BANGKOK RAILWAY STATION(HUALAMPONG)

The coming of the Royal railway brought a great change to the Thai way of life at that time. Since then, trains have become an important form of transport and play a great role in trade across the country and beyond.

Bangkok's Hualampong station was built 14 years after railways were introduced to Thailand The seven-year construction period started in 1910and finished in 1916. The station was renovated and modernised in 1998, and this has made made a vast improvement in all its aspects.

The station provides 24-hour service. There are regular trains, rapid trains, express trains, and the Sprinter or special express train. Trains are divided into 3rd class, 2nd class sleeping car, 2nd class car and 1st class sleeping car with or without air-conditioning. There are 24 ticket windows and a computer system for passengers to buy tickets and ' making reservations.
The station is complete with a post office, money exchange service, shops, bookstores, restaurants and food and drink outlets. Services such as luggage deposit and hotel reservation are also available for travellers' convenience.

Address : Rama IV Road Rongmuang Sub-District Pathumwan District Bangkok 10300

Telephone: (662) 220-4334 (Reservation) 220-4268 (Public Relations)

Hot Line: 1690Facimile: (662) 222-4211

E-mail, Web site: www.srt.motc.go.th

Bus: 4 7 21 25 29 34 40 53 73 109 113

Air-con Bus: 4 7 29 73 501 507 Mb 5 4

Pier: Passenger Boat: Hualampong Pier (Phadung KrungKasem Canal) Opening Hours: Daily 24 hrs.
Parking : At the side of the Station

Nearby Attractions :About CafeBoe-bae Market Mahanak MarketWat KalawarWat ThepsirinWat Trimit Yaowarat

CANAL BOAT TRIP

The life-style of the Thai people has always been associated with waterways. With the coming of roads and tall commercial buildings, the view along Bangkok waterways has been constantly ch iging over the years.Canal Boat Trip: The best time to make a canal boat trip would be around six o'clock in the morning in order to capture the authentic atmosphere and the varied activity which begins early in the day :Monks receiving alms, children hurrying to chool, and boats delivering vegetables from far s to markets.Boat trips in the afternoon are best taken aft two p.m. to avoid the heat of the mid-day sun. Th traditional Thai lifestyle can still be found alc g several waterways such as the Daokanong, Ba khunthien and Lart canals. Here visitors can dis wer the more tranquil face of life in Bangkok.A tour might begin with a visit to the National Museum of the Royal Barges, then to see the m, als at Wat Suwannaram. After that, go to see the Guanyin, feed the Swai fish (Pangasius foroleri), ar visit Sala Karnparian at Wat Shepakhao. Then go to Khlong Chakpra for lunch at Talingchan Flc ting Market. From there, go to the floating ubosot of of Wat Phigunthong. Finally, pay a visit to the Sukhothai ubosot in the old merchant ship Sumpaoshape at Wat Chalor.

Address:1. Passenger Boat: Tha Chang PierRaiini Pier (Pakkhlong Talat) Memorial Bridge Pier Oriental Pier
Opening Hours:Daily 6 am-2 pm M Price according to hours used.2. Mitr Chao Phraya ExpressBoat: Daily 8 am 10Phone:(662) 225-6179
Parking:At the Pier compound Nearby Attractions: Wat KaewpoitoonWat Nangnong Wat Nung Wat Ratchaorasaram Wat Sai

RAMA VI BRIDGE

Rama VI bridge was built in 1922 during the reign of King Rama VI at Bangson Sub-District . It was designed to be a rail link between the eastern bank of the Chao Phraya River and the western bank, and thus connect the railway system of Bangkok with the west and south of the country. The bridge has a beam of eight metres, allowing medium-sized ships to pass beneath it.

During World War II, the bridge was severely damaged. Repairs were started in 1950, during the reign of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

The present Rama VI Bridge is different from the original one, as it is built in the style of the "Warren Lype Bridge", and it carries road traffic as well as the railway.

Address:Prachachun Road Bangsue Sub-District Bangsue District Bangkok 10800

Bus: 18 32 33 49 50 64 90 110 117 203Air Con Bus: 6 23 49 25Koe 203 Mb 1

Openning Hours: Daily 24 hrs.

Admission Fee: Free Admission

Parking:Foot of the Bridge Nearby Attractions: Centre of wood carving at Pracha-naruemit Lane Wat Prachasatthatham Wat Soithong

The 32 Postures of Guan Yin Goddess

The 32 Postures of Guan Yin Goddess

Venue : Guan Yin Shrine, Lat Phrao District

This Guan Yin Shrine was built in 1983 by the head monk Guang Seng of themahayana Order. The temple observes very strict rules. Monks ordained here have tobe life-long vegetarian and cannot leave the monkhood, with strong determination toabandon the secular world to devote themselves to dharma.

The Guan Yin shrine for the Earth and Sky Gods, and a dragon pillar. The big buildinghouses an image of Guan yin stop a toad, and the Buddha Prince Ang Hai Yi. In otherparts of the building are figures from Chinese mythology and Buddha images, such asGuan Yin images for the 12 zodiac signs, the 32-attitude of of Guan Yin, the famousmonk Tang Sam Chang, and the monk lang lang Tai Sue. There are also a charity soup-kitchen and a meditation hall for worshippers.

