My Stay in the Ratchada Area of Bangkok

Introduction

Bangkok, a city of contrasts and diversity, has many areas worth exploring. Ratchada, or Ratchadapisek, stands out for its blend of local culture and modern buildings and facilities. This blog covers the key aspects of Ratchada, from tourist attractions to gay-friendly venues including gay friendly hotels, shopping malls, street food, and transportation options. During my visit I stayed in the Best Western Ratchada hotel. A recently opened hotel with great facilities. In a different blog, I will tell you all about this hotel and other gay friendly hotel in this area.

Tourist Attractions in Ratchada and Bangkok

Ratchada is home to the famous Thailand Cultural Centre. This centre showcases Thai arts and cultural performances. It lies at the heart of Ratchada and is easily accessible by public transport (look for the MRT station with the same name). The Thailand Cultural Centre also hosts international events, making it a must-visit for culture enthusiasts.

Most of the top tourist attractions of Bangkok are not in the Ratchada Area, but are easy to travel to by public transport or taxi. Ten popular sights to visit are:

• The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew: This iconic complex is the former residence of the King of Thailand. Wat Phra Kaew, which houses the revered Emerald Buddha, is located within the palace grounds.
• Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn): Known for its stunning riverside location and the beautifully decorated spires, Wat Arun is one of Bangkok’s most picturesque temples.
• Chatuchak Weekend Market: This massive market is a shopping paradise, offering everything from clothes and antiques to food and art. It’s a great place to experience local culture and find unique souvenirs.
• Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha): Famous for its giant reclining Buddha statue, Wat Pho is also known for its traditional Thai massage school.
• Chao Phraya River and Waterways: Taking a boat trip along the Chao Phraya River gives you a different perspective of Bangkok. You can see many of the city’s famous landmarks from the water.
• Jim Thompson House: This museum is the former home of the American silk entrepreneur Jim Thompson, known for reviving the Thai silk industry. The house is a beautiful example of traditional Thai architecture.
• MBK Center (Ma Boon Khrong Center): A popular shopping mall known for its wide variety of goods, from clothes and electronics to souvenirs.
• Asiatique The Riverfront: A large open-air mall situated along the river, offering shopping, dining, and entertainment options. It’s particularly beautiful at night.
• Erawan Shrine: This Hindu shrine, famous for its golden statue of the four-faced Brahma God, Than Tao Mahaprom, is an important spiritual site in Bangkok.
• Bangkok National Museum: The largest museum in Southeast Asia, it houses a vast collection of Thai art and artifacts, providing insights into Thailand’s rich history and culture.

Public Transport Ratchada

If you want to visit one of the sights mentioned int this blog by public transport, you always have to take the MRT (the subway system of Bangkok). The main MRT stations of Ratchada are:

• Phra Ram 9 MRT Station: Located on Ratchadaphisek Road, this station serves the Central Plaza Grand Rama 9 shopping mall and the Fortune Town IT mall.
• Thailand Cultural Centre MRT Station: This station provides access to the Thailand Cultural Centre, The Esplanade shopping mall, and several local entertainment and dining venues.
• Huai Khwang MRT Station: Situated in the Huai Khwang district, this station is close to the Huai Khwang night market and residential areas.

These subway stations are part of the Blue Line. Depending on which attraction you want to visit you have to switch to the Purple or Orange Line of the MRT. It also can be taht you have to switch to the BTS, this is Bangkok’s skytrain system. The BTS has two lines:

• The Sukhumvit Line: Running from Mo Chit in the north to Bearing in the southeast, with an extension to Kheha in Samut Prakan.
• The Silom Line: Running from the National Stadium in the Siam shopping area to Bang Wa in the west.

Almost all tourist attractions can be reached in this way within half an hour from the Ratchada Area. Be aware of the low temperature in Bangkok’s public transport systems, especially if you are only wearing shorts and a t-shirt.

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