Bangkok 220th Anniversary Celebrations

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Schedule : Throughout 2002

Venue : Rattanakosin Island, Bangkok

Origin :
Rattanakosin Island is like the historical origin of Bangkok. The area ideally expresses the identity of Thai arts. It is related to the history of the founding of the city in 1782. The island offers a variety of Thai culture, lifestyles and culture along historical sites, the Grand Palace, temples, and important buildings noted for their value in arts and architecture from different eras from early, middle and present Rattanakosin periods.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is aware of the value of Thai heritage that should be rooted in the consciousness of Thai people. Tourism in the Rattanakosin Island area should be promoted so that it is permanent and sustainable for later generations to enjoy. If this is done, then Bangkok would truly become "Bangkok, City of Angels." In 2002, to celebrate the city's 220th anniversary, TAT is proposing the Rattanakosin Island Tourism Project that will make create permanent and sustainable tourism in this tourist destination.

Activities :
1. Post news television dramas (15-30 episodes)
The dramas tell the story of the 220th anniversary celebrations by presenting events in the Rattanakosin era and culminating in the event of 5 April 2002 (when Bangkok turns 220).

2. Musical fountain (opening ceremony of the 220th anniversary celebrations) and the 3rd Chao Phraya River Festival
Performances by a large symphony orchestra in combination with Thai music, with fountains and Thai fireworks as background and other show segments that relate the history, beauty and grandeur. The shows are on 14 February 2002. The 3rd Chao Phraya River Festival light and sound show of "Tales of the Capital" are held during 15-28 February 2002 at Ratchaworadit Pier.

3. Performances of International Ramayana or the Ramakian Thai mask play at the National Theater
Shows are from 5 countries: India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Singapore, and Thailand. They are shown in June 2002.

4. Temple and community festivals Around Rattanakosin Island, such as

4.1	Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchaworamaha Wihan
4.2	Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Ratchaworamaha Wihan
4.3	Wat Saket Ratchaworamaha Wihan
4.4	Wat Ratchanaddaram Worawihan
4.5	Wat Bowon Niwet Wihan Ratchaworamaha Wihan
4.6	Wat Maha That Yuwarat Rangsarit Ratchaworamaha Wihan
4.7	Wat Suthat Thep Wararam Ratchaworamaha Wihan
4.8	Wat Rakhang Kositaram Woramaha Wihan
4.9	Wat Intharawihan
4.10	Wat Benchamabophit Dusit Wanaram

5. Promotion and support of existing festivals so they are have the quality and color to captivate general tourists. Events already organized by communities and offices include the following:

5.1	New Year's Eve and New Year's Day (Sanam Luang-Ratchadamri Road-Ratchaprasong) / December 2001-January 2002
5.2	Chinese New Year Festival (Yaowarat) / February 2002
5.3	Thai Sports and Kites Festival (Sanam Luang) / March 2002
5.4	Chakri Day 6 April (King Rama I Monument) / April 2002
5.5	Songkran Festival (Khao San Road-Bang Lamphu-Sanam Luang-Wat Maha That-Wat Pho) / April 2002
5.6	Royal Ploughing Ceremony (Sanam Luang) / May 2002
5.7	Thai Boxing Festival (Ratchadamnoen Boxing Stadium) / June 2002
5.8	Thailand Grand Sale (Bangkok department stores) / June 2002
5.9	Candle procession (Wat Pho) / July 2002
5.10	National Mother's Day 12 August (Ratchadamnoen Road) / August 2002
5.11	Thai National Museum Day / September 2002
5.12	Chulalongkorn Day (King Rama V Monument) / October 2002
5.13	Halloween on Khao San Road (Khao San community) / October 2002
5.14	Loi Krathong Festival (Bang Lamphu-Phra Sumen Fort-old city canal and moat or Khlong Lot) / November 2002
5.15	Thailand Tourism Festival (Bangkok) / 1-10 November 2002
5.16	Trooping of the Colors (King Rama V Monument) / December 2002
5.17	National Father's Day 5 December (Ratchadamnoen Road+Sanam Luang+Maha Chetsada Bodin Royal Pavilion+Yaowarat) / December 2002
5.18	King Taksin the Great Day (King Taksin the Great Monument-Lat Ya Road) / December 2002

Nearby Tourist Spots :
- Maha Phrom Shrine, Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel (Pathumwan).
- Jim Thompson's House (Pathumwan),
	the Thai-style house of Jim Thompson, the Thai silk industry pioneer.
- Narayanaphand (Pathumwan),
	Thailand's largest handicrafts sales center.
- Snake Farm of the Thai Red Cross Society (Pathumwan)
	where serums are extracted from a variety of poisonous snakes.
- Museum of Photography Technology (Chulalongkorn University, Pathumwan)
	is the first museum of its kind in Thailand and in Asia. It exhibits the history of photography equipment and advances in electronic photography.
- Benchasiri Park (Khlong Toei)
	has a life-size standing sculpture of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit made of commemorative coins. The front part is a pool with a fountain. There are also contemporary sculptures around the park. The central part is a forest park.
- Wichai Prasit Fort (Bangkok Yai)
	was formerly called Wichaiyen Fort or Bangkok Fort. It was built in the time of King Narai the Great.
- The old palace (Bangkok Yai)
	was built in the time of King Taksin the Great. Later King Rama V gave the land to build the Naval Academy. It is currently the location of the Royal Thai Navy Headquarters.
- Wat Khruawan Worawihan (Bangkok Yai)
	is an ancient temple from the Ayutthaya period.
- Wat Moli Lokayaram Ratchaworawihan (Bangkok Yai)
	was the school where King Rama II studied.
- The Royal Barge Museum (Bangkok Noi)
	displays royal barges, artifacts and tools used in royal water ceremonies.
- Sirirat Museum (Bangkok Noi)
	collects a great deal of information, knowledge and examples of medical studies.
- Wat Rakhang Kositaram Woramaha Wihan (Bangkok Noi)
	was built in the Ayutthaya period. King Taksin the Great organized a grand council for the purpose of revising the Buddhist scripture that was taken from Nakhon Si Thammarat.

For more information, contact :
- Tourism Authority of Thailand.
	Tel. (02) 6941222 ext. 1972, fax (02) 6941384
- Bangkok Tourism Promotion Center.
	Tel. (02) 2257612-5