The Grand Palace: having served as an official residence of the king in the past, the palace was built in 1782 at the same time of the construction of Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), and is now only used to host ceremonies performed by the king. The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew temple complex has an all-in-one admission fee and a strict dress code (closed sandals/shoes, long pants and sleeved shirts), and entry to the Royal Thai Decorations & Coins Pavilion within the Grand Palace is included. Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew): very famous among Thais and foreigners alike, Thailand’s holiest shine houses a 66cm tall jadeite Buddha statue, which is the most sacred Buddha image in Thailand. You should also check out the inside walls of the chapel that boast fascinating mural paintings about the Buddha’s life. There are many statues and sculptures from ancient times as well as remarkable paintings and murals around the temple. Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun): situated on the western bank of the Chao Phraya River, in the compound of the temple stands a beautiful 79-metre pagoda (‘prang’), built in the Khmer style. There are also other prangs which are covered by plaster and embedded with pieces of colourful broken Chinese porcelain. Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho): the oldest and the largest temple in Bangkok was built in 1781. It is home to a magnificent 46-metre long reclining Buddha, presenting the Buddha passing into nirvana. Wat Pho is also considered Thailand’s first university, as it was the place where Thais came to study for free. Also a centre of traditional Thai massage and medicine, Wat Pho offers massage by the hour as well as providing Thai massage courses. Open daily from 8:00 to 17:00. Chao Phraya River and Thonburi Canal: the Chao Phraya River is considered the main artery of Thai people, as it is the most important river in Thailand. Most attractions in Bangkok are accessible from the Chao Phraya River including the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Arun and Wat Pho. Dusit Zoo: an ideal place for a family day out, the zoo houses a variety of animals that are kept in a natural environment. Adjacent to the Old Parliament, Dusit Zoo is easily reached from the city centre and boasts beautiful surroundings with lush green gardens and a large pond for paddle-boats. There is even a small play area for children. The zoo opens daily from 9:00 to 18:00. Safari World: Thailand’s biggest zoo and show park, boasting over 200 acres, with the huge Safari Park and the impressive Marine Park offering visitors fun and exciting experiences among wildlife. A mind-blowing safari drive into an African wilderness setting is also very worthwhile. Safari World opens daily from 09:00 to 17:00. Chatujak Weekend Market: easily accessible by BTS Skytrain at Mo Chit Station, this s a very busy weekend market that is packed with hundreds of shops that are divided by categories such as clothes, antiques, home decoration, food, pets and so on. There are also many food stalls, but it can get very hot and stuffy. Nearby is a huge green park. Suan Lum Night Bazaar: another interesting place to visit featuring all kinds of shops selling clothes, antiques, home decoration and food. There is also a big beer garden area which is open year-round. Joe Louis Puppet Theatre can also be found in the compound if you are interested in traditional Thai puppet performance. A new addition to Suan Lum Night Bazaar scene is a gigantic Ferris wheel that offers a picturesque view of the city. | 
