Bridges in Bangkok. In history of a country or city bridges are often regarded as off no importance, but history could have been different if these bridges where not around. Therefore we have selected a few bridges which has some history.

Saphan Charoenrat 31

Saphan Charoenrat 31 was built in 1910, in the reign of King Rama VI to commemorate his 31st birthday, this is a concrete bridge with iron bars and mortar sculptures in the shape of a tiger holding a dagger. There is an inscription of the figure '31' with the King's insignia on the bridge.

Saphan Phan Phiphop Lila

Saphan Phan Phiphop Lila or Phan Phiphop Lila bridge was built in 1906 in the reign of King Rama V from His Majesty's own fund, the name means the bridge where the king crosses. It once had beautiful rails but the bridge has been rebuilt and expanded several times, unfortunately leaving no trace of the original structure.

Asadang Road runs along the right side of the city's earliest trench, from the riverbanks of Pak Khlong Talat to the main roadway of Ratchadamnoen Klanf Road at Pah Pipop Leela Bridge. It was built under the reign of His Majesty King Chulalongkorn (King Rama V) and this extensive, busy street has a plethora of retail shop-houses that have maintained their original condition.

The shop-house buildings on Asadang Road, at the junction of Phra Pipit Road runs from the street corner along a turn to Asadang Road at Pak Khlong Talat: whilst cutting on the other isde along Phra Pipit Road towards Ban Mor junction, lie an array of two-story shop-house buildings, which were most popular during the reign of King Rama V.

The shop-house buildings are lined block after block through passing soi's and streets: the corner shop-houses are equipped with high-arched balconies and arch door with wings sloping down on both sides. The balcony columns are embellished in cavity horizontally, with window facades ornamented in cemented sculptures. Presently, most of these shop-houses sale products, particularly in the Pak Khlong Talat area.

Traditionally, during the rainy season, Buddhist monks are required to remain overnight in their monasteries. In ancient times, this requirement was to avoid unnecessary travel during the period when crops had been newly planted for fear monks might inadvertently tread on young plants.

According to Buddhist decree, monks and novices must stay overnight at a temple during the period from the waning of the moon in the eighth lunar month until the waxing of the moon in the eleventh lunar month.

Many of Thailand's world-famous beach destinations are located along the Andaman Sea. Over the last five years, one such destination that has been developing its tourism infrastructure at a rate that outruns the others is Koh Samui.

Koh Samui has long been famous for its natural beauty, its fishing villages and coconut orchards and it is without doubt that these elements are what draw many tourists to Kho Samui island. However, as more and more hotels and resorts are built in response to the increase in the number of tourists, it is inevitable that such a rate of development would impact the people of Koh Samui and their lifestyles.

Many of owners of coconut plantations have had to concede to the pressures from investors and developers, for two reasons: one was the uncertain market prices for the coconuts they planted, and second was the very attractive incentives offered to them for their land. Hence on Koh Samui today, one can see many coconut plantations disappearing, to be replaced by construction sites.

For travelers, there are tales of unfamiliar and different locales to tell. Some may be non-existent at your arrival. Instead, they could have been hidden in every overlooked nook and cranny along the way. Baan Tha Rae in Sakon Nakon Province, a tiny Catholic village that is characterized by its steep devotion to Christ, is one such place.

The old residents of Tha Rae were said to be liberated from forced labor in Vietnam and those accused of being possessed by evil spirits. Moving to Sakon Nakhon, they came under the pastoral care of a French missionary called Father Xavier Guégo. But an increased population and progressive repression from the local authorities made it necessary to find a new settlement. Soon, in a bamboo raft large enough to take both passengers and their personal effects, they set sailed with the aid of blankets and fabrics as the sail in the mast, their future left to divine intervention to take them to the 'promised' land. Finally, they landed at the other side of Nong Harn where they found a settlement known as Baan Tha Rae Christian Community.

For those who are fascinated with the brilliance of gems and jewelries, Gem and Jewelry Museum is one of national jewelry treasures, established with the mission to promote knowledge ranging from the origin, manufacturing processes, to magnificent results which could clearly reflect the value of gems.

