16. MBK center

Situated in the most colorful shopping area of Bangkok, MBK Center is one of the top-list shopping malls which comes up as the first choice to many people’s mind.

While SiamCenter and Siam Discovery target teenagers and Siam Paragon is high-end shopping complex, MBK interestingly attracts any kinds of customers regardless sex, occupation or age.The building has been newly renovated, giving a feeling of hi-techy spacecraft to the customers.This shopping center consists of 7 floors and its shops are conveniently divided into certain zones.
Starting from the ground floor, the 2nd and 3rd floor, many youngsters are attracted to hundreds of clothing shops and boutiques, where you can easily get hot fashion update.
The next best thing is gold jewellery and accessories shops, offering quality products for gold and gem lovers, on the 2nd and 3rd floor.
Moreover, on the 3rd floor, health and beauty advocates, especially ladies, will be fascinated by spas, beauty salons and face-massage palors, offering pleasingly soothing experience.
The famous feature is mobile phone shops. On the 4th floor, you will experience hundreds of mobile stores, making this floor one of the most crowded space of the mall.
You can go straight to the 5th floor and enjoy various selections of home decor accessories as well.
The 6th floor is well-known for its numerous number of Thai Handicraft shops, selling exquisitely hand-made Thai local products. No wonder this floor is especially crowded by the tourists.
MBK Center is famous for its ethnic restaurants as well. Thai, Japanese, Chinese or even Muslim food selections can be found on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th floor (where the Fifth Food Center is located).
But if you want to have just simple meals, several popular fast food restaurants are provided on the 7th floor.

After done with the shopping, don’t miss the entertainment complex on the 7th floor where you can get a groove on a variety of leisure activities in SF Cinema City, SF Music City Karaoke and SF Strike Bowl.

In addition, you can take time with a variety of activities held at the multi-function court in front of MBK, where you can enjoy good street dance performances, concerts or even tatooing competitions.

15. Erawan Shrine

Only few people don’t know Erawan Shrine (San Phra Phrom in Thai) because it is one of the most Thai sacred places which attracts both Thais and foreigners. Moreover, recently news about someone beating Erawan statue stirs more people visiting here.
Erawan Shrine was built in 1956 during the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel’s construction under the advice of a spiritual advisor due to a number of problems during the construction. The concept of Erawan Shrine’s construction is tantamount to Thai spirit house. People believe that Brahma (Phra Phrom) will create many good lucks to them. Both Thais and foreign visitors come to pay their respects here because they believe that Erawan is very holy. Nowadays the number of worshippers is increasing every year.
People offer colorful flower garlands, lotus, incense and candles. If a wish comes true, they will thank the spirits by donating teak elephants or providing the classical Thai dancers and live orchestra. Moreover, some people thank by naked dance.
Although the old Erawan statue which now is replaced by the Erawan’s picture was destroyed, the number of visitors increases everyday. Due to the location near many shopping centers and restaurant, here becomes the must see place of Bangkok.
Erawan Shrine is located next to the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel on Rajadamri Road. There is no entrance fee but the vendors around the shrine will encourage you to purchase flowers and candles, etc.

14. The Queen’s Gallery

The Queen’s Gallery, officially opened in 2003, was established in response to Her Majesty Queen Sirikit’s wish to provide a place for the exhibition of Thai fine arts, especially paintings and sculptures. Also known in the other name ‘Phan Fa Art Gallery’, it is a part of the Musical Art Center at Bangkok Bank, Phan Fa Bridge Branch. The exhibition area approximately covers 3,700 square meters from the 1st to the 4th floor. On the 5th floor are situated an office, a multi-purpose function room and an auditorium. Moreover, painting and painting-frame repair service is offered on the top floor of the building.This Thai arts exhibition center is of grand, modern and stylish design and it interchangeably displays various comtemporary artworks from both Thai and foreigner artists.

