THE SHED OF THE ROYAL BARGES
(Tel: 4240004) This shed where several royal barges are displayed is located on Khlong Bangkok Noi off the Chao Phraya River not far from Phra Pin Klao Bridge. These barges were used on Royal and government occasions and formerly served war vessels. The most beautiful and well-known barge is "Suphanahong" used by the King only when he made his Royal river procession for the Kathin ceremony a Buddhist tradition of offering robes to monks usually during October or November. The Royal barges proceeded during the Rattanakosin Bicentennial celebrations. The unique design and decorative details of each barge should be of great interest to all visitors. The shed is open to the public every day from 8.30 a.m.- 4.30 p.m. There is an admission fee of 10 baht.

ERAWAN SHRINE

Thailand's devotion to Hindu deities is best represented by the famous shrine at the Ratchadamri traffic junction, where the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel stands.

To boost their fortunes or success in their ventures, be it studies or business, Thais make offerings at the statue of the Hindu God Brahma. Originally erected by Grand Hyatt Erawan to counter a series of accidents during the construction, the shrine is now redolent with incense smoke and jasmine. To repay the deity for fulfilled wishes devotees place wooden elephants around the shrine or hire a resident troupe to dance.

DUSIT ZOO

This is one of the most popular places in Bangkok for family outings, especially on weekends. Located on Rama V Road, the zoo is spread over 47 acres. The main entrance to the zoo is on Rajvithi Road. The zoo is also known as Khao Din Zoo. The place is so-called because its central topographical feature is a manmade hill which gives a view of the entire park.

Formerly a part of the Royal Dusit Garden Palace, the Dusit Zoo was set up by King Rama V as his private botanical garden. The zoo houses a fine collection of birds and animals, including the white elephant. It is open 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

LUMPINI PARK

It stands like an oasis amid a concrete jungle. Named after Lord Buddha's birthplace, this park is an ideal place to take a break from the hectic pace of life and give your lungs a fresh breath of air. In an artificial lake at the park, ducks and paddle boat fans can be seen moving around unmindful of the travails of Bangkokians on the roads.

The main entrance to the park is opposite the Dusit Thani Hotel on Rama IV Road where the statue of King Rama IV stands.

THE GRAND PALACE AND WAT PHRA KAEO

This city landmark should be the first place on any visitor's itinerary. It is a huge compound on Na Phra Lan Road near Pramane Ground is surrounded by high white walls and occupies an area of about a square mile. The palace, begun in 1782, consists of several buildings with highly decorated architectural details. The Royal chapel, Wat Phra Kaeo, which is in the same compound, houses the Emerald Buddha, the most sacred Buddha image in Thailand. Photography inside the building housing the Emerald Buddha is forbidden. The complex is open daily from 8.30 a.m.- 3.30 p.m. Admission fee is 125 baht(including tickets to The Coin Pavilion & Phra Thi Nang Vimanmek & Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall). Proper dress is essential.

PHRA THI NANG VIMANMEK AND ABHISEK DUSIT THRONE HALL
Vimanmek Palace is located behind Bangkok's National Assembly and is the world's largest building made entirely of golden teak . The three storey wooden palace has 81 rooms, halls and ante-rooms, excluding and verandahs. Near the entrance to Vimanmek Palace is the Royal Carriage Museum where 13 royal horse-drawn carriages once used during the reign of King Rama V are collected. The collection is so splendid and regarded to be of great historical value.

Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall (The Support Museum), a one storey teak building built in the reign of King V, is situated on the east wing of Vimanmek Throne Hall. Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall is now Thailand's first handicraft museum where Her Majesty The Queen collects handicraft masterpieces created by members of Support Foundation . In the museum, visitors find such handicrafts as niellowares Thai silk with various unique designs,"Lipao"basketry like beautiful trays, handbags studded with jewels in different designs such as green beetle.

The compound is open daily from 9.00 a.m.- 4.00 p.m. Admission fee is Baht 50 per person. Free guide available (Tel. 2818166, 2816880, 2811569, 2811518, 2805926)

p.m. Admission fee is Baht 20.

