THAI

Attraction

	City Pillar Shrine ( 5 minutes by walk ) Devotees in colorful costumes flock to the shrine daily to pay their respect and offer dances. The shrine has a wooden pillar, laid down during the time of King Rama I, to serve as the city’s guardian.
	The Giant Swing ( 5 minutes by walk ) This strange contraption was once the focal point of a Brahmin ceremony to honour the Hindu god Shiva’s annual visit to earth, in which teams of young men competed to swing up a height of 25m and grab a suspended bag of gold with their teeth. The act of swinging probably symbolized the rising and setting of the sun, though legend also has it that Shiva and his consort Uma were banned from swinging in heaven because doing so caused cataclysmic floods on earth-prompting Shiva to demand that the practice be continued on earth to ensure moderate rains and bountiful harvests. Accidents were so common with the terrestrial version that it was outlawed in the 1930s.
	Grand Palace ( 10 minutes by walk ) Located next to the Phra Keow Temple, this magnificent royal compound is regular venue for important religious and royal ceremonies.
	Wat Phra Kaew ( 10 minutes by walk ) The country’s grandest temple, it houses the famous Emerald Buddha, the Thais most revered object of worship. Also, priceless works from art masters during the Rattanakosin era are displayed here.
	Khao san Road ( 10 minutes by walk ) A world-renowned backpackers haven, Khao San offers an exciting choice of economical guest houses, restaurants and bars.
	Bang Lamphu Market Specialists in clothing, handbags, men’s and ladies’shoes, cosmetics and curios. Bargaining is recommended.
	The National Theatre ( 10 minutes by walk ) Thailand's National Theatre predominantly shows Thai Classical drama and features performances of Khon - drama where players wear traditional Thai masks. These are truly wonderful productions; extremely ornate costumes, excellent lighting – everything you could want. You can see exhibitions of Thai classical dancing and music on the last Friday and Saturday of each month. The theatre does, however, venture into more international aspects of the medium and it’s worth getting hold of their schedule. Sitting through a long Thai language production can be demanding and it is possible to see similar productions at some of Bangkok’s entertainment venues. As a result, unless you really are a theatre aficionado, seeing a play at the National Theatre might not be at the top of your priority list.
	Queen’s Gallery ( 10 minutes by walk ) was established in response to the gracious wish of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit to provide a permanent home for the exhibition of a wide range of Thai visual arts especially paintings and sculpture. A public gallery is deemed an important means for the promotion of Thai culture and established Thai artists as well as younger ones with exception talent and obvious potential. Her Majesty, the Queen, designated all donated by the Chairman of the Bangkok Bank, Mr. Chatri Sophonpanich and six others, for use in her on-going art promotion activities, stating briefly, “This is the seed money for the building of a Thai arts exhibition center”
	National Museum ( 10 minutes by walk ) Dedicated to preserving the national cultural heritage through collations of arts, archaeological and cultural objects in the Palace of Wang Na compound near the Grand Palace.
	Wat Phra Chetuphon or Wat pho ( 15 minutes by walk ) Home to the famous Reclining Buddha image, this temple is also regarded as Thailand’s first university. It was also here where traditional Thai massage was first taught.
	Royal Barge Shed ( 20 minutes by walk and take a boat ) Showcase for Royal Thai Barges previously used as war vessels. Now, they are occasionally used by the Royal Family for river processions to mark important events in Thailand.
	Wat Arun ( 20 minutes by walk and take a boat ) One of Thailand’s most popular landmarks, noted for its 20-story tall main prang decorated with multi-colored Chinese porcelain.
	Wat Saket ( 10 minutes by taxi ) Wat Saket is a very important monastery in Thailand’s modern history. According to the Royal Chronicle of Rattanakosin Era, King Rama I, founder of the Royal House of Chakri and builder of Thailand’s new capital, Bangkok, had performed the Royal bathing ritual at Wat Saket in 1782 after which he officially established himself the Kingdom’s new ruler. Since then, Wat Saket – thanks to its historical significance – has continued to receive Royal sponsorship and support, which include the construction of all religious buildings and the monks’ living quarters as well as the periodical restoration projects. Wat Saket has also been promoted by Royal decree as a second-rank Royal monastery.
	Vimanmek Mansion ( 10 minutes by taxi ) Built in 1901 as royal residence of King Rama IV, it is the world’s largest golden teak building. It is now a museum housing the king’s memorabilia.
	Wat Trimit ( 15 minutes by taxi ) Formerly called "Wat Samjeentai, this temple was built by three Chinese comrades around 150 years ago. It was restored in 1937 and granted the new name of Wat Trimitwitthayaram. Phra Sukhothaitrimit: The main attraction of the temple is the five-ton, three-metre tall Sukhothai-style Buddha image in the Subduing Mara position made of solid gold known as the Golden Buddha. The image was once believed to be of ordinary stucco until it fell from a crane while being moved to a new building and the gold inside was revealed. The theory is that the covering was a means of protecting it from the Burmese while the capital of Ayutthaya was under siege.
	Chinatown ( YaoWa Rat) ( 15 minutes by taxi ) A bustling trading district for all kinds of products but most prominently gold and jewelry. After dusk, the place becomes a fascinating sidewalk and a center of exquisite Chinese restaurants.
	Phahurat ( Indian market ) ( 10 minutes by taxi ) This is the place to come to buy fabrics and to enjoy Indian cuisine. Phahurat Market is a small Indian community on the fringe of Chinatown. Most of the merchants are Indian Sikhs who are involved in the textile trade. They have a unique way of greeting female shoppers, calling each one “Khunying,” which is a Thai royal title similar to the English Lady. Their selection of fabrics is the best in Bangkok, particularly the Indian cottons and silk.
	Jim Thomson House The remarkable residence/Museum, home of the legendary Jim Thompson, founder of the Thai Silk Company, house an exquisite Southeast Asian art collection.
	Bo Bae Market A wholesale clothing market where everything is sold by the dozen. Its busiest time is in the morning.
	Chatuchak Weekend Market One of Asia’s largest covered open-air markets with an incredible 15,000 stalls and an equally incredible range of goods, including clothing, plants, household products, handicrafts, ceramics, pets and leather goods. Great for browsing and bargain hunting.
	Floating Market – Thaling Chan. This famous Bangkok tourist attraction brings fruit and food merchants together in the early morning on the canal.
	Flower Market Pak Klong Talad, one of Bangkok’s major flower markets, is the perfect market for insomniacs; it’s best to visit at 3:00 am. You’ll find orchids, rare exotics, lotuses, as well as different varieties of ginger and vividly colored chrysanthemums.
	Pratunam Market A vast bazaar jam-packed with stalls and countless peddlers which attract large crowds. Also of interest here are open-air restaurants, a shopping complex and the soaring Baiyoke Tower, the tallest apartment building in Southeast Asia.
	Patpong Night Bazaar After sunset, the pedestrian precinct of Papong 1, which has some of Bangkok’s famous nightspots, is transformed into a busy market for garments. Bargaining is a must.
	Suanlum Night Bazaar Very popular market offering one of the largest selections of Thai products in the country. More than 3,500 small shops selling clothes and accessories, jewelry, home décor item, arts and handicrafts and souvenirs.
	Siam Niramit Bangkok’s newest and one of the world’s largest theatre stages a lavish production exploring the cultural heritage and beliefs of the Thai people. Thailand’s must-see show has attracted rave reviews from around the world.

