When was the last time you visited Pak Khlong Talat? Even if you’ve been to this area many times before, there’s always a good reason to keep returning! Now that the city’s public transportation has greatly improved, accessing this part of Bangkok has never been more convenient. A leisurely walk gives you a chance to explore the new shops and cafes that have popped up among the newly renovated classic buildings and to interact with local residents. You’ll also see many changes for the better; such as, a new public park and a renovated pier. And we’ve heard many more projects are being undertaken to beautify our old town. Keep coming back!
Check list:
1.Take time to visit the Site Museum in the grounds of the MRT Sanam Chai Station.
2.Visit Museum Siam
3.Be surprised by Phra Rachawang Police Station, the classical building that was formerly a royal palace.
4.Have an organic lunch at Farm to Table, Hideout.
5.Explore Pak Khlong Talat flower market.
6.Enjoy the river breeze at Yodpiman River Walk community mall.
7.Check out the Chao Phraya Sky Park – a new park built on an abandoned rail track.
8.Admire Praisaniyakhan, Bangkok’s first post office.
9.Take a beautiful shot of the historical Memorial Bridge.
Site Museum
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Before leaving the MRT Sanam Chai Station, take time to visit Thailand’s first underground museum located within the subway area.
The small but well-presented Site Museum displays the stories of the Sanam Chai neighbourhood and its vicinity from past to present. You can also see various ancient objects retrieved during the construction of the MRT and a simulation of an ancient royal hall.
Open daily from 6:00 – 12:00 a.m.
Free admission
Museum Siam – Discovery Museum
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When you take Exit 1 and emerge from the MRT Sanam Chai Station, Museum Siam is the first building you’ll see, as it is conveniently located above the station. The Museum is on a novel mission to make the topics of Thai culture and history more approachable for all generations of Thais by employing appropriate technologies and interesting presentations.
The Museum staff will guide visitors to all of its 17 rooms, including one about Bangkokians, and you can take pictures with exhibits. There’s never a dull moment for visitors of all ages at this museum, which also houses a souvenir shop and a cafe.
Admission fee:
Adults: 100 Baht
Students above 15 years of age: 50 Baht (undre 15 years is free)
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Location : 4 Sanam Chai Road, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok
Open daily from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (Closed Monday)
Tel. 0 2225 2777
Phra Rachawang Police Station
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At the corner of Maha Rat and Rachini Roads a short walk from the Museum, you’ll see the most elegant of all police stations. This classical building was a royal residence during the reign of King Rama III, who built a cluster of five palaces behind Wat Pho for his sons, one of which is today this police station. The Baroque-style building was later designated as a police station by King Rama VI
Farm to Table, Hideout
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A small organic café hidden in a fresh market of Pak Khlong Talat, Farm to Table, Hideout has managed to attract many regulars despite its obscure location. Like its original and smaller outlet on Atsadang Road, the small café is busy during lunchtime and weekends. The choice of its savoury dishes is limited, but its premium gelato is available in many flavours – all are exceptionally delicious. The ingredients come from the café’s organic farm in the North. The marian plum season is waning, so you’d better hurry to visit the café to savour the delicious sorbet made from the fruit.
Location : 15 Soi Tha Klang, Wang Burapha Phirom, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok
Open daily from 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (Closed Wednesday)
Tel. 0 2004 8771
Pak Khlong Talat – market for flowers, vegetables and fruits
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Although Pak Khlong Talat is normally at its most colourful in the evening and at midnight, you can still have a pleasant time strolling around the area and exploring the community of shops and vendors during the day.
The Pak Khlong Talat area is well-known as the location of Bangkok’s biggest flower market and also a center of the vegetable and fruit trade. It’s the world’s fourth largest flower market and stays open around the clock. Florists across Bangkok come to get their flowers here.
The pavements are much easier to navigate compared to the past, and shops have COVID-19 prevention measures; such as, temperature checks and a mask wearing requirement in place.
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Location : Chakkraphet Road, Wang Burapha Phirom, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok
There’s now a charming flower café, Floral Café at Napasorn, where you can hang out when you want to take a break.
Yodpiman Riverwalk – community mall
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You will find many souvenir shops and stalls, restaurants and coffee shops at this 3-storey colonial-style community mall on the Chao Phraya riverfront. The Chao Phraya Express Boat service makes a stop at Yodpiman Pier. From the mall, you can take in views of historical landmarks; such as, the Santa Cruz Church, Wat Arun and the Memorial Bridge. It’s a pleasant place to recoup from the heat outside during the day or to have dinner on the terrace of one of its many restaurants on the 2nd and 3rd floors.
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Location : 392 Soi Empire, Wang Burapha Phirom, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok
Open daily from 11:30 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Chao Phraya Sky Park – a new public space on a pedestrian bridge over the Chao Phraya
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This new park is a pedestrian bridge from where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Chao Phraya. It’s near the Memorial Bridge and features a small garden, leisure spots, and a bicycle lane. You can approach the bridge from either the King Prajadhipok Park on the east bank of the river on the Phra Nakhon side or the Chaloem Phrakiat Forest Park on the Thon Buri side.
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The Park was developed from an abandoned electric train structure. At this early stage, it’s best to visit the Sky Park early in the morning or late afternoon, as there isn’t much shade from the young trees.
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Location : Phra Pok Klao Bridge, Phra Pok Klao Road, Wang Burapha Phirom, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200
Praisaniyakhan – Postal Museum
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Next to the entrance of the Chao Phraya Sky Park on the Phra Nakhon side is the Praisaniyakhan, a Colonial-style building that was Bangkok’s first post office. The original building was demolished to make way for the construction of Phra Pok Klao Bridge. The current building is a replica built in 2003 on the plot of land near the original site as a postal museum.
Phra Buddha Yodfa Bridge (Memorial Bridge)
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The bridge and the monument of King Phra Buddha Yodfa the Great, or King Rama I, were initiated by King Phra Pok Klao (King Rama VII) to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Bangkok. It was the second bridge built across the Chao Phraya River to link Bangkok’s Phra Nakhon with the Thon Buri side. A plan by government is also in the pipeline to renovate this historical bridge.
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Location : Tri Phet Road., Wang Burapha Phirom, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok
How to get there:
By MRT, get off at Sanam Chai Station.
By Bus Nos. 8, 73, and 82.
Car: Parking available at Yodpiman River Walk.
