Historical Places Bangkok
Bangkok Places of Historical Significance
[1] The Bangkok Fortifications
- The City of Bangkok emerged from the total destruction of Ayutthaya City by the Burmese invaders in 1767. A city of over 1 million people was totally destroyed and those of its inhabitants who did not escape were killed or made slaves and taken back to Burma [ Myanmar ]. Accordingly war and invasion dominated the psyche of the Siamese people and all the new leaders were military men. Bangkok was chosen to be the new capital of Siam for strategic military reasons. The fortifications reflected more modern war fare and no longer were moats and narrow walls to stop elephants. The following remains of the fortifications made from 1768 are still there to be seen now.
- Wang Derm Palace or Thon Buri Palace is located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River adjacent to Wat Arun which is also another tourist location of importance. The site is important for historical as well as architectural reasons.
- The word '' Wang '' means a fortress or fortified outpost such as we often see in Northern Thailand at Lampang and Sukhothai. This Palace was built by King Taksin The Great in 1768.
- Within this fortified complex was Wat Arun, Wat Molee Lokayaram and Fort Wichayen [ later called Waichaiprasit Fort ]. The Thais refer to this place as '' Phra Racha Wang Derm '' meaning '' the original palace ''
- In 1522 the then King of Siam instigated the shortening of the River to the sea by cutting a canal heading directly South to avoid the meaning river. This canal was cut from where Thammasat University is today [ north of the Grand Palace ] to Wat Arun. The original meandering portion of the River then shrunk in size as the new canal expanded with the flow and volume of fast water to become the giant section it is today.
- The original section of the River is now called '' Bangkoknoi ''. Bangkoknoi has character and charm and is a gentle place where traditional Thai suburbs and markets developed and remain to this day.
[4] The Royal Elephant Museum
- The Royal Elephant National Museum was once an elephant stable for the Kings. For Kings the rare white Elephants were a symbol. But there is much more to be understood by visitors. Elephants were the war machines of the past. The Vietnamese destroyed the Mongol invaders with elephants, the Burmese at Pagan were slaughtered by the Mongols who then found ways to destroy the Burmese elephant armies, the Siamese Tai waged war with elephants in the wars with the Burmese and the Khmer Empires. It was not until the Portuguese sold canons to South East Asia did war fare change.
- The Grand Palace [ including Wat Phrao Kaeo ] is the major tourist attraction in Bangkok. This complex was created in 1782 and comprises the Royal residence, the Royal Monastery of the Emerald Buddha, its surrounding Galleries depicting the paintings of the scenes from the Ramakien [ the Thai version of the Indian epic of the Ramayana ], the Outer Court, the Inner Court and the Central Court.
- Dusit Palace is the name of the compound of Royal residences constructed in European style and built between 1897 and 1901. These were originally called Dusit Garden by King Rama V and later Dusit Palace by King Rama VI.
- Foremost is Vimanmek Mansion, built of golden teak wood and which is the World's largest wooden mansion. Vimanmek Mansion has 31 exhibition rooms as well as the throne room, bathrooms and bedrooms. A tour within the Mansion is recommended for an insight into the life and times of King Chulalongkorn [King Rama V ], the absolute King who abolished slavery in Thailand.
[7] Lak Muang Bangkok's City Pillar
- On the northeastern corner opposite the Grand Palace walls and on the other side of the road is a shrine in which are the Bangkok city pillars. These are the abode of Phra Lak Muang the guardian spirit of Bangkok. Such city pillars are found elsewhere in South East Asia and in Thailand can be seen in most regional. The concept originates from India and stone versions can be found elsewhere in Cambodia. In Thailand they served as a political statement by the ruling classes.
- Rattanakosin Island is that portion of Bangkok on the east side of the Chao Phraya River to the very west side of the eastern bank of the River. Historically it includes the '' Inner Rattanakosin '' and the '' Middle Rattanakosin ''. To the west side the area is bordered by the Chao Phraya River and to the east side is the waterway the Lod Canal [ renamed to Asadang Canal in 1982 ]. The Lod Canal was constructed during the reign of King Taksin The Great whilst the Capital of Siam was then on the west side of the Chao Phraya River at Thonburi.