History of Bangkok

In just over 200 years, Bangkok has grown from a small collection of villages scattered among canals and rice paddies alongside the Chao Phraya River to an enormous sprawl of a capital. Extending upward and outward to become Thailand's dominant city, Bangkok mirrors the long, continuing reign of the Chakri dynasty that founded it. The seeds of this growth were sown back in 1767 when invading Burmese armies razed the old capital of Ayutthaya tearing down temples. Those that survived, including the royal family, were carted off as slaves. Out of this chaos, a Thai general named Phraya Thaksin founded a new capital at Thonburi on the western bank of the Chao Phraya River, opposite modern Bangkok, proclaimed himself king and immediately set about recapturing much of the surrounding country. One of the few surviving legacies from this period is Wat Arun, or "Temple of the Dawn." It has since been enlarged and reconstructed, but was originally part of Thaksin's royal temple.

Following his military successes, Thaksin became more and more excessive in his behavior and was finally ousted in a coup that transferred power to another general, Chao Phraya Chakri. Chakri kicked off the modern history of Bangkok by transferring the capital from Thonburi to the eastern bank of the river, founding Bangkok in 1782 on the fortified island of Ratanakosin. Chakri refurbished many of the existing temples in the area, such as Wat Po, and built present-day tourist sites, including Wat Phra Kaew, the Grand Palace and Lak Mueang, the shrine dedicated to the guardian deity of Bangkok. The National Museum, built originally for Chakri's vizier Prince Wang Na, also dates from this period.

Under Chakri and his successors, Bangkok continued to expand, mainly because of trade. New communities such as Yaowarat (mainly Chinese traders) and Pahurat (the Indian quarter) were established, extending outward from Ratanakosin. The third king in the Chakri dynasty, Phra Nang Klao, developed a new system of royal titles, naming himself Rama III and his predecessors Rama I and Rama II. Rama III was responsible for expanding Wat Pho and Wat Arun to their present form and also initiated the aborted construction of Wat Saket, the spectacular Golden Mount Temple, completed further down the line by Rama V.

Rama IV, also known as Mongkut, is probably best known by Westerners as the ruler in The King and I and the more recent Anna and the King. Thais tend to find these interpretations offensive and growing evidence now suggests the accounts of Anna Leonowens, on which the movies were based, to be pure fiction at best. The real Rama IV was a brilliant leader who skillfully negotiated treaties with foreign powers that prevented the colonization of Thailand. Under his reign, Bangkok benefited from his trade policies with an expanded port and, for the first time, paved streets.

Rama V (also known as Chulalongkorn or "The Great King") took on the throne in 1868 at the age of 15 and continued his father's reforms, setting down the foundations for the modern Thai government as well as moving the royal palace to Dusit and building Bangkok's first railway system. The grounds of his old Chitlada Palace feature the Vimanmek Teak Mansion and the Abhisek Throne Hall, both excellent examples of royal Thai architecture. During this time, both the Victory Monument and Democracy Monument were constructed to designs by Corrado Feroci, an Italian credited with helping found Thailand's modern art movement. Rama V's long reign brought peace and stability to Thailand and his death in 1910 ushered in a period of great change. The first in a long series of coups was launched unsuccessfully in 1912 by a group of disgruntled soldiers. Another coup in 1932 by Western-educated students proved more successful, ending the absolute monarchy and replacing it with a constitutional model.

Rama VII abdicated in 1935, leaving the 10-year-old Rama VIII in his place. Power passed into the hands of Field Marshall Phibun, the first in what would prove to be a long line of military dictators. Probably one of the best examples of 1930s architecture is the Neilson Hays Library in downtown Bangkok. Phibun allied with the Japanese during World War II, sparing the capital from destruction, but lost his position of absolute power to a democratic civilian government after the war. He regained absolute power under murky circumstances surrounding the death of Rama VIII.

