Thailand - The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget - page 713

the thirteenth century and completely
encased in stucco for several hundred
years, probably to protect it from the
marauding Burmese.

The Royal Barge Museum
The Royal Barge Museum on the north
bank of Khlong Bangkok Noi (daily
9am-5pm; B100, plus B100 fee for
cameras, B200 for video) houses eight
intricately lacquered and gilded vessels
which are used every few years for major
royal processions. he largest barges
require fifty navy oarsmen, and a full
procession comprises 52 boats. Photos
and drawings give an idea both of the
splendour of the barges, and of their
practical use and importance; similar
boats were used to defend Ayutthaya
against the Burmese invasion in 1767. To
get to the museum, cross the river, either
by ferry to ha Phra Pinklao or by bus
across Phra Pinklao Bridge, and then turn
south down Soi Wat Dusitaram, which
leads, via winding alleys, to the museum,
about a ten-minute walk away.

Wat Arun
In the Thonburi district, almost directly
across the river from Wat Pho and
reached by a cross-river ferry from ha
hien, rises Bangkok's most distinctive
landmark, the enormous five-pranged
Wat Arun (“Temple of Dawn”;
undergoing extensive renovations until
around 2016 - some or all of the temple
is likely to be inaccessible at any one
time). he temple has been reconstructed
numerous times, but Wat Arun today
contains a classic central prang (tower)
built as a representation of Mount Meru,
the home of the gods in Khmer
mythology. he prangs are decorated
with flowers made from donated
porcelain as well as mythical figures. he
terrace depicts Buddha at the four most
important stages of his life: at birth
(north), in meditation (east), preaching
his first sermon (south) and entering
nirvana (west).

10

Vimanmek Palace
Believed to be the largest teak building in
the world, the Vimanmek Palace was
commissioned by Rama V. he palace
(Tues-Sun 9am-4pm; compulsory free
guided tours every 30min, last tour
3.15pm; B100, or free if you have a
Grand Palace ticket, which remains valid
for one week; Grand Palace dress rules
apply; see p.711) stands in the heart of
the leafy royal district of Dusit, northeast
of Banglamphu. he entire building was
constructed without a single nail, and was
home to hailand's first light bulb and
indoor plumbing. Today it holds Rama
V's collection of artefacts from all over the
world including bencharong ceramics,
European furniture and bejewelled hai
betel-nut sets. he ticket also covers entry
to half a dozen other small museums in
the surrounding complex known as Dusit
Park, including the Support Museum ,
filled with exquisite traditional crafts, and
the Elephant Museum .
he main entrance to the Vimanmek
compound is on hanon Rajwithi, but
there's also a ticket gate opposite Dusit
Zoo on hanon U-hong. he #70 bus
runs from hanon Rajdamnoen Klang
near Banglamphu to hanon U-hong,
or take the express boat to ha hewes
and then walk (15min).

CANAL TOURS
One of the most popular ways of seeing
Wat Arun and the traditional riverine
neighbourhoods of Thonburi is to embark
on a canal tour . Licensed by TAT, with
fixed prices, Mitchaopaya Travel Service
( T 02 623 6169) operates out of Tha
Chang (on the left at the start of the pier,
if you're walking). They offer a one-hour
trip for B1000 per boat (max 6 people) or
B450 per person, or two hours with an
orchid farm thrown in for B1500. On
Saturday and Sunday, you could get to
Taling Chan floating market in 2hr, or Lat
Mayom floating market in 3hr (B2500), far
to the west in a leafy, more traditional part
of Thonburi. It's also possible to organize
your own boat trip around Thonburi from
other piers, including Central Pier (Saphan
Taksin Skytrain station), Tha Thien and the
small piers between Tha Phra Athit and
the Phra Pinklao Bridge. Real Asia ( T 02
665 6364, W realasia.net) runs full-day
walking and boat tours of the canals for
B2140/person, including lunch.