Things to see and do Bangkok

Wat Arunratchawararam Ratchaworamahavihara, or Wat Arun more simply, is named after the goddess Aruna, goddess of the Dawn in the Hindu pantheon. Built during the Ayutthaya period, King Tasksin enlarged a small Buddhist temple that occupied the site, and Kings Rama II and Rama III expanded it. The main prang, which is an imposing 82 m high, is decorated with fragments of porcelain and a hundred statues of demons that protect it, and the seven-pointed trident of Shiva can be seen at its top. Around the main prang, four smaller ones house deities on horseback, the Nayu. Further down, statues of lions and Chinese soldiers stand guard. The roofs of the Wat are decorated with kinaries, the bird-women, with their hands joined in a position of meditation. On the banks of the river are 6 small Chinese pavilions, housing representations of Buddha during different episodes of his life. But more than the visit itself, which is quite quick, it is the sunset on this temple that is worth seeing. For that you can sit at the end of the day on the opposite bank of the Chao Phraya, and wait for the prang to be illuminated. Wat Arun, also known as the Temple of Dawn, after three long years of restoration entrusted to the direction of the Thai Department of Fine Arts, was restored to its full glory in 2018. One of the most emblematic monuments of 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.

With its 58 hectares of greenery and lakes, it is the largest park in the city and the most appreciated by Thais. It has between 10,000 and 15,000 visitors per day! In the centre is an artificial lake. Miles of tree-lined paths make you forget the city of Bangkok. Early in the morning, we meet many joggers, groups practicing tai chi or doing aerobics (crazy laughter guaranteed by watching groups wiggle to music that is far too loud). After the exercise, a few walk to stands selling blood and snake bile to regain their strength. Various beverage and food stands also offer more common dishes. The Bangkok Symphony Orchestra performs outdoors every Sunday from December to January, but other events regularly take place in the park. In the northern part of the park, by crossing one of the small bridges that allows you to leave the island, you may see a debonair monitor of quite beautiful size (more than one meter!) that heats up in the sun in the late afternoon. Lumpini is a stopover not to be missed to get out of the hustle and bustle of the city and to soak up the daily life of the local population. It is also here that the celebration of Loy Krathong in the Thai capital is the most interesting to experience. There are entrances on Rama IV Road, Sarasin Road, Witthayu Road and Ratchadamri Road. Close to the main entrance, buses departing for casinos in Cambodia.

The temple where the golden Buddha (Phra Maha Mondop)is the most imposing Buddha in the world with its 5 tons. This Buddha was discovered by chance in 1953, when he was being lifted by a crane to be transferred from a storage room to the chapel. The Buddha slipped, the stucco that covered him cracked, and a magnificent golden statue from the time of Sukhothai was discovered, which the kings of Ayutthaya had thus hidden so that it would escape the lust of the Myanmars. An exhibition on the ^3rd floor of the palace retraces and explains this history and the origin of the Golden Buddha.

Created by a French expatriate and Bangkok locals, Along The Klong offers the chance to discover little-known facets of the capital aboard a boat along the canals (klongs). It's an original way to discover local life and culture, while admiring unique urban landscapes. Several cruises are available: the small-boat tour (2 people), a 2h30 circuit, and two cruises accompanied by an English-speaking guide, the 4h floating market tour on weekends and a 4h cruise on weekdays.

This immaculate, ultra-modern white building, located between the MBK and Siam Center, is an open door to contemporary art in terms of art, music, theatre, cinema and design. Temporary exhibitions are organised and various events are held throughout the year, including music, poetry, theatre, cinema, discussion and literature. This is Bangkok's address for contemporary art!

These tourist boats run on the Chao Phraya from Sathorn pier (Central Pier) to Phra Athit pier, making 9 stops along the way. These boats for tourists are more modern and comfortable (toilets, WiFi) than the express boats dedicated to transport. A small map of the route with the main monuments is offered and the cruise is commented (in Thai and English). A one-day pass allows you to take the boat as many times as you want, so you can stop wherever you want.

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.

Chatuchak Park, inaugurated in December 1980, is one of Bangkok's oldest parks. It was then enhanced with Queen Sirikit Park and Wachirabenchatat Park, although they are separated from Chatuchak Park by Kampaeng Phet Street. It is all in length and has an artificial lake, and several small bridges connect each shore. It is the ideal place for a picnic, jogging or cycling. A small train museum is located on site. Very popular on weekends, especially because of its proximity to the Chatuchak market.

During the construction of the Hotel Erawan (adjoining the sanctuary and now the Grand Hyatt Erawan) in the early 1950s, there were a series of accidents on the construction site. Even the ship bringing the marble from Italy sank. The case was getting serious. Astrologers were consulted, without success. It was then that a Brahmin declared that the spirits of the place were unhappy with the disturbance and that an altar had to be built to Brahma (Thao Maha Phrom, in Thai), the Hindu god of creation. As soon as said, as soon as done. And construction could resume in serenity. Legend also has it that in the 1960s, the wife of a poor police general promised Thao Maha Phrom to dance naked in front of him if she won the lottery. She won. White cloths were put up around the altar, and the lady performed her vows. Every day the faithful lay garlands of flowers and incense sticks, and asked for their vows to be performed. Due to the success of this sanctuary, many large hotels and office buildings have built Brahmanic altars. In 2006, a ceremony presided over by Prime Minister Taksin took place to have the statue of Thao Maha Phrom returned to the centre of the shrine. 1,000 people had gathered for the occasion. On August 17, 2015, this place was the target of a terrorist, and 20 people died, including many Chinese tourists. This date has become an anniversary date and many people from all over Asia come to visit.

This beautiful royal temple is one of the most important Buddhist centres in the country. It consists of two important buildings. The viharn, surprisingly graceful in its proportions, is a very good example of the architecture of Rattanakosin's style. The Buddha statue, which comes from Wat Mahathat of Sukhothai and was brought back by Rama I, dates from the 13th century. The bot is especially interesting for its mural frescoes and especially those between the windows that represent the episodes of Buddha's life. In front of the temple is the large swing.