Thailand, Asia (Point of interest)

Bangkok's must-see attraction is the Grand Palace in Rattanakosin. A dazzling display of intricate carving and colour, the palace contains the Wat Phra Kaew temple. Here, Thailand's sacred Emerald Buddha is housed. Visitors must adhere to a strict ... Continue reading →

Jim Thompson's House, in Pathumwan, is typical Thai architecture, created from six traditional teak houses and packed full of Asian artefacts. It was the stylish home of Bangkok's silk guru and larger-than-life US expat Jim Thompson. He transporte... Continue reading →

The puppeteers in the Joe Louis Theatre in the Suan Lum Night Bazaar, skillfully work hand-crafted puppets. Dressed in elaborate costumes, they recreate traditional Thai stories. Visitors can also see beautiful displays of intricately detailed pupp... Continue reading →

Located in the Siam Society garden, Kamthieng House is a 160-year-old teak stilt house brought from northern Thailand. Its reconstruction as a museum illustrates how rural workers and fishermen lived and the tools they used, including ploughs and r... Continue reading →

Named after Buddha's birthplace, Lumpini Park is Bangkok's green lung in Pathumwan. Mature trees, lakes, and gardens are bounded by business, shopping and residential districts. Thousands of citizens jog, stretch and practise T'ai Chi en masse here... Continue reading →

The rooms of the National Museum in Rattanakosin hold a vast collection of Thai artefacts, including royal regalia and exquisite mother-of-pearl inlay work. Buildings devoted to royal cremation are also open. Multilingual guided tours run on Wednes... Continue reading →

The National Museum of Royal Barges in Bangkok Noi houses eight magnificently decorated boats, each requiring 50 rowers. Well over 100 years old, the barges are rarely used but, when there is a river procession, it is a spectacular sight. The larg... Continue reading →

Meaning "royal field", Sanam Luang is in the heart of Bangkok in front of the Grand Palace. It is the site for royal cremations as well as the annual ploughing ceremony (May), King's birthday (December) and kite-flying competitions. Throughout the... Continue reading →

The Siriraj Medical Museum in Siriraj Hospital at Bangkok Noi is not for the faint-hearted. The gruesome collection contains the embalmed bodies of murder, suicide and accident victims, and even the remains of Thailand's first serial killer.... Continue reading →

Once a royal residence, the Suan Pakkad Palace Museum in Ratchathewi is a collection of eight delightful traditional wooden Thai houses set in lush tropical gardens. Antiquities belonging to Prince and Princess Chumbhot of Nagara Svarga are also on... Continue reading →

Built using golden teak in 1900, the Vimanmek Palace in Dusit is known as the Cloud Mansion. It can only be visited on a guided tour and there is a strict dress code. Its 81 rooms house silver and ivory treasures, and royal coaches. The teak palac... Continue reading →

Wat Arun's spectacular 76-metre high tower, decorated with colourful ceramic tiles, rises up dramatically from its location on the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok Yai. Climb the tower for delightful views across the river to the Royal Grand Palace. A... Continue reading →

Founded in the 17th century, Wat Pho in Rattanakosin is Bangkok's oldest and largest temple. It houses the impressive Reclining Buddha, which is 46 metres long and 15 metres high. The temple is also renowned for its teaching of traditional herbal m... Continue reading →

The Wat Traimit temple in Bangkok's Chinatown houses a three-metre-high Buddha made of over five tonnes of solid gold! In 1957, the stucco shell of a Buddha statue being moved by crane cracked to reveal a pure gold Buddha underneath. Thought to ha... Continue reading →