The museum is divided into five sectors: the exhibition of origins of gems and gem mines, the exhibition of minerals and gems of various kinds, the exhibition of cutting, quality grading, the exhibition of precious metals and manufacturing procedures of gold, platinum and silver jewelries, aw well as the exhibition of diamonds, synthetic gems and imitated gems.

Wat Pathum Wanaram; a peaceful Buddhist temple in the heart of Bangkok. Commonly known among local people as 'Wat Sa Pathum', Wat Pathum Wanaram was built in 1857 during the reign of King Mongkut (Rama IV), who intended to use this temple as a resort outsite the capital in those days. The construction site was situated at the Phaya Thai field on the bank of Bang Kapi Canal. The site had been a low-lying area with stagnant water.

Chinese workers were employed to dredge two ponds in the area and connect them. The pond to the north was called Sa Nai (inner pond), which was restricted to the King and female courtiers. The other one, to the south, was called Sa Nok (outer pond), on which the King allowed officials and commoners to row their boats for pleasure. Various species of lotus, such as waterlily and Hindu lotus, were brought in to be planted in both ponds. During the rainy season, lotus in these ponds is seen in full bloom.

A royal residence and houses of royal consorts, as well as various buildings and kitchens, were constructed in the area near the ponds. Later, the King named this area Pathum Wan and called his residence here 'Sa Pathum Palace'.

Apart from eating well, one of the secrets of living longer is to have enough sleep in a suitable environment, free from pollution, and with good climatic conditions. Khao Kho, a scenic mountain in Phetchabun province, is a suitable place for a good sleep and a pleasant place to live.

Superb natural surroundings full of flora make Khao Kho free from pollution. As the wind blows through this mountain all the time, Khao Kho is known as one of the places in Thailand that enjoy good ventilation. The weather is cool all year round.

Food on Khao Kho is rich in nutritional value, since numerous vegetables and other crops are grown in abundance there, whether they are indigenous or temperate plants. Tourists may stop to buy them directly from the farm. Among popular plants in this area is sayote (a climbing plant, locally called Fak Maeo), which can be fried with or without eggs or used as a raw material to make soup. The most famous fruit here is passion fruit, which is full of vitamin C and can be made into juice. When salt and honey are added together with ice, the juice will become a tasty drink for good health, which is also believed to help slow down aging.

The Vajirathan waterfall on Doi Inthanon, formerly called 'Tat Khong Yong', Vajirathan Waterfall on Doi Inthanon in Chiang Mai province was named after His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn Mahidol. It is one of the largest and highest waterfalls in Thailand. Vajirathan is about 750 meters above sea level and 90 meters high. Opposite the waterfall is a tall cliff, called Pha Mon Kaeo, which is sometimes referred to as Pha Waen Kaeo.

Because of the gigantic size of this waterfall, the water makes a tremendous noise as it falls from the cliff, especially during the rainy season. A cloud of spray comes up from the waterfall and spreads everywhere, making the atmosphere cool and moist. The wooden bridge leading to the cliff is wet and slippery all the time. Scenic points with excellent views of the waterfall can be found from place to place on the mountain.

During the rainy season, visitors are suggested not to swim in the stream at the base of Vajirathan Waterfall because of the very strong current. Slippery stones around this area are also dangerous. If visitors want to swim, they should do so at Mae Klang or Mae Ya waterfall in this province during the dry season.

Often referred to as the market behind the Grand Palace, Tha Tian is located near Wat Phra Chetuphon (Wat Pho), on the bank of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. During the Ayutthaya Period, this area served as a pier for foreign junks to enter Thailand for trade contact, as evidenced by an amount of china-ware found nearby. The area, known as the Bangkok community, was later turned into a trade center for agricultural products, which was in operation until the Thon Buri Period.

In the early Rattanakosin Period, the Bangkok community was relocated to the adjacent area of Pak Khlong Talat, and Tha Tian became a market for salted fish and groceries and was also reserved for members of the royalty. Later, Tha Tian was razed to the ground during the reign of King Mongkut (Rama IV), who ordered the construction of a foreign court in this area. The pier nearby has facilitated the transportation of both goods and passengers.