Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
or plaster exterior when it fell from a crane while being moved to a new building within
the temple compound. It has been theorised that the covering was added to protect it from
marauding hordes, either during the late Sukhothai period or later in the Ayuthaya period
when the city was under siege by the Burmese. The temple itself is said to date from the
early 13th century.
Donations and a constant flow of tourists have proved profitable, and the statue is now
housed in an imposing four-storey marble structure. The 2nd floor of the building is
home to the
Phra Buddha Maha Suwanna Patimakorn Exhibition
(admission 100B; 8am-5pm Tue-Sun)
,
which has exhibits on how the statue was made, discovered and came to arrive at its cur-
rent home, while the 3rd floor houses the
Yaowarat Chinatown Heritage Center
(admission 100B;
8am-5pm Tue-Sun)
, a small but engaging museum with multimedia exhibits on the history of
Bangkok's Chinatown and its residents.
Talat Mai
(Soi 6 (Trok Itsaranuphap), Th Yaowarat; 6am-6pm; Tha Ratchawong, Hua Lamphong exit 1 & taxi)
With nearly two centuries of history under its belt, 'New Market' is no longer an entirely
accurate name for this strip of commerce. Essentially it's a narrow covered alleyway
between tall buildings, but even if you're not interested in food the hectic atmosphere and
exotic sights and smells combine to create something of a surreal sensory experience.
MARKET
Wat Mangkon Kamalawat
OFFLINE MAP
BUDDHIST TEMPLE
GOOGLE MAP
(cnr Th Charoen Krung & Th Mangkon; 6am-6pm; Tha Ratchawong, Hua Lamphong exit 1 & taxi)
Clouds of incense and the sounds of chanting form the backdrop at this Chinese-
style Mahayana Buddhist temple. Dating back to 1871, it's the largest and most important
religious structure in the area.
Siam Square
Jim Thompson House
OFFLINE MAP
HISTORICAL BUILDING
GOOGLE MAP
(
www.jimthompsonhouse.com
; 6 Soi Kasem San 2; adult/child 100/50B; 9am-5pm, compulsory tours in English
& French every 20min; klorng boat to Tha Saphan Hua Chang, National Stadium exit 1)
This jungly
compound is the former home of the eponymous American silk entrepreneur and art col-
