Tourism in Bangkok
[2][3] The city is ranked fourth in cross-border spending, with 14.3 billion dollars projected for 2013, after New York, London and Paris.
[5] Bangkok has also been named "World's Best City" by Travel + Leisure magazine's survey of its readers for four consecutive years since 2010.
[6] As the principal gateway for arriving visitors, Bangkok is visited by the majority of international tourists to the country.
Royal palaces and temples as well as museums constitute its major historical and cultural tourist attractions.
Before the 1932 Revolution ended absolute monarchy, the complex was the home of Thai government: it included royal courts and administrative branches, similar to the earlier capital at Ayutthaya.
It houses Chakri Mahaprasat Hall and Wat Phra Kaew, which contains the Emerald Buddha, considered the most important temple in Thailand.
However, the more modern Chitralada Palace was the actual Bangkok residence of the previous monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), and his Queen Sirikit.
It is Bangkok's largest temple and contains a huge reclining Buddha figure that is 46 metres (151 ft) long and is covered with gold leaf.
Located of Phra Sumen Fort, beautiful Santichaiprakarn Throne Hall, and last mangrove apple in Bangkok.
The National Museum (พิพิธภัณฑสถานแห่งชาติ พระนคร) is housed in former palace of the Wang Na or second king, Kromphraratchawangbowon Mahasurasinghanat, the designated heir to the throne in former years.
Suan Pakkad Palace (วังสวนผักกาด) is a complex of eight Thai-style houses[10] was once the residence of one of Thailand's leading art collectors, Prince Chumbhot of Nagara Svarga.
It was built on Ko Chang by King Rama V, but was moved to the compound of the Dusit Palace on Ratchawithi Road when 19th century French imperialists threatened the original location.
Siriraj Bimuksthan Museum, in the area of Siriraj Piyamaharajkarun Hospital next to the Chao Praya River, is a museum that exhibits Rear Palace which is its original location from the early Rattanakosin period and later, Bangkok Noi Railway Station with has a history related to World War II.
The museum depicts the way of life and history of Khaosan Road in the days before it became a byword for backpackers from around the world.
It has been very popular in the past and the medicine production process is still being relayed in a traditional way by the old equipments with the age of hundred over years.
Occupying the two floors of a beautiful 100-year-old colonial house and surrounded by a superb garden, this museum is dedicated to the history and techniques of floral arrangements in wedding or religious ceremonies, official occasions and royal events, the complexity of which is too often unsuspected and beauty overlooked.
Surviving canals and the Chao Phraya River provide a glimpse of a traditional waterborne way-of-life that has remained essentially unchanged over centuries.
Dinner Cruise: Riverine Bangkok offers some of the capital's most arresting sights, particularly at night when the weather is cooler and reflections dot the Chao Phraya River with flickering lights.
Thompson helped restore and promote the Thai homemade silk industry after World War II.
Following his mysterious disappearance in Malaysia in 1967, his home was turned into a museum to display his priceless collection of Asian art.
Kukrit Pramoj, former Prime Minister of Thailand located on Soi Suan Phlu (Sathon 3 Alley).
Lhong 1919 (ล้ง 1919), port and warehouse aged over 160 years on the Chao Phraya River, built in ancient Chinese architecture, at present, it has been restored to be a learning center about Thai-Chinese relations including a center for displaying and selling products of young designers.
There is a restaurant called Nao, which is taken from Noah's Ark, who would take the animals into the boat to escape the world's floods according to faith in the book of Genesis of Christianity.
Located in the centre of Bangkok, it opens everyday, presenting one of the world's largest stage productions.
Bangkok offers a number of smaller boutique hotels for travelers seeking uniquely designed lodgings and personalized service.
Furthermore, Central World Plaza and Narayana Phand Pavilion, host the official handicraft centre selling items from all parts of the country.
Ratchaprasong intersection is the gateway to several shopping areas such as Phloen Chit-Sukhumvit, Siam Square-Mahboonkrong, Silom and Pratunam-Phetchaburi.
Pratunam-Phetchaburi (ประตูน้ำ-เพชรบุรี): A highlight in the district is Pratunam market, one of Bangkok's biggest centres for ready-to-wear clothing.
