Wat Phra Kaew (The Temple of the Emerald Buddha), Na Phralan, Phra Nakorn, Bangkok

Wat Phra Kaew (officially known as Wat Phra Sri Rattana Satsadaram) is situated in the grounds of the Grand Palace, in the heart of the Old City district of Bangkok.

The temple was constructed during the 18th century in order to house the statue of the Emerald Buddha, which is carved from a single piece of jade and depicts Buddha in the meditation position. The statue, though tiny, is extremely significant to the Thai people and, as a result, Wat Phra Kaew is considered to be the most important temple in Bangkok.

The Emerald Buddha is housed in the “ubosot”, or “ordination hall”, the temple’s main building. It’s kept within a glass case on a platform and the only person permitted to touch it is the King of Thailand, who changes the cloak around the Buddha three times each year in a ceremony believed to bring good fortune to Thailand. During the summer season, the Buddha wears a gold cloak encrusted with diamonds; during the winter, a solid gold cloak; and during the rainy season, a gilded monk’s robe.

The entire temple is ornately decorated and other things to look out for during your visit include murals depicting scenes from Buddha’s life and the huge “Yaksa Tavarnbal” (“Gate-Keeping Giants”), which guard the entrances to the temple’s balcony.

Wat Phra Kaew’s compound also includes two important libraries, the Royal Pantheon (which consists of statues of the first seven Kings of the Chakri Dynasty), a model of Angkor Wat (the Cambodian temple), and Phra Si Rattana Chedi, a stupa (mound-like structure) containing Buddhist relics.

You can take a guided or self-guided tour of Wat Phra Kaew and combine your visit with a trip to the adjoining Grand Palace, which is one of Bangkok’s most famous and important sites.

Travelling to Bangkok is easy and many airlines, including Etihad Airways, fly to Bangkok International Airport from London and other major destinations.

Image: Aimaimyi

1. Bangkok National Museum (Na Phrthat Rdm Phra Borommaharachawang Sub-district, Phra Nakorn District, Bangkok 10200).

The Bangkok National Museum is situated near to the Grand Palace and has three permanent exhibition galleries: the Thai History Gallery; the Decorative Arts and Ethnological Collection; and the Archaeological and Art History Collections. These galleries include a range of exhibits, including sculture, art works, ceramics, weapons, musical instruments, costumes and funeral chariots.

English descriptions of the items on display are provided and you can also take a tour with an English-speaking guide (on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 9.30 a.m.). The Bangkok National Museum is open between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Admission fees apply.

2. The Royal Barges Museum (Bangkok Noi, Bangkok 10700).

Opened during the 1970s, this museum houses eight beautiful and ornate Royal Barges. The barges were used by the Royal Family on state occasions and in the Royal Barge Procession, which is believed to date back as far as the 13th century. Highlights of the museum include the Suphannahong Royal Barge, used by the King, which has a golden swan figurehead.

The Royal Barges Museum is open between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily (although it’s closed on the 31st of December, the 1st of January, and the 12th, 13th and 14th of April). Admission fees apply.

3. The National Gallery (4 Chao-Fa Rd., Pra Nakorn, Bangkok 10200).

The National Gallery was opened during the 1970s and houses both a permanent exhibition and regular temporary exhibitions. The permanent collection includes examples of traditional Thai art and works by major Thai artists such as Misiem Yipinsoi, Fua Haribitak and Chakabhan Posayakrit.

The National Gallery is open between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. It’s closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and public holidays. Admission fees apply.

4. The Royal Thai Air Force Museum (Paholyothin Rd, Bangkok).

Situated close to Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport, the Royal Thai Air Force Museum contains a range of exhibits, including a number of military aircraft. The museum opened in 1952 and highlights of its collection include the only Tachikawa trainer still in existence and the last Curtiss Model 68 Hawk III naval biplane.

The Royal Thai Air Force Museum is open between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m daily (although it’s closed on public holidays).

5. Bangkok Folk Museum (273 Charoenkrung Soi 43, Bangkok)

Now owned and operated by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, the Bangkok Folk Museum was initially set up by Waraporn Surawadee, whose family owned one of the three houses which make up the museum today. Waraporn Surwadee set up the museum to display the furnishings and other items handed down to her by her mother, with the aim of showing visitors what life was like for middle-class people living in the city during the Second World War. The museum also now incorporates a house previously belonging to a British-born doctor, the late Dr. Francis Christian, and you can also see some of his belongings on display.

The Bangkok Folk Museum is open between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

Many different airlines operate flights to Bangkok and there are a wide range of hotels within the city. You can travel to the museums by public transport or by hire car.

Image: Masgatotkaca