Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide

The Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha Temple were built together with the founding of Bangkok in 1782. The architectural plan of this palace was almost identical in every detail to the royal palace of the former capital of Ayutthaya (about 600 years ago) because the King wanted to recreate the glory of the city as it was in the past. So it was completely first built in traditional Thai style. However, at various periods, the influences from other nations affected the architecture in Thailand in different reigns such as the Chinese elements introduced by King Rama 3 in the early 19th century and the western building style introduced by King Rama 5 in the late 19th century. So you will see a great mixture of European, Chinese and Thai architectural style. In addition, the Emerald Buddha image is the most important Buddha image in Thailand.

The Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha Temple were built together with the founding of Bangkok in 1782. The architectural plan of this palace was almost identical in every detail to the royal palace of the former capital of Ayutthaya (about 600 years ago) because the King wanted to recreate the glory of the city as it was in the past. So it was completely first built in traditional Thai style. However, at various periods, the influences from other nations affected the architecture in Thailand in different reigns such as the Chinese elements introduced by King Rama 3 in the early 19th century and the western building style introduced by King Rama 5 in the late 19th century. So you will see a great mixture of European, Chinese and Thai architectural style. In addition, the Emerald Buddha image is the most important Buddha image in Thailand.

The Temple of Dawn or Wat Arun Temple is known to local people as Wat Arun or Wat Chaeng. Both the names Arun and Chaeng mean the same as at dawn. Wat Arun is classified as one of the six first class royal temples in Thailand and is consecrated ideally to King Rama 2 where the royal ashes of the King were interred here. The temple of dawn is very famous because it’s the location of the highest Prang tower of corn cob shape in Bangkok with 67 meters high and it has become the landmark of Thailand. There was an old temple situated here at that time known to local people as Wat Makok which means the temple of the olive trees.The name of some temples may come after the name of the area. This area at that time known to locals as Bang Makok, Bang means area, Makok means olive trees, so the name of Bang Makok means the land of olive trees and then this name was shortened as Bang Kok making an English name Bangkok.

The Reclining Buddha Temple or Wat Pho Temple is very famous throughout the World because it's the location of the most beautiful Reclining Buddha image in Thailand with 46 meters long and 15 meters high. This temple is one of the six first class royal temples in Thailand. It’s the largest temple in Bangkok and very beautiful with the decorations of Chinese porcelains and tiles well mixed with traditional Thai art style. In addition, this temple is regarded as the first public university of Thailand. The official name of this temple is Wat Phra Chettuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Ratchaworamahawihan but people call it Wat Pho. Pho is the name of the sacred tree where the Lord Buddha attained the enlightenment state underneath.

The Golden Buddha Temple or Wat Traimit is very famous because it is the location of the world largest Golden Buddha image with the size of 5.5 tons of solid gold. We don’t know who built this temple but we guess from its original name that this temple must be built by three Chinese men who lived somewhere in China town close to this temple. In 1939, the temple was renovated by the abbot of the temple. The renovation involved the restoration and the new construction of the ordination hall. A new name was given to the temple Wat Traimit which has been used until today. The temple became very famous in 1955 when we found the Golden Buddha Image.

The Golden Mount is one of the landmarks of Bangkok. The height of Golden Mount is about 80 meters, there are 344 steps lead us to the top to see panoramic views of Bangkok. The Golden Mount was built in Ayutthaya period known in Thai as Wat Sakae. King Rama 1 ordered the restoration to this temple and had the canal dug around the temple. He gave the new name to the temple as Wat Saket.

Chinatown is most lively in the late evening as a street food. There is a local market nearby Chinatown where you can buy gifts and souvenirs called Sumpeng Market. The history of Chinatown dates back to when King Taksin founded Thonburi as a new capital in 1767, he asked Teochew merchants to supply his new capital with rice and provision. In return, he granted them many favors, including the land on the East bank of the Chao Phraya river, opposite his palace. When King Rama 1 ascended to the throne and founded Bangkok as the new capital in 1782, he ordered the Grand Palace built in the area that the Chinese community stayed in. He ordered them to move further South from the Grand Palace to live in a certain area which is now known as Chinatown.

Pak Klong Talat or flower market is the biggest wholesale and retail fresh flower market in Bangkok. The market has all kinds of popular flowers and flora-related items, including roses, forget me not, orchids, lilies and many more. Most of them are sold in packs of 50 or 100 flowers in each, and prices are amazingly cheap. The market opens 24 hours, but is most lively after midnight. If you want to see the market in full action, the best time to go is about 3-4 am. Wholesalers bring a lot of freshly cut flowers, while retailers come to buy their stock in bulk. During the day, the flower market is sleepy, but this is a good time for visitors to shop around. Prices are reasonable but during special occasions such as Mother’s day, Valentine’s or graduation season, certain flowers will be 3 or 4 times more expensive.