The history of Wat Arun dates back to the Ayutthaya period or mid 17th century. It was formerly known as Wat Makok as it was located in the Bang Makok sub-district. The temple was later renamed to Wat Makok Nok; by Nok meaning outside. The reason for the change of name was because a temple had been constructed in the same sub-district but in the more inner part and was named Wat Makok Nai; by Nai meaning inside. 
In 1766, King Mangra of Burma wanted to expand his territory to neighboring countries and desired to dominate a trading hub of mainland Southeast Asia. War broke out and Ayutthaya fell into the hands of the Burmese in April 1767. The royal palace and religious buildings were burnt to the ground and people scattered. Not too long after, King Tak Sin had to look for a new capital site. It was decided to move to Thonburi. He arrived at Wat Arun early morning or by sunrise time and because he thought his time of arrival was the best time or an auspicious moment, he renamed the temple to Wat Jaeng, or Temple of Dawn. When King Tak Sin made Thonburi his capital and decided to built his palace on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, Wat Jaeng, which fell within the intended palace ground, was made the palace temple. This also meant that there were no resident monks in the temple. 
Asides from serving as the palace temple, Wat Jaeng once housed two important Buddha images. There were enshrined the Emerald Buddha and the Phra Bang; both of them were brought down from Vientiane in 1779 (Temple of Dawn, n.d.). However, shortly after King Rama I was in reign a new capital was found, Bangkok. The Emerald Buddha was removed and transferred to Wat Pra Kaew within the compounds of the Grand Palace in 1784. Wat Jaeng no longer served the palace temple and monks were allowed to reside in there again. 
The temple was renovated in the reign of King Rama II (1809-1824). He had the main chapel, preaching hall and other monastery buildings rebuild. In addition, he renamed the temple to Wat Arun Rajtharam. Later King Mongkut or Rama IV (1851-1868) changed the name to Wat Arun Ratchawararam as it is known today.
OPENING HOURS: It's open daily from 8.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.
ADMISSION: Admission is 30 baht for foreigners and free for Thai people.
How to get there:
Khaosan Road is located in the Banglamphu neighbourhood in Phra Nakhon district. It is about 1 km north from the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew. It is known as the Backpackers Ghetto because it has relatively cheap accommodation compared to other areas of central Bangkok. The accommodation varies from 'mattress in a box' style hostels, to full Western-standard luxury.
Many tourists use Khaosan road as their base for exploring the rest of Thailand as there are many direct coaches from the street to virtually all major tourist destinations in Thailand. In addition, many tourists will also take advantage of the abundance of relatively cheap travel agents to arrange visas and transport to surrounding countries such as Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Malaysia.
Crafts, paintings, clothes, pirated CDs, DVDs, fake educational diplomas, fake driver's licenses, food, second hand books and many other items are among the common goods traded along the road. 
Khao San Road offers one of the most diverse food selections anywhere in Bangkok. Since the street sees such a varied nationality of travelers, several ethnic foods can be found here. Street carts that line Khao San Road sell decent phat thai (fried noodles), quail eggs, roti (like a pancake), falafel, hummus, various bugs and some sell just cocktails. 
Khaosan road has in recent years also become popular among local people, especially artists and art students. The road hosts a number of pubs and bars, where people of many nationalities meet and discuss their travels. Khaosan and the streets nearby are also Bangkok's center of dancing, partying and splashing water during Song Kran Festival on April 13 to April 15. 
How to get there: - Red Bus 3, from Moh Chit (the Northern Bus Terminal) directly to Khao San Road. 7 baht, approx. 30 minutes.
- Red Bus 15 will take you from Khao San Road to Siam Square.
- Aircon Bus 511 travels right across the city from the Eastern Bus Terminal via Sukhumvit and the Democracy Monument to the Southern Bus Terminal. Warning: Regular (non-express) buses pass by Ratchdamnoen Klang Rd near Khao San, but express buses (with yellow signs) do not!
Fancy nice food and great music? Bed Supper Club has it all. It's the epitome of cool! Drop by at 8.30 pm, have a nice meal with your friends or loved ones, let the absolutely delicious food digest a little and start dancing like crazy from 10 pm to 2 am! Sounds like a great plan to me ... I've only been there a few times and I've never been disappointed!
This place is truly a designer watering hole and its unique design truly suits uptown Sukhumvit. Its building is a white 'giant cylinder'.
The interior design is absolutely gorgeous: everything is white and to spice it up a little, blue neon lights are shining everywhere, while silent movies and videos are projected onto the walls.
The bar is on one side and the dining area is on the other. And the best part of the club is its divan-beds, on which you can enjoy cocktails and fusion food just like a King. For once -- you get the ROYAL TREATMENT!
Bed Supper Club constantly changes its menu (4 course meals are ordered from a limited menu): I must say their meals are very original and super delicious! All in all, the atmosphere is absolutely cozy and once you've been there, there's not a chance you wouldn't go again.
Let me remind you this place is so great it's been listed as one of the world's greatest clubs and it's all been mentioned in coolbusinessideas.com (unless you are super super extraordinary, you won't ever be mentioned on that website!).
The place is located on 26 Sukhumvit Soi 11 in Klongteoy-Nua. Should you take the BTS, get off at Nana Station and walk towards the end of Soi 11; the place should be on your left (not recommended though: no one wants to arrive sweaty).
Reservations are required and can be made via 02-651-3537. Don't forget this club is special, so proper dress code is required - long pants for the gents and ladies keep it pretty!
Prices: Food Menu -790 Baht on weeknights and 990 Baht on Weekends.
P.S. If you don't feel like a meal, at least drop by have a drink in the bar and stick around for a while.
If you feel like you've had too much Thai food (even though it is absolutely delicious) and miss those western flavors, perhaps Original American-Style Home cooking, I recommend Great American Rib. This place serves the best American BBQ in town and if you enjoy Mexican flavors as well, Great American Rib won't let you down. The restaurant has a great outdoor serving area and with its slow jazz music playing in the background, it makes the place very cozy.
Recommended Dish:
- Great American Rib BBQ Feast
If you're going with many people (4-5), this should do. The feast consists of a full rack of ribs, a whole chicken, pork bits, pepper-coated pastrami pork tenderloin, BBQ beans, coleslaw, curly fries, potato salad, grilled corn and corn bread. Should you go in a small group, the restaurant also offers smaller portions (Half Feast). 
Recommended Side Dishes:
- Homemade Potatoe Skins
Potatoe skins filled with bacon, cheddar cheese and sour cream.
- Quesadilla
Grilled flour tortilla stuffed with cheese, Carnitas pork or smoked chicken.
- El Paso Nachos
For reservations, you can contact them via 02-6613801 or e-mail them to rsvp@greatrib.com.
