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| Bangkok-Thailand Highlight |
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Bangkok City & Temples Combined Grand Palace
Every visitor to Bangkok should see the magnificent buildings within the Grand Palace compound to get a feeling of the grandeur architectural style.
Since the founding of Bangkok as the Nations capital by King Rama I, The Grand Palace has been the major architectural symbol of The Thai Royal Family. In the present time, The Royal Family resides at Chitralada Palace while The Grand Palace is used for ceremonial purposes.he main buildings within the Grand Palace compound were built for King Rama V, who was the first Thai King to travel to Europe.
Phra Thinang Chakri Maha Prasat, built in 1877 by King Rama V as his Royal Residence, is the most highly recognized architectural landmark of the Nation. The central Throne Hall, which was formerly used for the reception of foreign envoys, is flanked by reception areas decorated with galleries of portraiture. The central room on the second floor is used as a shrine for the reliquary ashes of Kings Rama IV, Rama V, Rama VI, Rama VII and Rama VIII.
Borom Phiman Mansion was also constructed during the reign of King Rama V. When his son, King Rama VI ascended to the throne, he had it improved for use as his residence. The three succeeding Kings also resided here at one time or another. |
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The Siwalai Gardens, where the office of The Royal Household Bureau is located, were used for receptions as well as a recreation area for the royal women and children.
Maha Monthien Prasat houses The Audience Hall of Amarin Winitchai where ceremonies of the Court usually take place in front of the throne surmounted by its canopy of nine tiers of white cloth.
How to go there:
The most enjoyable route is to take the BTS Skytrain to Taksin Station. From here take a Chao Phraya River Express boat to Tha Chang Wang Luang Pier. It is a short walk from the pier to the entrance to The Grand Palace public entrance.
Opening Hours: Open to the public everyday, except during special Royal Ceremonies, from 8.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m.
Admission Fee: Baht 300. This also includes admission to Wat Phra Kaeo, The Royal Thai Decorations & Coins Pavilion in the same compound and to Vimanmek Mansion Museum on Ratchawithi Road. Baht 100. for rental personal audio guide in English, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Japanese or Mandarin.
Dress Code: Visitors are required to dress appropriately. Thus the following dress - code (applicable to both ladies and gentlemen) is requested:
1. Shorts, mini-skirts, short skirts, tight fitting trousers, as well as tights can not be worn as outer garments.
2. See-through shirts and blouses, as well as culottes or quarter length trousers can not be worn.
3. Sleeveless shirts or vests can not be worn as outer garments.
4. Sandals (without ankle or heel straps) can not be worn.
5. All shirt sleeves, whether long or short, can not be rolled up.
6. Sweat shirts and sweat pants, wind-cheaters, pajamas and fisherman trousers can not be worn.
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Bangkok The World Best for Traveller |
For the first time, Bangkok, Thailand’s capital, is top of Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best City list following its 2008 World’s Best Awards readers’ survey. This further strengthens Bangkok’s image as a major tourist destination in the world.
The win does not come as a surprise for Bangkok. The city has always been a consistent placer in the top 5 for the last three consecutive years on the US-based travel magazine’s list, but its 13th Annual World’s Best Awards Readers’ Survey Results announced July 10, 2008, marked the first time that the Thai capital was able to snatch the top ranking.
According to Mrs. Phornsiri Manoharn, the Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, (TAT) “Bangkok deserves the top ranking in the world’s best city survey because it has everything to offer to different types of visitors, from its modern infrastructure and world-renowned hospitality and service, to our rich culture and to-die-for cuisine.”
The opening of Suvarnnabhumi International Airport just three years ago was a sign of Thailand’s strong commitment to the tourism industry. The new airport link due to be operational in the near future confirms the city’s commitment to constantly upgrading its infrastructure for the greater convenience of all visitors to the country. To provide an added dimension to the already rich culture in the capital city of Thailand is the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, which stands to become one of the city’s major attractions.
Meanwhile, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration(BMA) is keen on further uplifting the overall image of the city. Mr. Apirak Kosayodhin, Governor of Bangkok, said that the survey results will influence the decision making of visitors who are considering a visit to Thailand during the high tourism season during the last quarter onwards. Currently, the BMA’s campaign is emphasizing on the ‘Five Charms of Bangkok’: culture, the Chao Phraya River, shopping, nightlife and cuisine.
The city of Bangkok has always been a perennial winner of tourism awards given by international organisations, and consistently scores high in readers’ surveys conducted by leading travel magazines such as Travel + Leisure and Conde Nast Traveler.
Bangkok was named World’s Best City 2008 with a score of 87.61, ahead of Argentina’s Buenos Aires, last year’s runner up, and Cape Town, South Africa, which jumped from no. 10 in 2007.
Being voted the best city in the world secures the capital’s top position in the 10 Best Asian cities, fending off the challenge by Kyoto which climbed up to second place from no. 6 in last year’s survey. Thailand’s Chiang Mai has retained its no. 3 ranking for two successive years, remaining as one of the most preferred choices among visitors to Thailand after Bangkok.
All winners of the Travel + Leisure 2008 World’s Best Awards will be honoured in New York City on 24 July. |
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Provided by Tourism Authority of Thailand http://www.tat.or.th
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