Bangkok, a City of Skyscrapers
September 3, 2010
The city of Bangkok is a city with the largest number of skyscrapers in Asia. There are many financial institutions and multinational corporations in this city and the city has modernized in recent years, creating their own culture and becoming a global cosmopolitan city.
The art and traditional architecture can be seen in the oldest temples in the city. The new districts, however, have a much more modern style and contemporary.
Major financial districts are Silom, Bangrak, Pinklao, Sathon and Phra Nakhon, among others. In Phra Nakhon district with the largest number of cultural buildings and monuments, are the majority of government agencies and officials.
Ratchaprasong is a central district of the city. This neighborhood is full of lights during the Christmas and New Year. This district is packed with all kinds of shops, malls, boutiques and other stores. The oldest parts of the district are home to some temples.
Several shrines, including the Erawan Shrine, located in this district. The sanctuary houses the statue of Brahma Sahampati.
Ratchaprasong is also full of shops. Central World Shopping Centre is the second largest mall in the region and the third largest in the world, and is just one of many malls that are in the city. Gaysorn is a shopping mall filled with luxury boutiques and designer shops. The Amarin Plaza, another large shopping center, not only has shops and restaurants, if not which houses many shops selling artifacts and traditional crafts of the region.
Chatuchak or Jatujak, is a flea market held every weekend is Bangkok. This is also the largest market in Thailand, selling everything from religious artifacts and traditional crafts to clothes and Thai food. Even live animals are sold.
Bangkok’s Chinatown is near Yaowarat Street, the district Samohanthawong. The Chinatown has over 200 years and is full of restaurants and traditional shops.
Siam Square is one of the main squares of the city. There are plenty of restaurants, shops and boutiques. Here is the Hard Rock Cafe in Siam and this neighborhood is considered one of the most chic of the city.
The Palace Suan Pakkad consists of five traditional Thai houses. Inside the palace there are a variety of unique pieces and works of art produced. The palace museum houses a truly impressive collection of seashells and artifacts from the prehistoric civilization of Ban Chiang, in addition to collections of ancient art. Inside the palace is also the Khon Museum, dedicated to dance with masks, and the Museum of Traditional Thai.
The city has many museums in all districts, stresses the National Gallery of Thailand, a huge gallery filled with works of art from different periods. Many of the national art have been influenced by Theravada Buddhism, and modern works retain this style blending with Westernized influences, creating Rattankosin style.
The National Museum and Gallery is a museum housed in the former building of the Casa Real de la Moneda. The museum houses an extensive collection of artifacts and works of traditional art. Some galleries are full of paintings done by his Majesty the King and works of art of more contemporary art from local artists.
Another important museum is the Art and Culture Centre in Bangkok which opened just three years ago. There are many centers of modern art and design, which adds more versatility to the cultural panorama of the city.
Vimanmek Mansion Museum is an impressive mansion made of golden teak. The mansion, three stories high, retains some of the objects of the royalty. The Ananta Samakhom throne room is filled with works of traditional Thai art and artifacts. Another museum highlight is the Jim Thompson Museum, filled with Asian art objects.
A part of the city of Bangkok still retains the khlongs, or channels. During the nineteenth century, the city was full of canals, and became known as the Venice of the East. Although there are now fewer channels, you can still enjoy excursions by boat or cruise through the canals and river.
This city also has many parks and natural areas. There’s even a forest, along with other parks, has become the heart of the city. Stresses Lumphini Park, the city’s central park dating 1920. It is one of the most important parks, because since the time of Rama VI here have undertaken a large number of official ceremonies. The first public library in the city is located in the park and every year here there is a festival of classical music, played by the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra. Other large parks are Chatupack Park, where the railway museum and an artificial lake, and the Rama IX Park, which not only serve as parks, but they also have museums, sports clubs, botanical gardens and lakes.
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