The Grand Palace
One of the biggest attractions in Bangkok is undoubtedly The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew. This is one of Bangkok’s biggest and most famous landmarks and is well worth a visit with its exotic collection of spires, ornately decorated protective giants, and gaudy temple structures.

The palace complex was completed in 1788 and was originally built to accommodate the Thai King, the Royal Court and the entire seat of the Thai government including the military, the state departments and even the mint. Today it is mostly the domain of tourists and Thai merit makers.

The Temple of the Emerald Buddha is Thailand's most sacred site and as such some etiquette must be followed when. When visiting the Grand Palace there is a proper dress code with men having to wear long trousers and shirts with sleeves and women being conservatively dressed with no see through clothes or bare shoulders etc. Feet must also be covered so socks must be worn with sandals.

•Open: daily form 08.30 to 15.30, entrance fee for foreigners: 200 baht, Thais free.
•Getting there: taxi is the most convenient means to get this part of the city with the fare being around 200 baht from the Landmark Hotel.
•Note! A long running scam exists outside the Grand Palace were touts try to persuade visitors it’s closed for the day, hoping to con them into ‘shopping tours’ instead. Ignore them entirely.
 

The Ancient City
One of Bangkok’s most rewarding daytrips is a visit to this unusual cultural theme park which gives visitors a chance to ‘explore Thailand’s relics’ in a day. The Ancient City – also known in Thai as Muang Boran - is a magnificent and peaceful 300-acre park south of the city that has replicas of many of the kingdom’s most important or interesting historic and cultural sites.

The brainchild of Khun Lek Viriyaphant, a billionaire businessman and philanthropist, the Ancient City has been developed over the past three decades into an authentic cultural park that is tastefully presented and serves as an ideal introduction to Thai architecture and historic legacy.

Some of the highlights in the Ancient City include; the Khmer Sam Yod Prang from Lop Buri, the ruins of Wat Phra Si Samphet, Ayuthaya, the Phra Kaew Pavillion, Ramayana Gardens and Dusit Maha Prasart Palace. There is also replicas of centuries-old mandarin class teak homes from different regions (being different styles), a Northern hill tribe village on stilts, and Royal barges. Perhaps the most ambitious site has got to be the Preah Vihear temple, copied from the World Heritage site on the Cambodian border (presently closed), which had to be built atop an artificial hill to accurately depict its strategic position.

•Getting to the Ancient city: a taxi is the most convenient means, taking about 45 minutes (leave after 09:00, return before 15:00) and costing about 200 baht. Ask to stop off at the Three Headed Elephant en-route.
•Contact details: 296/1 Sukhumvit Road, Bangpoo, Samut Prakan 10280, Tel: 02 709 1644-5, muangboran@ancientcity.com,
•Open: daily 09:00 to 17:00.
•Entrance fee: (foreigners) adults 300 baht, students 150 baht. Optional extras: tram ride, personal guide, bicycle rental.

Ayutthaya
Meaning ‘City of Kings’, Ayutthaya stood as the capital of Siam from 1350 to 1767, developing into one of Indochina’s most revered Kingdoms with its rich agricultural base, strong ethnic ties, and accessible trade routes. Situated along the Chao Phraya River, Ayutthaya was an extremely desired Kingdom, which led to its eventual demise by Burmese invaders in the mid 18th Century. Following a three century period of growth and decline, the renowned palaces and pagodas of the Kingdom were overrun by invading Burmese in 1767 and burnt to the ground, leaving behind remnants and ruins that still stand today.

Wat Phra Ram also stands out with its trademark Khmer Prang adding a backdrop to the dressed elephants that ferry tourists from the nearby Elephant Kraal. Perhaps the most striking site is the approach to Wat Chai Wattanatham from the river, and a cruise by longtail boat around the ‘island’ is recommended. Wat Yai Chai Mongkol is also popular on tours for its enormous Buddha.

There are several other royal palaces and important royal buildings nestled just outside the city, including Bang Pa-In Palace, formerly a summer retreat for King Chulalongkorn, displaying his eclectic taste for European 19th Century European architecture. Also worth seeing is the Ayutthaya Historic Centre, with its scale model of the ruins, and the exemplary Chao Sam Praya National Museum, containing many artefacts from the various sites.

However, Ayutthaya is not just for the history enthusiasts. There are many other appealing places of interest to satisfy a range of travelling desires. A recently established arts and crafts village, known as Klong Saat Bua, offers Thai dance shows, rice planting demonstrations, local products for sale and a wide range of delicious food. Inside the historical park, elephant riding is available at the Ayutthaya Elephant Camp, and not far from the cultural hearth of the city lies Thailand’s largest freshwater aquarium, Wang Pla, and a magnificent bird park , Suan Nok, both perfect for nature lovers.

Ayutthaya is easily reachable via taxi service, hotel van, bus or train. However, for a truly memorable experience, boat tours along the ‘River of Kings’ (the Chao Phraya River) are offered, with sailings from Bangkok to Ayutthaya available on most days of the week. These luxury overnight trips on comfortable converted rice barges.