22.10.015

Sawaddee krab

With my free days, with things are around me, with my backpack and my passion, with a small budget within three digits would be enough....

Many Thais might think Bangkok neighborhood is very boring but not for me as a Thai person, Bangkok is still a surprise for me.

To prove what I am saying, I will carry my camera and walk to every corner, boating to some piers and explore the area along the river to find out Bangkok's charming, which most Thais are still missing.

This trip is a two days trip, overnight at my apartment in Soi Suanplu 6

The first day (today) starting from walking to BST Sala Daeng Station to Sathorn pier then get off at Marine Department Express Boat Pier (Krom Chao Tha)

The first day (today) starting from walking to BST Sala Daeng Station to Sathorn pier then get off at Krom Chao Tha pier, walking around and get a boat at Ratchawong pier to Tha Tien to walk in the area until reaching Maharaj pier, where I take the boat back to Sathorn boat station then walking back to my home.

The second day, get the boat at Sathorn pier again, boating directly to Tha Phra Athit (Khao San Road), walking a cycle and get in the boat at the same pier back to Sathorn.

I will start telling you my "walking trip" from Suanplu, my first exploring step until last step, where I walk, what I see and where I eat. Easy saying is very thing I have done on my journey.

And I hope my review will inspire you, Thais, to have more interest to explore our own home sooner or later

I guarantee this is what we should never let it go...

This is the story from my own experiences, which I am very happy to share and it has nothing to do with commercial activities....

There is a lot to tell you about, let me start,,, my first step from Suanplu is already very interesting...I start my walking without nothing in my stomach except a cup of instant coffee....

At the beginning of the Soi is stewed pork leg food stall, which I always have my lunch here. I personally think it's a good place but perhaps it's nothing special for you. Anyway this place feeds many employees in Sathorn business district...I like the chairs color looks very nice and well ordered hahaha...

It is right beside Shall gas station and opposite from Baan Khanitha restaurant, if you happen to pass here why not allow yourself a trial...

I walk pass the place then turn left pass Baan Khanitha to cross over Sathorn road, a little exercise in early morning :) This will be my excuses not to go to gym in the evening...

After crossing the over bridge, heading to Soi Convent then keep walking until reaching Silom road, turn right at the seven eleven. There we go Sala Daeng BTS station....

Go to Saphan Taksin is 28 Bath,, quite pricy ....

Get on the train on Bang Wa direction, other direction is to MBK don't go...!!

Ok!! I missed the train.. taking photo to much.. But no worry even no time schedule here but the train comes very often,,I won't wait for long...

Arriving at Saphan Taksin Station, get off the train and turn my head around, there is Bangkok ghost tower! scary! I am thinking that I used to pass this station for years but never made it to Wat Yannawa, which is just right next to the station..what to do,,so I convince myself to make a visit this time....

The first step I step in "OMG" I thought it's nothing so special in this temple but no no no !!! I was wrong. The temple has a long story and very old... It is what I have never ever expected from this temple.... see I am a Thai person...surprise!!

This picture I took as I was on the BTS station

Get out from the BTS at exit 4, I walk pass a small park and turn right to the temple..you should not get lost here :) it's very easy...

This is the entrance to the temple, it's very beautiful and messy with hundred of cables....I have no idea how does it work here, but this is why Bangkok is always a surprise.....

Walking not far from the BTS, get through the park and the temple's entrance is on your right..The ghost tower is opposite the temple, I really want to go up there but the owner is very strict, it's not allowed to go up there any more... otherwise I would...

A few step getting into the temple, turn left is a pavilion with Buddha statues, we call Luang Pho Tan Jai, let me pray to him firstly....

Look up to the sky!! see a lot of contrast between Thai ancient architecture and modern buildings

Be hind is the ghost tower, which has the same design as the State Tower

And far a way, there is The River, Exclusive condominium on Chao Phraya River..

Continuing walking inside to the king Rama 3 statue and this is even more wonder to me, why I have never been here before. This place is very interesting, so I need to find out more...why there are pagodas on the boat? What is that boat for?,, I must find out why....

