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      Out and About rhythmic gymnastic kid photo

      Kidding Around

      January 4, 2019

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      An Interview With David Robinson

      November 5, 2018

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      Gimme a Break!

      May 10, 2018

      Out and About

      Football Fever

      May 9, 2018

  • RESTAURANTS
    • Restaurants Chef Chumpol Jangprai photo

      Breaking Bread with Chumpol Jangprai

      January 7, 2019

      Restaurants Red Oven SO Sofitel Bangkok food photo

      Seafood Lovers’ Dream Come True at SO Sofitel Bangkok

      January 4, 2019

      Restaurants Christmas Turkey cheese

      Christmas Eve Buffet Dinners at Sheraton Hua Hin Pranburi Villas – Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa

      December 13, 2018

      Restaurants New Year Eve Brewski party photo

      Christmas is Coming Up at Radisson Blu Plaza Bangkok

      December 12, 2018

      Restaurants EatMe Restaurant New Year Countdown

      Free-Flow Bubbly & Six-Course Dinner for Eat Me’s New Year Countdown

      December 11, 2018

  • Nightlife
    • All Feature Club Report Music Scene Nightlife News Reviews bars clubs Cocktail Lounges rooftop bars
      bars Blue Parrot restaurant and bar Bangkok photo 2

      Blue Parrot

      January 7, 2019

      Club Report Christmas Turkey cheese

      Christmas Eve Buffet Dinners at Sheraton Hua Hin Pranburi Villas – Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa

      December 13, 2018

      Best of Bangkok New Year Eve Brewski party photo

      Christmas is Coming Up at Radisson Blu Plaza Bangkok

      December 12, 2018

      bars EatMe Restaurant New Year Countdown

      Free-Flow Bubbly & Six-Course Dinner for Eat Me’s New Year Countdown

      December 11, 2018

      Feature Christmas Turkey cheese

      Christmas Eve Buffet Dinners at Sheraton Hua Hin Pranburi Villas – Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa

      December 13, 2018

      Feature

      Tropic City’s New Cocktail Menu: Volume 2

      October 11, 2018

      Feature

      Zest Bar & Terrace

      July 6, 2018

      Feature

      I’ll Drink to That!

      June 1, 2018

      Club Report Christmas Turkey cheese

      Christmas Eve Buffet Dinners at Sheraton Hua Hin Pranburi Villas – Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa

