Vimanmek Palace

The palace is an outstanding example of 19 th century architecture. While admiring the craftsmanship of the carpenters, you will travel back through time to gain a rare insight into the lifestyle of royalty.

Vimanmek Mansion , the principal building in the palace compound, was built for King Rama V on land he named The Dusit Garden located between Padung Krungkasem and Samsen canals. The completion was celebrated on March 27, 1901 and King RamaV took up residence until 1906. The mansion was originally his Summer Palace, the Munthaturaltanaroj Residence, on Sri Chang Island. It was dismantled and re-built at the present location under the supervision of HRH Prince Narissaranuwaddhiwongse.

The three-storey Vimanmek Mansion is the largest golden teak building in the world, built in an architectural style that reflects European influences. There are two right-angled wings, each 60 metres long and 20 metres high. The section where The King resided is octagonal and has four storeys. The mansion has 81 rooms, halls and ante-chambers.

Today, there are 31 exhibition rooms. Exhibits include a silverware room, ceramic display room, glassware and ivory display. Some of the rooms have been preserved to retain the atmosphere of the earlier era, particularly the bedrooms, bathrooms and the Audience Chamber. Other buildings in the compound also house displays of various artifacts and precious art objects.

It opens daily from 9.30 am. to 3.15 pm. The entrance fee is TB100 each. If you have visited The Grand Palace on the same day you will have also received an entrance ticket to Vimanmek Palace which is also valid.

For more information, you can visit the website at www.palaces.thai.net or contact at Tel: 0 2628 6300-9

Dusit Zoo

Dusit Zoo has a very good collection of animals from around the world. It is ideal for a family outing or just for those who would like to know more about animal behavior.

The Dusit Zoo was established in 1938 and covers an area of 118 acres in the Dusit District of Bangkok. Under the administration of The Zoological Organization under the Royal Patronage of H.M. The King, it welcomes more than 2,500,000 visitors a year. It takes care of over 1,000 birds and about 2,000 animals.

Major sections include a Nocturnal Animals Exhibit where you can see how they live in the night- time environment. The Reptiles and Amphibians Center has more than 70 species.

There is a special Children's Zoo where youngsters can have contact with small animals that are of interest to children.

You can learn about animal behavior at the Animal Presentation area including how they live in their respective environments.

For more fun and excitement, there is Play land where children can really enjoy themselves on amusement rides. There are other more sedate rides available on the lake.

It is opened daily from 8a.m. to 6p.m. The entrance fee is THB100 fro adults and THB50 for child. To get there, you can catch a bus either no. 18, 28, 70, 108, 510, 515, 539, or 542. For more information, you can visit the website at www.zoothailand.org or contact at Tel: 0 2281 2000, 0 2282 7111-3

Panthip Plaza

Panthip Plaza is the best place for IT shopping, located at Petchburi Rd in Pratunam district (opposite the Pratunam's City Complex and the Amari Watergate hotel). Over here, you should be worry less of the prices as it provides very reasonable price with extensive range. But the vendors at the plaza can merely speak English. Usually, it opens from 10:00 - 20:30 (every day).

You can reach there by the skytrain (BTS) to Ratchathewi station, followed by either hire a tuk-tuk / taxi, or ten minutes walk down to Petchaburi Road.

MBK

MBK is the perfect place for those who love shopping in a market style atmosphere but prefer to do so in air-conditioned comfort. Bargaining is a common issue at MBK. However, you should be careful of the products against imitation such as clothes, watches and others.

The opening hours of the MBK center are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday to Sunday. It is situated at Phayathai Road, Bangkok 10330 Thailand. For more details, you can visit http://www.mbk-center.com/ or email at marketing@mbk-center.com or contact at: +66 2 620 9000.

Lumpini Boxing Stadium

Thai boxing (muay Thai) is one of the most famous and most identified sports of Thailand. As it is an effortful sport that needs a lot of strength, flexibility and endurance from its combatants, it has a spiritual dimension that isn't usually associated with sports.

In addition Thai boxing being the fascinating fights, the matches attract great people-watching opportunities as well. The fighter's corners are always filled with interesting people that intensely watching cannot bear to miss even a single second of every round.

The most famous Thai boxing stadium in the world hosts fights on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday evenings. There are usually 10 bouts in an evening, each comprising five three-minute rounds. Ritualistic music and a slow dance precede the fights as the boxers honor their teachers and the spirit of the ring.

The Lumpini Boxing Stadium is situated at Rama IV Road, Bangkok 10500. It opens on Tuesday to Friday from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., whereas on Saturdays Sundays it opens from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. to midnight. The contact number is +66 2 251 4303.