Who Is Guan Yin? Guan Yin, one of the most revered Chinese goods, is the goddess of mercy who,some believe, helps eradicate miseries for her believers. Legend had it that Guan Yinwas born a princess, a daughter of a Chinese emperor who was not a Buddhist.He was furious to see his daughter’s devotion to Buddhism. Before her marriage,the princess escaped from the palace and set free several tortured prisoners. Many oppressed people followed her.

When her father was gaining on them, a magic bridgeappeared to save the princess and her follwers. Soonher father was seriously ill. The doctor told her that theonly cure includes the arms and eyes of a virgin. With her gratitude for her father, the princess agreed to sacrifice herself. Her father was miraculously healed.As s consequence of her sacrifice and her willing tohelp those in miseries, people came to worship her asa goodess, a significant one in the Chinese Pantheon.

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Address :4/37 Suksonti 7 LaneLatphrao 53 Road (Chokchai 4) Latphrao DistrictBangkok 10230

Telephone: (662) 539-3951 514-0715 Facimile: (662) 538-8178Bus: 8 27 44 92 96 122 126 137 145Air-con

Bus: 92 137 145 502 514 524 545 Mb 15 20

Opening Hours :Daily 7 am-9 pm Admission

Fee : Free Admission Activity, Festival : Chinese New Year's Day (Late Jan-Feb) Vegetarian Days Guanyin Procession(Held on the 9th day after Chinese New Year's Day)

Parking :In front of the Temple

Nearby Attractions :Wat Latphrao

ERAWAN SHRINE

In 1953 the Thai Hotel and Tourism Co. started the construction of Erawan Hotel. When it was near completion in 1956, the management

consulted an astrologer for an auspicious date for its grand opening. As it turned out, the astrologer pointed out that the date when the foundation stone was laid was not suitable, and advised that a Brahman shrine and a guardian spirit shrine should be built to correct the error.

The management brought in the Dept. of Fine Arts to design and build the statue of Brahma according to the traditions of the department. The gilded plaster statue was enshrined at the Erawan Hotel on November 9, 1956.

Both Thais and foreign visitors come to pay their respects at the Shrine, which is widely known as the Erawan shrine. The number of worshippers is increasing every year. They come to pray to Brahma to grant their wishes, or simply to enjoy the exotic sights, sounds and atmosphere.
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Address :Address: 494 Ratchawithi Road Lumphini Sub-District Pathumwan District Bangkok 10330

Telephone: (662) 252-8754 Bus: 2 13 14 15 17 25 48 54 73 74 76 77 204 Air-con Bus: 38 505 511 513Mb12 20 23Pier: Passenger Boat: Patunam Pier (Sansap Canal)

Opening Hours: Daily 8 am-7 pmAdmission Fee: Free Admission Activity, Festival: Devasathan Sacrification Ceremony (Nov 9)

Membership: Sacrification DanceParking: Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel

Nearby Attractions: Gaysorn PlazaGrand Hyatt Erawan Hotel Le Royal Meridian Hotel Noroyana Phand Peninsula PlazaWorld Trade Centre

LUMPHINI PARK

This 360-rai (about 58-hectare) plot of land was formerly known as the Saladaeng field, and was the private property of King Rama VI. In 1925 the King donated the land to the nation to be used as a public park and fair ground. The Siamrath Phiphitthapan Trade Fair held here to promote Thai products among Thais and foreigners was discontinued after the death of the king. The name Lumphini given by the King came from the name of the birthplace of the Lord Buddha.

Koh Loy or "Floating Island": King Rama Vl arranged for examples of native plants from all regions of the country to be planted here for the education of the people.

Royal Monument of King Rama VI: Located at the park's main entrance. Alumni of Vajiravudh Colic to built the memorial with additional funding forn he government of F.M. Plaek Pibulsongkram and public donations.
Clock Tower: This Chinese style stucture was built in 1925 as preparations for the Siamrath Phiphitthapan Trade Fair.Lumphini Park Public Library: This is the first Pub[ library in Thailand. It has 30,000 books and has opened audio and visual educational services, promotions to encourage reading, and book exhi?bition etc.

LUMPHINI PARK
Address: Rama IV Road Wangmai Sub-District Pathumwan District Bangkok 10300 Telephone: (662) 252-7006Bus: 4 13 14 15 17 25 (Samyak) 45 46 47 62 67 74 76 106 109 115 116 149Air-con Bus: 4 5 62 67 76 507 Sai 38 Mb 14 17

Opening Hours : Office: Mon-Fri 8 am-4 pm Closed: Sat Sun Public Hols. Park : Daily 4:30 am-8 pm Admission Fee: Park: Free AdmissionBoat Pedal Boat : 40 Baht/hrs. Aerobic Dance: Daily 6-7 am

Activity, Festival : Music in the Park: Sat Sun Library : Lumphini Park Public Lib.

Telephone: (662) 252-8030 Facimile: (662) 252-8030 Opening Hours: Tue-Sun 8:30 am-8 pmClosed: Mon Public Hols.School, University: Suan LumphiniParking : Inside and In front of the Park

Nearby Attractions :Central Dept. Store Chula.Hosp. Dusit Thani Hotel Lumphini Boxing Stadium Pan Pacific HotelRobinson Dept. StoreRoyal Bangkok Sports Club Silom Road