Tour at Chao Phraya River (แม่น้ำเจ้าพระยา) by Boat > Bangkok ~ Thailand < 2013 August 12 (2) > (Bangkok - Ayutthaya - Kuala Lumpur)

Time for boat touring the Chao Phraya River. It's private boat, maybe only for 10-15 people.

The Chao Phraya (แม่น้ำเจ้าพระยา) is a major river in Thailand, with its low alluvial plain forming the centre of the country. It flows through Bangkok and then into the Gulf of Thailand.

Credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chao_Phraya_River

We road the boat at the pier in front of The Grand Palace. I didn't pay attention of the pier number.

There is Chao Phraya Express Boat, that serve at public tranport. You can see the schedule and fares in here: http://www.chaophrayaexpressboat.com/en/home/

Here's some scenery that we can took on boat.

The Bangkoknoi Aroma Museum

Royal Barge Museum

We drop in here for a while to eat some snack

The Grand Palace Bangkok (พระบรมมหาราชวัง - Phra Borom Maha Ratcha Wang) > Bangkok ~ Thailand < 2013 August 12 (1) > (Bangkok - Ayutthaya - Kuala Lumpur)

Today, our first visit place is The Grand Palace.

The Grand Palace (พระบรมมหาราชวัง - Phra Borom Maha Ratcha Wang) is a complex of buildings at the heart of Bangkok, Thailand. The palace has been the official residence of the Kings of Siam (and later Thailand) since 1782. The king, his court and his royal government were based on the grounds of the palace until 1925. The present monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), currently resides at Chitralada Palace, but the Grand Palace is still used for official events. Several royal ceremonies and state functions are held within the walls of the palace every year. The palace is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Thailand.

Credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Palace

The Grand Palace is divided into three main zones:
- The Outer Court, home to royal offices, public buildings and the Temple of Emerald Buddha;
- the Middle Court, which is where the most important residential and state buildings are;
- the Inner Court, which is exclusively reserved for the king, his queen and his consorts.

Getting there?
One of the easiest, and most pleasurable, ways is taking the BTS skytrain to Saphan Taksin station, located a top Sathorn “Central” Pier. From there, take a Chao Phraya River Express boat to Chang Pier, and then it’s a short walk to the Grand Palace’s main entrance.

Opening hours: daily from 8:30am to 3:30pm except during special royal ceremonies.

Entrance fee is 500 Baht.
It's inclusive of access to :
> Wat Phra Kaeo,
> The Royal Thai Decorations & Coins Pavilion and Queen Sirikit Museum of Textile, which are located within the Grand Palace compound,
> Vimanmek Mansion Museum on Ratchawithi Road.
Additional 100 Baht for a rental personal audio guide in English, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Japanese or Mandarin.

So this is why I suggest you came here first then the other's palace. Because the ticket is inclusive. Don't forget to take a brochure about grand palace based on your language.

Visitors are required to dress appropriately. These following clothes are strictly not allowed as outer garments for both ladies and gentlemen:
>>> Shorts
>>> Mini-Skirts
>>> Short Skirts
>>> Tight Fitting Trousers
>>> See-Through Shirts and Blouses, as well as culottes or quarter length trousers
>>> Sleeveless Shirts or Vests
>>> Sandals (without ankle or heel straps)
>>> Rolled-up-sleeved shirts
>>> Sweatshirts and Sweatpants
>>> Wind-Cheaters
>>> Pajamas
>>> Fisherman Trousers

Credit:
- http://www.tourismthailand.org/See-and-Do/Sights-and-Attractions-Detail/The-Grand-Palace--52
- http://www.grandpalacebangkok.com/

We parked the car a little far from Grand Palace, and the usual Parking Car already full. So we parked the car at a building car parking. It's near Khao Shan Road. Then we ride Tuk-Tuk. It cost 50-60 Baht from there to Grand Palace.

When I came here, it's Queen's Birthday. So there's a ceremony party inside the Grand Palace. But the tourists still can enter the site.

And when I came here, there's so many people. Just imagine, only when you want to entering the entrance, you have to queue almost 45 minutes. Too many people come here. And we can't took a good picture with many people surround.

The Grand Palace, view from Wat Arun

Outer Court of Grand Palace

Chakri Mahaprasat Throne Hall, middle court of Grand Palace

When I visit this palace, There's a ceremony party for Queen's Birthday in this building. So many important people come to celebrate.

Chakri Mahaprasat Throne Halll

Union Mall (ยูเนี่ยน มอลล์) (1) > Bangkok ~ Thailand < 2013 August 11 (9) > (Bangkok - Ayutthaya - Kuala Lumpur)

After eat dinner, our Thai friends took us to Union Mall. Located right next Central Plaza Lardprao.

Address : 54 Lat Phrao Rd, Chom Phon, Chatuchak, Bangkok, Thailand 10900
Web: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Mall

The mall opened on February 2006. It has 8 floors with a total of 150 000 square meters of space. Furthermore, it houses some 1240 booths and shops and entertainment services.