The current King Bhumibol (Rama IX) was crowned in 1946, and the first few decades of his reign were marked by the rise of communism in Indochina, leading to growing American military aid and a continuing succession of military dictators. The enduring legacy in Bangkok of this time are the bars of Patpong and Soi Cowboy, which catered to American soldiers on R & R from Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. Another reminder of this turbulent time is Jim Thompson's House and Museum, preserved exactly as the silk magnate left it when he disappeared mysteriously.

In 1973, massive student demonstrations forced General Thanom, the military ruler, to leave the country. A civilian government took over, but lasted only until 1976, when more student demonstrations against the return of Thanom were brutally crushed by right-wing forces fearing a communist takeover. General Prem Tinsulanonda, a moderate, took power in 1980 and is credited for leading Thailand out of this mess, granting amnesty to the communists and overseeing a period of growth and stability that turned Bangkok into the vibrant modern capital it is today.

One downturn in this trend of liberalization has been another military coup in 1991, overthrown the following year by bloody Bangkok street demonstrations. Since then, a succession of four civilian governments has seen the capital enjoy a much more stable political climate. The only other crisis of note was the 1997 Asian economic meltdown, whose legacy is still apparent in scores of unfinished condominiums and office towers.

Health and Beauty

Beauty Salon – For your convenience, we provide an on-site beauty salon where guests can receive a haircut and wash, or indulge in a pedicure or manicure. The salon also provides in-room service. Simply contact a member of our staff to make an appointment.

Salon Services	Salon	In Room
Hair Cut	300 Baht	300 Baht
Shampoo, Hair Cut and Blow Dry	150 Baht	300 Baht
Shampoo and Blow Dry	150 Baht	300 Baht
Pedicure	100 Baht	200 Baht
Manicure	100 Baht	200 Baht

* Prices displayed are set by the salon, and are subject to change without prior notice.

Massage Salon – Relax and pamper yourself at our Rehabilitation Center where we offer several types of traditional massage, available at the massage studio as well as in the patient's room. For patients staying in the VIP ward, a separate massage room is also available.

Rehabilitation Center	In Room & At Center
Thai Body Massage (1 hour)	350 Baht
Foot Massage (1 hour)	350 Baht
Therapeutic Massage (1 hour) (administered by a physical therapist)	600 Baht Outpatient 1,000 Baht Inpatient

Bangkok Hospital

Bangkok Hospital Map and Location

Owing to the construction of the Suvarnabhumi Airport Rail Link which is currently underway, it is necessary for the State Railway of Thailand to close the local roads in the area of Rama 7 Road to take effect from the end of June 2005 onwards (for a period of one to three years).

As a result, Bangkok Hospital has produced this road map showing the best routes and the roads to avoid for the convenience of all our customers.

Road map showing the entrance to Bangkok Hospital

*Bangkok Hospital Map ** Download Map *

Road map showing the exit routes from Bangkok Hospital

*Bangkok Hospital Map**Download Map*

A King Turns 80, Let the Party Begin

WHO doesn't love a birthday party, especially when there are colorful fireworks, countrywide singalongs, and everyone is invited? Thais, and any visitors to Bangkok in November through early December, are all welcome to Thailand's biggest birthday celebration of the year (and a national holiday), in honor of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, or Rama IX, who celebrates his 80th on Dec. 5.

In a country where the monarchy enjoys a reverence seldom seen in modern times, the king's birthday is always a grand event, but this year's yearlong, nationwide celebration — with a fleet of royal barges, elephant parades and countless government initiatives — promises to take the proverbial (birthday) cake.

The Treasury Department is minting nearly 25 million commemorative coins. The Fine Arts Department created a special royal emblem encrusted with 80 diamonds. The Tourism Authority of Thailand is promoting a national merit-making campaign called “80 Days of Good Works.” And to top it off, the country's first expedition to the peak of Mount Everest is scheduled this month to honor the king's 80th by planting his royal flag at the summit.

