Chang Pier Area Map
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Click on any of the icons for more details.
The Chang Pier is the closest to the Grand Palace with its Temple of the Emerald Buddha. But wait! There's more:
- Wat Mahathat
- A little north of the Grand Palace compound, between the fine arts Silpakorn University and the University of law and sciences, Thammasat, lies the ancient temple of Wat Mahathat.
- Sanam Luang
- The large oval field in front of the Grand Palace is in effect the nation's front yard.
- City Pillar
- Bangkok's city pillar lies off the northeast corner of the Grand Palace. The wooden stake was driven into the ground at 6:45 in the morning on the 21st of April 1782, a time determined by court astrologers to be the most auspicious.
- National Museum
- The National Musuem lies in the grounds of the former Wang Na, the 'front palace' which was built for the second king, a sort of crown prince.
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Wang Lung Pier
Wang Lung pier is the next stop after the Chang pier on the Chao Phraya Express boat service. It's one of the busier piers, with quite a bustle of people coming and going. Surrounding the immediate area of the pier is a marketplace selling low-price goods as well as fresh foods.
The narrow lane that heads south from the pier paralleling the river is lined with several river-view restaurants, as well as Bangkok's only contemporary theater company.
- Sirirat Hospital
- Sirirat is one of Bangkok's biggest and oldest hospitals. The King's father had a lot to do with the development of the hospital, and it is still where most members of the royal family go for treatment. Of course, you probably hope that you don't need a hospital during your stay in Thailand. But, Sirirat is also home to no less than 10 museums. Among the most visited -- and perhaps the weirdest museum in Thailand -- is the museum of Forensic Science. Fans of the American TV series 'CSI' won't want to miss it.
- Thonburi Railroad Station
- The small Thonburi station is the place to catch trains to Kanchanaburi.
- Patravadi Theater
- A short walk from the pier, along a narrow lane that parallels the river, is a large compound housing Bangkok's only real independent contemporary theater complex. The rather modern complex fits in well with the old neighborhood surrounding it. even if you're not interested in attending a performance, the beautifully landscaped gardens and small shops are worth a stop.
- Wat Rakhang
- Across the river from the Grand Palace is this small temple founded by the first king of Bangkok, Rama I. Within the grounds of the temple is a small house, now used to store scriptures, that was used by King Rama I before he was crowned.
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