Historic Sites in Bangkok

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Monumental Glory

Located bang in the middle of a traffic roundabout on Bangkok’s Ratchadamnoen Avenue, is Democracy Monument, a 24-meter high granite edifice built in 1939 to commemorate the establishment of Thailand’s Constitutional Monarchy.  75 cannons at the base symbolize the year of its construction (2575 in the Buddhist calendar), and a four ton copper tray in the center holds the Constitution.  At the intersection of Phahonyothin and Phayathai roads stands Victory Monument with its singular spike, paying homage to the martyrs of Thailand’s border dispute with France.  

The House of Jim Thompson

Don’t be fooled by the name.  Jim Thompson’s House is one of the finest examples of a traditional Thai house in Bangkok.  Located alongside the Saen Saeb Canal, this house originally belonged to Jim Thompson, the “father” of the Thai silk industry who mysteriously disappeared in Malaysia in 1967.  Now converted into a museum, it houses Thompson’s priceless collection of art and antiques including blue and white Ming porcelain, jataka paintings from the 19^th century, and one of the oldest surviving Buddha statues in the world.  

Museums

Head off to the National Museum on Na Phra That Road for one of the most expansive collections of Buddhist and Thai art in Southeast Asia.  Originally built as a palace in 1782, it was later converted into a museum during the reign of Rama V.  The biggest attraction here is the gold plated bronze Phra Buddha Sihing, a statue of a meditating Buddha, dating back to the Sukhothai period.  The museum also houses an impressive collection of ceramics, textiles, wood carvings, Chinese art, and mural paintings.  Don’t miss the magnificent 40 ton Vejayant Rajarot, one of several gilded teak funerary chariots on display.  Also worth seeing is the array of traditional musical instruments from Thailand, Indonesia, and Cambodia.  Entrance fee is 20 baht. However, signage in English is limited and you would be better off taking the multi-lingual guided tour beginning at 9.30 a.m. from Wednesdays through Sundays. Tucked away on the Bangkok Noi Canal is the Royal Barge National Museum housing the ornately decorated royal boats or barges.  The most striking of these is the King’s personal barge Suphanahong.  Built to resemble a swan, it is decorated with elaborate gilt carvings and colored glass, and was specifically designed to carry the Royal Family.  One of the best times to see the barges in full sail is during ok phansa, a holiday that marks the end of the Buddhist period of Lent from July to October.  The cavalcade of barges, consisting of five rows with the Royal barges in the center of the flotilla, presents a striking sight as it glides through the water to the noisy accompaniment of chants. The Chao Phraya Express Boat is the most convenient way to get to the museum. 

The Snake Farm

The Queen Saowapha Memorial Institute on Rama IV Road, set up in 1923, houses hundreds of slithering inmates including the King Cobra, Siamese Cobra, Banded Krait, Russell’s viper, and dozens of other equally venomous snakes.  The daily snake handling and venom milking shows are hugely popular.  Try to coordinate your visits with feeding time if you want to see a really spectacular show.