Bangkok Journals

Thonburi

Best of IgoUgo

An October 2008 trip to Bangkok by SeenThat

Santa Cruz Church Photo - Santa Cruz Cathedral (Wat Kudichin), Bangkok, Thailand

Quote: Nowadays a district of Bangkok, Thonburi was the Thai Capital between the Ayutthaya and Bangkok eras. It has a lot to show to the visitor.

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Thonburi

Attraction | "Braving Thonburi: the Walk"

Quote:

An attractive option for the brave of heart is a half day walk through Thonburi; such an adventure would include all the sites reviewed in this entry and despite the heat and humidity is an awesome way of exploring this part of modern Bangkok.

Thonburi, the short-lived Thai capital during the reign of Taksin the Great (1768-1782), was annexed in 1972 to Bangkok; nowadays it would be hard to guess they were different cities in the past, if it wasn’t for the clear border created by the Chao Phraya River.

Walking through a big metropolis has its advantages; shopping malls, food plazas and local markets appear frequently along the way, allowing many snack stops while offering plenty of attractions.

The walk described here begins at the Thonburi side of Saphan Phra Pin Klao, the bridge over the Chao Phraya River closest to Khaosan Road and ends near Chinatown, drawing a loop which loosely follows the river and crossing it twice. The name of the first bridge matches the name of the avenue at its Thonburi side. Thanon Somdet Phra Pin Klao (usually called just Thanon Pin Klao) is one of the main avenues in Bangkok, connecting the metropolis with the highways leading to the southern parts of the country and Malaysia.

The best way of beginning such a walk is well fed and entertained. Accordingly, the Pin Klao Mall is one of the first attractions awaiting the traveller along this avenue. After having enjoyed a coffee, take the Thanon Arun Amarin – the first major avenue crossing it – southwards. Soon after, a sign pointing toward the Royal Barges National Museum would appear.

If deciding to visit the site, pay attention to the small signs leading there among a labyrinth of alleys. Beyond the wild dogs – which would be restrained by the neighbours – there is no danger despite the slightly dingy look of the area. The area is home to a Muslim population, offering a good opportunity to see ethnic Bangkok. The museum is quite surprising; a small hangar by the river hosts four or five barges. An entrance fee is accompanied by extra fees for camera and video filming (a separate fee for each).

After returning to the main road, keep advancing south. The bridge over the wide canal provides an exceptional view of Bangkok’s Southern Railway Station and of the area in general. Bangkok Noi – Little Bangkok – is a charming neighbourhood with more than its share of temples; near the pier there is a huge market and good branch of Black Canyon Coffee, which offers the perfect excuse for a break in the walk. Pay attention to the traditional Patrvadi Theatre; even if closed at the time of the visit, the beautiful teakwood building is a reminder of other times.

Once the Khlong Bangkok Noi (Khlong means canal) is crossed southwards, an area known as Bangkok Yai (Big Bangkok) is accessed. Here is one of the main attractions in Thonburi: Wat Arun. The Temple of Dawn is one of Bangkok’s main attractions and one of its landmarks. Climbing it allows extraordinary views of the river and the Grand Palace which is almost directly across the river.

Once out of there, continue southwards. Across Khlong Bangkok Yai is a complex of three temples. Wat Kanlayanmit which is one of the best known and most prominent temples along the Chao Phraya riverside and two less known but maybe more interesting temples: the Santa Cruz Cathedral and the recently restored Wat Payoom. Santa Cruz is one of the main churches in the city, allowing insights into interesting parts of the Thai history. Wat Prayoom features an awesome, sparkling white Ayutthaya style chedi.

Wat Payoom is very close to the Memorial Bridge, which despite not being the most beautiful bridge across the river, offers some of the best views in Bangkok as well as allows ending the walk near Bangkok’s main areas. Across the bridge and related to it is the Phra Phuttha Yot Fa Statue, also reviewed in this journal. If still feeling strong after the walk, continue along Thanon Chakraphet and after a few minutes the Chinatown - Little India junction is reached. However, their description belongs to a different journal. Read Less

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on January 19, 2009

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Memorial Bridge

Attraction | "Memorial Bridge - Saphan Phut"

Quote:

The Memorial Bridge is a bridge over the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, connecting the districts Phra Nakhon ("Holy City") and Thonburi. Despite being less useful to the traveller than the bridges connecting downtown Bangkok with the highways leading to Southern Thailand, Saphan Phut is worth a special visit due to the views from it and the nearby attractions.On Kings and KingdomsDespite being relatively new, the Memorial Bridge i...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on January 19, 2009

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Temple of the Dawn (Wat Arun)

Attraction | "Wat Arun - The Temple of Dawn"

Quote:

Reaching the TempleWat Arun is in the Thonburi area of Bangkok, on the western bank of the Chao Praya River anda cross classical Bangkok, almost in front of the Grand Palace. It is possible to reach Wat Arun with one of the ferry boats crossing the Chao Praya River from the Tha Chang Pier near Wat Phra Kaeo - the Grand Palace - or Tha Tian Pier near Wat Pho. Overland, it can be reached with buses 83, 19 and 57, or by the walking path through Thonburi described in this journal. The entrance fee as of the end of 2008 is 50 baht.Timing the Visit...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on January 5, 2009

Temple of the Dawn (Wat Arun)
Thai Wang Road
Bangkok, Thailand

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Santa Cruz Cathedral (Wat Kudichin)

Attraction | "Santa Cruz Cathedral"

Quote:

The Santa Cruz Cathedral does not appear in most lists of Bangkok’s main attractions; yet, in its humble way, it illuminates a seldom known – but important – part of Thai history in the last centuries, a part which almost resulted into the transformation of this culture into a Christian one. Moreover, its white cross atop an earth-red dome is a prominent landmark along the Chao Phraya riverside.LocationLocated near the Memorial Bridge, Wat Prayoon and Wat Kalayanamit and at walking distance from Wat Arun, this cathedral enjoys a key spot in Thonburi and ...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on January 5, 2009

Santa Cruz Cathedral (Wat Kudichin)
112, Tesaban 1 Road
Bangkok

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Wat Prayoon Temple

Attraction | "Wat Prayoon"

Quote:

Following a long restoration process, by the end of 2008 the sparkling white Wat Prayoon is with no doubt one of the most impressive temples in Bangkok, outside of the Grand Palace.Reaching Wat PrayoonThe temple can be reached by foot from the Thonburi side of the Memorial Bridge. If doing so, the temple would appear immediately after the bridge on the right side. Its chedis are a good reference point from the bridge and from the nearby Santa Cruz Church. It is open daily between 9 AM and 6 PM.The Price of a Free MealAfter ...Read More