Go !! Go Travel !!: Planned trip to Bangkok, Thailand

Fast Facts about Thailand

Pick-up joint: the world’s second-largest pick-up truck market after the US

Border countries: Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar (Burma)

Population: 65,493,296

Guinness World Records: longest condom chain, most couples married underwater and most Mini Coopers in a convoy (444 cars parked to spell out ‘Long Live the King’)

Karaoke culture: every major band or singer releases video CDs (VCD) specially formatted for karaoke-style singalongs

Religion: 95% Buddhist

Literacy: 92.6%, though reading anything other than the newspaper or comic books is regarded as an eccentric hobby

Currency: 10 Thai baht = RM 10 approximately

Number of 7-Elevens currently: 3912

Highest point: Doi Inthanon 2565m

1. The Grand Palace

The Grand Palace has an area of 218,400 sq. metres and is surrounded by walls built in 1782. The length of the four walls is 1,900 metres. Within these walls are situated government offices and the Chapel Royal of the Emerald Buddha besides the royal residences.

When Siam restored law and order after the fall of Ayutthaya the monarch lived in Thonburi on the west side of the river. Rama I, on ascending the throne, moved the centre of administration to this side of the Chao Phraya; and, after erecting public monuments such as fortifications and monasteries, built a palace to serve not only as his residence but also his office--the various ministries, only one of which remains in the palace walls.

This palace came to be known as the Grand Palace, in which the earliest edifices contemporary with the foundation of Bangkok were the two groups of residences named the Dusit Maha Prasat and the Phra Maha Monthian.
Open: 08:30 - 16:30 (15:30 onwards cannot enter)
Ticket Price: 400 Thai baht

2. Wat Phra Kaew or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (officially known as Wat Phra Sri Rattana Satsadaram) is regarded as the most important Buddhist temple in Thailand. Located in the historic centre of Bangkok, within the grounds of the Grand Palace, it enshrines Phra Kaew Morakot (the Emerald Buddha), the highly revered Buddha image meticulously carved from a single block of jade.

The Emerald Buddha (Phra Putta Maha Mani Ratana Patimakorn) is a Buddha image in the meditating position in the style of the Lanna school of the north, dating from the 15th century AD.

About the Temple of Emerald Buddha

A guide is on duty from 10:00 to 14:00 and Personal Audio Guide (PAG) is available in English, French, German, Japanese, Mandarin Russian, and Spanish. Remember that 'wats' (temples) are sacred places and you must dress appropriately. No shorts, slippers, sandals, or revealing tops, otherwise you simply won't be allowed in. There's also a facility that offers proper trouser wear rental should you need it. Admission to the temple is 200 baht.

Location: Na Phralan, Phra Nakorn (inside Grand Palace complex), Old City (Rattanakosin)
Open: 08:30 - 12:00 and 13:00 - 15:30

Map around of the Grand Palace

To reach The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, take public boat to Tha Chang (N9) boat terminal, boarding and follow the road sign board for instruction; or take public transport 25, 80, 91.

3. Vimanmek Royal Mansion - Bangkok Palaces and Mansions

Vimanmek Royal Mansion is the world's largest building made entirely of golden teak. Removed from Ko Sichang in Chonburi province, it was rebuilt in the Dusit Palace in 1900 by the command of King Rama V. It was recently renovated by HM Queen Sirikit, and made into a museum paying homage to the late King.

As well as antique furniture, there's glassware, porcelain, old photographs and memorabilia from the late King's reign (1868 - 1910). Many rooms currently maintain the atmosphere of the past.

There are Traditional Thai dancing commences daily at 10:30 and 14:00.

Opening Hours: 08:30 until 16:30 (Tuesday - Saturday, last ticket at 15:30)
Location: Rajavithee Road (behind the National Assembly). Close to Dusit Zoo and the Dusit Palace complex.
Price Range: 100 baht, which entitles you to enter every building and gallery.

4. ChatuchakWeekend Market (Bangkok)

Good for: Shopping, cheap clothes, bangkok, thai iced tea, chatuchak

Address : Thanon Kamphaeng Phet 3

Transport : skytrain (BTS) to Mo Chit station, take exit no. 1;

Subway (MRT) to Chatuchak Park station or get off at Kampheng Phet MRT station

Hours : 9am-6pm Sat & Sun

Among the largest markets in the world, Chatuchak Weekend Market seems to unite everything buyable, from used vintage sneakers to baby squirrels. JJ, as it’s also known, is the ideal place to finally pick up those gifts for people back home, not to mention a pretty item or two for your own home. The market is roughly divided into thematic sections, the best guide to these being Nancy Chandler’s Map of Bangkok. Because Chatuchak is a Thai institution, food also plays a significant role, and there are numerous drinks and snack vendors, and several good restaurants on the outside edges of the market. Plan to spend a full day, as there’s plenty to see, do and buy. But come early, ideally around 9am to 10am, to beat the crowds and the heat.

Things sold in Chatuchak Weekend Market

What’s For Sale?

Clothing & Accessories (sections 2-6, 10-26)
Handicrafts (sections 8-11)
Ceramics (sections 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 25)
Furniture and Home Decoration (sections 1,3,4,7,8)
Food and Beverage (sections 2, 3, 4, 23, 24, 26, 27)
Plants and Gardening tools (sections 3, 4)
Art and Gallery (section 7)
Pets and Pet Accessories (sections 8, 9, 11, 13)
Books (sections 1, 27)
Antiques and Collectibles (sections 1, 26)
Miscellaneous and Used Clothing (sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 22, 25, 26)

5. AmphawaFloating Market

Amphawa Floating Market is an afternoon floating market by the canal near Wat Amphawan Chetiyaram. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, during 12.00 p.m. – 8.00 p.m., the Amphawa Canal is occupied by vendors who pack their boats with food and drinks, such as fried sea mussel, noodles, coffee, O-liang (iced black coffee), sweets, etc. Visitors can enjoy a cozy atmosphere and music broadcast by the community members, explores the market, have food, and hire a boat to see fireflies at night.