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Attractions
- General
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.
China Town
 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.
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