      December 13, 2018

      Club Report

      This month’s DJ events turn Bangkok into one big party venue

      October 6, 2016

      Club Report

      The DJ Booth

      August 31, 2016

      Club Report

      The DJ Booth

      July 25, 2016

      Music Scene Imagine Dragons

      Just Imagine

      October 13, 2017

      Music Scene

      Jazz Wednesdays

      March 20, 2017

      Music Scene

      The Rock Philosopher

      September 29, 2016

      Music Scene

      The Rock Philosopher

      September 7, 2016

      Nightlife News EatMe Restaurant New Year Countdown

      Free-Flow Bubbly & Six-Course Dinner for Eat Me’s New Year Countdown

      December 11, 2018

      Nightlife News Christmas Afternoon Tea Buffet Anantara Siam Bangkok

      Festive Cheer Arrives to Bangkok’s Most Prestigious Address

      December 11, 2018

      Nightlife News

      Tropic City’s New Cocktail Menu: Volume 2

      October 11, 2018

      Nightlife News

      Jay Sean at LEVELS

      September 5, 2018

      Reviews Blue Parrot restaurant and bar Bangkok photo 2

      Blue Parrot

      January 7, 2019

      Reviews EatMe Restaurant New Year Countdown

      Free-Flow Bubbly & Six-Course Dinner for Eat Me’s New Year Countdown

      December 11, 2018

      Reviews Christmas Afternoon Tea Buffet Anantara Siam Bangkok

      Festive Cheer Arrives to Bangkok’s Most Prestigious Address

      December 11, 2018

      Reviews Family Sunday Brunch Le Meridien Suvarnabhumi table photo

      Latest Recipe

      December 7, 2018

      bars Blue Parrot restaurant and bar Bangkok photo 2

      Blue Parrot

      January 7, 2019

      bars EatMe Restaurant New Year Countdown

      Free-Flow Bubbly & Six-Course Dinner for Eat Me’s New Year Countdown

      December 11, 2018

      bars

      Top Bangkok Riverside Bar Views

      November 15, 2018

      bars

      Tropic City’s New Cocktail Menu: Volume 2

      October 11, 2018

      clubs

      Mojjo Lounge Bar

      July 3, 2017

      clubs

      Nervo in Phuket

      December 6, 2016

      clubs

      Beach Club@Pullman G

      August 19, 2016

      clubs

      Flow House Bangkok

      June 2, 2016

      Cocktail Lounges Christmas Afternoon Tea Buffet Anantara Siam Bangkok

      Festive Cheer Arrives to Bangkok’s Most Prestigious Address

      December 11, 2018

      Cocktail Lounges

      Tropic City’s New Cocktail Menu: Volume 2

      October 11, 2018

      Cocktail Lounges

      The Diplomat Bar

      December 29, 2017

      Cocktail Lounges

      Revolucion Cocktail

      July 14, 2015

      rooftop bars

      ABar

      January 29, 2018

      rooftop bars

      Octave Rooftop Lounge

      October 5, 2017

      rooftop bars

      The sky’s the limit

      February 27, 2017

      rooftop bars

      ThreeSixty Lounge

      July 15, 2016

  • LIFESTYLE
    • Lifestyle News all day tattoo shop front photo

      All Day Tattoo Studio Bangkok

      January 16, 2019

      Lifestyle News Christmas Turkey cheese

      Christmas Eve Buffet Dinners at Sheraton Hua Hin Pranburi Villas – Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa

      December 13, 2018

      Lifestyle News

      Raining Stars in Bangkok

      November 14, 2018

      Lifestyle News

      A Bright Idea

      June 29, 2018

      Lifestyle News

      Summer Hill Celebrates Grand Opening With Full Occupancy

      April 5, 2018

  • ART & CULTURE
    • All Art & Culture News Books & Film Exhibitions Feature Photo Feature
      ART & CULTURE Pawit Mahasarinand photo

      BACC… To the Future

      January 17, 2019

      ART & CULTURE Old Bangkok Fabrizio La Torre photo

      Memory Lane: A Walk Through Old Bangkok

      January 16, 2019

      ART & CULTURE Hugh Maynard acting photo

      An Interview with Hugh Maynard

      January 15, 2019

      ART & CULTURE Bangkok Art Biennale art pieces photo 4

      BangkoK Art Biennale

      January 9, 2019

      Art & Culture News Hugh Maynard acting photo

      An Interview with Hugh Maynard

      January 15, 2019

      Art & Culture News Bangkok Art Biennale art pieces photo 4

      BangkoK Art Biennale

      January 9, 2019

      Art & Culture News

      Desperation Versus Happiness in Art

      October 30, 2018

      Art & Culture News

      An Interview with Megan Ross

      October 16, 2018

      Books & Film

      Film News & Screenings

      August 31, 2018

      Books & Film

      Film News & Screenings

      July 31, 2018

      Books & Film

      Film News & Screenings

      June 29, 2018

      Books & Film

      Film News & Screenings

      June 1, 2018

      Exhibitions Bangkok Art Biennale art pieces photo 4

      BangkoK Art Biennale

      January 9, 2019

      Exhibitions Bruce Gundersen Art

      Bruce Gundersen

      December 11, 2018

      Exhibitions

      Desperation Versus Happiness in Art

      October 30, 2018

      Exhibitions

      Bangkok Biennale Beyond Bliss – Ecstasy of Truth

      October 16, 2018

      Feature Old Bangkok Fabrizio La Torre photo

      Memory Lane: A Walk Through Old Bangkok

      January 16, 2019

      Feature

      A Cultural Performance Like No Other

      September 12, 2018

      Feature dance Bangkok

      Movers and Shakers

      October 30, 2017

      Feature Imagine Dragons

      Just Imagine

      October 13, 2017

      Photo Feature

      Fashion Freeze Frame

      May 3, 2017

      Photo Feature

      Moving Images

      March 31, 2017

      Photo Feature

      3 amazing Thai female artists

      March 2, 2017

      Photo Feature Teeratat Numkaew at Kalwit Studio & Gallery

      La Fête Galleries’ Night

      January 30, 2017

  • TRAVEL
    • Travel News

      Upcountry Now

      August 31, 2018

      Travel News

      GLOW Ao Nang Krabi

      April 5, 2018

      Travel News

      Upcountry Now

      March 28, 2018

      Travel News

      24-hour Flash Sale At The Emerald Cove Koh Chang

      October 3, 2017

      Travel News

      Upcountry Now

      September 27, 2017

  • COLUMNS
    • All Bizarre Thailand CHew On This Historic Bangkok Joe’s Bangkok by Joe Cummings Making Merit Now/New/Nest Now/New/Next Tom’s Two Satang
      Best of Bangkok Wat Paknam photo 4

