Attractions information

Laem Chabang Port

Laem Chabang is Thailand's largest port & is the main container port for Bangkok. It is located two hours to the southeast of Bangkok & about 30 minutes from the resort city of Pattaya.

The larger cruise ships have to dock here because of the shallowness of the Chao Phraya river's Klong Toey Port.
Laem Chabang Port undertook a major program to encourage development outside Bangkok and take advantage of the proximity to the Gulf of Thailand.

Construction began in 1988 and the Laem Chabang container port was completed in 1991.

It's now ranked in the top 20 of the busiest ports in the world. Much of the international shipping reaching Thailand goes through Laem Chabang. The port operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

As a port town, the economy is based on shipping services, as well as retail and tourism. The town is being marketed as an alternative to seedy Pattaya. Sukhumvit Road goes through the town.

Cruise ships using Laem Chabang Port during the 2009-2010 season include Costa Classica, Cunard's Queen Mary 2 & Queen Victoria, HAL's Amsterdam & Volendam, P&O's Arcadia, Diamond Princess, Ocean Princess & Sun Princess, Regent Seven Seas Mariner, Navigator & Voyager, Royal Caribbean's Legend of the Seas, Silver Sea's Shadow & Whisper and Voyages of Discovery.

Attractions information

Wat Saket Golden Mount

The Golden Mount or 'Phu Khao Thong' is part of the Wat Saket temple located just outside the old royal city precincts, next to the Pom Mahakhan fort.

There are about 300 steps in all & it's not a strenuous climb, as the slope is quite gentle and there are numerous spots to stop and see something.
The Golden Mount has a somewhat unusual history in that it was expanded by King Rama III, who wanted to build a large chedi on the site to mark the entrance to the city. However, the soft marshy ground could not support such a large structure and it collapsed before it was completed.

During the late-18th century the temple served as the capital's crematorium. During the following 100 years, the temple became the dumping ground for some 60,000 plague victims who were not allowed to be buried within the royal city precincts.

From the ground, a wide stairway spirals up and around the sides of the mount and the short steps ensure you don't expend too much energy.

The best time to visit the temple is during the cool season from late November to January, when not only is the temperature much cooler, but the frangipani trees around the base are in bloom, giving off their wonderful jasmine-like smell.

In the first week of November, Wat Saket hosts an annual temple fair with lots of lanterns.

Attractions information

Grand Palace Bangkok

The Grand Palace is the most spectacular place in Bangkok, so if you only see one thing whilst in the city, this is the place to see.Thai people respectfully refer to it as Phra Borommaharatchawang. It served as the official residence of the King of Thailand from the 18th -20th century.

The Grand Palace complex, construction of which began in 1782 during the reign of King Rama I, sits on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River and is surrounded by a defensive wall 1,900 metres in length, which encloses an area of 218,400 square metres. Within its walls, in times past, were the Thai war ministry, state departments, and even the mint.

Within the palace complex are several impressive buildings including Wat Phra Kaeo or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, which contains the revered Emerald Buddha that dates back to the 14th century.

Thai Kings stopped living in the palace in the middle of the twentieth century, but the royal residence is still used by visiting dignitaries.

Important Information

A strict dress code applies here. The Grand Palace and The Temple of the Emerald Buddha is Thailand's most sacred site. Visitors must be properly dressed before being allowed entry to the temple. Men must wear long pants and shirts with sleeves. No tank tops or singlets. Women must be similarly modestly dressed. No see-through clothes or bare shoulders. No shorts or tights. Proper shoes must be worn. No flip flops.

Attractions information

Suan Lum Night Bazaar

The Suan Lum Night Bazaar is opposite Lumpini Park on the corner of Rama IV and Wireless Road. It's open daily from 5:00 pm until midnight, with many places staying open later than that.

Suan Lum is a complete night out because here you'll find markets, restaurants, a beer garden and live bands.

Suan Lum is considered the pick of the markets in Bangkok and compared to its famous cousin at Chatuchak this market is cooler and cleaner and is also open every day. It has an interesting mix of market stalls, pubs and restaurants as well as a huge beer garden complete with a food court and a large stage where live bands entertain daily.

The market area has many shops selling handicraft and clothes, while others are selling packed local fruit like dried jackfruit and dried durian. Fortunately, the drying process takes away the interesting smell which usually accompanies durian! Prices quoted throughout the Night Bazaar seem on a par with Chatuchak Market but if you like to bargain, the price will be better still.

In the same area, dinner shows featuring classical Thai puppetry can be enjoyed at the internationally famous Joe Louis Puppet Theatre.

A visit to Suan Lum Night Bazaar is a different experience and will certainly allow you to sleep well when you get back to your hotel or aboard your ship.