Bangkok, Temples, Palaces and Parks
August 26, 2010
Bangkok is the capital and largest city of Thailand. The city has a considerable cultural legacy and is full of temples, monuments and parks.
The city is called Paha Nakhon Krung Thep in Thai, which means the City of Angels. Bangkok is located on the coast of Thailand.
The ancient capital of Siam has become one of the largest cities in Southeast Asia. Bangkok has an enormous cultural heritage. Established as capital in 1782, the city is the spiritual core, commercial and political development.
The art and traditional architecture can be seen in the oldest temples in the city. The new districts, however, have a more contemporary style.
In the Phra Nakhon district is home to some of the most important cultural attractions of the city. Here is the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, the famous Democracy Monument, Giant Swing, and Sanam Luang.
The Grand Palace, built in 1782, was the royal residence from the eighteenth century. The Grand Palace is considered the spiritual heart of the country. The palace has an intrinsic architectural style and consists of several buildings. Within the complex are the Ministry of War, the mint and other administrative institutions, and several temples. These include the Temple of Wat Phra Kaew, which houses the statue of the Emerald Buddha Temple and the Board Dusit Phra Chakri Mahaprasad. The National Museum is located in its territory and is home to several thrones halls such as Phra phim Thinang Siwamok, Phra Phra Thinang Phutthaisawan or Itsara Thinang Winitchai.
Vimanmek Palace is one of the palaces that are part of Dusit Palace. The palace dates from 1900 and for a time was the royal residence. Today, teak is the largest palace in the world and has been renewed. The palace also houses a museum in honor of King Rama V, with several galleries in his honor. Near this palace is the Dusit Zoo.
The Temple of Wat Phra Kew, known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, is one of the best known sites and attractions of the city. Within this temple is an ancient statue of Buddha made of jade, dating from the fourteenth century. Clothing that carries the statue is changed every season, and manager of the ritual is the King of Thailand.
Also nearby is another temple, Wat Pho Temple. This Buddhist temple is another statue, the statue of the Reclining Buddha, measuring about 46 meters in height. A curious aspect of the temple is the fact that it is believed that this was the birthplace of traditional Thai massage.
One of the most unusual temples is the temple of Wat Saket, dating from the nineteenth century. This temple houses many relics of Buddha and is located on the Phu Khao Thong, the Golden Mount, and a small hill in central Bangkok.
The Giant Swing is a religious structure in the same district. The structure is in front of the temple of Wat Suthat and dates back to 1784. The swing has been remodeled several times over the centuries. The oldest parts of the swing are kept at the National Museum. The swing is located near Sanam Luang is a public square beside the Grand Palace compound. Another important temple is the temple of Wat Suthat, located where once stood the original Big Swing.
Next to the Phra Nakhon district is in Thon Buri district. Here is the temple of Wat Arun, an ancient temple on the banks of the river, and the Victory Monument. Phahonyothin Street is one of the main streets of the city, full of luxury shops and spans almost the entire district. Crossing the street you can get to another district, famous for the building of the Elephant.
The Chai Anusawari Samoraphum, the Monument of Victory, is a major military monument. The monument dates back to June 1941, commemorating the victory of Thais over the French during the Franco Thai. This obelisk has the shape of five bayonets.
The ancient capital of Thailand is Thon Buri. This ancient city lies on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. Today, it is the ancient capital of the central part of the city of Bangkok. In this part of the city still keeps ancient water channels, called khlongs.
The city has many museums in all districts. 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.
Thailand Cultural Center, near the National Theater are two of the most important and famous theaters in the city. Every year, hundreds of works of various schools are represented in them.
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.
There are a lot of festivals are held throughout the year. Being the capital, the holidays are celebrated on a larger scale than in other cities. The Songkran Festival in Bangkok is considered the traditional Thai New Year, and most of the celebrations taking place near the Grand Palace where they worship the image of Phra Phuttha Sihing. Another important festival is an ancient Brahman ritual, the Royal Ploughing Ceremony, held in May to start the season working the rice fields. We also celebrate the birthdays of the King and Queen of Thailand, each December 5 and May 12 respectively.
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