Under the statue has some explanation

The boat is actually built to be a symbol of a commercial ship, which used to transport crop and goods. The king Rama 3 has forecast that this model will be gone in the future when the city is more developed, so he ordered to build this ship and two pagodas on it instead of the masts and it is called Ship Pagoda or Sum Pao Chedi. This is the only boat Chedi in Thailand and this ship is no longer exist...

This is the entrance going up to the ship, right here you can get flowers to pray to pagodas and sample of Buddha foot print...

The view up there is very impressive even it's not that high but still...

If you look to other side of the ship to the Chao Phraya river, you will see a very old Ubosot of Yannawa temple, which is built in Ayutthaya age. It has been restoring a number of times and rebuilt a couple of times because of it's age and war damage. Not easy to keep a complete form until today for us to be proud of....

It is too beautiful I have no word to describe what's in front of me. I just have to stand and staring at it, try to feel it and keep it in my heart..

Not long ago they have built a roof to cover it in order to reduce sun and rain damage

Because it's old makes it so charming and touching my feeling...

The main Buddha statue in the Ubosot is also very beautiful, name is Pra Budtha Patima with his round face and halo of his kindness

All works are very detailing, not every one can do the same, even when I look at it I don't only look but also feel it deeply, otherwise I will get only what is presenting in front of me not the details of art work at all...

Just taking photo around..

As I walk out from the gate, there's a Tuk Tuk taxi park in front of the Ubosot, which is completing the frame and my photo is more exciting..

In front of the king Rama 3 statue is a Gua Yin pavilion, just drop by quickly to pray...

Well.....I feel that I have a good starting of the day. Without planing and not excepting anything is no disappointing. What I bring with me is only my desire and I am very happy so....After spending quite sometime in the temple I still could not find out every important highlight here, for more detail will be in my future review on " 9 Temples", it's coming soon....

I left the temple by walking back to the entrance gate and turned left, passing this food stall is making me hungry "Bai Chun" food stall, which is on Charoen Krun road, about 100 meters from the temple. If you guys want to eat here may be you won't find it because the shop is mobility :) it can move to elsewhere. I won't eat here, still not that hungry....but at least let's have a look what do they have here...

Grills!!!

Oh wow!! with this small kitchen you pretty much can have all Esan menus (Northeastern), salad styles and grills! this place shouldn't be disappointed because from it's look can tell it's original quality...I am sure...

Or continue walking until under the Taksin bridge, there is kind of local food court,, see my pictures...

No No I am not eating yet....continue my walking to Sathorn Boat station, taking some pictures on the way, it;s really enjoy able with easy going and some smell from polluted water on the way..hahaha.. it's Bangkok .

Red car station, they are also public transportation with, 7 bath for the whole line..

Back side of Shangri-la Hotel

Just some pictures on the way...

Here we go!! Sathorn Boat station at the ticket booth. Here are many of informative persons, which you have to pick a right one because often time they are very aggressive from their hard working day, I get how they feel to deal with many tourists in a day but it's their work!! and working make people tired that is very normal, suck it up guys..... So I place my question politely "Which boat should I take to Marine Department Station, Please?"

She told me take the one with yellow frag 14 Bath one price for all stations.." Thank you Krab" I said. Not expensive and waiting not for long for a boat to come....

Please mind your step....

As seeing this I am thinking of my favorite Thai song "A countryside flower in a concrete forest" it's so me..hahaha... Look at those concrete trees on the river, they are very beautiful, it's The River condominium and The Peninsula hotel...

So beautiful on this focus...

The boat is filled up with pack of people as usually.... a Mom and a son are very lovely...

Arriving at the Marine Department pier, this is my first time being here...

Right the way as walking out from the pier, is an old boat with gold color painting, look very interesting to me because I want to know it's story but I could not find any description around I see only a holy word at the tail side but it's a pray to the Naga...

Walk out to the Marine Department's door look on the left I see an old house, which rises my desire to walk around the area even more. I usually like to walk in cities because I can see a lot more about the city's characters or my other choice would be biking and I would recommend to do so...

