Bangkok Essentials

By Michael Holland

For any first-time visitor to Bangkok, there are certain "must see" sights that you have to visit. While "the Big Mango" is home - literally - to hundreds of museums as well as assorted palaces, temples and other tourist spots, there are three destinations that most will say you need to visit to have "done" Bangkok: The Grand Palace, Wat Po (The Temple of the Reclining Buddha) and Wat Arun (The Temple of Dawn.)

In addition to the 'big three' I've also selected a dozen or so other sights - some popular, some interesting but a bit off the tourist trail - that are easily accessible using the city's train and boat system.

My eGuide, "Bangkok Essentials", combines the detailed information about these sights with useful information about how to get there, as well as how to make your way around Bangkok quickly and easily. The content, most of which is taken from this web site, is enhanced with end-notes giving you background information and bits of trivia you won't find anywhere else. You'll find far more detail than you'll get from any travel guide, in a small format that's easy to take with you.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michael Holland
• Release date: Mar 17, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476377766

Michael Holland

Bangkok-based travel writer working throughout Southeast Asia.

Book preview

Bangkok Essentials

A Guide to the Essential Sights of Bangkok

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2012 by Michael Holland

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the author, and where permitted by law. Reviewers may quote brief passages in a review. To request permission and all other inquiries, contact Michael Holland via AsiaForVisitors.com.

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Michael Holland is the author of Asia for Visitors, one of the largest on-line travel guides to Southeast Asia. With content covering Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, the web site contains more than 5,000 pages of information complemented by more than 3,000 photographs. Asia for Visitors provides detailed, up to date information on popular tourist destinations as well as many off the beaten track locales, with step-by-step instructions on how to get there, where to stay and what to see.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

Introduction to Old Bangkok

Temple Etiquette

When To Go

The Grand Palace & Temple of the Emerald Buddha

Background and Map

Getting There & Getting In

Museum of Regalia, Royal Decorations and Coins

The Temple of the Emerald Buddha

The Central Court

Outer Court Buildings

Wat Po

The Temple of the Reclining Buddha

Getting There and Getting In

Wat Arun

The Temple of Dawn

Getting There and Getting In

Suan Pakkad Palace

The Cabbage Patch Palace

Getting There and Getting In

Jim Thompson House

The Jim Thompson House Museum

Getting There and Getting In

Chatuchak Weekend Market

Chatuchak Weekend Market

JJ Mall

Getting There

Wat Traimit

Wat Traimit – The Temple of the Golden Buddha

Getting There and Getting In

Wat Yannawa

Wat Yannawa

Getting There

Pak Klong Talat

Pak Klong Fresh Market

Getting There

Royal Barges

Royal Barge Museum

Getting There and Getting In

Getting Around

Introduction

Taxi

Skytrain & Subway

Chaophraya Express Boat

Tuk-Tuk

Safety & Security

Safety and Security in Bangkok

End Notes

Trivia

The Chakri Dynasty

Temple Terms

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Introduction

For any first-time visitor to Bangkok, there are certain must see sights that you have to visit. While the Big Mango is home – literally – to hundreds of museums as well as assorted palaces, temples and other tourist spots, there are three destinations that most will say you need to visit to have done Bangkok: The Grand Palace, Wat Po (a.k.a. The Temple of the Reclining Buddha) and Wat Arun (a.k.a. The Temple of Dawn.)

There was a time when the only easy way to get to these sights was to join a tour group. Sadly, all three places still tend to have too many bus-loads of tourists, but things have gotten quite easy for independent travelers who want to see these sights on their own. The introduction of the elevated train system in 1999, joined by the subway in 2003, means that it's now possible to easily get