The area around the Golden Mount is home to several interesting, sometimes quirky, sights. The area is dominated by the pagoda sitting atop the man-made Golden Mount, which is part of Wat Saket temple. Nearby is another very interesting temple structure, the Loha Prasat, or "Metal Castle". Between the two is the largest remaining section of the old city walls.
Golden Mount Area MapClick on any of the icons to see the detailed information page for the sight.
In recent years, there have been a number of additions to the area's sights, such as the Rama III park, King Prajadhipok Museum and most recently the Ratanakosin Exhibition Hall. You can easily spend the better part of a day in the area, which does have a variety of restaurants to relax in. Check out my walking tour of the Golden Mount area for a suggested route.
The Democracy Monument was started in 1939 to commemorate the 1932 revolution that ended the absolute monarchy and introduced Siam's first constitution. The design of the monument is full of symbolism. For example, the four wings are each 24 meters high, signifying the 24th of June date the new constitution was signed. The location of the monument, between the old Grand Palace and the Dusit Palace, is also significant. A copy of the original constitution is held in central pedestal.
King Prajadhipok ruled as Rama VII for just ten years, from 1925 to 1935, but his reign marked the end of the absolute monarchy. This makes the king an interesting subject and a new museum was open in 2001 specifically devoted to him.
Official portrait of King Prajadhipok Prajadhipok was the 76th child and last born son of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), making him the brother of King Rama VI.
The Mahakan Fort, as seen from Rama III Park. The restored ramparts of Mahakan Fort mark the entrance to the Royal City, or Ratanakosin Island as it's also called. A wall punctuated by 14 such forts and 16 gates once encircled the city, which was further protected by the canal. Mahakan Fort is one of only two such towers that remain from the original late 18th century walls.
A portion of the old city walls can also be seen extending from the fort down Maha Chai Road.
Looking across Rama III park at the Loha Prasat This park was built to honor King Rama III, who started both the Golden Mount and Wat Ratchanadda. The park consists of formally planted gardens, a statue of King Rama III and a beautiful gilded Thai styled pavilion.
Beyond the park along the main boulevard is the Ratanakosin Exhibition Hall, a new (in 2010) museum recounting the history of the royal city area.
The Golden Mount is part of the Wat Saket temple located just outside the old royal city precincts, next to the Pom Mahakhan fort. The mount has a somewhat unusual history. It was started by King Rama III early in the nineteenth century. He 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.
The Queen's Gallery has its origins in a painting competition held by Bangkok Bank, in which her majesty presided over the awards ceremony. There were so many quality entries it was felt that there needed to be a permanent home for contemporary art in Bangkok, which back in 2001 there wasn't. The bank donated the building and along with several other wealthy patrons the museum was endowed.
Some of the artworks on display in the gallery.
During his reign from 1824 to 1851, King Rama III began the construction of many temples which are today some of the major landmarks of Bangkok. This walking tour takes in many of the less frequented of these monuments. The walk weaves in an out of the eastern defensive wall marking the original confines of the royal precinct, before finally heading into the center of the city. See a map of the suggested route below.
Looking across Rama III park at the Loha Prasat Across the street from the fort is Rama III park, built to honor the king who started both the Golden Mount and Wat Ratchanadda, which stands behind the park. In the formally planted gardens of the park are a statue of King Rama III and a delicate gilded pavilion of Thai design. Beyond the park along the main boulevard is the Ratanakosin Exhibition Hall, a new (in 2010) museum recounting the history of the royal city area.
The Giant Swing After walking down the street a short way, take the next left to loop back to Bamrung Meuang Road, where you turn left again so that you'll cross paths with the way you came. However, from here continue on along Bamrung Meuang Road. You'll again cross a canal and through the old city walls.
About five minutes' walk down Bamrung Meuang Road will bring you to the Giant Swing, siting in a kind of traffic circle.
Walking Tour Route Map The route of the Golden Mount walking tour is shown in the map above. The tour description is broken into three pages:
Page one covers getting from the bridge to the Mahakan Fort. Page two describes the area around the Loha Prasat, and from there to the Monks Bowl village. Page three tells you how to get from there to the Giant Swing and Wat Suthat.
It's a bit off the tourist trail these days, but Wat Suthat is still a very important temple to the Thais. This area is the home of the Brahmin priests who oversee royal rituals such as the ploughing ceremony held at the traditional beginning of the growing season.
The frame of the Giant Swing, in front of Wat Suthat In front of the temple is the huge Chinese-red frame of the giant swing.
Wat Thepthidaram in Bangkok Like the Loha Prasat, Wat Thepthidaram was begun by Rama III, but the temple is in a very different style from the Wat next door. The decoration of Wat Thepthidaram is very Chinese in style, with bits of porcelain decorating the gables. All things Chinese were very popular in Rama III's time.
The temple was built in 1836 to honor one of Rama III's queens. The main compound consists of the ordination hall (ubosot) flanked by two prayer halls (wiharn).