Open: everyday except Wednesday from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

13. Nana

If Yaowaraj road is China town of Bangkok, Soi Sukhumvit 3/1 can also be the middle-east town of Bangkok. If you want to feel the odor of urban middle-east Bangkok with the middle-east style restaurants this is the place to be. Nana is also well known for its Red light District, Nana Plaza Sukhumvit soi 4 to be more accurate. Nana Plaza a complex of many strip bars, full of interesting and colorful bars, some even have glass floors that you can walk on but usually it is for the dancers. Though not as famous as Soi Patpong, it is targeted more towards local foreigners with friendlier staffs. While in the area either visiting the middle-eastern restaurants or the red light areas there is always an option for shopping. Bangkok and major tourist destinations always have this type of small side walk shops. It is all packed along side of Sukhumvit road from Nana to Asoke. You can buy watches, bags, souvenirs and clothing. Taylor made cloths may be another choice to get in this area. Many reputable Indian tailors are near the Ambassador hotel.

12. Victory Monument

If you happen to see a large monument when you were on the BTS that would be the Victory Monument. The Victory Monument was built in the reign of the present king, HM King Bhumibol Adulyadei to commemorate soldiers, policemen and civilians who gave their lives in the service of the country. Around the base of the base are statues representing the army, navy, air-force, police and civil services. Under the statues are bronze plates engraved with the names of people who died during the Franco-Thai dispute in 1943. The monument area is a major hub in ground transportation. Most of buses and vans will assemble here as the main stop. You can take a shared private van to many areas of Bangkok and surrounding provinces. Around the monument is also the shopping area. Lots of clothing, bag, shoes, accessories and CDs are provided for shoppers and people waiting for there ride. There are also many mall like shopping centers in the area. And if you are hungry while you are shopping, you should try the popular “kwua tew rua”noodle shop which cost, 7 baht per one dish. Thanks to the BTS elevated walk way that made this already crowded area even more crowded. But it really made victory monument a more accessible. Also it has created many view points you can enjoy if you can get through the people traffic and side walk vender.

11. Siam Ocean World Bangkok

One of the largest aquariums in south East Asia will be opening to the public on the December 9, 2005 with the awaited grand opening of the Siam Paragon shopping complex.
We bring you the exclusive preview of what’s inside.

10. JIM THOMPSON HOUSE

James Harrison Wilson or Jim Thomson, was born Greenville, Delaware, in 1906. He was decided to settle down in Thailand permanently. He chooses Architecture career because of his art-loving. When European war becomes more violent, he turned to be a soldier in US army. It is his turning point. He was a member of the US Office of Strategic Services (OSS), during WWII. He had a chance roaming around in Asia, America, Europe and Africa. Thompson revived silk weaving industry in Thailand at the end of the Second World War. He makes Thai silk to be well known in worldwide and he was named as King of Thai silk. Because his love of Thai arts, he bought five Thai houses from Ayutthaya and one from Bankruanua then combined them to 6 twin Thai houses. They were decorated with value antiques and artifacts among perennial plants near Klong Sansap.

9. Khaosan Road

The word Kaosan in Thai means rice, this use to be a place where rice are sold (uncooked) that's where the name came from. Now it is the gate way for economy class tourist where cheap accommodations and active night life is offered.

8. Golden Mount

Wat Saket's(sometime spelled "Wat Srakes") major feature is The Golden Mountain. This artificial hill was made out of mud and brick by King Rama III (1800s). Then King Rama IV started the construction of the Chedi at the summit. It was not like what it is today. Later on King Rama V added more structure to complete the Golden Mountain. And of course during that time until now minor renovation and constructions took place. Admission is free except for the final approach to the top, which cost 10 baht. Open daily from 8:00 am. to 5:00 pm.

Tel. (02)621-0576, (02)233-4561

7. Siam Paragon

From the makers of The Mall, Emporium, now they bring you Siam Paragon.The much awaited complex will house not only luxurious shops, but it will have an aquarium, entertainment complex.

6. Snamluang Park

Sanamluang Park is on of the largest open space park where many activities and ceremonies take place here from the pass until present day. The large open space is flexible to be used in many functions (concerts, festivals, royal ceremonies). These set of images exhibit the Thai kite festival. It has been serving the people of Bangkok on many activities and ceremonies for decades.

