Phra Sumeru Fortress

Phra Sumeru Fortress, built in the reign of King Rama I, is the largest existing fortress of all 14 which now only two exist. The other is the Mahakan Fortress. The large area was established as a public park on the occasion of the 6th cycle of King Rama IX on the December 5th, 1999.
Entrance is free for all; prohibited areas are the fort itself (octagon shaped buildings with wall surrounding) and the Thai-style pavilion, which is for royal ceremonies.



Joe is an American who now prefers to live mostly in Thailand. "Vacation time for me is in Thailand."

WAT ARUNRATCHAWARARAM

WAT ARUNRATCHAWARARAM RATCHAWORAMAHAWIHAN



The prang of Wat Arun on the bank of Ch Phraya River is one of Bangkok 's world-famous landmarks. From a French map of Thonburi made in the reign of King Narai it can be seen that the temple existed when Ayutthaya was Siam 's capital. The temple was formerly known as Wat Makok, and when King Taksin built his palace, he ordered the temple to be annexed to it. The king restored it and renamed it "Wat Jaeng". It was restored again by King Rama II, and renamed "Wat Arunratchatharam". King Rama IV later changed the name to "Wat Arunratchawararam"

Ubosot: This is an outstanding example of Rama II period architecture in late Ayutthaya style. It has a two-tiered roof with glazed ceramics, and pediments decorated with wooden carvings depicting Warunthep. The interior murals were painted during the Third and Fifth Reigns. Phra Phutthathammitsararatchalokthatdilok,the principal Buddha image in the Subduing Mara posture, was cast in the reign of King Rama II and contains relics of King Rama II.

Prang: This brick stupa is decorated with glazed pottery fragments in flower and leaf designs and other Thai patterns. The top is gilded and adorned with the noppasul.

Pra Rabiengkote: This corridor is in placeof the kampaeng kaeo found in most other tempi It has a tiled roof with doors opening onto f directions. Inside are 120 Buddha images in Subduing Mara posture.

Mondop of the Buddha's Footprint: A chapel surmounted by a spire, this stands between the ubosot and the wihan. It was built during the Third Reign and houses a copy of the footprint of the Budd a carved in Kwantong stone and decorated with colourful porcelain.

Ogre Statues: Guarding at the gate are two ogre (yaksha). The white yaksha is Sahassadecha and i green partner Thossakun, the villain of the Ramakien, the Thai version of the Ramayana epic.

The temple has flourished throughout the Ratta akosin period. The beauty of the architecture and t e fine craftsmanship declare its status as a temp - of the first grade and one of the most outstanding temples of Thailand.

Wat Phra Kaeo

The temple is in the outer section of the Royal Enclosure west of the Grand Palace . It was built on the orders of King Rama I along with the Grand Palace and Rattanakosin Island , and is built as a temple in a Royal compound like Wat Sri Sanphet in Ayutthaya . It has no resident monks.





The Emerald Buddha (Phra Putta Maha Mani Ratana Patimakorn or Phra Kaeo Morakot): This is a Buddha image in the meditating position in the style of the Lanna school of the north, dating from the 15th century AD. King Rama I brought it from Vientiane , and it is considered to be the most important Buddha image in the country.

Model of Angkor Wat: King Rama IV had this built by Phra Samphopphai when Cambodia was under Siamese control. The model was recreated in plaster at the behest of King Rama V to celebrate the first centenary of the Royal city.

Prasat Phra Thepidon: This four-square prang originally called "Puttaprang Prasat" was built in the reign of King Rama IV. Inside are statues of Kings Rama I-King Rama VIII, to which the public pay their respects on Chakri Day, April 6, every year.

Mondop:This structure stands behind Prasat Phra Thepidon, and was built in the reign of King Rama I. Inside is a cabinet holding the Buddhist scriptures beautifully decorated in mother-of-pearl.

Balcony: This can be compared to the temple wall. The murals inside tell the Ramayana story in its entirety. On the columns of the balcony are stone inscriptions of the verses describing the murals.

Phra Sri Ratana Chedi: Built in the style of Wat Sri Sanphet in Ayutthaya , this chedi is to the west of the Monhop. Inside is a small chedi with relics of the Lord Buddha.

