Greetings. I recently had the opportunity to revisit the past at a newly opened tourist attraction called "Baan Bang Khen," which just opened its doors to the public. Many people are already familiar with this location. It serves as a center for dining, entertainment, and historical learning without the need for extensive travel. It's conveniently located in Bang Khen.

Here, memories of the past come alive through the atmosphere and various objects, allowing us to revisit the good old days. Notably, it is open 24 hours a day. Come and explore with us!

Bang Khen House is divided into different zones with multiple entry points. Starting from the entrance sign, visitors will encounter the following zones: outdoor food stalls, souvenir shops, the King's House, the Coke Museum, an air-conditioned cafe zone, the old market zone, an activity plaza, the amulet house, and a zone for reading and educational activities.

Traveling to Bang Khen

**Bang Khen House** is located on **Phahonyothin Road**, opposite the **11th Infantry Regiment**. If you are traveling on Phahonyothin Road towards Rangsit, you will pass **Kasetsart University** and **Sri Pathum University**. A short distance further, you will find **Bang Khen House** on the left-hand side. Alternatively, if you are traveling by bus, you can get off at the bus stop two stops after Sri Pathum University. The bus stop is located directly in front of **Bang Khen House**.

Things to Know Before Visiting "Baan Bang Khen"

• Open 24 hours! Entrance fee 20 baht (includes a bottle of water).
• Free parking is available, but limited to 70 spaces.
• If the parking lot is full, you can park at the nearby Bang Bua restaurant for 50 baht.
• Traffic can be congested during the evening rush hour due to construction of the electric train.
• The most convenient way to get there is by bus. Bus lines 26, 34, 39, 59, 107, 114, 129, 185, 503, 512, 522, and 543 all stop at the "Baan Bang Khen" bus stop.
• Expect large crowds during lunchtime, evenings, and early evenings. If you want to avoid the crowds, try to visit during other times.
• Although the site is open 24 hours, some areas have specific opening hours. For example, the restaurants in the front zone are open from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM, while the air-conditioned zone offers food and drinks 24 hours a day.
• The site uses a card system instead of cash. You can use the card to purchase goods and food in all zones. Cards can be exchanged at the card exchange point in front of the souvenir shop.
• Food prices are relatively high. A single dish typically starts at around 40-50 baht.

A Visit to "Bang Khen"

During my morning visit to Bang Khen District, the crowds were relatively sparse, allowing for a leisurely exploration. For those seeking a less crowded experience, arriving before noon is highly recommended. However, as the day progresses, the number of visitors steadily increases, reaching its peak during the evening and early evening hours.

Upon exiting the bus, you will find the "Bang Khen House" sign next to the bus stop on Phahonyothin Road. The **restaurant zone (front)** is also located along the road.

The parking lot offers free parking, but with limited space for only 70 vehicles. This often fills up during peak hours.

However, you can park in the adjacent Bang Bua Restaurant parking lot for a 50 baht parking fee.

Upon entering the Bang Khen neighborhood, it is customary to first report to the "local authorities". Greet them and politely request permission to explore the area.

What's to eat in Bang Khen?

Starting Point: Embark on a leisurely stroll through Bang Khen Village, commencing at the front-facing restaurant zone along the road. This zone offers a diverse selection of savory and sweet dishes, encompassing both traditional and contemporary recipes for your culinary exploration.

**Before purchasing food, you must first exchange for a card.** This card serves as a substitute for cash and can be used to purchase goods and food in all zones. You can exchange for a card at the card exchange point in front of the souvenir shop.

After purchasing your food, you are welcome to choose a seat and enjoy your meal at your leisure.

You can purchase and enjoy your meal right in front of the shop, no need to walk far.

Alternatively, you can bring your own food and enjoy it at the designated tables. There are plenty of tables available.

Purchase food and beverages in a vintage-style shop atmosphere.

Let's take a walk around and explore the restaurants. What's on the menu? This shop sells traditional Vietnamese beignets, including crispy beignets and egg beignets.

Simple rice with curry is also available, starting at 42 baht (1 item).

Ancient Pad Thai

Crepe, Auntie Cheuy..

Som Tum (Spicy papaya salad) available in a variety of styles, starting at 50 baht.

Traditional rolled noodles are available for tasting..

The ancient rolled noodles looked delicious, so I ordered a plate for 48 baht. At first, I thought it would be served in a bowl, but I guess it's an ancient recipe, so it had to be served on a plate. It came with three-layer pork and tofu (similar to braised pork). A little bit of water was added, and it was sprinkled with pork crackling. This dish was quite good.

**Ancient Vietnamese Pancakes (Crispy Style)** 48 baht per plate. Best enjoyed hot and crispy.

For those who prefer a more intense flavor, try "Khao Kha Moo" (braised pork leg on rice).

Boat noodles (Charoen Phanit) 17 baht per bowl

Lod Chong Wat Chet (Waan Lamun Shop) 35 baht per cup

Chilled Grass Jelly with Longan and Coconut Milk (Sweet and Smooth Shop) 35 baht per cup

Father's House: Remembering Father

Entering the next zone... On the right-hand side is the "King's House," a building that houses and displays memorabilia, coins, banknotes, and portraits of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great (Rama IX). The interior is air-conditioned and requires visitors to remove their shoes before entering.

Visit the interior of the "King's House"

The Coca-Cola Museum

Opposite Baan Phaulung will be the Coke Zone or Coke Museum.