You can stop at MRT Phahon Yothin, between MRT Chatuchak Park and MRT Lat Phrao.

It's a cheap mall too. You can bargain in here. If you bought more than 1 items, then it will be cheaper than buy 1 item only.

This is the last place that we visited this day. Time to sleep and gain more energy for the next day.

Kopitiam Central Plaza Lardprao > Bangkok ~ Thailans < 2013 August 11 (8) > (Bangkok - Ayutthaya - Kuala Lumpur)

We ate dinner at Central Plaza Lardprao, at Kopitiam.

Pork, it's different with the picture.. :(

Thai Tea

Central Plaza Lardprao (เซ็นทรัลพลาซา ลาดพร้าว or เซ็นทรัลลาดพร้าว) > Bangkok ~ Thailand < 2013 August 11 (7) > (Bangkok - Ayutthaya - Kuala Lumpur)

Because it's too hot, we decided to end the shopping at Chatuchak, then go to shopping mall. We plan to go to Central Plaza Grand Rama 9. But our Thai Friends said, it's too far. So they took us to Central Plaza Lardprao. It's near Chatuchak, 2 station from Chatuchak. Stop at MRT Lat Phrao.

Central Plaza Lardprao (เซ็นทรัลพลาซา ลาดพร้าว or เซ็นทรัลลาดพร้าว) is a shopping complex, owned Central Pattana. The complex opened in 25 December 1982, and was the first inegrated shopping complex of Central Pattana. It is located on Phahonyothin Road at the end of Lat Phrao Road in Chatuchak District, Bangkok.

CentralPlaza Ladprao was under major renovation in February to August 2011 due to closure of CentralWorld.

The shopping mall is anchored by a 41,000 square metres (440,000 sq ft) Central Department Store,[8] a Tops Market supermarket and a nine screen 3,000 seat cinema by SFX Cinema, a 565 room Sofitel Centara Grand hotel and the Bangkok Convention Centre or BCC. The shopping mall has approximately 350 stores

Credit:
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CentralPlaza_Lardprao
- http://www.centralplaza.co.th/en/branch-detail.aspx?id=1

Address: 1693 Paholyothin Road, Jatujak, Bangkok 10900 Thailand
Tel.: +66 (0) 2 793 6000
Fax: +66 (0) 2 514 1341

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Refurbished_CentralPlaza_Ladprao.jpg

http://topicstock.pantip.com/woman/topicstock/2010/03/Q9011333/Q9011333-1.jpg

Chatuchak Weekend Market (จตุจักร) > Bangkok ~ Thailand < 2013 August 11 (6) > (Bangkok - Ayutthaya - Kuala Lumpur)

After eating lunch, it's time for shopping. And because today is weekend, we go to Chatuchak Weekend Market.

Chatuchak weekend market, is one of the world's largest weekend markets covers area of 70 rai (27 Acres) altogether divided into 27 Sections, contains more than 15,000 booths selling goods from every part of Thailand.

Chatuchak Weekend Market,is very popular shopping centre to Thais and has become a popular place to tourists and foreigners who stay in Bangkok, has over 200,000 visitors each day(SAT-SUN) 30% is foreign. There are almost everything can be found here at a bargaining local price (not a tourist price), and most vendors actually come from local factories, like antique wood carving, clay handicrafts, local souvenirs from every parts of Thailand, Buddhist amulets, wooden funitures, hand made decorated flowers, plant, ceramic wares, dools, Thai Bejarong, Chinese wares, graden decorated plants, stones, trendy fashions, silk, hill-tribe outfits, fluffy dogs and more miscellaneous, etc.

Services in Chatuchak weekend market
Media Center, open Wednesday to Sunday 8.00 am - 20.00 pm.
Banks provide foreign exchange deposit.
Electric train around Chatuchak weekend market, service time Saturday - Sunday: 10.00 - 17.00.

Chatuchak Weekend Market is open
WED-THU (Plants & Flowers) 6.00 am - 6.00 pm.
FRI (Wholesale day) 6.00 am - 6.00 pm.
SAT-SUN (Miscellaneous) 6.00 am - 6.00 pm.

For further information:
- http://www.chatuchak.org/
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chatuchak_Weekend_Market

We go there by car. But our Thai friends said, that if we want to go here by BTS or MRT, you can stop at MRT Kamphaengphet station. It located in the back of the market.

But if you want to go from the front side, you can go to MRT Chatuchak Park or 5 minutes walk from BTS Mo Chit station.

And the Chatuchak Park is so large. I don't know how large is it, but when I saw it, I thought that I prefer stop from MRT Kamphaengphet Station.

It's not enough for 1 day to explore each place. I thought, I only walk for 1/4 area. And the hot weather didn't help at all. It's too hot. But the stuff here is so cheap. If you really love shopping, I think you have to spend whole weekend in here.

