Quick Bangkok

After a cheap, cheerful and very tasty meal an early night was had to try and get a reasonably early start next day.  I wanted to check out some of the main sites along the river so hit the road at 1100am and caught the BTS Skytrain to Sathorn Taksin where you can pick up a tourist boat from Central Pier.  A single journey on one of the traditional "long tail" boats up to the Grand Palace area costs about 500Baht, subject to negotiation!.  Much better value is the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat which, for 150Baht, gets you a one day pass for unlimited travel up and down the river taking in all the main tourist sites.

My first stop was at Wat Kanalayanamit Pier where a huge Vihara, Buddha Image Hall, can be found.  This is home to Luang Pho To, highly revered among the Chinese who call it by it's Chinese name, San Bao Gong.  I always find these places wonderfully calm and relaxing and a great escape from the bustle of the city.

Just a little way up the river is Wat Pho, home of the largest Reclining Buddha in Thailand. Many tourists don't go any further than the Wiharn containing the Buddha itself which is a shame as the site has so much to offer.  The temple is older than Bangkok itself having been founded in the 17th Century by Rama I. Rama III constructed the Reclining Buddha and subsequently expanded the temple in 1832 making a centre of learning, effectively creating Thailands first university.  The temple has some 95 Chedis which are unique in that they are of square construction instead of the more common round, bell-like structures found elsewhere.

Across the river from Wat Po is Wat Arun or The Temple of Dawn which, unfortunately, I didn't have time to visit as I wanted to make it to the Grand Palace with time in hand.  Wat Arun is one of the more famous sights of Bangkok and luckily I got some shots as we passed on the boat.

Thai kings stopped living at The Grand Palace at around about the turn of the 20th Century but it is still the regarded as the Spiritual Heart of Thailand and is maintained as the seat of power.

The Temple of the Emerald Buddha makes up one corner of the complex and makes for superb photo opportunities. The temple houses a Buddha image carved from a large solid piece of green jadite (jasper) and is regarded as a personal chapel of the Royal Family.

The rest of the complex is made up of the Outer and Central courts where business of government was carried out. Only two throne rooms are open to the public with the rest of the buildings only viewed from the outside.

There is a strict dress code enforced at the Grand Palace.  Men must wear long pants and shirts with sleeves. If you're wearing sandals or flip-flops you must wear socks (in other words, no bare feet.) Women must be similarly modestly dressed. No see-through clothes, bare shoulders, etc.  Luckily there is a booth just inside the entrance where suitable clothing can be borrowed.  200 Baht is required as a deposit and is returned when you leave.

Beware of the touts outside who will seek out those in shorts, like me, and try and tell you can't go in without proper clothing.  They will offer to help. . . for a price!  Just politely remind them that you can get some clothing for free inside.  Similarly, there are also touts offering tours. Steer clear of them, you can also get a tour inside for free.

So that was my Quick Bangkok, I tried to cram in as much as I could in the short space of  time that I had and it's amazing just how much you can achieve sometimes. Just need to get back and do the rest some time!