The Coca-Cola Store will be a two-story building housing a collection of vintage Coca-Cola bottles and memorabilia, including rare and unusual items.

Would you like a can of Coke?

Rows of Coca-Cola bottles are neatly displayed.

Various Coca-Cola-related souvenirs

A variety of Coca-Cola bottles with different designs.

It would be interesting to try Coke in this way.

A whole group of Cokes arrived.

Another cool photo spot.

Classic beverage coolers and vending machines.

The second floor offers even more to explore.

Admire the vibrant colors adorning the exterior walls of the Coca-Cola store.

The walls are adorned with beautiful patterns, creating a picturesque backdrop for photographs. This is a must-visit spot for capturing memorable moments.

Air-conditioned cafe zone (food and drinks)

This air-conditioned zone offers a wide selection of food and beverages, including toast, bingsu, and various drinks, available 24 hours a day. However, the kitchen for cooked-to-order meals closes at 4:00 AM.

Just by looking at the front, you know there are many angles to take photos.

The front wall is adorned with beautiful murals, providing a picturesque backdrop for photographs.

Looking up, there are many children's toy cars parked on top. But... what are they doing up there? 55

The air conditioning was refreshingly cool as I stepped inside. There were plenty of seats to choose from, and the free Wi-Fi was a bonus. It's great that they're open 24 hours a day.

For a more private seating experience, couples or small groups can opt for the private blocks, offering a designated space for each party. The decor features diverse patterns and styles.

The air-conditioned zone offers a variety of food and beverage options, including bingsu, toast, cakes, coffee, and various other drinks.

The sweltering heat is soothed by a refreshing ice cream and cool air conditioning. It's a delightful combination.

Take a break and hide for a while.

Rewind to the past...

The old items on display include some that I have never seen before.

Choose a seat to relax at your leisure.

The ambiance is perfect for enjoying a cup of coffee and catching up with friends.

Food and beverage counter corner using cards for purchase as well

If you're alone, you can also come and hide away to sip coffee and enjoy the outdoor atmosphere in this corner.

Or, sitting in a natural corner like this, it looks refreshing and pleasing to the eye.

The Old Market Zone: Memories of Childhood

**The Old Market Zone** showcases a collection of historical goods, medicines, tools, and household items. This zone effortlessly transports us back in time, as it features objects that many of us have encountered before. Some items may spark vivid memories, while others may have faded with time. **Let's rekindle those fading memories together!**

Another relaxing corner.

**Photogenic spot:** The **street art** murals are a must-see **photo opportunity** at **Baan Bang Khen**.

Let's sit on the swing and take some photos?

Activity Area where various activities and performances will be held every evening on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays

A luxurious classic car is parked in front of the school.

Let's take a walk through the old market and soak in its nostalgic atmosphere. We'll start at a sundry shop that sells a wide variety of goods. Just seeing some of the items can bring back memories of our childhood.

The store offered a wide variety of popular consumer goods from well-known brands of that era.

The glass collection is extensive and should only be viewed with the eyes. Please refrain from touching the items to avoid breakage. (It would be a real mess if they were to break... 55+)

A plethora of old household items, including lunch boxes, ice buckets, and thermoses. The pots, in particular, are reminiscent of my childhood.

Darkie... for a dazzling white smile.

A collection of old cigarette brands... Seeing this reminds me of our grandfathers.

Many households have likely used large detergent containers like this one.

This unfamiliar brand costs only 1 baht.

As a child, did your mother ever ask you to buy her "Pao Pun Jin" to wash clothes? 55

Regardless of the era, Thais have always been enthusiastic about trying their luck...

Simulated classroom... reminds me of primary school days

Several toy cars are parked, each with its own unique charm.

The classroom's atmosphere resembled that of an elementary school, with desks, a blackboard, and the scent of chalk.

Let's take a look at the pharmacy. Many of the brands are familiar from my childhood, while others are completely new to me.

A vast collection of various types of old medicines.

Next, let's take a look at the **electronics store**, which has a collection of old televisions, radios, telephones, and other appliances on display.

A portable radio, convenient to carry and listen to in the middle of a field or rice paddy, with beautiful Thai country music to enjoy.

Stepping inside, there is a **barber shop** from our childhood. Many of us men have been to this kind of barber shop before. We sit and wait for our turn, watching TV in the meantime. * (Which mostly shows only Thai boxing channels.)*

The iconic student haircut, where barbers swiftly shave heads with clippers, completed in under 5 minutes.

The final stop, a shop selling clocks, lamps, and various other items, offered not only a delightful browsing experience but also a chance to learn about the past through these antique objects.

The bathroom in the Bang Khen house blends seamlessly with the old-fashioned atmosphere.

The bathroom is decorated with vintage advertising posters.

Amulet House and Reading Room

**Amulet House** for those interested in worshiping amulets

The final building will be a reading room dedicated to reading and academic activities. It is a large, air-conditioned room with tables and lighting suitable for reading.

This place could be an option for those looking for a study spot, especially during exam season.

Souvenir Shop: Souvenirs

Before heading back, I decided to stop by the souvenir shop. There were a variety of souvenirs from Bang Khen to choose from, such as t-shirts, pins, toy cars, and dolls.

In addition to this, there are also edible souvenirs from Bang Khen.

Bang Khen House is an excellent place to learn about the past. If you are looking for a place to eat or visit in Bangkok that is not too far away and has interesting photo opportunities, I highly recommend this place.

Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you haven't been there yet, be sure to check it out!

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Chailai Backpacker | Responsible Tourism

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