ท่องเที่ยวไทย |THAILAND TRAVEL GUIDE Part 3

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• published: 01 May 2015
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ท่องเที่ยวไทย |THAILAND TRAVEL GUIDE Part 3 ถนนข้าวสาร [Khaosan Road], อนุสาวรีย์ประชาธิปไตย [Democracy Monument] and China town. ถนนข้าวสาร [Khaosan Road] Khaosan Road or Khao San Road is a short street in central Bangkok, Thailand. It is in the Banglamphu area of (Phra Nakhon district) about 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) north of the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew. "Khaosan" translates as "milled rice", a reminder that in former times the street was a major Bangkok rice market. In the last 20 years, however, Khaosan Road has developed into a world famous "backpacker ghetto". It offers cheap accommodation, ranging from "mattress in a box" style hotels to reasonably priced 3-star hotels. In an essay on the backpacker culture of Khaosan Road, Susan Orlean called it "the place to disappear". Khaosan shops sell handcrafts, paintings, clothes, local fruits, pirated CDs, DVDs, a wide range of fake IDs, used books, plus many useful backpacker items. During late evening, the streets turn into bars and music is played, food hawkers sell barbecued insects, exotic snacks for tourists, and there are also locals flogging ping pong shows. There are several pubs and bars where backpackers meet to discuss their travels. The area is internationally known as a center of dancing, partying, and just prior to the traditional Thai New Year (Songkran festival) of 13-15 April, water splashing that usually turns into a huge water fight. One Thai writer has described Khaosan as "...a short road that has the longest dream in the world อนุสาวรีย์ประชาธิปไตย [Democracy Monument] Circled by perpetual swarms of traffic, the Democracy Monument on Ratchadamnoen Road is a large Western-style symbol of Thailand's adoption of democracy and liberty. Field Marshall Plaek Pibulsonggram commissioned it to commemorate the June 1932 military coup that led to the country's first democratic constitution in place of absolute rule. He intended the monument to be the equivalent of the Arc de Triomphe, its European style a symbol of a newly invigorated Bangkok complete with similar Western freedoms. Like most monuments built in a spirit of self-congratulation, however, it came to resemble propaganda more then a celebration of a remarkable democratic awakening. By the time it was built in 1939, the regime had turned autocratic, factions in the regime leading to what was in effect a military dictatorship. Since then, however, it has gained a legitimacy it once lacked, pro-democracy demonstrators using it as a rallying point in 1973, 1976 and 1992. Designed by Italian-born Thai citizen Corrado Feroci (who later adopted the Thai name Silpha Bhirasi), it's rich with symbolism relating to the constitution's birth date of June 24, 1932. In its centre is a pedestal, inside of which is a copy of the original 1932 constitution. The four surrounding wing-like structures are 24 metres high to represent the date the constitution was signed, and each one symbolises one of the four branches of the Thai armed forces that guard it. Bas relief sculptures at the base of the monument depict the armed forces both as champions of democracy and as the personification of the Thai people. China town Yaowarat Road in Samphanthawong district is home to Bangkok's Chinatown, which is centred on Sam Pheng Lane. Chinatown's Sam Pheng Market is an old business centre noted for a post-WW II visit by the young king Ananda Mahidol. Modern Chinatown now covers a large area around Yaowarat and Charoen Krung Road. There are many small streets and alleys full of shops and vendors selling all types of goods. It has been the main centre for trading by the Chinese community since they moved from their old site some 200 years ago to make way for the construction of Wat Phra Kaew, the Grand Palace. Nearby is the Phahurat or Indian market, and the area is bordered by the Chao Phraya River to the south. Yaowarat Road is also well known for its sheer variety of food, and at night turns into a large "food street" that draws tourists and locals from all over the city.