Victory Monument, Phaya Thai Palace, Suan Pakkad Palace Museum and King Power Down Town Complex

In this blog, I will take you to Victory Monument, Phaya Thai Palace, Suan Pakkad Museum, and King Power Downtown Complex. These attractions are located in Rathathewi District.

Victory Monument

Dedicated to military, police, and civilians who lost their lives in the Siam-French Indochina border conflict, it was officially opened on 24th June 1942. The site formerly known as ‘Sanam Pao intersection’, now is an important transport hub served by bus lines, elevated train, and van services around the clock. There are numerous shops and stalls in this area.

Victory MonumentPhoto credit: nawit

Noodle boat restaurant at Victory MonumentPhoto credit: EDT Guide

Suan Santiphap near Victory MonumentPhoto credit: EDT Guide

Suan Santiphap (Public park) and Soi Phranang Library are also located nearby. Boat Noodle or “Kuay Tiao Ruea” is the Victory Monument area’s famous dish. The recommended noodle stall is in the Fashion Mall’s section, which has been selling noodles for decades. The noodle is served in a small bowl with meat and thick soup, and always eaten with fried pork skin and fried wonton dough. In the past, boats served as floating noodle stalls. Nowadays boats are often kept in the noodle stalls as a symbol. The Victory Monument is located on Phahonyothin Road.

Phaya Thai Palace (Phra Ratcha Wang Phaya Thai)

Nearby also you can visit Phaya Thai Palace which is open only on every Saturday with two guided tours at 9.30 am and 1.30 pm. The palace was constructed on Rama V’s reign but had served as Royal Residence for a short time. Under Rama VI’s reign, it was Queen Saovabha Phongsri of Rama V’s residence untill her death.

Phaya Thai Palace close to Victory MonumentPhoto credit: wikipedia.org

Later, the palace was converted to serve many proposes such as hotel, radio station, and military hospital which is now Phra Mongkutklao College of Medicine. The palace was built in Romanesque-Gothic architecture.

Phaya Thai PalacePhoto credit: wikipedia.org

The five remaining mansions in the palace are Waikun Thepsathan, Phiman Chakri, Si Sutthaniwat, Thewarat Sapharomm, and Udom Wanaphon. Phiman Chakri is the most outstanding mansion due to its towers and spires, and frescoes in its interior. Currently, PhimanChakri is converted to Cafe Norasingh. Phaya Thai Palace is in Phramongkutklao Hospital.

Cafe in Phaya Thai PalacePhoto credit: mthai food

Suan Pakkad Palace Museum

Suan Pakkad Palace Museum is another offbeat museum that is less visited by tourists but full of history and ancient artifacts. You can read more about the museum in our Bangkok Museum blog.

King Power Down Town Complex

If you are looking for a plcace to shop, why not consider King Power Down Town Complex for tax-free shopping. Not far from the above mentioned attractions, you can get away from Bangkok heat in the afternoon by visiting the King Power Down Town Complex.

King Power Down Town ComplexPhoto credit: kingpower.com/

King Power Down Town ComplexPhoto credit: prachachat.net/

The complex is a world class duty-free shopping site. All the luxurious brand-name fashion, cosmetics and perfumes, liquors and tobacco, wine, souvenirs and handicrafts are available. The ultra-modern architecture of the complex is emphasized by the 20-metre high glass dome at the entrance hall, which is the shopping mall’s symbol.

“Aksara Theatre”, a modern horse-shoe shaped theatre with seating capacity of six hundred is also located on the complex site. The theatre is adorned with Thai and Baroque art. The stage is designed to meet the world class theatre standard for spectators’ greatest experience. The theatre can accommodate seminars, plays, concerts, press conferences, film shooting, musicals, fashion shows, etc.

King Power Down Town ComplexPhoto credit: story.kingpower.com/

Moreover, it is the venue of the Aksara Puppet play, a modernized version of the Thai traditional puppet play. King Power Down Town Complex is located on Rang Nam Rd. For more info about the complex and the shows, you can check out its website at kingpower.com

These Bangkok attractions are not mainsteam; thus, you won’t find any tour operators offering tours visiting these places. If you are interested in visiting the attractions, you can check out Explorenique’s Private and Custom Tour. You can customize your own itinerary making it an unique experience for you