The king took over the throne in 1946 after his older brother, Rama VIII, was killed by a mysterious gunshot wound to the head, and is the longest-reigning monarch (Queen Elizabeth II comes in a distant second). But he also is perhaps the most unequivocally beloved among his people: he is the embodiment of national pride, traffic halts when his entourage drives by and taxi drivers bow to his picture as they pass his likeness.

Born in Cambridge, Mass., King Bhumibol was not raised to be a king, which may be part of his charm. His interests in sailing, photography, painting and especially music are well known. He was the first Asian composer awarded honorary membership in the Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts in Vienna, and he has jammed on saxophone with the likes of Benny Goodman and Louis Armstrong, whom he considered a friend.

Although the king doesn't hold any legislative power, he has put occasional, heated pressure on the government in instances where it needed a benign and steady hand toward democratization, especially during various military coups.

I witnessed this megawatt star power on the king's 75th birthday, when I was living in Bangkok. Along with hundreds of residents, I stood outside the Grand Palace for hours, waiting for his highness to make his annual birthday entrance from the tall palace gates along Na Phra Lan Road. Portable floodlights were erected to shine on the building that Rama I began constructing in 1782.

Finally, the sun went down, the floodlights went up and the gates opened to hushed excitement. A shiny, pale yellow Rolls Royce swept into the street, and the Thais bowed and chanted exclamations of adoration. Several wept uncontrollably.

Soon the crowd moved en masse to Sanam Luang, a park where the same ceremony is held every year. A huge portrait of the king and a movie screen towered over a large stage. Rows and rows of uniformed military stood at attention before it as the crowd quickly grew. Candles were passed out and slowly lighted until the park was a sea of flickering lights.

Then the king appeared, to thunderous applause, and gave his annual speech, summing up the greatness of the country and reminding Thais to follow their better natures. In return, the entire country, with the help of satellite links in towns all over, raised lighted candles and sang “Father of the Land” to him, a song of salute and praise. The night was capped off by what was the longest and most pyrotechnically advanced fireworks display I've ever witnessed.

On his birthday this year you can expect the same appearance at the palace, national singalong and royal speech, or as an official press release delicately put it, “A grand public audience granted by His Majesty the King.”

SOME of the big events have already come and gone, like the 80-elephant parade at Chitlada Palace, the royal residence, and the Library Boat, which spent 80 days sharing its collection of 1,500 books on King Bhumibol's history, achievements and duties to port towns across the country.

A major highlight you can still catch is the Royal Barge Procession on Nov. 5, during which the king will travel down the Chao Phraya River to present robes to the monks of Wat Arun. This rare display of ostentatious antiquity features a formal procession of four gilded and canopied vessels powered by oarsmen and adorned with multiple naga serpent heads.

If you arrive in Bangkok before that date, look for one of the nine rehearsals that will also take place on the river or visit the National Museum of Royal Barges (Arun Amarin Road, off the Chao Phraya River; 66-2-424-0004) .

In the final weeks before the king's birthday, effigies will rise around Bangkok, and the streets will be outfitted with a display of lights to rival Midtown Manhattan at Christmas, especially along Avenue Ratchadamnoen Klang, which ends at Sanam Luang. On Dec. 2 at 5 p.m. at the huge and ornate Royal Plaza (U-Thong Nai Road, across from the Dusit Zoo), there will be the annual Trooping of the Colors in honor of the king. And on the morning of Dec. 5, locals will flock to temples to make special offerings.

To catch the infectious Thai spirit of the day (and show your enthusiasm), pack a yellow shirt. The National Commission on the Celebrations has asked everyone to wear yellow shirts (the royal color) every day from Dec. 1 to 5 to demonstrate their love and respect for His Majesty.

On the big day, plant yourself at Sanam Luang. There will be plenty of street food for the crowds. During the day, the stage will be used for a free concert of Thai pop songs and jazz pieces written by the king. Around 5 p.m., make your way over to the Grand Palace to greet the king before returning to the park for candles, singing and his birthday speech.