What make me worry is that one day those old and charming houses will be destroyed instead of renovation...So then hurry up come to see them before that happen..

Then I turn right!! it look nicer on my right hand side so I follow my right...See! what I see!! I thought I am in Europe for a second..What is this? why so beautiful...!!!

Green grass with three big Bodhi trees with a green pavilion beside Chao Phraya...

This is unbelievable able for me, a Thai person...It's Siam Commercial Bank, currently is Talad Noi branch. It is influenced European architecture, designed by two Italians Mr. Anibale and Mr. Mario Tamagno. The bulding was built within 300,000 Bath budgeting...back then was a lot of money..

The Siam Commercial Bank has announced a policy to keep their old branches under the project of " Modern Thai Heritage Branch", which are three branches: Talad Noi branch, Chaloem Naphon branch and Petchburi Road branch. I'm very happy to hear this because SCB is a big guy and they want to conserve historical buildings, at least some of them will last longer for the next generation,, Perhaps they will "walk" to see as I do...

Next to SCB is Holy Rosary Church, it's considered as Catholic. The church was built about the same time as Rattanakosin Kingdom was established as the capital. As I know but not see it, there are two really important symbols in this church, one of them is Jesus dead body and the other one is Maria, both of them are hand craved wooden art, which no one knows the story behind, that who crave it, from which country they are from and how come they are here in Thailand. no one knows exactly!!! If you want to see these beautiful high value pieces you have to come here by yourself. This time I pass it but I have put the place in my bucket list I will come back later....

The more I walk the more questions I have and I find out different things each time...

I walked pass the entrance......

Along the wall of the church has a lot of food ...

as I miss getting inside I could only take photo from here..

I always passing this church as when I travel by the boat on Chao Phraya river and again I have to "pass" again

I continue walking until the City River, which is a kind of shopping mall but I didn't want to get inside because it will be the same mall with everywhere, nothing exiting.. But if you want to change your shopping place for sometime maybe not a bad idea to come here...

This picture I took on the boat so you can see it clearly. I am going on the other side....

I have no idea in which direction should I walk, I just happen to walk on Si Phraya road and reach Si Phraya intersection.... It's very surprise to see this old building with trees on it...OMG! This place is right at the intersection...

I really want to check it out up their, but reading from announcement board, said "forbidden to go up in there" this place belongs to our king private asset. From the sign on the building is written Jitlada Project of King Thailand something.. It used to be a show room for products of this project years ago....

It looks very old as the trees grows on it.... It similar to Ayutthaya, I thought!!!

Beside the tree building is an old house and an old man, he must be a security guy, who respond for the place.....

I have observed a logo SC on the middle building, may be it was a shopping mall back then..

I walk from the intersection followimg Charoen Krung road.

It will rain, But I keep walking....

I walk until here Pattanasin building on the other side of the Klong (canal), the water is black and smelly, it's really polluted. Imagine if this Klong would be clean and clear, I think It could be Venice...hahaha... And I think it is beautiful,,and again It's Bangkok!!

Here is the name of the bridge "Pittayasatien Bridge" If we cross the river we will be on Charoen Krung road.

Here are some photos around the area...

I walk to Thanon Mahaphurattharam, on the right of below picture

I love it

Look at that houses, no details about it...sorry!!!

The water's color and it's smell are well matched..

Passing it..

On the same alley is a temple "Mahaphurattharam" on Mahaphurattharam road. Seeing a monk is waiting for a taxi, nice photo :) Behind him is a lady preparing for the rain. I think I have to find a roof soon!!

Opposite the temple's gate..

I cross the bridge opposite the temple..run run!!

What is a little alley here, the sign says "Noi Market Apartment" I run into it, hope it's not an end alley..

Inside is a lovely cozy market..Surprise me again..

The alley connects to a Chinese shrine "Joe Sue Kong" I have seen a lot of Chinese shrines around the area so I guess I am about in China Town right now...

I have talked to an aged guy when I was at the shrin's sign, he even can not speak Thai that well..So we are must be in China Town.