SUAN PAKKAD PALACE (Tel: 2454934)
On Si Ayutthaya Road not far from the intersection of Phaya Thai Road used to be the residence of Princess ChumShol of Nagara Svarga one of Thailand's leading art collector. There is a complex of five traditional Thai Houses overlooking a beautifully kept garden. They house a large collection of Asian art and antiques. One building exhibits a collection of seashells mineral crystal and painted pottery from Ban Chiang .

Suan Pakkad Palace is open everyday except Sunday from 9.00 a.m.- 4.00 p.m. There is an admission fee of Baht 80.

JIM THOMPSON'S THAI HOUSE
This remarkable Thai-style house was the work of Mr. Jim Thompson an American who came to Thailand at the end of the Second World War and revived the Thai Silk industry. His later disappearance in the Malaysian jungles remains a mystery to this day. The house now a museum is at the end of Soi Kasemsan 2 opposite the National Stadium on Rama I Road.
On permanent display are Mr.Thompson's collection of Asian artifacts such as blue-while China ware Cambodian stone figures benjarong (a multi-couloured porcelain made in China) wooden Burmese statues and many other fabulous antiques. Jim Thompson's House is open from Monday to Saturday inclusive from 9.00 a.m.- 4.30 p.m. Admission costs Baht 100. Volunteer guides explain the collection to visitors.

PASTEUR INSTITUTE (Snake Farm)
This interesting spot is located at the corner of Henri Dunant Road and Rama IV Road west of Chulalongkorn Hospital. It is a section of the Thai Red Cross where one can have cholera smallpox and typhoid inoculations as well as rabies treatment. The institute has become a popular tourist attraction because of its large collection of live poisonous snakes.

The Snake Farm is open to the public every day between 8.30 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. on weekdays and 8.30 a.m.- 12.00 p.m. on public holidays. The extraction of venom from the snakes is demonstrated daily at 10.30 a.m. and 2.00 p.m. on weekdays and at 10.30 a.m. on public holidays. Admission fee is 70 baht. For further details please call 2520161-4

LABOUR MUSEUM
Located near Makkasan Railway Station Nikhom-Makkasan Road Phayathai . Here labour history of Thailand from the past to present is put on exhibition.
The museum is open daily with no admission fee during 10.00 a.m.- 5.00 p.m. except for Mondays Tuesdays and national holidays.

MUSEUM OF IMAGING
The first camera and photograph museum to be established in Thailand and Asia is located at the same building as the Department of Photographic Science and Printing Technology. Faculty of Science Chulalongkorn University. Historic photograph sand imaging equipment as well as its technological evolution are collected and displayed in the form of camera and imaging technology museum. Modern photographic arts and techniques as well as advanced technology of the dimensional photographs, electronic photography, and printing technology are also exhibited. The museum is open on Saturday between 10.00 a.m.- 4.00 p.m. Admission fee is Baht 100 each. It is also open on weekdays for group visitors making advance contact. Tel. 2511913, 2541748

HALL OF RAILWAYS HERITAGE
It is located to the North of Chatuchak Park near a multipurpose parking lot, is where railway information is collected for publicity. Steam engines, train models, and miniature trains of various sizes are exhibited there along with photographs and paintings depicting development of world railway systems and several other related objects. The Hall of Railways Heritage is open every Sunday between 5.00-12.00 a.m. Admission is free. For more information please contact the Thai Rail Fan Club. Tel. 2432037-9

PRASART MUSEUM
It is located at 9 Soi Krungtepkreetha 4, Si Nakharin Road, Phra Khanong, houses a vast collection of artifacts from pre-historic through Rattanakosin periods. Various styles of architecture, for example, a baroque building, a smaller version of the Red Palace in Bangkok National Museum, and an imitation of Ho Phra of Wat Yai Suwannaram, are scattered within the museum complex. Prasart Museum is open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during 10.00 a.m.- 3.00 p.m. Admission fee is Baht 300 each (snack and beverage included).
It is also open on weekdays for group visitors. Please make advance contact at Tel. 3793601, 3793607, 2539772

