Historic sights in Bangkok
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A
Thanon Maharat
The northern stretch of this street is one of Bangkok’s most interesting. On the opposite side of Wat Mahathat’s whitewashed walls, the street is monopolised by ancient Thai industries: herbal apothecaries and amulet dealers. In the cool season, medicinal bowls of ginger-infused broth are sold from steaming cauldrons to stave off winter colds (yes, seriously!). Outdoor displays of pill bottles are lined up and dusted daily like prized antiques. Each remedy bears a picture of a stoic healer, a marketing pitch that puts a human face on the medicine. Further along, the amulet market (đalàht prá krêuang) spills out of its medieval warren into the street, forcing pedes…
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B
Sanam Luang
On a hot day, Sanam Luang (Royal Field) is far from charming – a shadeless expanse of dying grass and concrete pavement ringed by flocks of pigeons and homeless people. Despite its shabby appearance, it has been at the centre of both royal ceremony and political upheaval since Bangkok was founded. Indeed, many of the colour-coded protests you’ve probably seen on TV in recent years have been held here.
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C
Thammasat University
The emergence of white-and-black uniforms is a clue that you are approaching Thammasat University, known for its law and political science departments. The campus was also the site of the bloody October 1976 prodemocracy demonstrations, when Thai students were killed or wounded by the military.
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