7 October Days in Bangkok

Rattanakosin Island is the area around Sanam Luang, the most well-known open ground in front of the Grand Palace, which is surrounded by water and houses the Grand Palace, several famous temples and important government buildings.

For a map: http://www.thaiwaysmagazine.com/bangkok_…

The first place to visit is the National Museum on the West side of Sanam Luang, which is the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia. Next to the museum is one of Thailand's most famous universities, Thammasat University.

Walking through the Thammasat University campus, you will reach Tha Phrachan Road. Then turn onto the nearby Maharat Road, on the left of which is Mahathat Temple, where the Buddhist Meditation Centre is located.

Wat Mahathat can basically be found in most cities of Thailand. It’s name means that it is a ‘very holy place’. The one here in Bangkok is called Wat Mahathat Yuwarajarangsarit RajaworamahaviharaIt and is not a touristy temple. This is more a place for praying and meditation. It is the center of the Mahanikai Buddhists and also offers meditation classes to non-Thai’s. For that trainees have to follow a strict list of 20 rules and of course obey all the Buddhist principles. There is about 40 to 50 Westerners who undergo this program every month. Due to its proximity to the main tourist attractions, this temple can also provide a quite place from the craziness out on the streets.

Next to the temple is Silpakorn University, the country's centre of fine arts study. Turning left onto Na Phra Lan Road, you will reach a must-visit place for every visitor to Thailand. It is the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaeo) where you can catch a glimpse of Thailand's traditional arts and splendid architecture.

Wat Phra Kaeo or with it's full name Wat Phrasrirattana Sassadaram is the Royal Temple in the Grand Palace. As foreigners we have to pay for the entrance unlike at other temples. A strict dress code is also enforced here and visitors with shorts will not be allowed to enter the grounds. We have been back to this temple many times since it is always a special place to visit. Wat Phra Kaeo is the sacred symbol of the Rattanakosin Dynasty.

The Prasat Phra Thep Bidorn, the Royal Pantheon, which is the most important one on the upper terrace. It offers a number of details, which are worth to be looked at while visiting the Royal Palace, namely the pediments on its sides, which bear the emblems and insignias of the kings. It houses the statues of five of the Chakri kings.

To the left of the front gate of Wat Phra Kaeo, you will find Tha Chang (tha = pier) where you can take a ferry to Wat Rakhang, a famous old temple with traditional architecture. Next to Tha Chang is Tha Ratchaworadit, a royal pier containing a Thai-style pavilion exclusively used for royal ceremonies.

Walk on a few hundred metres you will see another pier - Tha Tian, from which you may take a ferry to Wat Arun or the Temple of Dawn. This renowned temple is attractive in its striking pagoda decorated with multicoloured porcelain fragments.

Opposite the rows of shophouses around Tha Tian is Wat Pho or Wat Phra Chetuphon, another famous temple in the area. In addition to a large number of pagodas, the temple also houses a huge reclining Buddha.

Massage - Wat Pho is also famous as Thailand's first university, and is center for traditional Thai masage - the rich, famous and powerful have all been known to come here. Inscribed on stone in the walls of Wat Pho are all that was known about Thai massage dating from the reign of King Rama III (most previous texts were lost when the Burmese destroyed Ayuthaya)

To get a traditional massage here costs 150B for 30 mins, 250B for an hour and herbal massages are available at 350B an hour. If you want to experience traditional Thai massage, this is probably the best place available and is highly recommended, though be aware that it's not exactly a gentle experience. A foot reflexology massage is also available at 250B for 45 minutes.

The massage center is situated at the back of the Wat, the opposite side from the entrance. To get a massage, simply turn up here and wait in line until a masseur is available - perhaps 10 or 20 minutes in the quieter periods in the early morning and late afternoon. Contact them on ( 662) 221 2974 or ( 662) 225 4771 if you need any more information about it.

On the opposite side of Sanamchai Road, the road beside Wat Pho, is Saranrom Garden where you can take a break under shady trees. Then continue your walk along this road, you will pass the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defence which is marked by some old cannons displayed in front of the building.

Going a little way farther, before arriving back at Sanam Luang, you will see the City Pillar Shrine with the roof in the form of a pagoda. Here is where a lot of people come to worship the city's guardian deity. route of this walking tour programme is completed here.