as security. Photography of Buddha images in Thailand is also strictly forbidden.

How to get there:
Take the Chaophraya Express Boat to the Chang Pier (Tha Chang), walk through the market around the pier and out onto the plaza flanked by old shophouses. The long white wall of the Grand Palace is across the street on your right. You can't really miss it. The entrance is the second gate in the wall.