      Wat Pak Nam

      January 10, 2019

      CHew On This Street Food vendor Bangkok photo

      A Moveable Feast

      January 9, 2019

      Art Shane Suvikapakornkul photo

      Shane Suvikapakornkul

      January 8, 2019

      COLUMNS Kaeng Kari Nai Yong by Mr. Yong outdoor photo

      Chinese Thai Curry in Chinatown

      December 24, 2018

      Bizarre Thailand

      Bangkok Noir: The Telltale Art

      September 15, 2018

      Bizarre Thailand

      Whale Watching

      August 7, 2018

      Bizarre Thailand

      Edible Insects

      July 12, 2018

      Bizarre Thailand

      The Thai Way of Death

      June 18, 2018

      CHew On This Street Food vendor Bangkok photo

      A Moveable Feast

      January 9, 2019

      CHew On This

      Boat Noodles at Victory Monument

      October 31, 2018

      CHew On This

      At Your Service, Or Not

      October 16, 2018

      CHew On This

      Taking to the River

      September 10, 2018

      Historic Bangkok Iconsiam outdoor photo 3

      IconSiam: Heritage in the Making

      December 18, 2018

      Historic Bangkok

      JJ Mall: Shopping Nostalgia for the 60s, 70s and 80s

      October 10, 2018

      Historic Bangkok

      Bangkok’s other ‘intangible heritage’

      September 10, 2018

      Historic Bangkok

      The Joachim Grassi Effect

      August 24, 2018

      Joe’s Bangkok by Joe Cummings Wat Paknam photo 4

      Wat Pak Nam

      January 10, 2019

      Joe’s Bangkok by Joe Cummings

      A Day at the Stadium

      October 10, 2018

      Joe’s Bangkok by Joe Cummings

      Leave the Night On

      August 31, 2018

      Joe’s Bangkok by Joe Cummings

      Treasure Hunting

      August 12, 2018

      Making Merit

      New Year, Old Traditions

      March 28, 2018

      Making Merit

      Pachyderm Parade

      February 27, 2018

      Making Merit Trimurti Shrine

      Lover’s Landmark

      February 14, 2018

      Making Merit

      Second-Hand Treasure Troves

      November 27, 2017

      Now/New/Nest Shane Suvikapakornkul photo

      Shane Suvikapakornkul

      January 8, 2019

      Now/New/Nest Bruce Gundersen Art

      Bruce Gundersen

      December 11, 2018

      Now/New/Nest Angkrit Ajchariyasophon photo

      Angkrit Ajchariyasophon

      December 6, 2018

      Now/New/Next Shane Suvikapakornkul photo

      Shane Suvikapakornkul

      January 8, 2019

      Now/New/Next

      Zaiyu Hasegawa

      October 10, 2018

      Now/New/Next

      Tawn Chatchavalvong

      September 1, 2018

      Now/New/Next

      Josean Alija

      July 31, 2018

      Tom’s Two Satang

      On Thailand

      December 26, 2017

      Tom’s Two Satang

      On Bangkok

      November 22, 2017

      Tom’s Two Satang Ayutthaya

      On Ayutthaya

      October 16, 2017

      Tom’s Two Satang

      On Ending Particles

      September 24, 2017

  • CITY GUIDE
    • Restaurants
    • Nightlife listing
    • Shopping
    • Sightseeing
    • Museums & Galleries
    • Temples
    • On The Block
Top Posts
Newly renovated Moon Bar at Banyan Tree is...
Front Room
Karmakamet Conveyance
The Bar at The House on Sathorn
Valentine’s Experiences Outside The City
Valentine’s Deals Around Bangkok
Chinese New Year Gathering Locales
Silavadee Pool Spa Resort – Koh Samui
Gaja Korean Gastrobar
BACC… To the Future
All Day Tattoo Studio Bangkok
Memory Lane: A Walk Through Old Bangkok
An Interview With Michael Bridge

Bangkok 101

  • HOME
  • WHAT’S ON
  • BEST OF BKK
    • All Best of Bangkok My Bangkok Out and About
      Best of Bangkok Wat Paknam photo 4

