THAILAND UNIVERSITIES

Adjoining the National Museum is Thammasat University, a very prestigious campus. The site was once a part of the Prince Successor Palace compound.

Opposite the Prince Successor Palace, across a small road,i sWat Mahathat, which means "The Great Relic Monastery". The temple also houses the Mahachulalongkorn Buddhist University, one of the two highest seats of Buddhist learning in the country.

Another university in the area, opposite Wat Phra Kaeo, is Silpakorn University (University of Fine Arts). This area earlier had three palaces where the king's relatives resided until the fifth reign (1868-1910).

Trok Petch, behind Silpakorn University, turns into an "Artists' Street" every weekend afternon, with art students displaying and selling their art and craft works, while art activities such as painting classes are held.

Going further along the same route, there is the Ratchaworadit Royal Pier and Ratchakit Winitchai Throne Pavilion which are exclusively used for royal ceremonies. The pavilion is the only one remaining of four similar structures that were built in the mid-19th century.