Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(off Th Boriphat; admission to summit of Golden Mount 10B; 7.30am-5.30pm; Tha Phan Fah)
Even if
you're wát-ed out, you should take a brisk walk to the Golden Mount. Serpentine steps
wind through an artificial hill shaded by gnarled trees, some of which are signed in Eng-
lish, and past graves and pictures of wealthy benefactors. At the peak, you'll find a breezy
360-degree view of Bangkok's most photogenic side.
This artificial hill was created when a large stupa, under construction by Rama III
(King Phranangklao; r 1824-51), collapsed because the soft soil beneath would not sup-
port it. The resulting mud-and-brick hill was left to sprout weeds until Rama IV (King
Mongkut; r 1851-68) built a small stupa on its crest. Rama V later added to the structure
and housed a Buddha relic from India (given to him by the British government) in the
stupa. The concrete walls were added during WWII to prevent the hill from eroding.
Every year in November there is a big festival on the grounds of Wat Saket, which in-
cludes a candlelit procession up the Golden Mount.
DRESS FOR THE OCCASION
Many of Bangkok's biggest tourist attractions are sacred places, and visitors should dress and behave appropri-
ately. In particular at Wat Phra Kaew & Grand Palace and in Dusit Park, you won't be allowed to enter unless
you're well covered. Shorts, sleeveless shirts or spaghetti-strap tops, short skirts, capri pants - basically anything
that reveals more than your arms (certainly don't show your shoulders), knees and head - are not allowed. This
applies to men and women. Violators can expect to be shown into a dressing room and loaned a sarong before be-
ing allowed to go in.
For walking in the courtyard areas you are supposed to wear shoes with closed heels and toes, although these
rules aren't as zealously enforced. Regardless, footwear should always be removed before entering any main
bòht
(chapel) or
wí·hăhn
(sanctuary). When sitting in front of a Buddha image, tuck your feet behind you to avoid the
highly offensive pose of pointing your feet towards a revered figure.
BUDDHIST TEMPLE
Wat Suthat
(Th Bamrung Meuang; admission 20B; 8.30am-8.30pm; klorn boat to Tha Phan Fah)
Begun by Rama I
and completed in later reigns, Wat Suthat boasts an immense
wí·hăhn
(sanctuary) with gil-
ded bronze Buddha images (including Phra Si Sakayamuni, one of the largest surviving
Sukhothai bronzes) and incredibly expansive
jataka
(stories of the Buddha's previous
lives) murals, making it one of Bangkok's more impressive Buddhist temples.