      Wat Pak Nam

      January 10, 2019

      BEST OF BKK rhythmic gymnastic kid photo

      Kidding Around

      January 4, 2019

      Best of Bangkok Iconsiam outdoor photo 3

      IconSiam: Heritage in the Making

      December 18, 2018

      Best of Bangkok shopping mall Christmas tree photo

      Bangkok Sparkle

      December 17, 2018

      Best of Bangkok Wat Paknam photo 4

      Wat Pak Nam

      January 10, 2019

      Best of Bangkok Iconsiam outdoor photo 3

      IconSiam: Heritage in the Making

      December 18, 2018

      Best of Bangkok shopping mall Christmas tree photo

      Bangkok Sparkle

      December 17, 2018

      Best of Bangkok Miss Universe 2018 group photo

      Miss Universe 2018 Pageant Contestants at Blue Elephant Cooking School & Restaurant

      December 14, 2018

      My Bangkok

      An Interview With Thanaruek Laoraowirodge

      December 5, 2018

      My Bangkok

      Zymone Gill

      September 9, 2018

      My Bangkok

      Chef Gigg Kamol

      August 23, 2018

      My Bangkok

      Chef Vichit Mukura

      August 5, 2018

      Out and About rhythmic gymnastic kid photo

      Kidding Around

      January 4, 2019

      Out and About

      An Interview With David Robinson

      November 5, 2018

      Out and About

      Gimme a Break!

      May 10, 2018

      Out and About

      Football Fever

      May 9, 2018

  • RESTAURANTS
    • Restaurants Chef Chumpol Jangprai photo

      Breaking Bread with Chumpol Jangprai

      January 7, 2019

      Restaurants Red Oven SO Sofitel Bangkok food photo

      Seafood Lovers’ Dream Come True at SO Sofitel Bangkok

      January 4, 2019

      Restaurants Christmas Turkey cheese

      Christmas Eve Buffet Dinners at Sheraton Hua Hin Pranburi Villas – Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa

      December 13, 2018

      Restaurants New Year Eve Brewski party photo

      Christmas is Coming Up at Radisson Blu Plaza Bangkok

      December 12, 2018

      Restaurants EatMe Restaurant New Year Countdown

      Free-Flow Bubbly & Six-Course Dinner for Eat Me’s New Year Countdown

      December 11, 2018

  • Nightlife
    • All Feature Club Report Music Scene Nightlife News Reviews bars clubs Cocktail Lounges rooftop bars
      bars Blue Parrot restaurant and bar Bangkok photo 2

      Blue Parrot

      January 7, 2019

      Club Report Christmas Turkey cheese

      Christmas Eve Buffet Dinners at Sheraton Hua Hin Pranburi Villas – Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa

      December 13, 2018

      Best of Bangkok New Year Eve Brewski party photo

      Christmas is Coming Up at Radisson Blu Plaza Bangkok

      December 12, 2018

      bars EatMe Restaurant New Year Countdown

      Free-Flow Bubbly & Six-Course Dinner for Eat Me’s New Year Countdown

      December 11, 2018

      Feature Christmas Turkey cheese

      Christmas Eve Buffet Dinners at Sheraton Hua Hin Pranburi Villas – Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa

      December 13, 2018

      Feature

      Tropic City’s New Cocktail Menu: Volume 2

      October 11, 2018

      Feature

      Zest Bar & Terrace

      July 6, 2018

      Feature

      I’ll Drink to That!

      June 1, 2018

      Club Report Christmas Turkey cheese

      Christmas Eve Buffet Dinners at Sheraton Hua Hin Pranburi Villas – Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa

