Cultural Interest

This is the largest golden teakwood building in the world, built in 1901 by King Chulalongkorn the Great (Rama V) as a royal residence. It is located behind the National Assembly Building. The 3-storey mansion contains 81 rooms, halls and antechambers. It was renovated and extensively restored by the order of H.M. Queen Sirikit to house priceless treasures and a collection of late 19th and early 20th century royal memorabilia.

This famous Bangkok landmark is on the Thon Buri side of the Chao Phraya River, directly opposite the Grand Palace complex and easily accessible by boat from the Bangkok side. The temple dates back to the Ayutthaya period. The temple was enlarged by King Rama II and King Rama III. Renovations were completed in the reign of King Rama IV. The Emerald Buddha was enshrined in this temple for a brief period before King Rama I built the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo on the Bangkok side.

Located on Bamrung Mueang Road, the temple is renowned for its superb murals and elaborate woodcarving door panels created during the reign of King Rama II. The preaching hall contains a collection of gilded Buddha images. The temple was constructed in the early 19th century and there are four smaller chapels constructed on each of its corners.

Located at the end of Chinatown’s Yaowarat Road, this temple houses the extraordinary 700-year-old golden Buddha image, a seated figure composed entirely of five and a half tons of gold. Previously, it had been covered with plaster and once broken off, the true treasure beneath was suddenly revealed - the figure was found to be composed entirely of gold. It is now an important and sacred Buddha image of unique beauty. The temple is open daily from 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. with an admission fee of 20 baht.

On Wisutkasat Road, visitors will enjoy a visit to this temple with its impressive 32-metre-high standing Buddha image and other buildings within its complex which are well worth seeing.

The temple is open daily from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. and there is no charge for admission.

Located near Ratchadamnoen Avenue, this temple houses a 58- metre-high stupa surmounted by a golden cupola. The relic of the Lord Buddha is enshrined here. Visitors can climb the 318 steps to the cupola. Before entering the cupola area, however, it is interesting to see Thais placing flowers, lighting candles and paying homage to Buddha images. This room beneath the cupola is redolent of sandalwood and incense and attracts many Thai visitors.

Beside Sanam Luang is Silpakorn University, the first university of art in Thailand. All kinds of art have been passed down from generation to generation, keeping Thailand abreast of changes in modern art.

Professor Silpha Bhirasri (1892 - 1962), an Italian artist serving the Royal Government, committed himself wholeheartedly to developing art education in Thailand. He was the founder of this university.