Thailand – Bangkok; Ride down River Chao Phraya (1)

Hello!! Welcome back to my blog. If you have followed me from my previous series, I am still covering on my trip to Bangkok, Thailand back in 2008 (yes… way back then! A delayed posting. =P )

This was my 3rd day in Thailand and I have covered earlier posting on; Damnoen Saduak Ratchaburi Floating Market, Fruit Orchard in Ratchaburi Province, Wat Nong Hoi Temple in Ratchaburi Province , Tree Temple at Samut Songkhram Province, King Rama II Memorial Park at Amphawa, and my last series was on Amphawa Floating Market

Today I will cover on my trip along Chao Phraya River which passes through Bangkok city.

A brief intro before I start my journey. Chao Phraya is one of the major rivers in Thailand with its low alluvial plains. Along the river, there a lots of settlements such as Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Chainat, Singburi, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Bangkok and Samut.  These cities are among the most historically significant and densely populated settlements of Thailand because of their access to the waterway.

In Bangkok, the Chao Phraya is a major transportation gateway for a vast network of river buses, cross-river ferries and water taxis, also known as longtails. There are more than 15 boat lines operate on the rivers and canals of the city, including commuter lines which you can choose from which I will be taking as one of the transport around the river. =)

Ok… let’s get going. Starting off, I hopped on to the Bangkok Skytrain to the Saphan Taksin station (on Shilon Line) in Sathorn District to catch the river bus on Chao Phraya river.

From the Saphan Taksin station, it was a few minutes walk to the Sathorn Pier. Easy walk. =)

A view from the pier to catch the Sathorn Pier or the Central Pier of the 21km Chao Phraya River Express Boat route.

The pier is right under the bridge of Sathon Road.

One of the River buses… shape with roof like an  old Thailand building architecture.

Hotel Shangrila Palace which is next to Chao Phraya  River.

One of the many piers along Chao Phraya river.

Holy Rosary Church built by the Portuguese in Samphanthawong on the bank of Chao Phraya; south of Yaowarat, Chinatown.

Interesting ride. Wanna see more? Come and follow me on my next posting on this series of ride down River Chao Phraya. =)

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Thailand; Bangkok – Amphawa Floating Market (1)

Hi!! Finally at the market. This is the other floating market that is near Damnoen Saduak Floating Market at Ratchaburi. This is Amphawa floating market is in Samuk Songkhram.

Nearly everyone; mostly locals and also tourist comes here, and it is opened on weekends only (lucky me!). It gives an impression of the canal way of live, where farmers in traditional clothing selling their produce unlike Damnoen Saduak, which is an afternoon market. So you can easily combine the two into a single trip (which I was doing. =) . It starts to get going around noon, but best time is after 3pm. Ok… enough. Let’s get going!

By the time I was there, it was already close to evening and the crowds were already there as seen below.

Lots of choices of food to admire and savor (Frankly, I cant recall the food or name of it as it was like 6 years ago).

Fried giant squid (looks familiar like the ones in Taiwan night market =) )

gosh.. look at the bridge!! Packed with people going in both directions; trying go across the canal.

Boat stalls along the canal side.

Want to see more? Well, there’s more. All you have to do is follow me and enjoy the trip. =)

Thailand; Bangkok – King Rama II Memorial Park @ Amphawa (3)

Hi!! Still with me? Great! Let keep on walking. As promised in my earlier posting, you will see more on the architectural of traditional building during King Rama II period.

Walking in the park…. I could help taking this photo. Look at those bananas hanging its’ stem. That’s a whole lot!!

There are lots of buildings built in the traditional Thai architectural style which you can enter and admirer in the interior and exterior…..

.. here’s another one.

and here”s another.

The pond where housed the statue of the legendary crocodile hunter from the King’s poem “Krai Thong”.

The park also housed  the ship used by a later King

Now.. let head to the other attraction in Amphawa. What’s that you may ask? It’s the floating market in Amphawa. Let’s go!!!

Thailand; Bangkok – King Rama II Memorial Park @ Amphawa (2)

Come on…. let get’s walking!!! =)

Let’s move on the the King Rama II Memorial Park. This park was established on 4.4 acres of land to commemorate King Rama II’s great patronage of Thai arts and culture as it is also the birthplace of King Rama II. Located in the Samut Songkhram province; one of the central provinces of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Phetchaburi, Ratchaburi and Samut Sakhon. It is quite a big park where it is divided into 6 sections. So you can spent quite a while in there walking and enjoying the architectural buildings, gardens, riverside, and other decorations.

Inside the park are various place to see such as King Rama II Museum and buildings built in the traditional Thai architectural style which you will enjoy the ‘walk’ with me which you will see in the next posting.

In this part, I will just share more on the flowers that caught my eyes during the walk in the park. I will let the pictures tell the story. (saving my ‘breath’ for the next part. =P )

Enjoy them? Want to see a bit more of the part? Then… let’s go!

Thailand; Bangkok – King Rama II Memorial Park @ Amphawa (1)

Back with me? That’s good. We still have more to go and more places to see (and  eat too!) Where are we heading to if you may ask?

Well, we will continue to Amphawa which is a village West of Bangkok, close to Samut Songkhram. Canal-side way in Amphawa is a way of life and takes place along the waterfront walkways of Amphawa Canal, a small tributary of the Mae Khlong River. During weekend, locals and also tourist will flock here for the evening floating market. Big queues emerge along the canal’s bridges and walkways market. More on this in my next series (now you know my next series, right? hint! hint!)

A bit of summary of this series. In the Ayutthaya Period, Amphawa was called Khwaeng Bang Chang and it was a small community that flourished in agriculture and trade. King Rama II was born in Amphawa, his mother’s hometown, as his father was ruling the town of Ratchaburi. At his probable birthplace is now the King Rama II Memorial Park which we will be heading too.

On the way to Amphawa, we stopped at the handicraft center. They specialized in (cute) miniature figurines from…

Cute little Muay Thai boxers ….

to cute little small and colourful food

Aren’t they adorable?

Outside the Handicraft center, they have lots of flowers and orchids. So, if you are a flower lover, you will definitely enjoy the view.

Lovely right? Well… if you like what you see .. then keep following me. =)

Thailand – Bangkok, Visit to Damnoen Saduak Ratchaburi Floating Market (3)

Thanks for staying with me. The floating market in Damnoen Saduak is really interesting and lots of things to see (and photo shot too).

Lots of food which you can choose to try or buy from the vendors on the their boats.

At the main part of the market, you can hop into a boat and take a ride along the canal.

While in the boat, you can enjoy a slow ride (anyway the boat  driver cant go fast as the traffic is quite heavy)

people taking photos from the boats..

Going under a bridge. Stalls on the side selling their goods.

As certain parts, the boat drivers have to turn off their motor and start pedaling as the flow on the canal is so congested with boats going in both direction.

Another shot of vendors selling their good on the side.

Interesting? Yup it is. More to picture coming……..