      December 13, 2018

      Club Report

      This month’s DJ events turn Bangkok into one big party venue

      October 6, 2016

      Club Report

      The DJ Booth

      August 31, 2016

      Club Report

      The DJ Booth

      July 25, 2016

      Music Scene Imagine Dragons

      Just Imagine

      October 13, 2017

      Music Scene

      Jazz Wednesdays

      March 20, 2017

      Music Scene

      The Rock Philosopher

      September 29, 2016

      Music Scene

      The Rock Philosopher

      September 7, 2016

      Nightlife News EatMe Restaurant New Year Countdown

      Free-Flow Bubbly & Six-Course Dinner for Eat Me’s New Year Countdown

      December 11, 2018

      Nightlife News Christmas Afternoon Tea Buffet Anantara Siam Bangkok

      Festive Cheer Arrives to Bangkok’s Most Prestigious Address

      December 11, 2018

      Nightlife News

      Tropic City’s New Cocktail Menu: Volume 2

      October 11, 2018

      Nightlife News

      Jay Sean at LEVELS

      September 5, 2018

      Reviews Blue Parrot restaurant and bar Bangkok photo 2

      Blue Parrot

      January 7, 2019

      Reviews EatMe Restaurant New Year Countdown

      Free-Flow Bubbly & Six-Course Dinner for Eat Me’s New Year Countdown

      December 11, 2018

      Reviews Christmas Afternoon Tea Buffet Anantara Siam Bangkok

      Festive Cheer Arrives to Bangkok’s Most Prestigious Address

      December 11, 2018

      Reviews Family Sunday Brunch Le Meridien Suvarnabhumi table photo

      Latest Recipe

      December 7, 2018

      bars Blue Parrot restaurant and bar Bangkok photo 2

      Blue Parrot

      January 7, 2019

      bars EatMe Restaurant New Year Countdown

      Free-Flow Bubbly & Six-Course Dinner for Eat Me’s New Year Countdown

      December 11, 2018

      bars

      Top Bangkok Riverside Bar Views

      November 15, 2018

      bars

      Tropic City’s New Cocktail Menu: Volume 2

      October 11, 2018

      clubs

      Mojjo Lounge Bar

      July 3, 2017

      clubs

      Nervo in Phuket

      December 6, 2016

      clubs

      Beach Club@Pullman G

      August 19, 2016

      clubs

      Flow House Bangkok

      June 2, 2016

      Cocktail Lounges Christmas Afternoon Tea Buffet Anantara Siam Bangkok

      Festive Cheer Arrives to Bangkok’s Most Prestigious Address

      December 11, 2018

      Cocktail Lounges

      Tropic City’s New Cocktail Menu: Volume 2

      October 11, 2018

      Cocktail Lounges

      The Diplomat Bar

      December 29, 2017

      Cocktail Lounges

      Revolucion Cocktail

      July 14, 2015

      rooftop bars

      ABar

      January 29, 2018

      rooftop bars

      Octave Rooftop Lounge

      October 5, 2017

      rooftop bars

      The sky’s the limit

      February 27, 2017

      rooftop bars

      ThreeSixty Lounge

      July 15, 2016

  • LIFESTYLE
    • Lifestyle News all day tattoo shop front photo

      All Day Tattoo Studio Bangkok

      January 16, 2019

      Lifestyle News Christmas Turkey cheese

      Christmas Eve Buffet Dinners at Sheraton Hua Hin Pranburi Villas – Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa

      December 13, 2018

      Lifestyle News

      Raining Stars in Bangkok

      November 14, 2018

      Lifestyle News

      A Bright Idea

      June 29, 2018

      Lifestyle News

      Summer Hill Celebrates Grand Opening With Full Occupancy

      April 5, 2018

  • ART & CULTURE
    • All Art & Culture News Books & Film Exhibitions Feature Photo Feature
      ART & CULTURE Pawit Mahasarinand photo