Specialist Traditional Thai Food / Sweets Shops and Restaurants

BP is among nineteenth-century wooden shop houses selling outstanding traditional Thai foods. Many of these places have been making their special dishes for generations. For the real old-fashioned Thai taste though, browse southern Thanon Tanao and its network of sois south of Democracy Monument and west of Sao Ching Cha , where traditional shophouses have been selling specialist sweets and savouries for generations.

	Kai Yang Boran ( 5 minutes by walk ) 474-476 Thanon Tanao, immediately to the south of the Chao Poh Seua Chinese shrine . Locally famous grilled chicken and som tam restaurant . Daily 9am-8pm.
	Gor Panith ( 5 minutes by walk ) 431-433 Thanon Tanao, on the east side, directly opposite Soi Phraeng Phuton. Trasitional sweets
	Nattaporn ( 5 minutes by walk ) 94 Soi Phraeng Phuton, west off southern Thanon Tanao. This family has been specializing in its famous home-made fresh coconut ice-cream for over sixty years, topping it with classic Thai condiments like sweetcorn, red beans and taro balls. They also do chocolate, coffee and ice-tea flavours. To find it, round until you reach Nattaporn, on the corner of the next sub-soi. Mon-Sat 9am-4pm.
	Tom Yam Kung Thanon Khao San. ( 10 minutes by walk ) Occasionally Mouth-blastingly authentic Thai food served in courtyard of beautiful, early twentieth-century villa that’s hidden behind Khao San’s modern clutter. The menu ( B115-300 ) includes spicy fried catfish, coconut-palm curry with tofu and shrimps in sugar cane. Well-priced cocktails, draught beer and a small wine list.
	Padthai Thipsamai (10 minutes by taxi ) 313 Thanon Mahachai , near Wat Rajnadda www.thipsamai.com. The most famous phat thai in Bangkok, flash-fried by the same husband and wife team since 1966. The “extra” option is huge, comes with especially juicy prawns, and is wrapped in translucent, paper-thin omelette. Best washed down with fresh coconut juice. Daily except alternate Wed, from 5.30pm.
	Kin lom Chom Saphan ( 15 minutes by taxi ) Riverside end of thanon Samsen Soi 3. This sprawling, waterside seafood restaurant boasts close-up views of the lyre-like Rama VIII Bridge and is always busy with a youngish Thai crowd. The predominantly seafood menu ( B130-300) features everything from crab to grouper cooked in multiple ways, including with MSG. As well as the usual complement of tom yam and tom kha soups, there are yam salads and meat options including stir-fried ostrich with herbs.
	In Love (20 minutes by taxi ) Thanon Samsen and Thewet, Beside the Tha Thewet express-boat pier at 2/1 Thanon Krung Kasem, Popular place for good Thai seafood-and riverine breezes-with decent Chao Phraya views, an airy second floor terrace ,and a huge menu including baked cotton fish in mango sauce, steamed sea bass with lime and chili, and tom yam kung, Most dishes Between 160-300.

 

55 Buranasart Rd., San Chao-pho-suea, Pranakorn, Bangkok 10200
Tel : +66(0) 2 6222189-91
Fax : +66(0)2 6221414
E-mail : contact@boonsiriplace.com

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