Wat Arun
After the fall of Ayuthaya, King Taksin ceremoniously clinched control here on the site of a local shrine and established a royal palace and a temple to house the Emerald Buddha. The temple was renamed after the Indian god of dawn (Aruna) and in honour of the literal and symbolic f
Wat Phra Kaew & Grand Palace
Also known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Phra Kaew is the colloquial name of the vast, fairy-tale compound that also includes the former residence of the Thai monarch, the Grand Palace.This ground was consecrated in 1782, the first year of Bangkok rule, and is today Bang
Jim Thompson House
This jungly compound is the former home of the eponymous American silk entrepreneur and art collector. Born in Delaware in 1906, Thompson briefly served in the Office of Strategic Services (the forerunner of the CIA) in Thailand during WWII. He settled in Bangkok after the war, whe
Khao Yai National Park
Cool and lush, Khao Yai National Park is an easy escape into the primordial jungle. The 2168-sq-km park, part of a Unesco World Heritage site, spans five forest types, from rainforest to monsoon. The parks centrepiece is Nam Tok Haew Suwat (น้ำตกเหวสุวัต), a 25m-high cascade that p
Wat Phra Si Ratana Mahathat
The main wí·hăhn (sanctuary) at this temple, known by locals as Wat Yai, appears small from the outside, but houses the Phra Phuttha Chinnarat, one of Thailand’s most revered and copied Buddha images. This famous bronze statue is probably second in importance only to the Emerald Bu
Pha Taem National Park
A long cliff named Pha Taem is the centrepiece of this awesome but unheralded park. From the top you get a birds-eye view across the Mekong into Laos and down below a trail passes prehistoric rock paintings dating to at least 1000 BC. Mural subjects include Ъlah bèuk (giant Mekong
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
Overlooking the city from its mountain throne, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is one of northern Thailands most sacred temples, and its founding legend is learned by every school kid in Chiang Mai. The wát itself is a beautiful example of northern Thai architecture, reached via a strenuo
Wat Chedi Luang
The ruins of the Buddhist Wat Chedi Luang feature an 18m octagonal chedi in the classic Chiang Saen or Lanna style. Archaeologists argue about its exact construction date but agree it was built some time between the 12th and 14th centuries.
Dusit Palace Park
Following his first European tour in 1897, Rama V (King Chulalongkorn; r 1868–1910) returned with visions of European castles and set about transforming these styles into a uniquely Thai expression, todays Dusit Palace Park. Today, the current king has yet another home (in Hua Hin)
Wat Phra Kaew
Originally called Wat Pa Yia (Bamboo Forest Monastery) in the local dialect, this is the city’s most revered Buddhist temple. The main prayer hall is a medium-sized, well-preserved wooden structure. The octagonal chedi behind it dates from the late 14th century and is in typical La
Chatuchak Weekend Market
Among the largest markets in the world, Chatuchak seems to unite everything buyable, from used vintage sneakers to baby squirrels. Plan to spend a full day here, as there’s plenty to see, do and buy. But come early, ideally around 10am, to beat the crowds and the heat. There is an
Bringing Home Bangkok: Savvy Souvenirs
Thai silks for sale. Photo by Brian Jeffery Beggerly licensed Creative Commons Attribution.
Most travelers spend at least some of their time and much of their luggage space on souvenirs for themselves and gifts to bring back to friends and family. There’s plenty of stuff buy in Bangkok, and plenty
Tailor-Made: Custom Suits and Clothing in Bangkok
Inside a Bangkok tailor’s shop. Photo by Emilio Labrador licensed Creative Commons Attribution.
There is nothing as luxurious as getting clothing custom made, and Bangkok is one of the few cities left in the world where you can still afford the luxury. A custom shirt from a Jermyn Street shi
Excursions from Bangkok: Kanchanaburi Town
Along the banks of the Kwai River, also known as Khwae Yai River. Photo © David McKelvey, licensed Creative Commons Attribution.
Kanchanaburi Province, situated to the west of Bangkok, has surprisingly rugged terrain considering its close proximity to the metropolitan Thai capital. Kanchanabu
Tips on Visiting Thailand's National Parks
Tharnboke Koranee National Park in Thailand. Photo © Isidro López-Arcos, licensed Creative Commons Attribution.
Thailand has more than its share of national parks, many of which cover not only mainland nature areas but also swaths of sea and some of the islands off the coast.
Many parks provide ca
Excursions from Bangkok: Khao Yai National Park
Heaw Suwat Waterfall in Khao Yai National Park. Photo © Theerawat Sangprakarn, licensed Creative Commons Attribution.
Excursions from Bangkok
Khao Yai National Park อทุ ยานแห่งชาต ิเขาใหช (Pak Chong, 08/1877- 3127, 08/6092-6531, or 08/1063-9241, 400B adult, 100B child) was the country’s first
Doing business & staying in touch while in Thailand
Thailand: Doing business & staying in touch
Thailand Weather, Climate and Geography
Thailand Weather, climate and geography
Thailand History, Language and Culture
Thailand History, Language and Culture
Thailand Travel Guide and Travel Information
Thailand Travel Guide