      BACC… To the Future

      January 17, 2019

      ART & CULTURE Old Bangkok Fabrizio La Torre photo

      Memory Lane: A Walk Through Old Bangkok

      January 16, 2019

      ART & CULTURE Hugh Maynard acting photo

      An Interview with Hugh Maynard

      January 15, 2019

      ART & CULTURE Bangkok Art Biennale art pieces photo 4

      BangkoK Art Biennale

      January 9, 2019

      Art & Culture News Hugh Maynard acting photo

      An Interview with Hugh Maynard

      January 15, 2019

      Art & Culture News Bangkok Art Biennale art pieces photo 4

      BangkoK Art Biennale

      January 9, 2019

      Art & Culture News

      Desperation Versus Happiness in Art

      October 30, 2018

      Art & Culture News

      An Interview with Megan Ross

      October 16, 2018

      Books & Film

      Film News & Screenings

      August 31, 2018

      Books & Film

      Film News & Screenings

      July 31, 2018

      Books & Film

      Film News & Screenings

      June 29, 2018

      Books & Film

      Film News & Screenings

      June 1, 2018

      Exhibitions Bangkok Art Biennale art pieces photo 4

      BangkoK Art Biennale

      January 9, 2019

      Exhibitions Bruce Gundersen Art

      Bruce Gundersen

      December 11, 2018

      Exhibitions

      Desperation Versus Happiness in Art

      October 30, 2018

      Exhibitions

      Bangkok Biennale Beyond Bliss – Ecstasy of Truth

      October 16, 2018

      Feature Old Bangkok Fabrizio La Torre photo

      Memory Lane: A Walk Through Old Bangkok

      January 16, 2019

      Feature

      A Cultural Performance Like No Other

      September 12, 2018

      Feature dance Bangkok

      Movers and Shakers

      October 30, 2017

      Feature Imagine Dragons

      Just Imagine

      October 13, 2017

      Photo Feature

      Fashion Freeze Frame

      May 3, 2017

      Photo Feature

      Moving Images

      March 31, 2017

      Photo Feature

      3 amazing Thai female artists

      March 2, 2017

      Photo Feature Teeratat Numkaew at Kalwit Studio & Gallery

      La Fête Galleries’ Night

      January 30, 2017

  • TRAVEL
    • Travel News

      Upcountry Now

      August 31, 2018

      Travel News

      GLOW Ao Nang Krabi

      April 5, 2018

      Travel News

      Upcountry Now

      March 28, 2018

      Travel News

      24-hour Flash Sale At The Emerald Cove Koh Chang

      October 3, 2017

      Travel News

      Upcountry Now

      September 27, 2017

  • COLUMNS
    • All Bizarre Thailand CHew On This Historic Bangkok Joe’s Bangkok by Joe Cummings Making Merit Now/New/Nest Now/New/Next Tom’s Two Satang
      Best of Bangkok Wat Paknam photo 4

      Wat Pak Nam

      January 10, 2019

      CHew On This Street Food vendor Bangkok photo

      A Moveable Feast

      January 9, 2019

      Art Shane Suvikapakornkul photo

      Shane Suvikapakornkul

      January 8, 2019

      COLUMNS Kaeng Kari Nai Yong by Mr. Yong outdoor photo

      Chinese Thai Curry in Chinatown

      December 24, 2018

      Bizarre Thailand

      Bangkok Noir: The Telltale Art

      September 15, 2018

      Bizarre Thailand

      Whale Watching

      August 7, 2018

      Bizarre Thailand

      Edible Insects

      July 12, 2018

      Bizarre Thailand

      The Thai Way of Death

      June 18, 2018

      CHew On This Street Food vendor Bangkok photo

      A Moveable Feast

      January 9, 2019

      CHew On This

      Boat Noodles at Victory Monument

      October 31, 2018

      CHew On This

      At Your Service, Or Not

      October 16, 2018

      CHew On This

      Taking to the River

      September 10, 2018

      Historic Bangkok Iconsiam outdoor photo 3

      IconSiam: Heritage in the Making

      December 18, 2018

      Historic Bangkok

      JJ Mall: Shopping Nostalgia for the 60s, 70s and 80s

      October 10, 2018

      Historic Bangkok

      Bangkok’s other ‘intangible heritage’

      September 10, 2018

      Historic Bangkok

      The Joachim Grassi Effect

      August 24, 2018

      Joe’s Bangkok by Joe Cummings Wat Paknam photo 4

      Wat Pak Nam

      January 10, 2019

      Joe’s Bangkok by Joe Cummings

      A Day at the Stadium

      October 10, 2018

      Joe’s Bangkok by Joe Cummings

      Leave the Night On

      August 31, 2018

      Joe’s Bangkok by Joe Cummings

      Treasure Hunting

      August 12, 2018

      Making Merit

      New Year, Old Traditions

      March 28, 2018

      Making Merit

      Pachyderm Parade

      February 27, 2018

      Making Merit Trimurti Shrine

      Lover’s Landmark

      February 14, 2018

      Making Merit

      Second-Hand Treasure Troves

      November 27, 2017

      Now/New/Nest Shane Suvikapakornkul photo

      Shane Suvikapakornkul

      January 8, 2019

      Now/New/Nest Bruce Gundersen Art

      Bruce Gundersen

      December 11, 2018

      Now/New/Nest Angkrit Ajchariyasophon photo

      Angkrit Ajchariyasophon

      December 6, 2018

      Now/New/Next Shane Suvikapakornkul photo

      Shane Suvikapakornkul

      January 8, 2019

      Now/New/Next

      Zaiyu Hasegawa

      October 10, 2018

      Now/New/Next

      Tawn Chatchavalvong

      September 1, 2018

      Now/New/Next

      Josean Alija

      July 31, 2018

      Tom’s Two Satang

      On Thailand

      December 26, 2017

      Tom’s Two Satang

      On Bangkok

      November 22, 2017

      Tom’s Two Satang Ayutthaya

      On Ayutthaya

      October 16, 2017

      Tom’s Two Satang

      On Ending Particles

      September 24, 2017

  • CITY GUIDE
    • Restaurants
    • Nightlife listing
    • Shopping
    • Sightseeing
    • Museums & Galleries
    • Temples
    • On The Block
Best of Bangkok