5.WAT PO

This large and extensive temple neighbours the Grand Palace on Thay Wang Road and houses the very impressive gigantic gold plated reclining Buddha which is some 46 metres long and 15 metres high. Its soles are inlaid with mother of pearl. The temple is regarded as the first centre of public education and is sometimes call Thailand's first university.
Admission:20 Baht per person Open: from 9 am to 5 pm

4. Wat arun

Wat Arun or Temple of the Dawn is name after the Indian god of the dawn-Aruna. (วัดอรุณ) The riverbank Landmark is opposite Wat Po and diagonally opposite the Grand Palace. It is Best Known for a porcelain encrusted 79 meter high central pagoda which sparkles in the sun. Open: Daily from 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Admission: 20 baht

3. Bangkok National Museum

In 1874 King Rama V opened the first public museum in Thailand in the Grand Palace to exhibit his father King Rama IV’s private collections of antiquities and other objects of interest. In 1887, the museum was relocated to 3 halls of “Wang Na” (Front Palace, meaning the palace of the Crown Prince). Later, King Rama VII gave over all the buildings in the palace compound to be the Bangkok Museum.

This largest museum of South East Asia currently houses 3 permanent exhibitions galleries.

1. The Gallery of Thai History starting from Sukhothai era until Rattanakosin era exhibited in Siwamokhaphiman Hall.

2. The Archaeologicl and Art History Collections which are divided into 2 sections.
(1) The Prehistory Gallery is displayed in the rear of Sivamokhaphiman Hall.
(2) The Art History Collections starting from 18th buddhist century until Rattanakosin Era are displayed in Prapas Pipitthaphan Building. And the ones after 18th buddhist century are in Maha Surasinghanat Building.

3. The Decorative Arts and Ethnological Gallery displayed in the old central palace buildings. It includes a variety of artistic, cultural and ehnological objects such as musical instruments, gold treasures, ceramics, mother of pearl inlay, costume and textiles, old weapons, etc.
Other exhibits of interest are such as
Cremation Chariot Hall which houses various chariots used for royal creamation ceremonies.
Morever, there are pavilions and throne halls such as Buddhaisawan Hall, Manklaphisek Hall, The Red House, Sala Long Song Pavilion, etc. These are the best examples of Thai architecture in the Early Rattanakosin Era which are all greatly magnificent.

2.Wat Phra Kaeo

The Royal Monastery of the Emerald Buddha) Inside an inner Courtyard consist 3 group of buildings. The Temple of Emerald Buddha, the Upper Terrace, and the Subsidiary Buildings on the north. The piont we are at is the Upper Terrace in front of the Prasat Phra Dhepbidorn.
Open: Daily from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (except during royal ceremonies)
Admission: 200 baht (including admission to Vimanmek Royal Mansion)
Wat Prakeaw
Address :
Na phralan Road
Phra Borommaha
ratchawang
Sub-District Phra Nakhon District
Bangkok 10200
Bus:1 3 6 9 15 19 25
30 32 33 39 43 44 47 53 59 60 64 65 70 80 82 91 123 201 203
Open: Daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (except during royal ceremonies)
Admission : 200 baht (including admission to Vimanmek Royal Mansion)
Tel:(662)2228181:
3801 3890,
(662)222-2208,
623-5500:3100

1.The Grand Palace

The GrandPalace
is a truly amazing architectural construction.It is a large complex covering an area of 218,000 square meters which was built in the early years of Chakkri dynasty. The complex consists of four large groups of building serving different royal functions. The first one is the Wat Pra Keaw a royal religious temple. The second is the royal ceremonial complex containing the Chakri Maha Prasat Hall. The third is the royal residence and guest residence, the Borom Phiman Mansion. This is a private zone not a tourist area. The forth is the staff and governmental offices. There are plenty of tour guides to give visitors historical aspects of this beautiful palace. It is certainly a must see for all visitors.
Grand Palace Address :The Royal Decorations & Cions Division: On the right side of the main entrance of Wat Phra Kaeo

Phone :
(662) 2243328 226-0255 , Fax:662) 225-9158
Openning :
Daily 9 am-4 pm Thai ,Admission fee:10 Bht
Guide:
Must be in group of 10 or more, with written request one week in advance to the Director of Currency Management Bureau Taking photo inside Bldg.
Shoping :
1 st fl.