I found the map, but I forgot to whom it may belong. So just to inform that this is not mine.

Bangkok Mass Transit ~ Thailand

Don't worry if you go by yourself in Bangkok. The public transportation, especially the subway is so convenient.

There are two kind of subway,

MRTA Subway, which operated underground and BTS sky train which operated upperground. The ticket price is reasonable, and it's so easy to buy it.

Credit: http://www.bangkok.com/information-travel-around/mrt.htm

Web: http://www.bts.co.th/customer/en/main.aspx

Lunch at Padthai Restaurant > Bangkok ~ Thailand < 2013 August 11 (5) > (Bangkok - Ayutthaya - Kuala Lumpur)

Our Thai Friends took us to eat Padthai, the original one. I'm really sorry I don't know where it is, because we go there by car. It's delicious, different with Padthai that we eat at Ruan Mai Loui Restaurant. The price is cheaper too.

There's some kind of Omelet Padthai in here. Some with Oyster, some with Seafood, just order what is your taste.

This is the restaurant name, if you can read Thai, then you might be know where it is.
Is there someone that can translate it for me or maybe you know where it is?

Our drink cup, we will drink softdrink.

Advertiser, called "lalapan" at Indonesia.. :)

Padthai with shrimp

Omelet Padthai

It's like "Gado-Gado"

Omelet Padthai

Omelet Padthai

The Kitchen

The Kitchen

The Chef

Wat Benjamabophit (วัดเบญจมบพิตรดุสิตวนารามราชวรวิหาร) > Bangkok ~ Thailand < 2013 August 11 (4) > (Bangkok - Ayutthaya - Kuala Lumpur)

Wat Benjamabophit (วัดเบญจมบพิตรดุสิตวนารามราชวรวิหาร) is a Buddhist temple (wat) in the Dusit district of Bangkok, Thailand. Also known as the marble temple.

It is one of Bangkok's most beautiful temples and a major tourist attraction. It typifies Bangkok's ornate style of high gables, stepped-out roofs and elaborate finials.

Credit:
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_Benchamabophit

The temple is beautiful. For landscape photographer, enjoy this place.

Ticket Fee: 20 Baht
How to go there?
Wat Benjamabopit is one of the few places that is difficult to get to by public transport alone. We suggest taking the Chao Phraya River Express boat to Tewet pier and the grab a tuk-tuk to Wat Benjamabopit.
The other option is to take the Skytrain to Phyathai station and then find a taxi on Sri Ayutthaya road to take you to the temple.
(http://bangkokforvisitors.com/districts/dusit/wat-benjamabophit/)

Anantasamakom Royal Throne (พระที่นั่งอนันตสมาคม) > Bangkok ~ Thailand < 2013 August 11 (3) > (Bangkok - Ayutthaya - Kuala Lumpur)

Anantasamakom Royal Throne (พระที่นั่งอนันตสมาคม) is a former reception hall within Dusit Palace in Bangkok, Thailand. It now serves as a museum and is from time to time employed for certain state occasions. The Throne Hall is a two storey construction with a large dome (49.5 m high) in the centre, surrounded by six smaller domes.

It was used as the headquarters of the People's Party during the four days of the 1932 Revolution (June 24-27), which transformed the country's political system from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional one. The first National People's Assembly convened on June 28, 1932 in this throne hall. After that, it was used as the Parliament House until 1974 when the new Parliament House was opened to the north. However, the old Parliament House is still used for the State Opening of Parliament marking the first assembly in consequence of a general election for the House of Representatives.

Otherwise it is open to the public every day except on Chulalongkorn Day (23 October), the King's birthday (5 December) and the Queen's birthday (12 August).

In front of the Hall is the Royal Plaza with the equestrian statue of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V).

Visitors to the Throne Hall should be aware that "appropriate address" is required for entry. This means a sleeved shirt (short-sleeves are OK) and trousers for men or long skirts for women - no shorts, ripped jeans, short skirts or sleeveless T-shirts. Women in long trousers are not considered 'suitable'. Appropriate attire (a sarong basically) can be purchased if need be when you get there.

All cameras and phones must be left in lockers (which are free). There is an entry fee for the Throne Hall, even if you have already paid to enter the Dusit Gardens. A recorded guide is available in several languages.

Credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ananta_Samakhom_Throne_Hall

When I came here, the Museum is closed because the next day (August 12), is Queen's birthday. They was preparing for the party. So we can't go in the Throne Hall.

Anantasamakom Royal Throne located right next Abhisek Throne Hall. There's a gate which connected this two museum. But when I went there, it closed. So our Thai friends bring us to in front of the building (in the middle of road), and take picture of the building from outside the gate.

Opening Hours from 9:30 until 16:00, Tuesday to Sunday (ticket office closed 15:30)
Ticket: 50 Baht