Beyond the “Must-See” Monuments

written by Luc Citrinot October 3, 2016

Find out where Bangkok’s real heritage gems are hiding

Bangkok has hundreds of places to visit, including iconic landmark buildings, but if you, as a visitor, enjoy architecture or history, there are some heritage “diamonds” hiding in the rough.

Tourists generally visit the same places around the world. What would a trip to Paris be without a photo session in front of the Eiffel Tower? And what’s a selfie in Australia without the Sydney Opera House in the background? Bangkok also has its fair share of these must-see monuments—The Grand Palace, Wat Arun, Wat Pho, the Giant Swing, the Marble Temple—but to go beyond these popular attractions you often need to venture a few streets away from the crowds. So if Vinmanmek Mansion is overcrowded with Chinese tour groups, try these alternative icons.

By walking along the outside wall of The Grand Palace you can find several more heritage highlights, such as the Ministry of Defence, a huge yellow coloured European style building that used to serve as barracks for the Royal Guard (it’s also another Joachim Grassi design). Next to it is Saranrom Palace—another European building, this time a salmon colour—constructed by German architect Egon Müller. It used to serve as a residence for the King’s brother before being turned into the residence for members of royal families visiting Siam.

best-of-bkk-heritage-5

PHRA NAKHON: This district is the historic core of Bangkok, and home to many of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Chief amongst them is The Grand Palace, but while there be sure to visit Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles, located within the royal palace compound. The European style structure used to be the Siam Ministry of Finance, built by Austrian-born, Italian architect Joachim Grassi. The elegant structure was carefully restored back in 2003 to accommodate the superb royal textile collection, celebrating the splendours of Thai silk and the wonderful collection of ageless, classical dresses belonging to HM Queen Sirikit. Discover some of Thailand’s most exquisite fashion pieces, and be sure to admire the building’s classical rotunda and figures over the windows.

 

best-of-bkk-heritage-7Continuing in the direction heading away from The Grand Palace you will soon cross a canal and find yourself on Atsadang Road, home to Wat Ratchabophit, one of Bangkok’s most impressive temples—a true gem which is highlighted in many guide books but still mostly ignored by tourists. It was built in 1870, and serves not only as a temple but also as a Royal Cemetery. It’s also an amazing blending of architectural styles. The multi-coloured Thai-style Benjarong ceramics covering the outside walls of the temple stand in contrast to the temple’s Ubosot (main hall), built in Venetian neo-gothic style with dark green and gold walls and heavy crystal chandeliers. Around the temple, the various mausoleums for members of the Royal family are a succession of different styles, mixing Angkor or Sukhothai traditional architecture with Gothic or Palladian-style pavilions.

Leaving the temple by the backdoor, one can find an architectural gem of a different sort. Across the street here you’ll find a small yellow house of classical style, called 123 Baan Dee, which is probably the most charming ice cream shop in all of Bangkok. Situated in a 100-year old Thai-Chinese mansion, it is filled with antiques (most of them for sale), and serves many unusual ice cream flavours, including Chinese plum, and pineapple with chili.

In the north end of the district, past Sanam Luang (the Royal Field), lies Khaosan Road, the de rigeur pit stop for backpackers and foreign students on budget holidays. Venture beyond this non-stop party street and head towards Phra Sumen Road (via Soi Rambuttri). You will arrive to a long round-about, bordered on one side by a massive temple complex. This is Wat Bowonniwet, another amazing structure with a succession of temples, a throne hall, monks quarters, and a school.

Once more, the overall eclecticism of the style makes this a place worth visiting—the equivalent of an open-air architectural book. The 180-year old temple, with its golden chedi, is a pure example of Rama III era religious architecture, except that the columns supporting the entrance to the Ubosot strangely evoke Greek or antique Roman columns. By contrast the Throne Hall is a pure masterpiece of Art Nouveau, with Oriental-style architecture and floral motifs. The pavilion, opened in 1914, boasts expansive marble floors and a delicate wooden roof, and was reserved for (until recently) the Supreme Patriarch. Behind it are the main monk headquarters, which have similar patterns to Italian classical villas, while the former seminary (today a school) is constructed in, of all things, Gothic style!