I end up here finally under a big roof, for sure this will safe me from being wet. Today is the last day of vegetarian festival, in this shrine had celebration, the Chinese kind of theater performance has just ended, I missed the show..

What I see right now is they are cleaning up the place ... I stuck here for more than an hour..

Very difference in here I thought I am not in Bangkok but China...

Some of bikers are trapped here as well... The rain is really heavy I can't here anything else..

More or less the rain stopped, I walk out the same way and turn left until I am here Patumkongka temple, not much seeing it...

I love the temple architecture..It's just so nice..

I stay under the temple gate and look around try to fix it out where to go. There is a Soi, which I can not remember the name, I just run to it and follow the trail, on the way are shops selling jewelry. I have to walk fast through it because it is starting to rain again....I think I am reaching trail of Sampeng market..

Beautiful area..

As I could make it out from the small Soi, here is a corner, where I can hide myself from the rain, I'm under this sign. Amazing old beautiful thing!! look at that,, and my imagination is how many people have been here as I am today...

So many old beautiful buildings on my way, it is such a good experiences to "walk". I don't have to pay money for this just "walk"

Now I know where I am..."Chaiyaphum Alley"

Next to it is another Chinese Shrine

Another beautiful sign, which I can't read..

This is one of my favorite buildings on the walk today.. It is on the road to Ratchawong Pier. It's wooden house with European mix.. Oh really beautiful... I look through the opened window see someone is living in there....

I am getting hungry. There is many food in on the street in front of Ratchawong Pier. I choose my lunch to be just rice topped with some food on it. Easy and quick....

This restaurant is where I eat, If your are facing to the pier the restaurant is on your right hand, it's next to Wan Fah restaurant. Let's have a look what do they have....

Many choices, vegetables, curries, fries and soups

I have a bowl of Chicken soup, fried pork and vegetable wok,,This is 40 Bath with free drinking water,,very cheap !! I have to say the chicken soup is so good,,so good... And their toilet is clean too..I think this is important information :))) you know when the time comes...

Nice lunch with cheap price,,OK! am ready again....

Tuk Tuk taxi, a symbol of Bangkok

This is Wan Fah restaurant, the restaurant I just ate is next to it...

Ratchawong Pier to Tha Tien pier, 14 Bath :)

Get on the boat and look back, the sky is getting bluer. I stand on the back of the boat, you may not allowed if it's packed because the staff will ask you to walk inside the boat..

River side

The boat runs under the Memorial Bridge, which used to be able to open for big ship to pass it but now is permanently closed up.. .

Another river side shopping, I want to come back and check it out. From far a way is a high white building, which is very similar to the ghost tower (remember?) and the State Tower I think must be a connecting..

Amazing temple on the river bank.. "Wat Kanlayanamit Bangkok"

Chakrabongse Villas is a very unique hotel, which was a palace of a son of King Rama 5. Here you can book your private diner and have your special moment on river side. The hotel has not many rooms very privacy and very exclusive...

This area is started to converse the old houses to be guest house, restaurant and bars. And I love it here I always bring my friends, who comes to Bangkok and wants to see Bangkok here, it is my reception desk....

Wat Arun is under restoring currently..

This is Tha Tien pier, up there is one of my favorite restaurants around the area "Poat Thatien". I like to come when it's dark, sitting up there you will see gorgeous view over looking to the other side of the river where Arun temple is. The restaurant serves very local Thai food with friendly homy atmosphere. If you want to come here, don't come to late because here is very popular some menu items will be sold out. Here is good and cheap..

I got off here at Tha Tien pier, around the pier is a small market, currently is looking better cleaner than months ago...

On the side of Wat Pho

This shop is very busy...

On my left is a small park,, Let's have a peak...That is Wat Pho and the yellow building was renovated months ago, now is done and they are ready to rent out....

Wat Pho is looking good from here..

That is Wat Arun on the other side of the river..

This is what I want to see, renovate old building, keep it the same form... I have seen the renovation months ago and now is done, ready for businesses to rent.... Who wants it!! Hurry up...

Let's go in Wat Pho. The entrance is right at the Tha Tien pier as you walk out...

