Khao San - Democracy Monument Area

Khao San & Democracy Monument For a walking tour, follow the red line.

In the area between Sanam Luang and the old northern perimeter wall of the city are a number of interesting sights, as well as the backpacker mecca of Khao San Road. Even if you're not staying in the Khao San area, you can easily visit these sights on a walking tour starting at the Banglampuu Pier.

Sumen Fort

Guarding the entrance to Banglampu canal is one of the few remaining structures of the old city walls which once surrounded the old city. The Sumen Fort is now the centerpiece of Santichaiprakan Park.

Wat Chana Songkram

Tucked away in the center of the backpacker are of Banglampu is the temple of Wat Chana Songkram. People often use the temple as a shortcut between Khao San Road and the river without ever stopping to take a closer look. Big mistake.

Khao San Road

Its the main tourist center for the 'backpacker' set. Star of many books and movies, the most recent and notable staring Leonardo DiCaprio. Khao San is a relatively short road remarkably close to many major sights such as the Grand Palace.

Wat Bowoniwet

Along Phra Sumen road a few blocks from the Banglampu river pier is the important but seldom visited temple of Wat Bowoniwet. The Chinese style of the temple's decorations suggest it was built, or at least rebuilt, around the time of Rama II in the early 19^th century.

Democracy Monument

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 24^th of June date the new constitution was signed.

King Prajadhipok Museum

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.

Golden Mount (Wat Saket)

Just outside the old royal city precincts, Rama III tried to build a large chedi to mark the city's entrance, but it collapsed under its own weight before it was completed. Later kings capped the mound of bricks and mud with a golden chedi, giving the man-made mountain its name.

Loha Prasat (Wat Ratchanadda)

Near the Golden Mount, but just inside the old city walls, is Wat Ratchanadda. Here Rama III started another project. A very unusual building now called the Loha Prasat. Within the same temple is a popular amulet market that makes an interesting place to browse.