DUSbest-of-bkk-heritage-2IT: The end of Rachadamnoen Nok, a tree-lined imposing avenue modelled after the Champs Elysées in Paris, is where you’ll find the majestic Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall. This imposing structure of marble has been deemed as one of the most expensive buildings ever constructed by the State, as it cost over 15 million baht 100 years ago. While worth visiting, it is also victim of its success with hordes of tourists turning the place into an overcrowded experience.

A better bet is to just pass the structure, and walk through the gardens linking Ananta Samakhom to its predecessor, the Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall. Completed in 1904 by Turin-born influential architect Mario Tamagno (he was head of the Royal Department of Public Works), the Abhisek Dusit Pavilion is a gracious structure with an Orientalist flavour. While the museum inside is of mediocre interest, the architecture of the place is worth spending a bit of time observing. The classic Italian building bears Art Nouveau details along its façades, with delicate carved flowers, an intricate main door and, above all, a pre-eminent peristyle (a row of columns surrounding a space within a building) built in wood. The carvings are so delicate that they seem to be made of lace. It’s a true masterpiece of craftsmanship!

BANG RAbest-of-bkk-heritage-1K/YAOWARAT: The heart of Thai-Chinese authentic culture is preserved in Yaowarat (aka: Chinatown). The district also offers visitors a chance to see many historical structures, with entire street blocks that have barely changed in the last hundred years. Some of the Charoen Krung areas are still lined with old shops and minuscule European-Chinese houses, and one of the most interesting streets is Songwat Road, a long narrow street that remains a testimony to Bangkok’s early cosmopolitan life.

Located next to the warehouses of Sampheng docks, the street attracted various trading communities—Indians and Chinese—and some of the houses in the street echo Rangoon’s British-Indian architecture (particularly the building at the corner of Ratchawong and Songwat Roads). Some properties are like the shophouses of Singapore or Penang, but one not-to-be-missed building is the Luang Kocha Isahak Mosque. Built around 1895, its style evokes a neo-Palladian villa from Northern Italy. Another interesting building is Pei-ing School located just behind the Lao Pun Thao Kong Shrine. The school was opened in 1920 and became the most prestigious education facility for Thai-Chinese communities. Its imposing Western influenced façade, with majestic stairs, loggias, and galleries, emulates European boarding schools.

best-of-bkk-heritage-3THONBURI: Many local Bangkokians would say that the most authentic part of the city is on the other side of the Chao Praya River, in Thonburi. And probably, the Kudi Jeen  district around the Santa Cruz Church best reflects the old spirit of Siam community life. The church is a typical construction from the team of Mario Tamagno and Annibale Rigotti, constructed in neo-renaissance style. Strolling around the district is to discover Bangkok’s last truly Eurasian community.

Portuguese moved to this area following the fall of Ayutthaya at the end of the 18th century. Today some of the district’s inhabitants still have distinctive Portuguese features, while their houses are decorated with religious catholic imagery. The Baan Kudi Chin Museum was recently opened—owned by one of the last Thai-Portuguese families (17 families are recorded as “Kudi Jeen” today)—and it’s the best place to discover more about the community’s ancestral life and traditions. There’s even a small coffee shop offering some local specialty snacks and cookies.

In a way, the Thonburi area is a true blend of the cultures which have cohabited in Bangkok for centuries. The Kuan An Keng Shrine, with its beautiful murals, is one of Thailand’s oldest surviving Chinese temples, and it stands next to the impressive Wat Kalayanamit, home to Thailand’s largest sitting Buddha. The shrine also stands next to the Bang Luang Mosque, built around 1840 in the shape of a Thai temple. This trio of heritage gems is just another symbol of Bangkok’s incredible capacity for tolerance.

Beyond the “Must-See” Monuments was last modified: October 3rd, 2016 by Luc Citrinot
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Luc Citrinot
Luc Citrinot

Paris native Luc Citrinot has lived in Southeast Asia for the past 12 years, first in Kuala Lumpur and more recently in Bangkok. A seasoned traveller, he writes about tourism, culture, and architecture. He was instrumental on a recent EU-endorsed project to establish the European Heritage Map of Bangkok and subsequent app covering all of Thailand. Luc still travels extensively in Southeast Asia, looking particularly for new architectural gems related to colonial and European history.

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