Thailand has a vibrant heritage that spans centuries, inviting visitors to experience the many influences that converge to form the Land of Smiles. From ornate architecture to delicious street food, every sense can be enchanted while you explore this country’s unique cultural heritage.

As the country’s capital for over 200 years, Bangkok is an ideal destination for discovering the many splendours of Thai history and culture. There are also places that you can visit in a day from the City of Angels that offer their own unique perspective into Thailand’s past.

Rattanakosin Island

Also known as “Old Bangkok”, Rattanakosin Island was carved out of the east bank of the Chao Phraya River with canals. King Rama I established it as the fortified heart and capital city for the ruling Chakri dynasty. Today, you can spend the day visiting the historic landmarks from which modern Thailand was born. Highlights include:

The Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha

Once the centre of Thailand’s royalty, the Grand Palace is a must-visit. Visual wonders are everywhere. Colourful giants guarding the portals. Elaborate murals of the Ramakien. A scale model of Angkor Wat. And, of course, the intricate beauty of the Emerald Buddha.

Wat Pho

Recognised as Thailand’s first medical school, Wat Pho is the birthplace of the world-renowned traditional Thai massage. This temple, one of Thailand’s oldest, is also home to a 46-metre long Reclining Buddha. Visitors can make merit by dropping coins into the bowls along the wall behind this stunning statue.

Museum Siam

For a hands-on experience in “Thai-ness”, Museum Siam is filled with interactive exhibits that engage visitors as they learn about the Kingdom’s culture and traditions. Illustrated flipbooks animate architectural influences. Ornate plates tell stories about Thai dishes. An interactive costume exhibit reveals and raises questions about what is Thai.

Ayutthaya

Located about an hour north of Bangkok, Ayutthaya was Thailand’s capital from around 1350 to 1767, when an invading Burmese army forced the inhabitants to abandon it. Now a UNESCO World Heritage site, this once thriving city, visited by merchants and diplomats from across Asia and Europe, is now a well-maintained array of stunning ruins and picturesque parks. Highlights include:

Wat Phra Si Sanphet

The predecessor to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok, Wat Phra Si Sanphet was Ayutthaya’s main royal temple, built on palace grounds in the mid-14th century. The centre point of the ruins is a row of three restored chedis (stupas), containing the ashes of three kings.

Wat Mahathat

Another royal temple built not long after Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Wat Mahathat is another well-preserved site, located next to the serene Bueng Phra Ram Park. A main draw for visitors is the tree that has grown around the head of a Buddha statue.

Baan Hollanda and Baan Yipun

Ayutthaya, much like its successor Bangkok, was a multicultural metropolis. Merchants, missionaries, soldiers, and diplomats from far and wide came to trade here. Many foreigners made Ayutthaya their home, and today, Baan Hollanda and Baan Yipun, which were Dutch and Japanese neighbourhoods, respectively, memorialise the city's international character.

Ancient City

Ancient City (Muang Boran in Thai) is an outdoor museum that is truly unique. Life-sized, or near life-sized, replicas of some of Thailand’s most iconic historic and cultural sites were constructed on over 200 acres. Some structures are almost exact replicas, while others were inspired by Thai history and folklore. Visitors can jou rney to almost every corner of the country’s geography, and history, by bicycle, tram, or boat.

Northern Thailand

Towards Ancient City’s north side are sites in Northern Thailand. This includes a replica Northern village, complete with shops selling handicrafts, and a replica of the Chedi Jet Yod (Seven-Spired Pagoda), one of the oldest in the North, as well as a reconstructed Wat Chong Kham, a rare example of Pagan (Burmese) and Shan influences on Thai architecture.

Thailand’s Sukhothai Era

Before Bangkok and before Ayutthaya, there was Sukhothai, often recognised as Thailand’s first kingdom. Visitors can explore this ancient capital without having to travel far. Sites include the ruins of Noen Prasat (Castle Hill) and the Bench of Public Appeals, where the king would literally hold court.

Imaginative Thailand

Along with the temples and landmarks of Thailand’s heritage, Ancient City also features installations representing Thailand’s diverse folklore and ancient wisdom. Among the sites are the Botanical Garden, filled with plants mentioned in Thai literature, and several representations of Kuan Yin, a much-revered female Bodhisattva.

Interested in Spending Time in Bangkok?

If you are an Anantara Vacation Club Points Owner, you can log in to our website or contact Club Services to book a stay at Anantara Vacation Club Riverside to begin your Bangkok explorations!

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