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Vimanmek Palace


Today we were up and out fairly early (with Moon and our downstairs neighbour Marisa in tow). Ha that was fun.....how many people can you fit in a taxiω There were four of us in the back and two in the front....poor Marisa was completely squashed but decided after about five minutes that she was absolutely fine cause she could no longer feel either of her feet so they didn’t hurt anymore!!


I’ve visited Vimanmek Palace before (You can read about it here) so I’m not going to bore you with the history of the place again. We did go to a couple of the other buildings this time as well......we went into the Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall which houses an exhibition of the Supp ort Foundation’s Thai Handicrafts - OMG some of the things they had in there were stunning and I have to say that I am completely baffled as to why they are not available in the shop at the Palace (Currently you can buy milk and washing up liquid.......odd things to sell when you get lots of tourists visiting). We did have a good laugh at Mum’s expense when she
uttered the words ’You can really admire the handiwork on that chicken’ whilst gazing at a really hideous silver carved chicken!! (She has been teased about it ever since).

We also went into the Suan Bua Residential Hall which housed some of King Bhumibol’s personal collection - there were Buddha images from all over the world (Including a stunning Indian one that Marisa and I were coveting), personal photos of the current Royal Family as well as ones that were taken by past royals and a whole host of other things. We discovered the Kings collection of Volkswagen Camper Vans, as you can see, as well as his collection of Carriages....he’s even got a Royal Tuk Tuk (How cool is that!!). It was fab!!

We left the Palace and headed straight for the pub to recover from our squashed taxi journey (purely for medicinal purposes you understand!!) then we went out for a curry. (After spending the day with Marisa the Indian Sniffer there was nothing else for it but to introduce Mum to the joys of a Doza)