Phra Atsada Maha Chedi: This group of eight chedis stands in front of the temple. It was built in the reign of King Rama I and dedicated to the heavens. Six of the group are outside the balcony, two are inside. Each has its own name.

Yaksa Tavarnbal (Gate-keeping Giants): Six pairs of mythical ogres stand at each gate of the Balcony. These are the main Giants of the Ramayana.

Hor Phra Khanthan-rat: Standing in the estern corner of the balcony, this is where the Phra Puttakhanthan-rat figure is enshrined. It presides over the Royal rain-making ceremony and the ceremony of the first rice planting. Inside are paintings by the mural artist Khrua In Khong.

Hor Phra Ratcha Karamanusorn: Inside this structure are 34 Buddha images in various positions, built by command of King Rama III and dedicated the kings of Ayutthaya and Thonburi.

Hor Phra Ratcha Pongsanusorn: Built in the reign of King Rama IV, this is the location of the Buddha image of the reigning King of the Rattanakosin Era. Inside are murals of Royal chronicles of Ayutthaya by Khrua In Khong.

Hor Phra Nak: Situated behind the temple, this traditional Thai building roofed with glazed tiles contains the ashes of the Royal family

SARANROM PARK

SARANROM PARK



This was originally a Royal Park in Saranrom Palace, which King Rama IV ordered to be built as a residence towards the end of his reign. Sadly, the king passed away before he could take up residence there.

In the reign of King Rama V, it served as a residence for members of the Royal Family and a place to welcome official guests. It became the venue for festivals in the cool season throughout'' the reign of King Rama VI.

After the change of government, King Rama VII donated it as offices for the People's Party and the location of the People's Party Circle. In 1960, the cabinet presented it to Bangkok Municipality. The Royal Park was then revived as a trefoil garden and public park.

Monument to HM Queen Sunantha Kumareerat and HRH Prince Kannaporn Phetcharat: In the reign of King Rama V, the Queen and the young prince died in a boating accident. On the orders of the king, their ashes were kept at the south end of the park in a marble monument dedicated to their memory. Their biographies are carved on the monument, with words of remembrance from King Rama V in both Thai and English.

Chao Mae Takhien Deity: This shrine to the spirit of the Takhien tree was built in the reign of King Rama VI. It is in the form of a three-level, octagonal Chinese pavilion.

Glass House: This houses a school where botany and such horticultural techniques as hydroponic planting and grafting are taught.

PHRA ATHIT ROAD

PHRA ATHIT ROAD



An important community which grew with the Royal city, it is a centre of government, art and culture. The road lines the Chao Phraya river bank with the palaces of nobles and courtiers and ordinary houses on both sides of the road. The prosperity of the Phra Athit Road community has been intertwined with the history of Bangkok up to the present.
The building of large palaces started in the reign of King Rama III, with architectural influences from China and Europe. Some palaces have been converted into offices and modern buildings, and the community's way of life has been completely transformed from before.


Phra Sumen(Sumeru) Fort:
It was built in the reign of King Rama I on the city's outer wall, which ran along the canal to the Chao Phraya River.
At first, 14 forts were built, but in time they became dilapidated. Eventually, all were demolished, with the exception of Phra Sumen Fort and Mahakan Fort, both of which stand today.
Recently this area were Sumen Fort stands has been open to the public as a public park.

Ban Chao Phraya:
It was originally the palace of HRH Prince Sathit-Thamrongsawat, a son of the Second King, Phra Pinklao. The government of
King Rama V subsequently purchased the land and built offices for the Police Department. When HH Prince Khamrob entered government service as the Director General of the City Police Department, he requested the house and land as a donation from King Rama VI. It therefore became known as "HH Prince Khamrob's Palace."

Ban Phra Athit:
It was formerly the site of the Goethe Institute, and a meeting place for those interested in literature, film, and art. Originally it was the house of Chao Phraya Worapongpipat (MR Yen Issarasena), an important civil servant during the reigns of King Rama V, VI and VII. It is now the office of a private company.
A part of this building has been converted to a coffee shop. You can enjoy coffee and cakes here.

Lamphu tree (Duabanga grandiflora):
This used to be an area of densely-growing Lamphu trees, so it was called "Banglamphu." At present, there are only two trees left behind Phra Sumen Fort.