This year, the ceremony will be televised in 176 countries, and fireworks displays will be spread out over four days: Dec. 4 at 9 p.m. from the Royal Turf Club (183 Pitsanuloke Road; 66-2-280-0020); Dec. 5 at 8 p.m. over the Chao Phraya, between Utsahakam Ring Road and the Rama IX Bridge; Dec. 6 at 9 p.m. back at the Royal Turf Club; and Dec. 8 at 7.30 p.m. at Benchakiti Park (60 New Rachadapisek Road.) A schedule of events can be found at www.80thbirthdayanniversary.go.th.

There will also be fireworks in Chiang Mai, Sukothai, Udon Thani and Phuket. If you're in one of those towns on the holiday, you'll find celebratory gatherings, candles and the king's speech on satellite TV in their main town squares.

VISITOR INFORMATION

For a birthday-centric visit to Bangkok in November or early December, you should orient yourself around the Chao Phraya River, where many events are taking place.

WHERE TO STAY

The two most deservedly famous riverside hotels are the Mandarin Oriental (48 Oriental Avenue; 66-2-659-9000, or for reservations from the United States, 800-526-6566; www.mandarin-oriental.com/bangkok; doubles from $349) and the Peninsula (333 Charoennakorn Road; 66-2-61-2888 or 866-382-8388; bangkok.peninsula.com; from $240 after October). Both offer great views and easy access to the celebrations.

Farther upstream and closer to the palace is the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel and Towers (2 Charoen Krung Road Soi 30; 66-2-266-0123 or 800-325-3535; www.sheraton.com/royalorchid; from 5,500 bahts, or $172 at 32 bahts to the dollar), highly rated for its large rooms, service and ambience.

WHERE TO EAT

The dining options along the Chao Phraya include the terrace restaurant of the Royal River Hotel (219 Soi Charansanitwong 66/1; 66-2-422-9222; www.royalrivergroup.com), which offers a great view just above the King Rama VIII Bridge.

For a more local experience, try the Silver Spoon restaurant (2/1 Krung Kasem Road; 66-2-281-2900) on the other side of the river at Thewet Pier. Ask to sit on the rustic deck overlooking the river and enjoy traditional Thai dishes with an emphasis on seafood.

Bangkok Spas and Health

A wonderful way to escape Bangkok's mad streets

Thailand enjoys a world-wide reputation for its tranquil spas and retreats. In Bangkok, the traditional arts of Thai massage, a rather vigorous but highly invigorating experience, have been combined with a series of modern, holistic treatments such as body wraps, facials and mud-baths to give a visitor to one of Bangkok’s many spas a soothing and relaxing experience; the perfect way to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.

There is a large choice of spas and retreats around Bangkok, which range from the brief but refreshing short-stop treatment to the complete and utter luxury of a full day’s pampering. Most of the high-end hotels such as the Oriental, Holiday Inn, Dusit and the Marriot all contain their own in-house spas. Also, there are a number of world-class private spas dotted around the city, the most notable of these being the Mandara and Aspara Spas.

A perfect blend of ancient Eastern traditional treatments with the more modern, Western approach, these spas in Bangkok are simply wonderful. All the stresses and strains of modern life will be scrubbed, massaged and cleaned away, leaving you feeling like a new person.

The Oasis Spa this is a brand new facility opened by this popular Northern Thailand chain, who have an excellent track record in managing professional spas. They offer a large range of treatments to suit all budgets, including ayurveda, aromatherapy and traditional Thai practices in a lovely environment off Sukhumwit road. 64 Soi Swaddee Sukhumvit 31, Phrakanong, Bangkok 10100, Tel: 02 262 2122.

