Silom Rd Area

Sri Maha Mariamman Temple

While the many Wats dotted around Bangkok are the main attractions in the city, there are also other interesting places of worship to visit dedicated to other religions. The Sri Maha Mariamman Temple on Silom Road is one of these, as it not only showcases the Hindu faith, but also the contribution the Indian culture has made to Bangkok. Situated on Silom Road, the temple is dedicated to the Goddess Uma, consort of Shiva and is otherwise known to locals as Wat Khaek Silom. The temple was built in 1879 by a group of Indian businessmen living in Bangkok and was initially just one small pavilion, named Sala Sri Mariamman. A year after it was built a further golden statue of the Goddess Uma was installed as the temple’s principal image and the name was changed to what it is today. Every year the Dushera festival, otherwise known as the Navaratri festival, is held here for a total of 10 days, culminating in a procession along Silom Road. Getting there: Surasak Skytrain Station. (back to top)

Wat Yannawa

Most of the temples around Bangkok are situated in the Ratchadamnoen area, but if you want to see one the Silom area, then Wat Yannawa is your obvious choice. Built in the early 19th century, the main attraction here is the huge wiharn (gatehouse) in the middle of the compound that has been built in the shape of a Chinese junk. The Wiharn was built in this shape on the orders of King Rama III who wanted the junk to be memorialised during a time when steamships were taking over as the main form of sea transport. He wanted the junks to be remembered as they had brought much prosperity to the Kingdom. The Temple itself is more of a suburban one, with the exception that it has been frequented over the years by the Chinese population of Bangkok, catering to the nearby Chinatown. For this reason you’ll notice the information signs translated in not just Thai and English, but also Chinese. Getting there: Saphan Taksin Skytrain Station. (back to top)

Lumphini Park

Bangkok’s biggest park is Lumphini Park at the top of Silom Road. Guarded at the entrance by an impressive statue of King Rama VI, the park is a nice place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Being nearby the hotels along Silom Road it is a great place to take a morning or evening jog. The locals come here for a variety of reasons including the jogging. There’s also numerous chess boards and sepak takraw courts as well as other sporting activities if you want to work up a sweat, or you can take to the lake in a peddle-boat for something a little more relaxing. Getting there: Sala Daeng Skytrain Station. (back to top)

Lumphini Boxing Stadium

Depending on the day that you have free to watch some Muay Thai boxing, you will find yourself either here at the Lumphini stadium, or across town at the Ratchadamnoen one. There are fights every night of the week at either one of the two stadiums and for many visitors to Thailand this is the highlight of their stay. The fighting you see today is not the pure form of Muay Thai, but a watered down version that is a lot safer. Apparently it all got a little too dangerous, so gloves were introduced as well as weight divisions some years back. The whole elaborate occasion is still observed however, in much the same way Sumo is performed in Japan. You’ll notice that before each fight the boxers go through a Wai Khru dance ceremony as part of their preparation as well as wear head and arm pieces that have spiritual significance. Also, overlooking the ring is a band which plays Pi Muay music all the way through the fights, adding to the noise in the packed arena. Fights have three judges presiding over them and points are scored for each hit landed. Fights last for five rounds each with each round lasting three minutes with two-minute breaks between each round. If you want to go, either turn up at the stadium at the times listed below, or contact your hotel concierge, who can usually arrange tickets and transport for you.

Lumphini Boxing Stadium

Address: Rama IV Road. Tel: +66 0 2216 4373. Fight times: Tue 6.30pm-11pm, Fri 6.30pm-11pm, Sat 5pm-8pm & 8.30pm-12am. Prices: 1500B Ringside, 800B 1st level, 500B top level.

Ratchadamnoen Boxing Stadium

Address: Ratchadamnoen Nok Road. Tel: +66 0 2216 4373. Fight times: Mon 6pm-10.30pm, Wed 6pm-10.30pm, Thu 5pm-8pm & 8.30pm-12am, Sun 5pm-10pm. Prices: 1500B Ringside, 800B 1st level, 500B top level. (back to top)

Snake Farm

Although highlighted in every guide on Bangkok, the Queen Saovabha Snake Farm is probably only a highlight to people that have a keen interest in snakes. The snake farm contains a collection of a number of poisonous snakes which are milked for their venom to make anti-snake-bite serum, as well as a small museum of snake memorabilia. Largely, this is a place for the study of snakes and not so much a tourist attraction, although you can see experts extracting venom from the snakes if you’re there at the times listed below. Address: Corner of Henri Dunant and Rama IV Roads. Tel: +66 0 2225 0161. Opening hours: 8.30am-4.30pm daily and 8.30am-12am Public Holidays. Venom extraction demonstrations: 10.30am and 2.30pm daily. Prices: 70B. (back to top)