BANGKOK PLANETARIUM & SCIENTIFIC MUSEUM
The scientific museum situated next to the Eastern Bus Terminal(Ekamai) is an exhibition center on scientific knowledge and astronomy. Open daily, except Monday and national holidays, from 9.00 a.m.- 4.00 p.m. Admission fee is Baht 10.
At the planetarium, daily performances on the solar system are presented for the public from Tuesday to Sunday. Open from 8.30 8.30 a.m. p.m. Admission fee is 10 baht. For further information, please contact tel. 3925952, 3902301.

NARAYANAPHAND
(Tel: 2524670-9, 2554328-9)
This is handicraft centre, under government supervision, located on Ratchadamri Rd . Visitors may inspect and buy selections of handicrafts from all parts of the country. Items available include Thai silk, ceramics, wood carvings, lacquer ware, bronze objects and
Khon masks. The store is open daily from 10.00 a.m. until 8.00 p.m.

BANGKOK DOLLS & MUSEUM
(Tel: 2453008)
All kinds of Thai dolls are made in this factory which is on Soi Ratchataphan (Soi Mo Leng) off Ratchaprarop Road, in the Pratunam area.
It is open to visitors, who may inspect and buy dolls, every day except Sundays and public holidays from 8.00 a.m.- 5.00 p.m.

SIAM WATER PARK
Siam Water Park is merely a 30-minute drive from the Lat Phrao fly over, and is located in suburban Amphoe Minburi. The park features an extensive man-made sea with artificial surf, whirlpools, fountains and waterfalls, and towering water slides amid carefully landscaped gardens. Satellite attractions include children's playgrounds, aviaries, an open zoo and botanical gardens. The complex is open daily
from 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. (weekdays) and 9.00 a.m. to 07.00 p.m. (weekends). Admission fee is 200 baht for adults and 150 baht for children.
Bus service: No. 26 & 27 from Victory Monument. (Tel: 51700759)

SAFARI WORLD
It is located at 99 Ramindra 1, Min Buri, covers an area of some 430 rai and is divided into 2 parts. The first, the Safari Park, houses a large variety of animals like zebra, deers, giraffe, birds, tigers, lion, bears, etc. in natural habitat. Visitors can drive their own cars or have a good look from one of the Safari World's air-conditioned coaches . The second, the Marine Park, exhibits marine and some rare animals. Visitors can enjoy performances by trained animals like dolphins, birds, seals, and monkeys Restaurants and game shops are also scattered within the area and tram service is provided for those wishing to have a look around.

Safari World is open daily between 9.00 a.m. Admission fee is 400 baht for adults and 300 baht for children. For more information please call 5181000-19
Bus services: No. 26 from Victory Monument goes to Minburi, from where a mini bus service serves Safari World.

MAGICLAND
A large scale amusement park is located on Phaholyotin Road on the way to Domuang Airport. Within its beautifully decorated area, there are linked paths, pools, legendary castles and more than 30 funny toys. Opening time is from 10.00 a.m.- 5.00 p.m. on weekdays and 9.30 a.m.7.00 p.m. on weekends. Admission fee costs 100 baht per person. The price plus service charges is 200 baht a person. For more details please contact Tel. 5131731-8.

With many interesting attractions and places of interest in and around Bangkok, visitors can have a variety of "
do-it-yourself " day trips to keep your holidays fun-filled and enjoyable.

OLD TOWN - CHINATOWN
In the old Bangkok town are located the Grand Palace, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, two universities and several ministries. It is from this side of the Chao Phraya River that one takes a boat to visit the Temple of Dawn and the floating market. Chinatown is situated to the southeast of the old town . The gold shop street and the Temple of the Gold Buddha are located here.

PINKLAO
A bridge was built across the Chao Phraya River near the Grand Palace in 1973. It was named Pin Klao in memory of the last but one deputy king, whose palace was nearby. Now the area on the western side of the river has become one of the most newly developed
areas in Bangkok with several department stores, many restaurants and nightlife establishments.

