Emerald Buddha (Wat Prha Kaeo)

Wat Phra Kaeo (Wat Phra Si Rattanasatsadaram), in English, called the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, was built as Royal Wat, early in the reign of King Rama I (1782-1809), founder of the Chakri Dynasty, who established Rattanakosin (the inner part of Bangkok) as the capital of the kingdom in 1782. The Wat, completed in 1784, occupies its own compound within the Royal Palace area. The temple (Wat Phra Kaeo) is a treasure house of Thai arts, and houses the Emerald Buddha, the most revered Buddha image in Thailand. It is the most revered temple in the city, but being the royal chapel no monks reside there. It serves as the centre for all religious rites pertaining to the state and monarchy, such as ordinations under royal patronage, special ecclesiastical rites, and the swearing of fealty.

Wat Mahathat

Wat Mahathat, known as Temple of the Great Relive is located on Na Phrathat road between Silpakorn University and Thammasat University. The back of the temple faces the Pramane Ground, or Sanam Luang. Wat Mahathat was built during the reign of King Rama.  The temple houses Mahachulalongkorn Buddhist University, one of the two highest seats of Buddhist learning in Thailand and also offers meditation classes for foreigners. Those who are interested in Buddhist meditation should visit Section 5, which is the head-quarters of Wipassana (insight) meditation in Thailand. Information and practice in English can usually be arranged according to the availability of suitable monks. On Buddhist holy days there is a thriving open air market in the grounds and a comprehensive selection of traditional Thai medicines usually in plant or root form for salet.

Maha Uma Devi Temple

This small Hindu temple is also called Wat Khaek. ‘Khaek’ is a Thai colloquial expression for a person of Indian descent. Wat Khaek sits alongside busy Silom Road, near the Pan Road intersection, in Bangkok, a district with a high concentration of Indian residents. The principle temple structure, built in the 1869’s by Tamil immigrants features a six metro façade of intertwined, full colour deities, topped with gold-plated copper dome.

The temple’s main shrine contains three principal deities – Uma Devi, also known as Shakti,Shiva’s consort, at the center. Her son Phra Khantakuman or Subramaniam, on the right and her elephant-headed son Phra Phik-khanet (Ganesh). The priest gives holy water on the hands of worshipper and worshipper pass their hands through the lamp frame for purification, and they dip their fingers in the colored powder and daub prayer marks on their foreheads.

Wat Thammamongkhon

Located on Sukhumvit Sol 101, this is the highest pagoda in Bangkok. The pagoda is 94.78 m high has 14 storeys and an elevator to enable visitors, particularly elderly people, to go to the top of the building. Relics and a hair of the Lord Buddha, kept in the pagoda, were presented by the Supreme Patriach of Bangladesh.

Wat Ratchabophit

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.

Temples and Palaces

Bangkok's temples, despite being in the center of a thriving 21st-century metropolis, are some of the finest in all of Asia. The most famous are those in the Grand Palace complex and Wat Arun.

Shopping

Bangkok is a great shopping city, with everything from international retailers offering haute couture to street vendors selling antiques. You must visit The Emporium and Chatuchak market.

Entertainment

Bangkok has much to offer by way of bars, nightclubs with live music, and restaurants. Watch out for royal boat shows, kite flying events and Takrao-a truly, an amazing local sport similar to volleyball.

Local Festivals

The local festivals of Bangkok are:

• Visaka Bucha day.
• Royal ploughing ceremony.
• International festival of dance and music.
• Hua Hin Jazz festival.
• Her Majesty the Queen's birthday.
• Elephant polo tournament in Hua Hin.
• Food festival in Chinatown.
• River Kwai bridge week.
• Thai beer festival.
• Ngan Wat Saket.
• Birthday of His Majesty the King.
• Bangkok Jazz festival.
• New year eve.