	Sanam Luang
	This oval public ground in front of the Grand Palace enclave is used for various royal ceremonies, including the Royal Ploughing Ceremony each May, and is edged by several noteworthy institutions. On the southeast corner is the City Pillar Shrine or San Lak Muang placed there by King Rama I as the foundation stone for the new capital of Bangkok. Pak Khlong Talat This is a wholesale market for all kinds of cut flowers and vegetables. It is located on Maharat Road near the Memorial Bridge. The colourful flowers and the bustling atmosphere is the charm of this market, especially when the market is crowded in the early morning and in the evening. Democracy Monument This monument, located in the middle of Ratchadamnoen Avenue, was conceived and constructed to commemorate the peaceful changeover from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy on 24 June, 1932. Bangkok's China Town is an old business center covering a large area around Yaowarat and Charoen Krung Roads. There are many small streets and alleys full of shops selling all types of goods. The area is always lively and market stalls abound. It has been the main center for trading by the Chinese since they were moved from their old site some 200 years ago. Nearby is Phahurat Market, one of the city's renowned cloth centers. Princess Mother Memorial Park Tel: 437-7799, 439-0902 This beautiful park is located on Soi 3 Somdet Chao Phraya Road, Khiong San District. It was built near the Wat Anongkharam community where Somdej Phra Srinaganndra Boromarajajonani, Her Royal Highness the Princess Mother had resided during her childhood. The park comprises a full scale model of the Princess Mother's house and the old buildings renovated as exhibition halls displaying the life story of Her Royal Highness the Princess Mother as well as the history of the Wat Anongkharam community. King Rama IX Royal Park Tel: 328-1385-7) The 200-acre botanical garden-cum-public park is located deep inside Sukhumvit Soi 103 (Udomsuki and was opened in 1987 to commemorate the 60th birthday of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The park is open daily from 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. Admission fee is 10 Baht. Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute Tel: 252-0161-4 Located near Chulalongkorn Hospital, on the corner of Henri Dunant Road and Rama IV Road, this institute contains a collection of poisonous snakes which are "milked" daily for their venom in order to produce invaluable anti-snakebite serum. Venom is extracted from the snakes everyday, at 11.00 a.m. and 2.30 p.m. on weekdays, and 11.00 a.m. on holidays. Admission fee is 70 Baht per person. Dusit Zoo Tel: 281-2000, 281-1039 Located beside the Royal Plaza, Bangkok's oldest zoo contains a collection of popular African and Asian mammals and birds in an ornamental garden. It is open everyday from 8.00 a.m.-6.00 p.m. Admission fee is 30 Baht for adults and 10 Baht for children. Samphran Elephant Ground & Zoo Tel: 284-1873, 284-0273 Just only 1 kilometer before the Rose Garden, this 60-acre farm is another interesting attraction housing many different wild animals and thousands of crocodiles. Fascinating performances such as Crocodile Wrestling, Magic Show, and Elephant Theme Show commence everyday at 12.45 p.m. and 2,20 p.m. with additional shows on holidays at 10.30 a.m. This farm is open daily from 8.00 a.m.-5.30 p.m. Admission fee is 300 Baht for adults and 200 Baht for children. Safari World Tel; 518-1000-19 Bangkoks greatest open zoo and leisure park is located in Mm Buri, via Km. 9 on Raminthra Road. The 300-acre complex comprises a Safari Park populated by African and Asian mammals, a Marine Park with amusing performances of well-trained dolphins and seals, a Bird Park and a Games Corner. It is open daily from 9.00 a.m.-5.00 p.m. Admission fee is 600 Baht for adults and 360 Baht for children. Crocodile Farm Tel: 703-4891-5, 703-5144-8 This large farm with over 60,000 fresh and saltwater crocodiles is some 30 kilometers from Bangkok in Samut Prakan Province. Other creatures including trained elephants, gibbons, lions, and snakes are also found here. The exciting crocodile wrestling show is performed every hour. There is also a Dinosaur Museum where various species of life-size dinosaurs and their skeletons are on display. The compound is open daily from 7.00 a.m.-6.00 p.m. Admission fee is 300 Baht for adults and 200 Baht for children. Snake Farm 35 minutes from Wat Sai Floating Market, is another stop for sightseeing and watching a snake show. The farm is open daily from 8.30 a.m.- 5.00 p.m. Rose Garden Tel: 295-3261-4 This popular tourist attraction is 32 kilometers west of Bangkok on Phetkasem Road. Situated by the Tha Chin River, it boasts large, beautiful and well-maintained gardens. In the resort, there is a Thai Cultural Village where an attractive show commences daily at 2.45 p.m. There is for instance, Thai folk dancing, Thai boxing, sword fighting demonstrations, and an elephant show. Admission to the show is 300 Baht per person. The resort is open daily from 8.00 a.m.-6.00 p.m. Damnoen Saduak Floating Market This popular attraction is some 80 kilometers west of Bangkok, accessible by regular bus from the Southern Bus Terminal. Everyday, hundreds of vendor boats crowd the market area in the early morning till noon. Visitors can also travel around by boat to see local villages, and the way of life of the people in the countryside. Bang Pa-In Summer Palace Tel: (035) 261044 This is some 30 kilometers south of Ayutthaya, or a 1-hour drive from Bangkok. Built in the reign of King Rama V, the palace consists of various styled buildings. Thai, Chinese, Italian, and Victorian styles predominate. A Thai pavilion in the center of a small lake is regarded as one of the finest examples of Thai architecture. Visitors can take either a bus or a train from Bangkok to the palace. The grounds are open everyday from 8.00 a.m.-4.00 p.m. Admission fee is 50 Baht. Bang Sai Royal Folk Arts and Crafts Center Tel: (035) 366092, 366252 Covering an area of 114 acres, the Center is located 40 kilometers south of Ayutthaya. Farmers from Ayutthaya as well as from other rural areas undergo training in folk arts and crafts here. Visitors can have a glimpse of how farmers in different regions of Thailand live and work, and how their products of art and craft are produced. These handicrafts including weaving basketry, carving wood, artificial flowers, hand-woven silk and cotton, and miniature Thai dolls are on display and on sale. The compound is open daily (except Mondays) from 8.30 a.m.-4.00 p.m. Admission fee is 50 Baht for adults and 30 Baht for children. Baan Thai Tel: 533 1152 This is a cultural theme park where visitors will experience the traditional Thai culture and lifestyles as well as enjoy typical food and spectacular cultural shows. It is located at Km. 7 of Rangsit-Nakhon Nayok Road and is open daily from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Show times are 12 noon and 1 p.m. Admission fee (including lunch & show) is 400 Baht per person.