-

Ratchathewi

Ratchathewi is a district in central Bangkok. Located just north of Siam Square area, the neighborhood is well served by BTS Sukhumvit Line and ARL City Line. Another fun and cheap way to move around, is to use the Khlong Saen Saep's boat service, the Bangkok's main canal that runs along all district. Ratchathewi district hosts the Victory Monument and the Baiyoke Towers, two of Bangkok's most famous landmarks, as well as the well-known Pratunam shopping area. Surrounded by a giant roundabout, the Victory Monument is one of the landmark and major traffic intersection of Bangkok. The monument was built to honor the 59 soldiers who died in the French-Thai War. Inaugurated on June 1942, it was constructed with a shape that reproduces five bayonets joined together and five statues around its base representing army, navy, air force, police, and civilian bureaucracy. The nearby Skytrain station is linked to all four corners of the roundabout by a skybridge, which allows a great view of central statue. Baiyoke Tower, with 43 floors and 51 meters high, and Baiyoke Tower 2, with 85 floors and 304 meters high, are two skyscrapers that stand up in the Bangkok's skyline. Opened in 1997 as Thailand’s tallest building, the Baiyoke Tower 2 has lost its leadership in August 2016, when was opened the MahaNakhon skyscraper, however, it still is the tallest hotel in Southeast Asia and the seventh-tallest all-hotel structure in the world. The Roof Top Bar located on its 83rd floor is one of Bangkok’s most exclusive after-dark venues, a sophisticated ambience and a fabulous setting that allows you to enjoy a 360° stunning view over the capital from a dizzying height. Pratunam is one the most colourful and chaotic shopping areas of Bangkok, with plenty of fashion factory outlets, malls, street markets and bazaars that sell wholesale with cheap prices guaranteed. Located at the intersection of Ratchaprarop and Phetchaburi roads, the Pratunam Market is the biggest wholesale garment market in Thailand. It is very popular among locals and it is one of the Bangkok's major markets; here, even a tourist visiting the capital can buy clothes, T-shirts, shoes, suits, costumes and fashion accessories at wholesale prices. Platinum Fashion Mall located just on opposite side of Phetchaburi Road is specialized in wholesale fashion clothing and accessories, like an indoor version of the world-famous Chatuchak Weekend Market. Pantip Plaza is the Bangkok’s most famous IT shopping centre, or rather, of the whole Thailand. In turn, located on Phetchaburi Road, the IT mall has earned this status, because it is, undoubtedly, the best place to find new and second-hand computers and electronic accessories at bargain prices. More