RATCHADAPHISEK
Ratchadaphisek is the name of the new sections of the inner ring road of Bangkok but is usually used to refer to the short section between the Lat Phrao intersection and the Rama IX Road intersection. This section is being developed into a new commercial district containing several big department stores, office buildings, hotels and a large number of restaurants, A little way off the road is Thailand Cultural Centre, where shows and exhibitions are held from time to time.

RAMKHAMHAENG
When Ramkhamhaeng University was founded on Bangkok's eastern outskirts as Thailand's first open university in 1970, the area was rather remote and underdeveloped. However, as the university's yearly enrollments increased rapidly to 100,000, the area soon became
a new satellite city of Bangkok with ever-increasing shop-houses, apartment buildings, restaurants, cinema houses, department stores, hotels and places of entertainment.

SIAM - RATCHADAMRI
This is one of the biggest and busiest shopping districts in Bangkok. A huge commercial complex, including a 62-storey World trade Centre opposite Ratchadamri Arcade, is partly completed. Located in the area are several large department stores, shopping arcades, cinema theatres, and countless smaller shops. So you can satisfy all your needs if you stay in one of over a dozen first-class hotels in the area.

The Pratunam Market next to the Indra Arcade, is worth visiting if you want to broaden your field of vision. It is also the market of garments for export.

SUKHUMWIT-NEW PHETBURI
In the section from the Soi Nana crossroads to Soi Sukhumwit 21 (Asok Intersection), there are many shops catering to foreign tourists, where jewellery, leather goods, ready-made garments and souvenirs are sold and tailoring, car rent and other service are offered. Inside the lanes (soi) off the road, there are numerous fashionable residences, hotels, apartment houses, and some really good restaurants.

To the north of Sukhumwit Road is the extension of Phetburi Road which does not have many pedestrians in the daytime. After dark, however, the long street is brightened with colourful neon signs and enlivened by people going out to enjoy themselves in dozens of entertainment places along the street.

SILOM-SURAWONG
This district has transformed in half a century from paddy fields into the most important business and financial centre of Bangkok . Today, from end to end, these two parallel streets are full of big blocks of multistory buildings, in which are banks, finance firms, insurance companies, export-import houses, hotels, airlines offices, restaurants, shopping arcades, department stores, and entertainment establishments.

A small area in this district known as Patpong, is famous for various kinds of entertainment--wine, beer, music, dancing, etc.

BANG LAMPHU
A shopping area once frequented solely by local people has become a popular place for tourists. This area offers various inexpensive items, especially ready made clothes, handbags, men's and lady's shoes, cosmetics and curios. Bargaining is recommended.

WEEKEND MARKET AT CHATUCHAK PARK
This large open public ground covers approximately 35 acres opposite the Northern Bus Station on Phahonyothin Road. Known as Suan Chatuchak, it hosts the popular Weekend Market where people buy and sell a thousand local products. Items range from exotic fresh fruits, vegetables, handicrafts, dress materials, clothing shoes, toys, domestic utensils and pets. There is a particularly fine section for plants.

Weekend Market is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 7.00 a.m. - 6.00 p.m.

SANAM LUANG
This huge public ground in front of the Grand Palace used to be the place where the Weekend Market now moved to Suan Chatuchak on Phahonyothin Road was held. Special activities or ceremonies such as the Royal Ploughing Ceremony in May and the New Year Festival also take place here. At the northern part of Sanam Luang opposite the Royal Hotel is a small statue placed in small white pavillion. The Goddess of the Earth was built during King Chulalongkorn's reign (1868-1910) to provide public drinking water.

THE CITY PILLAR SHRINE
Located at the southeast corner of Sanam Luang this graceful temple-like Structure houses "Lak Muang" a stone pillar placed there by King Rama I, the first monarch of the present Chakri dynasty, as the foundation stone for his new capital city of Bangkok. Lak Muang is believed by many people to have the power of granting wishes.