The Oriental Hotel Bangkok, is a hotel steeped in the tradition of the literary giants of the 20th century, where the guest list reads like an international Who's Who. How did all this start and who were the people who contributed to the legacy of the Oriental Bangkok?

The second stop in our tour of Bangkok legacies is further away from the river. In downtown Bangkok, in a busy junction stands a shrine that draws hundreds of devotees everyday. Thais and foreigners alike pray at this shrine to seek their blessings at the Erawan Shrine.


The famous shrine

Less than a hundred metres away stands the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel, another luxury hotel in Bangkok. Is the "Erawan" name in the hotel just coincidence, proximity or is there more to the Erawan legend? Find out more about this in Tour Bangkok Legacies.

In bustling downtown Bangkok, tucked away in two quiet sois (lanes) are the houses of two legendary figures who left their legacies in Bangkok, houses crafted in traditional Thai architecture and preserved for posterity.

One of these houses belonged to a former Prime Minister of Thailand, statesman, scholar, actor and writer.


Legacy of a former statesman

The other belonged to a man with the vision to launch the famous Thai silk industry into the fashion capitals of the world.


Home of the legendary Thai silk king

Both these houses are open to the public on a tour of Bangkok legacies.

Trace the lives of the early Chinese immigrants to Bangkok and tour their cultural legacies in Yaowaraj, the Chinatown in Bangkok. In the heart of Chinatown, is an obscure soi (lane) where a doctor, who was to change the course of Chinese history, stayed on his visit to the overseas Chinese in Bangkok.


The archway over the soi

In 2004, during the Lunar New Year festival, the soi was named in his honour, leaving another landmark in Tour Bangkok Legacies.

Break away from the stereotyped view of Bangkok and tour Bangkok from a different perspective. Tour Bangkok legacies for an enriching journey through history for the first or the next time you travel to Thailand.

Let's start our journey through Tour Bangkok Legacies. Back in 1888, Konrad Korzeniowski sailed up the Chao Phraya River. Who??? Read on.

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About Bangkok legacies - my Bangkok story About Bangkok legacies relates the series of events that motivated the building of this website Tour Bangkok Legacies and how the website was built. It's my version of "About this site".

Bangkok Legacies blog The Bangkok Legacies blog keeps visitors informed on updates, news, events and festivals involving the people and places that have left their mark in the historical landscape of Bangkok.

Bangkok hotels – online bookings for the best hotels deals Bangkok hotels listed here are a full range of 4 - 5 star hotels, airport hotels, boutique hotels and cheap hotels to give you some of the best discount rates available in Bangkok.

Home of M R Kukrit – a legacy of Thailand's famous son The Home of M R Kukrit Pramoj in Bangkok is a legacy of traditional Thai architecture, history and art, preserving life in a bygone era for posterity.

The Jim Thompson House – a treasure house of antiques The Jim Thompson House in Bangkok is a legacy of traditional Thai architecture and a repository of antiques, old paintings and pottery.

The Royal Barge Museum – the legacy of Kings The Royal Barge Museum is a treasure house of some of the finest products of Thai craftsmanship, a tradition that dates back to the 13th century.

Chinatown Bangkok – Yaowarat, the Chinese legacy Yaowarat or Chinatown Bangkok is as old as Bangkok. The Chinese immigrants settled here during the reign of King Rama I and turn it into a bustling town with some unusual historical landmarks.

The Democracy Monument – the silent sentinel of freedom The Democracy Monument, Bangkok is the monument to the watershed in Thai political history on 24 June 1932 and witness to the tragedies on 14 October 1973 and 06 October 1976.

Corrado Feroci – the Italian legacy in Bangkok Corrado Feroci, an Italian artist and sculptor who settled in Bangkok, has created 18 monuments in Thailand of which 9 are in Bangkok.

Italian architects in Bangkok – monuments to their artistry Italian architects in Bangkok, Annibale Rigotti and Mario Tamagno have left magnificent landmarks in the city, a throne hall, two palaces, a library, a church and Government House.

Dusit Garden – the Palaces in the Celestial Garden Dusit Garden is the legacy of a vision by King Rama V in 1897, to build a royal palace complex that is unsurpassed in grandeur and beauty.

Rattanakosin – growth of old Bangkok and dawn of a new era Rattanakosin or Bangkok, the new capital established by King Rama I in 1782, was the birth of a new era under the reign of the Chakri kings who have ruled Thailand till today.

Bangkok forts – the citadels of Rattanakosin The Bangkok forts along the Chao Phraya River and defensive canal rings protected the old city when Bangkok was first established as the capital in 1782. What remains of these Bangkok legacies today?

Bangkok Museums – a rich tapestry of Thai history and culture Bangkok museums embody the history and culture of Thailand with numerous museums reflecting the different aspects of people and life in a bygone era.

Bangkok temples – the seat of spiritual strength Bangkok temples have a very special place in Thai history and culture, the Temple of Dawn, Emerald Buddha, Golden Mount. What were their origins?

Bangkok churches – religious harmony in the land of temples Bangkok churches like Santa Cruz, Holy Rosary, Immaculate Conception and Assumption Cathedral are steeped in the history of religious tolerance in Thailand where Christians are a mere 1%.

Bangkok Shrines – the legends and faiths of centuries Bangkok Shrines are dedicated to a rich variety of centuries old Hindu and Chinese gods and goddesses, a legacy of the early Indian Buddhist scholars and Chinese immigrants.

Bangkok Communities – a cultural melting pot Bangkok communities are a rich diversity of various ethnic groups living and working in harmony, providing yet another fascinating facet in a tour of Bangkok legacies.

Traditional Thai art – preserving a cultural heritage Traditional Thai art and handicraft skills have been preserved for generations within communities. Some of these have survived; others are going extinct. What has been done to preserve these skills?

River cruise in Bangkok – sightseeing on the Chao Phraya River A river cruise in Bangkok on the Chao Phraya River gives fascinating insights into life on this river of kings. The historical monuments and communities present a picture of stark contrasts.

The Bangkok skytrain and subway – tour Bangkok from a different angle The Bangkok skytrain and subway provide 40 km of mass rapid transit tracks, that's integrated with other land and water transport, for a fast and convenient Bangkok tour.

Bangkok maps – city maps for a tour of Bangkok legacies Bangkok maps provide scaled Bangkok city maps on the location of Bangkok legacies, the historical district, hotels in Bangkok, skytrain and subway routes to help the independent traveler.

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Dusit Thani Hotel – the city in the fourth heaven Dusit Thani Hotel Bangkok heads the list of 5 star hotels in Silom, an area rich in history and regal traditions. The name Dusit Thani has a celestial allure that adds to the magic and charm.

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