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Ratchadaphisek (รัชดาภิเษก, IPA (IPA: [ratɕʰadaːpʰiseːk])) is the district centered around Ratchadaphisek Road, north of Sukhumvit in Bangkok. If you look at a map for the Metro subway system you will see that North/South portion follows Ratchadaphisek Road.

[edit] Get in

Use the metro or a taxi - it's okay to say Ratchada ("RAHT-cha-dah") for Ratchadaphisek Road, everybody abbreviates it.

[edit][add listing] See

Western tourist sights are basically non-existent in this neck of woods, though there are many places that cater to Chinese mass tourism, especially seafood restaurants.

[edit] Museums and culture

• Museum of Buddhism Art (พิพิธภัณฑ์พุทธศิลปะ) Located at 104 Soi 40, Phatthanakan Road, Suan Luang, Bangkok 10250, the museum features a large private collection of Buddha images and is operated by the Foundation of Thai’s Arts Preservation. The exhibition focuses on the art of Buddha images in accordance with Thai history, with an international standard presentation comprising light, sound (chanting), scent (incense) in an air-conditioned atmosphere. Besides Buddha images and artefacts of different periods, there is also an area allocated to be a shrine as well as museum of the Goddess of Mercy and other major gods of various beliefs in Asia. The museum is open during 10 a.m.-5.30 p.m. on Monday-Saturday and closed on Sunday. Advance contact is required. Admission fees are 250 baht for the general public and foreigners, 50 baht for students, and 25 baht for students and government officers coming in groups, with advance contact. Open: Mon-Fri (Advance contact is required.), Sat from 10 a.m.to 5.30 p.m., Admission: 250 baht, Tel: 0 2321 0048-50, 0 2322 2434, Fax: 0 2322 2412.

• Prasart Museum.

• Thai Life Permanent Exhibition Hall (หอไทยนิทัศน์) [1] Located in the Thailand Cultural Centre on Ratchadaphisek Road, this is a venue for displaying the history of the Thai people and different aspects of Thai culture, as developed from pre-historic times up to the present. The exhibition is presented under five topics: The Evolution of the Thai Nation, Rice and Thai Way of Life, Thai Language and Literature, Thailand and the World, and Important Achievements and Events in Thai Society. Open: Mon-Fri (except public holidays) from 9.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m., admission: free, Tel: 0 2247 0028 ext. 4223-4.

[edit] Amusement Parks

• Safari World (ซาฟารีเวิลด์) [2] Bangkok’s greatest open zoo and leisure park is in Min Buri, via Km. 9 on Raminthra Road. The 300-acre complex comprises a Safari Park populated by African and Asian mammals, a Marine Park with amusing performances of well-trained dolphins and seals, a Bird Park and a Games Corner. Open: Mon-Fri from 9 a.m. to 4.30 p.m; Sat, Sun and Public Holidays from 9 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. Admission: Adult 700 baht; Child 450 baht. Tel: 0 2518 1000-19, 0 2914 4100-19.

• Siam Park City (สวนสยาม) [3] Located in suburban Min Buri on Sukhaphiban 2 Road, this water amusement park contains a man-made sea with towering slides. Satellite attractions include children’s playgrounds, aviaries, an open zoo and a botanical garden. Open: Daily from 10 a.m.to 6 p.m. Admission: Adult 200 baht; Child 100 baht. Tel: 0 2919 7200-19.

[edit][add listing] Do

• Thailand Cultural Centre (ศูนย์วัฒนธรรมแห่งประเทศไทย), Soi 4, Ratchadaphisek Road, ☎ 0 2247 0028, [4]. A fully integrated venue for social education and cultural activities  edit

• Siam Niramit (สยามนิรมิต), 19 Tiamruammit Road (diagonally across from the Thailand Cultural Centre), ☎ 0 2649 9222, [5]. Showtime is at 8.00 p.m.. Is a state-of-the-art cultural performances center, which uses modern technology integrated with old fashioned drama to depict the history of each region of Thailand. The story also includes depictions about hells, the forest of Himmaphan, heavens and lands beyond imagination from Thai literature, all of which are influenced by the Thai common beliefs. There is also a spectacular performance of Thailand’s arts and cultural heritage. The show is staged by more than 150 performers. Bt1,500.  edit

[edit][add listing] Buy

[edit] Malls

• Fortune Town, 1 Fortune Town Bldg. Rachadaphisek Rd, Dindang , Bangkok 10320 (corner of Ratchadaphisek and Rama IX), ☎ +66 2 641-1884-6, [6]. next to Phra Ram 9 MRT. One of the best places in Bangkok to buy computer gear, and has an extensive mobile phone on 2nd fl and computer section on the 3rd and 4th floors. This large shopping complex also has a huge supermarket/department store Tesco Lotus, many barber shops, many restaurants and a food court.  edit

• Esplanade, (exit 3 at Thailand Cultural Centre MRT), ☎ 02-642-2000 (esplanade@siamfuture.com), [7]. 7 stories of Premium shops, cinemas, restaurants and an ice skating rink.  edit

• Nearby are Jusco, Carrefour, and Robinson, which are all mega supermarkets.

