4 Best Sights in Silom and Bang Rak, Bangkok

The Thai Red Cross established this unusual and fascinating snake farm and toxicology research institute in 1923, and it is well worth a visit. Venom from cobras, pit vipers, and some of the other 56 types of deadly snakes found in Thailand is collected and used to make antidotes for snakebite victims. Venom extraction takes place on weekday mornings at 11. The snake handling show and photo op is at 2:30 on weekdays and 11 on weekends and holidays. 

Former Prime Minister Kukrit Pramoj's house reflects his long, influential life. After founding Siam Rath newspaper in 1950 and writing several novels, he served as prime minister in 1975 and 1976. (Perhaps he practiced for that role 12 years earlier, when he appeared with Marlon Brando as a fictional Southeast Asian prime minister in The Ugly American.) He died in 1995, and much of his living quarters—five interconnected teak houses—has been preserved. Throughout his life, Kukrit was dedicated to preserving Thai culture, and his house and grounds are monuments to a bygone era; the place is full of Thai and Khmer art and period furniture. The landscaped garden with its Khmer stonework is also a highlight. It took Pramoj 30 years to build the house, so it's no wonder that you can spend the better part of a day wandering around.

Two lakes enhance this popular park, the oldest and largest in the center of the city. Expect to see children feeding bread to the turtles, aerobics and tai chi classes, and teenagers paddling boats. During the dry season (from December to February), the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra usually runs the free "Concert in the Park" series, which starts at 5:30 pm each Sunday. 

This gallery features works by Chinese artists, including contemporary oil and watercolor paintings and ceramic sculptures.