I can't tell what it is. Every single time I come here is "BEAUTIFUL" This temple is one of the top three most important temples in Bangkok. This is for me thing to be proud of, this is my land, this my culture, and I love to be me a "Thai"

Wat Pho is also known as the temple of reclining Buddha, its official name is Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimolmangklararm Rajwaramahaviharn. The temple is the first in the six temples in Thailand classed as the highest grade of first class royal temples. The king Rama 1 ordered to rebuilt the temple complex on an earlier temple site, and became his main temple where some of his ashes are enshrined. The temple was then expanded and extensively renovated by king Rama 3. The temple complex houses are largest collection of Buddha images of Thailand, including a 46 meters long reclining Buddha image. The temple was also the earliest center of public education in Thailand and still houses a school of Thai Medicine. It is know as the birthplace of traditional Thai Massage which is still tough and practiced at the temple. (Wikipedia references)

For me this temple is so amazing I take a lot of photos and I can't stop it.

There are Chinese images standing around the temple which I'm told that they are from China as when we did ship commercial with China, on the way to China the ship transported rice and on the way back the ship is too light so they must put some weigh for its stability, that was why we have a lot of Chinese images..

I love every corner I walked

The reclining Buddha has a special sign on his foot which are pearl decorated 108 auspicious symbols

The entire reclining Buddha is gold color and it's shining beautifully.

Look all details! I can't stop myself! not to photo it.

I have never got enough from staring at it,,never..

There 99 pagodas in the temple and four of them are the most important one which are "Si Ratchkarn Pagodas" (King Rama 1-4 ashes are enshrined in each Pagoda)

Here is the birthplace of Thai Massage as we can see they are some image postures..

Many of Buddha images in the temple as it is the largest collection of Thailand.

As we are Thai we should know all the regularly rules about how to behave in the temple area, including how to dress up properly. Don't need for someone to tell you, we have to be a good sample for the foreigners who are not familiar with our culture... We can give them advice even no talking to them..

Very important as well The main Buddha image in the temple house, we called "Ubosot" , is Phra Budtha Patimakorn which was brought by the King Rama 1 from Sala Si Nha temple with his desire to establish Bangkok as the permanent capital of Siam...

I continue my walking around the temple and taking million of photos :)

Every time I'm here, I'm very happy and fulfilled

Then walk out the gate, see some shops along the temple wall.... Looking very lively..

I walk back to Tha Tien, just want to recommend some good places to hang out. If you walk out from the pier facing to the Wat Pho direction you will have the yellow building on your right hand. Walk to the right passing the yellow block is the first alley "Salarattanakosin" Hotel where has a good restaurant and a roof top bar over looking Wat Arun and good night view of Chao Phraya river.

This picture is taken when I was on the boat. The white building is Salarattanakosin and next to it is my most favorite rooftop bar in Bangkok "Eagle Nest". I love this place the most, because up there I can have the most perfect view of Wat Arun and Wat Pho, the bar is kind of between both temples exactly on the straight line.

To walk from the pier is the second alley... It's about 2 minutes walking..

Sun dried fish :) on the way....

Then I walk along Maharaj road to the direction of Tha Chang pier, on the whole way is small Buddha image market. If you are the fan here is yours, but I have no idea about it so I just walk and look around.. I almost get bite from this dog as I took his photo..

Why did they hang the coconut on the trees,,,?? I COULD NOT find out why.. May be to feed the birds

Lovely cozy market :)

Passing Rajakij Winitchai Pavilion which earlier built in the king Rama 4 period, this pavilion is the waiting house for the king for the royal boat caravan.

Looking from the boat

Talad Tha Chang Pier... If you would like to come to the grand palace, the closest pier is this one.

I walk inside the market but not really that interesting...

So I continue walking until The Maharaj pier.. Looks! good on the wall with hanging bike cycles

A dog is peeing..hahahaha

The pier is a place for shopping, hanging out and eating. Let's see what they have here..

very colorful chair...