[edit] Bazaars

• Ratchada Night Bazzar, Lat Phrao intersection, is a new night bazaar similar to Silom's better-known Lumpini Night Bazaar, with open air shopping, eating and drinking.

[edit] Travel agents

• Manida Travel Bangkok[8] is on Soi Udomsuk off Ratchadapisek Road, just behind the MRT Sutthisan station.

[edit] Learn

• Ramkhamhaeng University.

[edit][add listing] Eat

• Huai Khwang. Lots of restaurants, especially good for late night dining.

• Somboon Seafood (สมบูรณ์โภชนา), (167/9-12 Ratchadaphisel Rd.), ☎ 02-692-6850-3, [9]. 4pm - 11.30pm. Use Huai Khwang MRT. Limited car parking. Offers good Chinese/Thai style seafood. Be sure to try the curry crab, one of their specialities.  edit

• Emerald Hotel. Has very good Chinese food at an affordable price.

• Bali Seafood Soi 6. Restaurant/megabar, Bali Seafood's unassuming title belies the grand stature of what it encompasses. Big screen TVs, blasting music both live and recorded, and humming with as many as 4000 young Thais, eating and drinking and socializing.

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit] Clubs and bars

If you are looking for entertainment locals enjoy, Ratchadaphisek Road is a must visit.

Royal City Avenue (RCA) is a popular and trendy road open only to pedestrians, which has been through tough times but as of Nov 2007 is hip and happening again, with many of the biggest dance clubs in Thailand. Bring your passport. Farang aren't common but aren't unwelcome either.

• Slim. A conglomerate of 3 large clubs playing house, hiphop and pop/rock, to a mostly local crowd.

• Jazz it, 21/39-40 RCA Block C[10]. Offers deep house music and electro jazz played by international DJs, pop/rock live music bands. Great wine bar with a wide selection of international cocktails.

Ratchada Soi 4 is a collection of several dozen music pubs very popular with 20-something Thais. The music is often too loud, but that seems to be the main attraction. The main clubs here include:

• Snop - The largest and most popular of the Soi 4 clubs. A great place to see local nightlife and hear Thai bands.

• Rad - As popular as it is loud, a great place for a fun night out.

Ratchada Soi 6 Is a hot spot of late for local teens. Not a single venue, but a collection of several dozen large clubs.

• Dance Fever - Has previously hosted concerts by Erasure and Bush.

• Hollywood - A large drinking hall (no dance floor) with sexy entertainers performing cover tunes on stage.

[edit] Cabarets

• Golden Dome Cabaret - A ladyboy cabaret show.

[edit] Massage parlors

Ratchadaphisek Road features many massage parlors that actually specialize in other services. Look for big flashy yet windowless buildings with names like Emmanuelle, Poseidon, Caesar's Palace and further south, Mona Lisa.

• Ratchadahatthawet, Metro Huai Khwang, is a Thai traditional massage parlour (in front of Emmanuelle to the right), a dependable address for 'straight' massages at 300 baht per session of two hours, in clean private rooms without pressure for additional services.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

Not as popular as the Sukhumvit area for western tourists, but there are some big hotels here. Many cater to Chinese and Japanese visitors.

[edit] Budget

• Watana Mansion, 209 Ratchadapisek Rd Soi 17, Bangkok, ☎ +66 2 275-0110, [11]. 500m from Sutthisan MRT station. A 14-story hotel offering clean, basic rooms with air conditioning for 600-650 baht. Wattana Mansion has a small swimming pool, 24 hour room service and restaurant with reasonable prices and an internet cafe with 4 computers and wireless access (if you have your laptop with you) for 20 baht per 1/2 hour.  edit

[edit] Mid-range

• The Emerald Hotel, 99/1 Ratchadapisek Road, Din Daeng, Bangkok 10400 Thailand, ☎ +66 2 276-4567 (info@emeraldhotel.com, fax: +66 2 276-4555-6), [12]. Centrally located with a 5 minutes walk from Huai Khwang MRT.  edit

• Chaophya Park Hotel, 247 Rachadapisek Road,Huay Kwang, Bangkok 10310, ☎ +66 2 290-0125 (info@chaophyapark.com, fax: +66 2 290-0167-8), [13]. Hotel includes a spa and 247-yard driving range for the golf enthusiast.  edit

• Oriental Suite Executive Apartment www.orientalsuite.com. 552/18 Soi Ratchadapisek 7, Ratchadapisek Rd, Din-Daeng, Bangkok 10400, ThailandTel: +66 2 274 6550 Email: info@orientalsuite.com - Fully furnished, self contained apartments, only a 5 minute walk from Thailand Cultural Center MRT station.

[edit] Splurge

• Grand Mercure Hotel (old Fortune Hotel), 1 Fortune Town Bldg., Rachadaphisek Rd., Dindaeng, Bangkok, Thailand 10400, ☎ +66 2 641-1500 (room@grandmercurefortunebkk.com, fax: +66 2 641-1530), [14]. A four-star hotel in the south part of Fortune Town Building which located IT Mall and Tesco Lotus supermarket. The hotel is at Rama 9 road cross with Ratchadaphisek Road. The MRT station (Phra Ram 9 or phra-ram-khow in Thai) is in front of the hotel. 2800-12000 Baht.  edit