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Wat Phra Kaew & Grand Palace
An amazing spectacle with its spires and colourful roof, Wat Phra Kaew is also known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. A shrine to one of Thailand’s most important symbols the temple sits in the grounds of the Grand Palace. Work started on the Palace in the late 18th century and today the complex is home to over 100 buildings. A must see for visitors to Bangkok.
Wat Pho
Wat Pho is an oasis on the banks of the Chao Phraya and is home to the country’s largest reclining Buddha. The enormous Buddha would be worth seeing in its own right but in combination with the ornate buildings of Wat Pho this makes a visit here essential, especially as it is close to the Grand Palace. Wat Pho also has a famous massage school and you can sample its delights after looking around.
Wat Arun
Across the river from the Grand Palace stands the striking Wat Arun which was built in the 19th century. One of the capital’s landmarks, there are good views across the city if you climb the steep steps half way up the tower.
Royal Barges National Museum
The royal barges are long, thin vessels that are very much part of the pomp and ceremony used on royal occasions. Fantastically decorated, they get used infrequently so it is a good idea to visit them and at the same time take a look around the canals in the region.
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Chinatown
A maze of streets, shops, temples and bustling life, Chinatown is a fascinating part of Bangkok close to the river. The area was first inhabited by Chinese migrants in 1782 and has been a centre for the Chinese population ever since.
Jim Thompson’s House
An elegant mix of Thai and Southeast Asian architectural styles created this wonderful house which was the residence of the legendary Jim Thompson. Famous for his unexplained disappearance in 1967, Jim Thompson founded a silk emporium which grew into an empire and which today still sells silk to visitors and Thais alike.
Lumphini Park
In the heart of Bangkok, Lumphini Park provides an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Early in the morning Chinese followers of Tai Chi practice their art in the park, later in the day office workers or families come for lunch and in the evening joggers and aerobics classes take over.
Patpong
One of the most infamous streets in Bangkok and still hugely popular with tourists who come to see the go-go girls and shop at the night market. There is definitely a buzz about the place and it makes for a great spot for people watching, although you might be better off buying souvenirs at cheaper markets.
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Suan Lum Night Bazaar
A much better alternative for night-time shopping than Patpong. Here prices tend to be ‘fixed’, although there is some room to bargain, but fixed at a decent level. The range and quality of produce is also much better than Patpong and you can enjoy a drink and some wonderful Thai nibbles in the food centre.
Chatuchak Weekend Market
It has been said that if you can’t find it in Chatuchak then you won’t be able to find it in Bangkok! Chatuchak is a truly immense market with everything you could hope to find from clothes, cushions, food, paintings and Thai silk to lamps and CDs. It is only a weekend market but worth a visit even if you have no intention of actually buying anything.
Floating Market
The Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, situated 70 miles west of Bangkok, is a very attractive place to see the old style and traditional way of buying and selling fruit and vegetables from small boats. Nearby you can also see traditional Thai houses and in the town of Nakorn Pathom there is the highest Chedi in Thailand, called Phra Patom Chedi, which is 127m high.
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