| Bangkok is a city rich in history and one of the world's most vibrant capitals with a vivid local culture, superlative shopping, world-class restaurants and dynamic day and night-life. |
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| ROYAL GRAND PALACE AND EMERALD BUDDHA TEMPLE |
 This city landmark should be the first place on any visitor's itinerary. It is a huge compound on Nar Phra Larn Road surrounded by high white walls and occupies an area of about a square mile. The Royal Palace, begun in 1782 when Bangkok was founded as the capital of Thailand, consists of several buildings with highly decorated architectural designs. The Royal Chapel or Wat Phra Kaew, situated in the same compound, enshrines the sacred Emerald Buddha image, most revered by the people. On the right hand side, before entering the palace's inner gate is the Royal Thai Decorations and Coin Pavilion which displays coins and other monetary exchange units used in Thailand since the early 11th century AD, as well as Royal regalia, decorations and medals used in the former royal courts. |
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| WAT ARUN (The Temples of Dawn) |
 Located on Thon Buri side (or the west bank of the Chao Phraya River), the temple can be reached either by Arun Amarin Road or by boat from Tha Tien Pier, near Wat Pho. The most attractive structure in this temple is the 79-metre-high pagado or "Phra Prang", which is decorated with ceramic tiles and fragments of multi-coloured porcelain. Wat Arun was restored during the brief Thonburi period to be the Royal Chapel of King Taksin. It is called the "Temple of the Dawn", and the most beautiful view of it is from the east side of the river at sunset. |
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| WAT PHO (Recline Buddha Image) |
 It is one of Bangkok's oldest and largest temples. Wat Pho was built by King Rama I nearly 200 years ago and houses the gigantic gold-plated Reclining Buddha. WatPho is also regarded as the first centre of public education and is sometimes called "Thailand's First University". |
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| WAT SRAKET (Golden Mountain) |
 Wat Sraket's major feature is the Golden Mount, dating from 1800, an artificial hill topped by a gilded pagoda 260 feet in height from its base. Initiated by King Rama III and completed in the reign of King Rama IV, the golden mount is one of the most celebrated landmarks in Bangkok's historic district and offers a panoramic city view from the top. |
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| WAT BEN CHAMABORPHIT (Marble Temple) |
 Also known as the Marble Temple, this temple is on Sri Ayutthaya Road near the Chitraladda Palace. The main building was constructed during the reign of King Rama V. Its interior is magnifiently decorated with cross beams of lacquer and gold. A large collection of bronze Buddha images lines the walls of the spacious inner courtyard. |
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| WAT UMA DEVI TEMPLE |
 Located on Silom Road, near corner with Pan Road, this is a small Hindu temple buit in the 860s. Well-known for its six metres fa?ade of colourful Indian deities and the gold-plated copper spire. |
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| WAT INDRA VIHARN |
 Located in Bang Khun Phrom area on Wisutkasat Road, this temple is well known for a huge standing Buddha image called "Luang Pho To". The image, built in the reign of King Rama IV, is 32 metres tall and 10 metres wide. The topknot of the Buddha image contains a relic of Lord Buddha brought from Sri Lanka. |
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| WAT TRIMIT (The Golden Buddha Image) |
 Located at the end of Yaowarat Road near the Bangkok Railway Station (Hua Lam Phong), this temple is known for its famous Golden Buddha, constructed during the Sukhothai Period. The beautiful image of solid gold, is three metres hgih and weighs five and a half tons. The temple is open everyday from 9.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m. Princess Mother Memorial Park. |
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| WAT SUTHAT |
 The temple is located on Bamrung Muang Road. It took 27 years, during the reigns of the first three kings of the Chakri Dynasty, to complete the construction. This temple is famous for the excelent mural created in the reign of King Rama 3 and is now kept in the National Museum. The temple complex is open daily from 9.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m. In front of the temple is the Giant Swing or Sao Ching Cha where a Brahmanic ceremony had taken place until the early 20th century. Many shops near the Giant Swing stock a very comprehensive range of Buddhist religious supplies. |
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| WAT MAHATHAT |
 This world famous temple is located on Thai Wang Road next to the Grand Palace. It is one of Bangkok's oldest and largest temples housing the gigantic gold plated reclining Buddha with beautifully inlaid mother-of -pearl sole. Wat Pho is also regarded as the first center of public education and is sometimes called "Thailand's first university". Mural paintings, inscriptions, and statues found in the temple educated people on varied subjects; for example, literature, warfare, archaeology, astronomy, geology, meditation, treatment and Thai traditional massage. |
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| WAT RATCHABORPHIT |
 The temple is located on Fuang Nakhon Road near Wat Pho. Built by King Rama V in 1869, it was in keeping with tradition that each monarch constructed a temple to mark his reign. The temple is a mixture of local and western styles, showing an awakening interest in new ideas and a desire to experiment with them. The exterior of the chapel is in Thai style but the interior is decorated in European style. |
Temple Attractions in Bangkok