Bangkok is one of the busiest and most popular cities in all of Thailand. Bustling with old world culture and modern technology, the blend of incredible people and spectacular landmarks is truly amazing.

One of the best ways to learn about Bangkok, and the history of Thailand itself, is to visit some of the area’s museums and historic and religious sites. Here are a few to get you started.

9. National Gallery

Bangkok’s National Gallery is certainly a site to see. The gallery houses a permanent collection of Thai artwork, both modern and traditional. Visitors will also often find temporary exhibitions of artwork from other areas of Thailand as well as from international artists. You must ask your Bangkok hotel concierge to call the gallery if you want to know what’s on display as the staff generally does not speak English.

8. Wat Arun

Wat Arun, also known as the Temple of Dawn, is located in the Thonburi section of Bangkok.  The temple is an incredibly popular site, especially during dawn and dusk hours. The architecture used to construct the prangs is incredible and the broken porcelain mosaics are astounding but the site of the sun rising or setting over the Chao Phraya river is one you’ll always remember.

7. Queen Saowapha Snake Farm

What would you do if you were ever bit by a deadly snake? You’d rush to the nearest hospital for an antidote, of course. And how are those antidotes made? They’re made after the venom from some of the most deadly snakes in the world are milked from them. Visit the Queen Saowapha Snake Farm and you’ll have the opportunity to see just that, as cobras, it vipers, and dozens of other deadly creatures are handled with relative ease.

6. Kukrit Pramoj Heritage House

The Kukrit Pramoj Heritage House is located in the Silom section of Bangkok and was preserved to honor the life of the former Prime Minister. Thailand did not become a monarchy until 1932 and after that Kukrit Pramoj spearheaded the development of the first political party. He served as Prime Minister between 1974 and 1975. After his death in 1995, his house was preserved as an example of Thai culture – something he worked hard to preserve and promote during his own lifetime.

5. Royal Barge Museum

The Royal Barge Museum, located in the Thonburi section of the city, is the place where the royal ceremonial barges are stored on the Chao Phraya River. The barges were constructed during the earlier half of the 19^th century and were designed to look like the the mythical creatures featured in the Ramakien. Visit while the boats are on the river to see the oarsmen, coxswains, rhythm-keepers, and flag wavers hard at work!

4. Wat Praw Kaew

Wat Praw Kaew, or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, is one of the most awe inspiring structures within Bangkok’s Grand Palace. It is perhaps the most ornately decorated wat (temple) in Thailand, featuring gold embellishments, ornately carved statues, and – of course – the Emerald Buddha carved out of a 31 inch high piece of jade.

3. Democracy Monument & October 14 Monument

The Democracy Monument in Old City is one of the most popular landmarks in Bangkok. The Democracy Monument was built after Thailand became a constitutional monarchy back in 1932. The October 14^th Monument, on the other hand, was built to honor the dozens of people who died during a conflict between students protesting military rule and the military itself on October 14^th, 1973. It’s a humbling site to see.

2. Jim Thompson’s House

Jim Thompson was originally an architect from New York City but after World War II he ended up in Thailand working as an officer for the OSS (a pre-CIA group). He tried several business ventures and eventually made a fortune in the silk industry. His house is considered one of Bangkok’s finest treasures as all six buildings on his compound were built out of imported parts from other buildings. Three of the six buildings are in their original state while the others have undergone renovations.

1. National Museum

The National Museum is perhaps the absolute best place to go if you really want to immerse yourself in Thai history. Located in the Old City section of Bangkok, the National Museum features artifacts and pieces of artwork dating back as far as 4,000 – 3,000 BC. Many of the most notable masterpieces from the northern parts of Thailand are on display in the National Museum. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday. Ask your hotel concierge to help you find out when they host guided tours in English.

Are you ready to explore all that Bangkok has to offer? Start with a few of these incredible sites and you’ll learn more about Bangkok and Thailand than you ever imagined possible. Explore and enjoy!

Posted in Thailand

This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010 at 4:24 am and is filed under Thailand. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.