Monuments to visit Thailand

Jim Thompson is a legend or a myth, but when he arrived in Thailand after the Second World War, his trace was definitively lost in March 1967. Many legends surround the death of the famous American who revived the silk industry in Thailand by founding the Thai Silk Company in 1948. This complex is composed of 7 traditional Thai teak houses from all over the country. Visitors can admire the entire collection of Asian art (sculptures, furniture, armpits) collected by the American. Not to be missed.

The Phra Ratchawang Boran, also called Wang Luang, is the center of power, and as such is called the royal palace. The kings sometimes resided there, as well as the family of the dynasty. Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya was the capital of the kingdom during 417 years. Boran Palace is located opposite Wat Kasatra on the eastern bank of the ancient Lopburi River, whose bed in the 19th century became the Chao Phraya River.

Three palaces were built in the city, the two others are designated as the Chankasem Palace or Front Palace and the Wang Lang or Back Palace. The Grand Palace is now called the Old Palace. Alleys have been laid out around the remains of this palace which extends to the north of the island. The oldest part dates from King Trailok (1448-1488). Over the centuries, other parts were added. At present, only the foundations of the chedis remain.

The main buildings still standing are

Suriyat Amarin Hall from where one watched the procession of the royal boats on the Lopburi River, it is close to the enclosure of the city. It is very recognizable thanks to its bricks with quadruple gable.

Viharn Somdet. The place was used for the royal ceremonies, in particular with that of the coronation. Its roof was covered with gold leaves. It is surrounded by a cloister.

Sanpet Prasat. It was the rooms of receptions for the visitors of mark and especially for the foreign ambassadors. It is built on the same model as Viharn Somdet.

Banyong Rattanat. This building is located on an island in the middle of a basin and was used as place of rest and meditation.

Trimuk. This building which also has a majestic garden, is located behind the Sanphet Prasat. It seems to have served as a residence for the king's wives.

Chakkrawat Phaichayon. Located inside the enclosure of the city, in front of Wat Luang, it was used to observe the military maneuvers and the religious processions.

Phlapphla Chaturamuk, originally a wooden construction, which shelters today the Chankasem National Museum, rather poor in antiquities however. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 9am to 4pm.

Wang Lang (Back Palace), near the Western Wall, where the distillery is located. Originally, it was a garden reserved for the walks of the king. Later, apartments were set up there for the members of the royal family. The chedi of Queen Sri Suriyothai, who died in battle, can be seen here.

This is the former summer residence of Queen Mother Srinagaraindra which has been converted into a museum. A beautiful place to admire examples of Lanna art. Many carved wooden objects typical of northern regions. Finally, in the main hall you can admire the astral roof made of carved wood representing the constellation of the zodiacal sign of the Queen Mother. The surrounding hills were reforested under his impetus. The nearby Mae Fah Luang Gardens is a botanical park where flowers and plants grow among the rock formations.

This Buddha statue is more than 45 meters high. There are two performances, one of which is smaller, 12 metres high. Numerous donations made possible its construction, which took place between 2009 and 2016. It is easily visible from the road as it is located on the top of a 380-meter high hill (Nakkerd Hills) between Karon Beach and Kata Beach. Next to the large statue is a small golden Buddha statue made of 20 tons of copper. At the top of the mountain the view is breathtaking over the bay. On the spot, beware of robber monkeys!

The historic park deserves a detour for lovers of Siamese history, but not only. The place was the second city of the kingdom and the residence of the Crown Prince. Classified as a UNESCO heritage site since 1991, the site includes remains similar to those found in Sukhothai, dating from the 13th to 15th centuries. Located behind the Yon River, they are less restored than those in Sukhothai.

Built in the 12th century, Wat Phra Si Ratana Mahathat is the most imposing temple of the site built in 1357, under the reign of Li Thaï. It is accompanied by many statues representing Buddha in his different positions. A prang was added by Boromtrai Lokanat in the 15th century. This temple is also important because it has the second most revered representation of Buddha in Thailand after Wat Phra Keo in Bangkok. This is the last statue of the three initials. Wat Chedi Chet Thaeo and Wat Chang Lom are also worth a visit. The first is a very large temple complex and the main attraction of the Si Satchanalai Historical Park. The temple enclosure has characteristics influenced by Khmer culture, lun, Burmese, lanna and, of course, by the architecture of Sukhothai. The usual entrance is located opposite the impressive Ceylonian-style Wat Chang Lom stupa, which is distinguished by its bell-shaped chedi with three-level square bases that rest on rows of elephant sculptures.

Tourists go there to take the inevitable souvenir photos, but what exactly do they remember? The bridge is famous for David Lean's eponymous best-selling film (1957), actually shot in Sri Lanka, which took great liberties with Pierre Boulle's novel and even more so with historical facts. This bridge on the Death Railway actually crosses the Kwai Yai River, which was simply part of the Mae Klong River before the 1960s. This bridge is not spectacular, but the trip on the train that takes it is worth the trip.

This old market, more than 150 years old, is more a curiosity to be visited than a place to shop. Indeed, in the heart of Chinatown, you will see as you walk through the narrow alleys of the Talad Kao, as it is also called, that it is difficult to know what is sold on the stalls. Chinese delicatessen and other oddities are neck and neck for the greatest fascination of tourists who are not very familiar with Chinese cuisine. In the evening, Yaowarat Street and the surrounding alleyways turn into an open-air street food market.

Near where the three borders meet, a huge golden Buddha statue and elephant monument dominate the city and the Mekong River. The seated Buddha statue stands on a massive boat-shaped platform, adorned with colorful stained glass and gilding. The Buddha's full name is Phra Chiang Saen Si Phaendin, and it was built by a Sino-Thai foundation. It is an emblematic monument in the heart of the Golden Triangle. A few small shops can be found on the other side of the street.

This site has been classified as a historical heritage site by UNESCO since 1991. The old fortifications mark the boundaries of the old town, established according to the same concept as Sukhothai. Most of the remains are located in this area, but some monuments are also 2 km from the city centre in an area called the Aranyik Area. It is necessary to pay the entry fee for each zone. The park extends into a vast wooded area where one can visit the ruins of several temples, often with only the brick terraces and several laterite Buddha statues, more or less damaged by the bad weather. Not to be missed is Wat Phra Kaew, the royal temple, the highlight of any visit to Kamphaeng Phet. Its three very well preserved Buddhas, two seated and one lying, are with the standing Buddha of Wat Phra Si Ariyabot the most striking elements of the Historical Park. The Wat Chang Rop chedi, supported by elephant statues, also attracts attention. Excavations are still ongoing to uncover areas of fortifications buried under the slopes. The main area is easy to visit on foot while you will need a bicycle or a vehicle for the second area (Arunyk Area), located outside the boundaries of the old city in the forest. Allow about 3 hours for a full tour of the historic park. If you have to choose between the two, this park is more interesting than Si Satchanalai.

It's impossible not to see him in the middle of a roundabout on Ratchadamnoen Road. This imposing work was commissioned in 1939 to symbolize the revolution that marked the transition from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy. The sculptures at the base of the monument were made by an Italian sculptor. Each of the 4 wings measures 24 m high to recall the date of June 24, and the 75 cannons, the year 2475 (1932 in our calendar). The monument is sometimes used as a gathering place for certain protests.