Thai cuisine "Ros' Niyom"

After you

food mobile

Japanese style

To be honest those are not my preference but I am very tired from lot of walking and getting hungry again.

I see a very small trail which looks very interesting,,let's walk in!!

OMG! there are restaurants on the Chao Phraya, lovely and cozy.. I need to sit down somewhere .

Big and clear sign, I choose this place....

From the boat there is the restaurant with blue table covers...

I like it...

Open kitchen same as Table Grill, Grand Hyatt

Steamed rice with Tom-Yum-Kung, sour clear Tom-Yum with shrimps.. The soup is so good, This Thai menu is rich of herbs sometime people even call it "herb pot" considering as a very healthy bowl. This restaurant's name is Aroiy-Dee which means so delicious! and I think the food proves the name.. Ok! let me get the bill, It comes to 100 Bath nett, already included water, tax and service charge....

After fulfilled my hunger with the soup, it's time to go back, so I take the boat from Maharaj pier directly to Sathorn Pier and it's again 14 Bath..

On the boat on my way back to Sathorn...Still taking a lot of pictures...

This two European style buildings are in the same area as SCB and the Holy Rosary Church which is very interesting because this area has a lot of European influences and just next to it is Chinese influences, then further to the grand palace is pure Thai...

This two, one of them was a shopping mall as the sigh says. And the other one used to be head office of a business man from Denmark who was the former owner of Mandarin Oriental Hotel and he was real estate broker for land along the Chao Phraya river. His business was very successful then finally he registered his company under the name of Anderson & Go who exports teak wood to all over countries, his business is now expending and still operate in Thailand, spread out his branches in about 30 countries around the world and doing shipping and shopping businesses... "Asiatique"

I have heard the story of this beautiful old building when I was in a primary school in a subject called Sor-Por-Chor (one part is about history of Thailand) It is too surprise because what my teacher used to told me and today I know where it is!!! OMG I think of my teacher for a while when I see the place..

Have you every heard "Roi-Sak-Sam"? Come on! Thais we all have heard about it !! This place was Thai customs department in the part back when we still used the river as the main transportation. And this building was the place to collect the tax "Roi-Sak-Sam" meaning 3 percents tax... Oh my god !! beautiful ever since....

When I see the building it brings me to tear....

All five star hotels on the river bank...

Two beautiful Thai Salas are part of Shangri-la hotel..

Close to the Sathorn Pier

Ok ! here we go Sathorn pier connecting with BST, sky train...

I was checking the photos I took through the day on the train and when it stopped at Chong Nonsi, I see something going on below the station...

What is it ? I'm curious, many people are on the street likes something will happen soon, so I just get off the train and head to that event..

This is per incident I finally be here, Goddess Sri Maha Uma Devi annaully ceremony.. I have heard about it but have never been here before.. See!! "Bangkok is still continue surprising me"

It is a beautiful event all art works are here, great flower arrangement, banana leaf works which very details and must be done by high talented and top patient. It is reflecting the faith of a big crowd to their Goddess Sri Uma Devi. The event is a yearly event and it's along Silom road the center is at Wat Kheak.

Just WOW!!

Naga from banana leaf

I walk very slowly from Chong Nonsi station because I really enjoy seeing every booth here and at this time people are still working andl preparing for the ceremony which will be starting late in the night.. I walk from Sathorn Square building until Silom road and I feel very tired, can't do it any more for today.. So I walk down to Silom road, then walk into Soi Convent back to Soi Suanplu.

Te above picture is on Silom road facing to Wat Kheak direction..

And this cross-over-bridge is the same one I crossed in the morning.. Let me show you one more Bangkok's unique character, it's the traffic jam,,, Nice to look at it but not to be trapped in it...

Finished my "walking Trip" for today I will continue tomorrow again...

Today I spent money on:

BST 56 Bath

Boat 42 Bath

Food 140 Bath with free water...

Who is getting bored of Bangkok !! open your mild up and "walk".

For me I just love it! I see the value of Bangkok more than before , when I experience its value, I love it more ,when I love it more then I want to keep it and spread my word to everyone....

Sawaddee...

Lae Easytravel