Map of Rattanakosin Island
6. Wat Suthat, Giant Swing 7. Wat Rachabophit 8. Wat Bowonniwet
9. Golden Mount (Wat Saket) 10.Democracy Monument
Wat Suthat houses well known wall paintings (although rapidly deteriorating, with the best preserved ones high up the walls) and statues of Buddha surrounded by his disciples. There are some marvellous mother of pearl decorations on the doors.
More about and larger sized pictures of Wat Suthat.
Closeby is a large square, with the Giant Swing, on which quite a few young men lost their live, before its use was prohibited. City Hall, a rather drab building is on the opposite site.
Wat Ratchabophit
Wat Ratchabophit is within close distance of the more visited Wat Pho. It has its own distinctive architectural style, small, with European influenced inside decorations.
More about and larger sized pictures of Wat Ratchabophit.
Golden Mount is most suitable for a visit in the late afternoon. Close to sunset, the light conditions are marvellous arond the gilded Chedi. Although only modestly elevated above the city, it offers a good view of the surroundings.
As most other large temple complexes, Wat Bowonniwet offers, besides the religious buildings, gardens and greenery, and a possibility to get away from Bangkok's stiffling heat and congestion. An unusually large number of cats seem also to have found a home here.
Democracy Monument was erected to commemorate the transition from absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy in 1932.
Visit Also Page 1 of Historical Monuments of Rattanakosin Island
Central Thailand, other Provinces :
1. Phetchaburi
2. Ratchaburi
3. Samutsakhon
4. Nonthaburi
5. Nakhonpathom
6. Bangkok : Rattanakosin 1,
Rattanakosin 2,
Outside Rattanakosin
7. Samutprakan