Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sleeping
B2
B2
A3
B3
B2
B2
Eating
A1
Wat Benchamabophit
BUDDHIST TEMPLE
(cnr Th Si Ayuthaya & Th Phra Ram V; admission 20B; 8am-6pm; Phaya Thai exit 3 & taxi)
You might
recognise this temple from the back of the 5B coin. Made of white marble imported from
Italy, Wat Ben, as it's colloquially known, was built in the late 19th century under Rama
V. The base of the central Buddha image, a copy of Phitsanulok's Phra Phuttha Chinnarat,
contains his ashes.
The courtyard behind the
bòht
has 53 Buddha images (33 originals and 20 copies) rep-
resenting every
mudra
(gesture) and style from Thai history, making this the ideal place to
compare Buddhist iconography. If religious imagery isn't your thing, this temple still of-
fers a pleasant stroll beside landscaped canals filled with blooming lotus and Chinese-
style footbridges.
Dusit Palace Park
MUSEUM, HISTORICAL SITE
(bounded by Th Ratchawithi, Th U Thong Nai & Th Ratchasima; adult/child 100/20B or free with Grand Palace ticket;
9.30am-3.15pm Tue-Sun; Tha Thewet, Phaya Thai exit 2 & taxi)
Following Rama V's first
European tour in 1897, he returned home with visions of European castles swimming in
his head and set about transforming these styles into a uniquely Thai expression - today's
Dusit Palace Park. The royal palace, throne hall and minor palaces for extended family
were all moved here from Ko Ratanakosin, and today this complex holds a house museum
and other cultural collections.
