Start early in the morning by grabbing a taxi (-meter) and drive to Wat Trai Mit in the China town part of the city. Let the taxi wait!
WAT TRAI MIT
Wat Trai Mit is situated on Traimit Road at the end of Yaowarat Road near Bangkok's Hua Lamphong Railway Station. The temple hosts the famous golden Buddha, a statue of more than 700 years old in the mara conquering position, the typical Sukhothai style of the days when Sukhothai was the capital of Thailand. Initially, the Buddha image was completely covered with plaster to conceal it from the Burmese armies, invading Thailand. It was installed as the principal Buddha image in the main temple buildings of Wat Phraya Krai in Yannawa district of Bangkok in the third reign of the Chakri Dynasty in the Ratanakosin era. After the closure of Wat Phraya Krai in 1955 the Buddha statue was moved to Wat Trai Mit. When preparations were being made to move the Buddha statue into a new building at the location, the covering plaster was partly broken and the golden statue discovered. The building housing the Buddha, is open daily from 09.00 until 17.00 Hr
Continue to the Grand Palace and get rid of the cab in the vicinity of Sanam Luang. Take a stroll along the outer wall of the Royal Palace until the entry. Visit the Palace and the temple of the Emerald Buddha.
SANAM LUANG
This huge public ground in front of the Grand Palace is commonly also referred to as Phramane Ground, or in pure English Royal Field. The Weekend Market of Bangkok used to be held here but was moved to Suan Chatuchak on Phahonyothin Road. Sanam Luang is still the site for special activities and ceremonies such as the Royal Ploughing Ceremony in May as well as the Thai New Year Festival. From February to April, it's the site of kite flying competitions. At the northern part of Sanam Luang, opposite the Royal Hotel, is a small statue placed in a white pavilion. This Goddess of the Earth edifice was built during the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V, reigned 1868-1910) to provide public drinking water.
GRAND PALACE
The Grand Palace is the city landmark located in a huge compound with entrance on Na Phra Lan Road near Sanam Luang. A big white wall surrounds the whole area. The Grand Palace occupies an area of about 2.5 square kilometres and includes the Royal Chapel, the Royal Collection of Weapons, the Coin Pavilion and a small museum containing artefacts from the Grand Palace. The building of the Grand or Royal Palace was begun after Bangkok was elevated to national capital in 1782. The first part was completed for the coronation of King Rama I. The plan of the palace followed the Ayutthaya sample: the river forms a moat on one side; the site of the temple of the Emerald Buddha corresponds to the placement of Wat Phra Si Sanphet in the old royal palace at Ayutthaya. Many of the main buildings also resemble those that where destroyed in Ayutthaya after the Burmese invasion. The compound houses a number of halls, residences and other buildings, which were built in the time of King Rama I (reigned 1782-1809). Some structures were altered, renovated, enlarged, or razed to make way for new buildings by later monarchs. The palace compound can be sub-divided into four complexes: the First Halls group, the Dusit Maha Prasat group, the Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall complex and the Boromphiman Hall complex. The complex is open daily from 08.30 till 12.00 and 13.00 till 15.30 Hr. Admission fee is 100 BHT. Proper dressing (modest attire) is required - no shorts, sleeveless shirts or shower thongs.
www.palaces.thai.net
WAT PHRA KAEO
The Royal Chapel, Wat Phra Kaeo, also Wat Phra Si Rattanasatsadaram (the Temple of the Emerald Buddha) completed in 1784 during the reign of King Rama I, occupies its own compound within the Royal Palace area as did Wat Phra Si Sanphet in the former capital, Ayutthaya. The temple houses the Emerald Buddha, the most sacred Buddha image in Thailand. King Rama I brought the image from the palace in Thonburi, the short period former capital on the west bank of the Chao Phaya River. It was placed in the Main Assembly Hall of the newly built Royal Chapel and has remained there ever since. The Emerald Buddha sits atop an 11-meter tall gilded altar, protected by a nine-tiered umbrella. The Wat serves as the center for all religious rites pertaining to the state and monarchy, such as ordinations under royal patronage, special ecclesiastical rites, and the swearing of fealty. During its two hundred years history, the chapel has undergone several renovations, restorations and additions to its edifices. Extensive restoration and additional construction were carried out in the reigns of Rama III (reigned 1824-1851) and Rama IV (Mongkut, reigned 1851-1868). The latter's task was completed by his son, Rama V (Chulalongkorn, reigned 1868-1910), in time for the Bangkok centennial celebrations in 1882. Further renovations were made by Rama VII (Prajadhipok, reigned 1925-1935) on the occasion of the city's 150th anniversary in 1932. A renovation of the entire temple was undertaken in the present reign of Rama IX, King Bhumiphol Adulyadej, to commemorate the Rattanakosin (Bangkok) bicentenary in 1982. The Royal Chapel thus incorporates no less than two centuries of Rattanakosin craftsmanship and artistic ingenuity. Photography is forbidden inside the building housing the Emerald Buddha.
Leave the Royal Palace and turn right. Visit the Foundation stone shrine at the southeast corner of the royal ground before heading to Wat Po.
