Backdated post. Actual event took place on 17 August 2006.

… a pink colour cab! Mmm… I like~ just so ME :). That is whan I notice a very old looking building right opposite. Looks very much like a fort.

The camera is all set to pop out and snap snap snap. We cross the busy road. I think crossing road in Thai is the most challenging task ever! The cars just go passing by non-stop. The tuk-tuk were like the motors here.. coming out from left from right.

When we finally reach, There was this big signage taht writes, Santichaiprakarn Park. This park is built around the Prasumen Fort at the north east forner of Rattanakosin Island (an area that demarcates the old city area of Bangkok).

The park has this really beautiful Thai style Pavillion. It is being known as the Santichaiprakarn Pavillion. The view of the pavillion facing the waterfront… it’s simply breath taking. There were lots of sculptures, beautiful lumpoo tree and plenty of benches. You can really see it’s a tourist sport when you see plenty of backpackers just lay on the grass reading a book. Some were plain taking a rest.

They have signs all around which supposed to read “No Smoking No Alcohol” but I can’t help to laugh and read “No Smoking Alcohol”.

Looking south, one could see the Phra Pin Klao Bridge. It looks kinda cool… ermm sorta similar to the ones we have in Penang.

We then continue to walk towards north along the riverside. Hemm.. the view was simply cool.. since evening is up soon.

The riverside path was seriously long. We just kept walking and walking and walking. The next thing we know, we are walking towards the the National Theatre which was located next to the National Museum. Both this building is alongside Na Phra That Road.

We were busy figuring out what building it was in the first place since the front part was half way re-constructing and most of the signs there were in Thai… which have me just looking at them with my big eyes yet… feeling helpless.

Address:
National Theatre
2 Rachini Road
Phra Borommaharatchawang Sub-District
Phra Nakhon District
Bangkok 10200
Telephone Number: (662) 221 0174
Fax: (662) 221 0171

The buildings here never failed to amaze me. The attention to details, the sculptures, the gold leaves… awww… it’s killing me softly~

I wanted to go in and have a look at the National Museum. Too bad they were closed by the time we reach. (Click here for virtual tour)

Address:
Bangkok National Museum
Na Phrathat Road
Phra Borommaharatchawang Sub-District
Phra Nakhon District
Bangkok 10200
Telephone Number: (662) 224 1333
Fax: (662) 224 1404
Opening Hours:
Wednesday - Sunday: 9am - 4pm
Closed: Monday, Tuesday, Public Holidays

Alongside this area, there were several university located nearby. Which makes Jimbo drool over the cute school girls with short and tight uniforms. No kidding, university students in Thai all wear uniform!

Along the way, there were many things that fascinates me. Stuff as little as the electric cables and poles, the every amazing tuk tuk, the architectures, even the small decos on the wall. It seems like Khao San alone it too great for me to handle.

Along the way, there were many things that fascinates me. Stuff as little as the electric cables and poles, the every amazing tuk tuk, the architectures, even the small decos on the wall. It seems like Khao San alone it too great for me to handle.

As we walk, we noticed this very grand, very golden, very Thai style building. I can guess it must be some big and lavish building by the looks of it even before re-checking the map.

The awesome building was Wat Phra Kaeo. Wat Phra Kaeo is a temple built at the outer section of the Royal Enclosure west of the Grand Palace. It was built on the orders of King Rama I along with the Grand Palace and Rattanakosin Island. It was s built as a temple in a Royal compound like Wat Sri Sanphet in Ayutthaya. (Click here for virtual tour)

The building looks totally awesome from the outside. It was a late day. All the places were closed. All we ever have was only time to walk around and look at stuffs from the outside. Well, there’s always other time

Anyway, they wouldn’t allow us to go in also, since I am wearing shorts and Jimbo is wearing slippers.

Address:
Wat Phra Kaeo
Na Phralan Road
Phra Borommaharatchawang Sub-District
Phra Nakhon District Bangkok 10200
Telephone Number:
(662) 222 8181: 3801 3890
(662) 222 2208 623 5500: 3100
Opening Hour: Daily 8am - 4pm
Admission Fee: 200 Bht (Foreigner)
Prohibited:
Taking photo inside the ubosot
Man: Shorts Pants Slippers
Woman: Undershirt Singlet Shorts Sandals

The Grand Palace is at the right side of the Wat Phra Kaeo main entrance. (Click here for virtual tour)

Address:
Grand Palace
Na Phralan Road
Phra Borommaharatchawang Sub-District
Phra Nakhon District Bangkok 10200
Telephone Number: (662) 224 3328 226 0255
Fax: (662) 225 9158
Opening Hour: Daily 9am - 4pm
Admission Fee: 10 Bht
Prohibited:
Taking photo inside the building

So, if you are planning to visit these places, always remember.. they close early. Aih… I think the next trip to Thailand.. I will surely go in Wat Phra Kaeo. Lovely… just lovely.

Since we didn’t get to go in… we just stand around taking pictures and everything else when suddenly a guy in his mid 30’s walk to us. He then asked us where are we going. We just reply we are walking around. And the the conversation below started.

The Guy: Hello, where you all want to go? You tourist?
Jimbo: We are just walking around (busy taking pics while I am posing)
The Guy: Where have you all gone to? How many days you will be here?
Jimbo: We are just walking around. It’s a 3 days trip and today is our last day here. *liar*

The guy the took our map and pointed to us we should go to this few places.

The Guy: You must go these few places. If you want to go.. you must go now or else they are closed. Must go. Take tuk tuk. Very cheap. Tuk tuk take you here (pointing at location A), tuk tuk wait for you. Tuk tuk take you here (pointing at location B), tuk tuk wait for you. Tuk tuk take you here (pointing at location C), tuk tuk wait for you. Only 45 Baht. If more no go.
The Guy: Are you thai? You look thai. You speak Thai?
Jimbo: No. *smiling*
The Guy:: Where you from?
Jimbo: Malaysia
The Guy: You two honeymoon?
Me: NOOOOOOOooooo *shake head*
Jimbo:No, we are just friends.
The Guy: Now friends… next time come and honeymoon together. You buy her (pointing at me) and buy her a big ring. You should go to (pointing at location B). Buy ring with big rock is cheap. *showing his ring*. Summore tuk tuk wait you there.
Jimbo: It’s okay… we will just walk around.
The Guy: Really… tuk tuk bring u here wait for u, bring u here wait for u.

He then waves and like in less than 3 seconds a tuk tuk come. Then the guy took our map and talked to the tuk tuk driver and told him to bring us to these few places and wait for us for 45 baht. The tuk tuk driver then nod.

We told them we just want to walk… that is when he lowered his price to 30 Baht. We insisted we want to walk and he lowered his price again to 20 Baht. We then said we REALLY just want to walk. He lowered his price to 10 Baht!

That is the point when we have serious doubt. They bring you to like 3-4 place and they wait for you for 10 Baht… which like when exchange back, it’s only 1 buck. Sounds fishy… anyway… we still decided to walk away.

The Guy: Are you thai? You look thai. You speak Thai?
Jimbo: No *smile again and walk away*

We then continue to walk along the road and saw a big field. Along the roadside, there were many stalls selling food, flower bangles, miracle oil and some were even playing chess.