The Ananda Spa located next to the President Solitaire Serviced Apartments on Sukhumvit lane 11 allows guests to escape the busy streets of Bangkok and enter another world. The spa has a number of private rooms which all contain Jacuzzis, showers and relaxation areas. The spa offers a huge range of spa treatments at competitive prices, Sukhumvit Soi 11, Tel: 02 255 7200, Fax: 02 253 2330.

The Divana Spa a notable name in Bangkok spas treatment, has recently opened a new spa and wellbeing centre called ‘DVN’ on Sukhumwit lane 35, opposite the Emporium Department Store and very close to the Prmophong BTS Station. Placed in a two-storey Thai house and surrounded by lush tropical gardens, the centre contains nine private couple rooms and 17 treatment beds. Each room has its own design and theme. The spa offers a wide range of treatments all designed to relieve stress and relax visitors, 7 Sukhumvit 25, North Klongtoey, Wattana, Bangkok 10110, Tel: 02 661 6784-5, Fax: 02 661 6028, contact@divanaspa.com

Treat yourself to a spa makeover for a very affordable pampering

The Mandara brand is a well-known name to spa users. Their unique blend of Eastern and Western techniques is sure to soothe even the most stressed out of visitors. The Mandara Spas ’ signature treatment is performed by two therapists working together in perfect harmony for the ultimate massage. Mandara Marriott Resort & Spa: 257/1-3 Charoen Nakhon Rd, (tel: +66 (02)...). The Royal Orchid Mandara Spa at the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers: 2 Captain Bush Lane New Road, Siphaya, Bangkok 10500, Tel: 02 266 0123, Fax: 02 639 5478, Hours of Operation: 10a.m.-10p.m., ms_shro@minornet.com.

The Orientist Spas is a unique and exclusive place where visitors can truly relax and escape the stress and strain of modern life. The Spa uses traditional Thai herbs and techniques to give visitors the full benefit of thousands of years’ experience. The Orientist Spa has three branches: Ari Branch: 69 Phaholyothin Rd., Soi 6, Samsennai, Phayathai, , Bangkok 10400, Tel: 02 278 2240-1, Fax: 02 278 2270, Ladprao Branch: 1111/148 Baan Klang Muang (Ratchada-Lad Prao), Lad Prao Rd., Chantarakasem, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Tel: 02 ..., Fax: 02 513 7604, Central World Branch: 6th Fl. Asian Senses (Dazzle Zone) Central World Shopping Complex, Rajdamri Rd., Patumwan, Bangkok 10330, Tel: 02 613 1577-8, Fax: 02 613 1579, info@theorientistspa.com

Spa I Am is a haven of peace and relaxation within the heart of bustling Bangkok. Its 26 private rooms are all fitted out with Jacuzzis, saunas and steam rooms. There is a beauty salon on hand to ensure you look as good as you feel. Spa I Am is based on 88 Soi Ladprao 18, Ladprao Rd., Ladyao, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Tel: 02 ..., 938 4885, Fax: 02 938 4954,

Another popular form of cleansing that has taken root in Bangkok over the past few years is detoxification. Always popular in the East, but now being practised by health-nuts and party-goers alike, these techniques aim to rid the body of toxins over a relatively short period.

Rasayana Retreat and Hydro Health: 57 Soi Prom-mitr,
Sukhumvit 39, Klonton-nua, Wattana 10110, Tel: 02 662 4803-5, Fax: 02 662 4799, info@rasayanaretreat.com offer a selection of different programmes that range from one day to a month.

As advantageous as all the luxury and tranquility of these spas and retreats are, a visitor to Bangkok should not neglect the more rustic and down to earth relaxation on offer on the streets of Bangkok. There are often small and friendly massage venues dotted around, which offer one or two hours of massage for a very small fee. Also, exercise and relaxation can easily be found in Bangkok’s parks and temples.

If you cannot make it to the Bangkok spas there are plenty more provided in the beach resorts as well as Chiang Mai which has an abundance of good value spas.

Credit : http://www.1stopbangkok.com/hospitality/spas/