THE CITY PILLAR SHRINE (SAN LAK MUANG)
Located at the southeast corner of Sanam Luang a graceful, temple-like structure houses Lak Muang, a stone pillar placed there by King Rama I, the first monarch of the present Chakri Dynasty, as the foundation stone for his new capital city of Bangkok on 21 April 1782. While Thailand is a Buddhist country, aspects of Brahmanism, which preceded Buddhism, can still be seen. The Thais, believe that the City Pillar symbolized the establishment of a community. Later by royal order of King Rama IV the old City Pillar, was replaced with a new one. So there are now two pillars standing together in the shrine. The shrine was renovated to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Bangkok in 1982. The old building was destroyed and replaced by the new one. A shrine for the city's guardian spirits was also built next to it. All distances within Thailand are measured from this point. Lak Muang is believed by many to have the power of granting wishes. Accordingly, it's a preferred site for vendors of lottery tickets.
WAT PHO
The Temple of the Reclining Buddha or Wat Pho (Wat Phra Chetuphon in Thai), one of Bangkok's oldest and largest, is located right south to the Grand Palace. Wat Pho was built by King Rama I (reigned 1782-1809) nearly 200 years ago and houses a gigantic gold-plated Reclining Buddha. This unique image is 46 m long and 15 m high with beautifully inlaid mother-of-pearl soles. Later, in the reign of King Rama III, repairing and extending the main chapel called "Ubosoth" was largely done. The Reclining Buddha was built in 1832 in the reign of King Rama III. The purpose of the Reclining Buddha is to remind people to think of the Buddha's Nirvana. Wat Pho is also a long established centre of public education and is sometimes referred to as Thailand's First University. The temple is also the centre for traditional medical practitioners in Thailand. Stone plaques and inscriptions describe treatments for various ailments and methods of massage and meditation. Snake handlers also have their businesses there. The building housing the Reclining Buddha is open daily 08.00-17.00 Hr. The admission fee is 20 BHT.
Behind Wat Po and between the temple and the Royal Palace you will find Tha Tien pier. Take the ferry across the Chao Phraya river to Wat Arun.
WAT ARUN
Wat Arun located on the west bank of the Chao Phaya River is mostly known as a landmark of Bangkok. It can be reached by Arun Amarin road on Thonburi side or by taking a ferry from the Tha Tien pier, just behind the Grand Palace. The fare for ferry crossing is 2 BHT. The most attractive structure in this temple is the 79m high pagoda or Phra Prang which is completely covered with pieces of multi-colored glass and Chinese porcelain and surrounded by four smaller Prangs. The outer four corners are Prangs which hold statues of Phra Phai (god of the wind). The upper levels offer a panoramic view of the city. Wat Arun was restored during the brief Thonburi period to be the Royal Chapel of King Taksin and enlarged during the reigns of King Rama II (1809-1824) and King Rama III (1824-1851). Despite its name "Temple of the Dawn", the most beautiful view of it is from the Bangkok side of the river, during sunset.
Take the ferry back to the other side. Grab a taxi and ask for Wat Suthat onBamrung Muang Rd. If you?re hungry get a lunch over here.
THE GIANT SWING - SAO CHING CHA
Mostly known to foreigners as "the Giant Swing", this structure stands in front of the viharn of Wat Suthat on Bamrung Muang Road. It was the sight of the ancient Brahmin rite known as "Tri-yampawai" which had been passed on since the time of Sukhothai and enacted in the succeeding capitals of Ayutthaya and Thonburi. The monument was erected in 1784 by order of King Rama I shortly after founding the city in 1782 A.D. Many shops surrounding Wat Suthat sell complete range of Buddhist ecclesiastic supplies.
From Wat Suthat take a walk in direction of the Democracy monument. On the way you will see the Golden Mount (Wat Saket). Climb the stairs to have a magnificent view over the city.
WAT SAKET
Construction of Wat Saket was begun during the reign of King Rama I (1782-1809). The golden Chedi houses relics of Buddha and affords visitors who climb its 318 steps a panoramic view of Bangkok. The Golden Mount or Phu Khao Thong is 78 meters high and visitors can reach.
From Wat Saket take a taxi to the Marble temple on Si Ayuthaya Rd (near the zoo).
WAT BENCHAMABOPIT
The Marble Temple is on Si Ayutthaya Road near Chitralada Palace. The main building was designed by Prince Naris, a great Thai artist and son of King Mongkut (Rama IV), and built of Italian marble during the reign of King Rama V (Chulalongkorn, 1868-1910). The interior of the main building is magnificently decorated with cross beams of lacquer and gold. The interior of the main building is magnificently decorated with crossbeams covered with lacquer and gold. A large collection of bronze Buddhas lines the walls of the spacious, inner courtyard. A large canal holds a number of turtles released by people wishing to earn merit. The main building is open to visitors until 17.00 PM.
The tour is over. Time for a well-earned drink on the terrace of the famous Oriental Hotel along the Chao Phraya River. Take a taxi. Be aware that the trip due to the traffic could be a bit ?stressful?. In the evening there is a buffet for the hungry.
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