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 Thai
boxing (Muay Thai) |
Thai
boxing is both a sport and means of self defense.
Contestants are allowed to use almost any part of their body:
feet, elbows, legs, knees, and shoulders, are all weapons. The
playing of traditional
 music
during bouts makes for even greater excitement. There are two
venues in Bangkok for this type of sport.
 Ratchadamnoen
Stadium (Tel: 281-4205), Ratchadamnoen Nok Road, open
every Monday and Wednesday at 6.00 p.m., Thursday at 5.00 and
9.00 p.m., and Sunday at 4.00 and 8.00 p.m.
Lumphini Stadium (Tel:
251-4303), Rama IV Road, every Tuesday and Friday at 6.00 p.m.
and Saturday at 5.00 p.m.
International
visitors who wish to learn Thai boxing can contact the
Muay Thai Institute, 336/932, Prachathipat, Thanyaburi, Pathum
Thani 12130, Tel: 992-0096-9
More detail |
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Horse
Racing |
The races
are held on Sunday from 12.30-6.00 p.m. at two alternate turf
clubs:
Royal
Turf Club of Thailand, on Phitsanulok Road, Tel:
280-0020-9.
Royal
Bangkok Sports Club, on Henry Dunant Road, Tel:
251-0181-6. |
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Shopping |
Shopping
in Bangkok is not limited to one or two major streets. There are
many areas throughout Bangkok affording ample choices and easy
access. The principal shopping areas in downtown Bangkok
 which
boasts many specialist shops, shopping plazas, and department
stores include Silom, Siam Square, Ratchadamn, Pratunam,
Ploenchit, and Bang Lamphu.
Recommended markets and
shops which sell Thai handicrafts:
Chatuchak
Weekend Market A large open public ground on
Phahonyothin Road. The market is a paradise for browsers and
bargain hunters alike. It operates only on weekends during the
day time
Chitralada
Shops, founded by the Support Foundation of Her Majesty
Queen Sirikit, are situated in the Grand Palace,
Vimanmek Mansion, Bangkok International Airport, and
some leading hotels.
Narayana
Phand Pavilion, located on Ratchadamri Road, is a
handicraft center selling items from all parts of the country. |
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Amusement
Parks |
Siam
Park City (Tel: 919-7200-19)
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Located in suburban Min Burl on Sukhaphiban 2 Road, this
water amusement park contains a man-made sea with towering
slides. Satellite attractions include a children's playground,
aviaries, open zoo and botanical garden.
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It is open daily from 10.00 a.m.-6.00 p.m. Admission fee
is 400 Baht for adults and 300 Baht for children.
Dream
World (Tel: 533-1152,
533-1147), situated at km.7 of Rangsit-Ongkharak Road, houses a
European style plaza, miniature land of major world legends, and
exciting playing machines.
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It is open daily from 10.00 a.m.-5.00 p.m. On holidays it is
open until 7.00 pm.
Admission fee is 450 Baht per person.
Indoor
amusement parks are also in some major leading department stores
such as:
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Future Park Bang Khae, Phetkasem Road, (Tel: 454-8500)
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The Mall Bang Khae, Phetkasem Road, (Tel: 454-0061)
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Seacon Square, Srinakarintara Road, (Tel: 721-9444)
Central City Bang Na, Km. 3 Bang Na-Trat Road,(Tel: 361-0888)
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Fashion Island, Km. 10 Raminthra Road, (Tel: 947-5000) |
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Cultural
Performances |
Details of current programmes
and events can generally be found in Bangkok's major
English-language newspapers, namely Bangkok Post and The Nation.
The
National Theatre is located on Na Phra That Road next to
the National Museum.
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Call 224-1342 for a current program.
Thailand
Cultural Center, on Ratchadaphisek Road, is a fully
integrated venue for social education
 and
cultural activities.
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Call 247-0028 ext.109 for a current program.
Chalerm Krung Royal Theatre is located
on Charoen Krung Road (New Road) near the Old Siam Plaza. That
dramas and plays are usually held while Khon or Thai musical
dance drama is a special event that is staged occasionally.
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Call 2258757-8, 222-1325 for more information.
Patravadi Theatre, near Wat
Rakhang, Thon Bun. Renowned for its lavish productions, this
outdoor theatre has gained popularity through its modern
adaptations of classical Asian literature, with each play
demonstrating an ingenious blend of various theatrical
techniques. Showtime is on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
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Call 412-7287-8 for a current program.
Bangkok Playhouse
on Phetchabun Road. The theatre hosts modern dramas.
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Call 679-8548, 319-7641-4 for a current program. |
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Major
Exhibitions Centers |
Queen
Sirikit National Convention Center, 60 New Ratchadaphisek
Road, Khiong Toei, Bangkok.
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For more information, call 229-3000-9 or visit
www.qsncc.co.th.
Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition
Center, 8 Km. 1 Bang Na-Trat Road, Phrakhanong.
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For more information, call 749-3939-60 or visit
www.bitec.net. |
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Meditation
Centers |
Meditation is one of the most
popular aspects of Buddhism, practiced regularly by numerous
Thais, and laymen as a means of promoting inner peace and
happiness. The following are meditation centers which offer a
class in English for foreign visitors who wish to find out more
about Buddhism and Buddhist meditation.
The International Buddhist Meditation
Center, Wat Mahathat, Tha Phrachan, (Tel: 623-6326)
The World Fellowship of Buddhists, 616
Sukhumvit Soi 24, (Tel. 661-1284-7)
Association for the Science of Creative
Intelligence, 18th floor, Rajpark Building, Sukhumvit Soi
21, (Tel: 258-3257)
Young Buddhist Association of Thailand,
58/8 Soi 54 (Soi Thipniyom 2), Phetkasem Road, Phasi Charoen,
(Tel: 413-1706)
House of Dhamma, 26/9 Latphrao Soi 15
(Soi Chomphon), (Tel: 511-0439)
Thai
Traditional Massage
This therapeutic and highly soothing form of massage purportedly
evolved from rishis (forest-dwelling Brahmin hermit asetics) who
relieved the physical stress of extended periods of meditation
by adopting certain postures. Wat Pho is the best known center
for massages and massage tuition. Call 221-2974 for more
information. |
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