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| Hi walkers! We
know you guys love to walk. Anyway, there must
be occasions when you feel very exhausted but
still want to continue your expedition. If so,
there is an alternative way to go sightseeing
around Rattanakosin Island -- on a tram-like bus
operated by the Bangkok Tourist Bureau. Just sit
in relaxation, you will enjoy the views of old
Bangkok's important places in 30 minutes of the
journey. A guide will accompany you along the
way to introduce each attraction to you in English,
but perhaps only briefly. |
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Tram
in the old days |
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| The trolley's
terminal is located between the Grand Palace and
Sanam Luang ground. A trolleybus leaves the terminal
every 30 minutes from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.
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| The fare is only
30 baht. Don't you think it's so reasonable? Below
you'll find the brief details of interesting places
which the bus passes. |
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Inside
the City Pillar Shrine |
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The first place
is the City Pillar Shrine : It
houses the wooden pillar erected by King Rama
I in 1782 to guard the new capital.
The next is the Temple of the Reclining
Buddha (Wat Pho) : Here the second largest
reclining Buddha image in Thailand is enshrined.
Then the trolleybus passes Pak Khlong
Talat Community : It is the biggest flower
market in Bangkok. |
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The
Grand Palace. The trolley's terminal
is obliquely opposite its entrance. |
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Not far from here,
you'll see Tha Tian Community
: In the old days (around the reign of King Rama
I, 1782-1809) royal people stayed here. Unfortunately,
there was a conflagration in the reign of King
Rama IV (1851-1868), resulting in a void (tian
in Thai) space.
The next attraction is Ratchaworadit Royal
Pier : King Rama IV had a command to
build four pavilions in this site but the only
one left is Ratchakitwinitchai Pavilion. Today
this pier is exclusively used for Royal ceremonies
and the River of King's performances, which is
held annually around the Chinese New Year.
A while after that, you'll notice Tha
Chang Wang Luang Pier, literally means
elephant pier of the Grand Palace: In the reign
of King Rama I, elephants from the Grand Palace
were brought to this area to take a bath.
Then the bus passes Silpakorn University,
the first and foremost Fine Arts university of
Thailand with over 3,000 students.Three art galleries
on the campus are open to the public. |
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Khao
San Road |
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| The next construction
in front of you is Wat Mahathat
: This is one of the most significant temples
in Bangkok built in the Ayutthaya period (1350-1767).
Maha Chulalongkorn University, where Buddhist
theology is taught, is situated here. |
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Tha
Phra Chan Community |
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| Tha
Phra Chan Community is the next point:
The name was derived from the now defunct Phra
Chan Fortress. This bustling community is an important
centre of amulets and Buddha images. |
| Top |
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National
Museum |
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| In
the same area, Thammasat University
is situated: It is one of the leading universities
of Thailand. The pinnacle of its administration
office building is the landmark of Tha Phra Chan
community. |
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The
second largest reclining
Buddha image in Thailand at Wat Pho |
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| Then
the trolleybus passes the National Museum
: This used to be the palace of the Crown Prince
in the reign of King Rama I. But it was used as
part of the museum in the fifth reign (1868-1910).
Today, many precious historic items as well as
works of art are on display. |
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| Adjacent
to it is the National Theatre
: The place was constructed in 1960 to be a stage
for traditional performances such as mask plays,
drama, Thai classical dancing and music. Its architectural
style is neo-Thai with the front gable featuring
a stucco of Ganesh, the Hindu god of knowledge
and performing arts. |
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The
magnificent architectural style
of the Temple of the Reclining Buddha |
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| The
next attraction is Santi Chaiprakarn Park
: This park was designed to be a recreational
area in the city. Phra Sumen Fortress, one of
the two remaining old fortresses in the city,
is also located nearby. The last lamphu (Sonneratia
caseolaris) tree in Bangkok is preserved here
as the symbol of the Bang Lamphu community. |
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The
serene surroundings in Thammasat University |
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After
that the bus passes Khao San Road
This road was constructed in the reign of King
Rama V. Because of the cheap accommodation and
ideal location with access to famous attractions
and shopping centres, it became a mecca for backpackers
from around the world, especially Europeans.
The next minute you'll see the National
Museum Art Gallery : The place was the
Royal Mint before the Fine Arts Department turned
it to be the National Gallery in 1974. Its architectural
style is the typical one of the Rama V reign.
The last point that the bus passes is Sanam
Luang (Phra Mane Ground) : In the old
days this area was a place for royal cremations
(Phra Mane in Thai). King Rama IV used this ground
to perform the royal ploughing ceremony. Since
then, he gave it the name "Sanam Luang"
to replace the old one. |
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Sanam
Luang is an ideal place for flying kites. |
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This
vast field is where the trip ends. But if you're
attracted by any of the specific places, you're
recommended to visit them on foot later, so you
will be able to linger as long as you want.
Going on trolleybus is like a flashback of the
past when the main road transportation of Bangkok
was the tram. It was introduced to the Thais in
1887. Originally, horses had been used to pull
it before electricity was available. Regarded
as a symbol of modernity, the tram quickly became
popular.
It was said that the relationship between the
tram workers and passengers was very intimate.
Not only young pupils were treated with utmost
care but adults also received a warm service from
the staff. The story goes that there was a period
of time when the tram passing Bang Rak Bridge
about 11:00 p.m. had to stop in front of a bar
to pick up a drunkard and take him home.Even when
he was still in the bar, getting very drunk, the
driver would have had to drag him out. Later,
the tram was replaced by other kinds of transportation
such as automobiles and buses. In 1968 it was
abolished and became obsolete.The trams that are
used today are an imitation of the original, using
rubber tires instead of steel wheels.
For a vivid understanding of the routes, please
refer to maps in Thaiways or Thaiways
Map of Bangkok which can be obtained from
airports, the Bangkok Tourist Bureau and your
hotel, or visit Map
: Bangkok Metropolis Area A
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