Bangkok Attractions - Hua Lam Pong(Railway Staion, Lumpini Park, China Town and more

Palace | Museum | Historical Places | Temples | Park | Sightseeing | River & Canal Tours | Road | Shopping | Thai Crafts | Entertainment | Others

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 1910 and 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.

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.

Lumpini Park is located in the heart of Bangkok, at the junction of Rama IV and Ratchadamri roads. In front of the park is the monument of King Rama VI, built in 1941.

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.

Chinatown of Bangkok was former meant the area called"Sampeng", started when the Chinese merchants moved in 1780s after vacating the land where the Grand Palace now stands.

In 1863, King Mongkut commanded the construction of New Road (or Charoen Krung Road) which runs over six kilometers from the Royal Palace till it drops straight into the Chao Phraya River, just south of Krung Thep Bridge now.

The Chinatown expanded along Charoen Krung, Krung Kasem and the third road, the Yaowarat Road which was built between Charoen Krung and Sampeng.

The Queen Sirikit Park (Chatuchak) is located near Chatuchak weekend market. The large area of the park is nicely planted with large amount of trees and flowers. There are sufficient parking lots and no admission fee.

During December, the park is decorated with various kinds of flowers and plantation.

Another green area, the forest park was built to commemorate the 60th birthday anniversary HM Queen Sirikit. Besides serving as a "lung" for Bangkokians the park also used to conserve plan both of local and foreign origins. The combining of letter "Sor seua" and "S" shape pool: The first Thai and English alphabets Of the name of the queen. The pool is decorated with flower and three fountains. Lotus Garden : A big concrete pool contains local and foreign lotuses planted in ancient water Jar.Also decorating the area are various kinds of flow,arranged in European-style.

Botanical Garden : The garden was built on a 30-jai plot of land for conservation of plants.

Located in the vicinity of Bangkok, this 200-acre park on Si Nakharin Road commemorates His Majesty King Rama IX's 60th birthday in 1987. In the large compound visitors can park and take a long walk in the area which comprises botanical gardens, and a building displaying the works and life of King Rama IX.

A lake with clean water is in the middle of the area, also the landscape is beautifully decorated with many kinds of flowers. Refleshment booths are provided at many spots, and a restaurant by the lake offers good foods and nice breeze when sitting outdoor.

Palace | Museum | Historical Places | Temples | Park | Sightseeing | River & Canal Tours | Road | Shopping | Thai Crafts | Entertainment | Others