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Exploring Bangkok’s Khlong San District
After watching Bangkok Pat’s YouTube video on Khlong San, I decided to take a walking tour through the district, following a similar route he shared via Google Maps. Even though I’ve lived in this city for years, I hadn’t spent much time in this area. Once I crossed the Memorial Bridge from Rattanakosin Island, I walked down Phaya Mai Road and explored some of the sois. It was a lively little place with unique, almost cobblestone-like streets.
This area is bustling with shophouses and people zipping around on bicycles and motorbikes. The atmosphere is relaxed, and the locals are friendly, but there’s not much to do here. So, I quickly headed off towards the Guan Yu Shrine.
As I approached the shrine, I was struck by its vibrant red and gold colors, which stand out amidst the surrounding buildings. The shrine itself is dedicated to Guan Yu, a revered Chinese warrior deity known for his loyalty and righteousness.
Inside, statues and intricate carvings depict various scenes from Guan Yu’s life. It’s a peaceful retreat, perfect for a moment of reflection amidst the hustle and bustle of the city.
From the shrine, my path veered towards the Chao Phraya River, passing by charming old teakwood houses along the way. Once I reached the river, I had a clear view of the River Park Condominium, which is arguably one of Bangkok’s most recognizable high rises.
The area around the river was quiet, with only a few construction workers in the distance. It provided a perfect spot to watch long-tail boats zooming past on the river.
I strolled along the river walk until I reached Tha Din Daeng Road, a bustling street flanked by street food stalls and family-run eateries. At Sopon Bakery, I grabbed some freshly baked khanom pia, a Thai-Chinese pastry with a crisp outer layer and a tender, sweet filling. The street buzzed with friendly vendors offering a wide array of snacks to satisfy any craving.
I also visited an unnamed market along Tha Din Daeng Road. While predominantly a wet market, near the entrance, I found a shop where I bought khanom mo kaeng, a traditional Thai egg custard resembling flan, for my wife.
According to my wife, this dessert was delicious, and the shop owner is super friendly, so I highly recommend stopping by. While I don’t know the name of the shop, you can’t miss it once you locate the market. It’s literally the first shop on the left.
From Tha Din Daeng Road, I suggest taking a motorbike taxi to Icon Siam. Although I walked to the mall from there, I wouldn’t say the walk was worth the effort—it was hot and there wasn’t much to see since Chiang Mai Road was relatively empty and Lhong 1919 isn’t much of a “functioning” place anymore. You’ll be better off, skipping this section of the walking route.
You can easily find motorbike taxi drivers along Tha Din Daeng Road. Prices will likely range from 40 to 60 baht depending on the driver. There are also tuk-tuks available if you happen to traveling in a small group – not sure what the price would be as tuk-tuks are highly variable.
Icon Siam is massive mall, prominently featuring mid to high-end goods rather than bargain buys like those found at MBK. If you’re feeling hungry after your walk, the ground floor hosts a variety of Japanese eateries and Thai food stalls. For a more formal dining experience, consider heading up to the 6th floor. There’s wide variety of restaurants to choose from.
From Icon Siam, your options include taking the ferry across the river to visit the Assumption Cathedral and Bangkok’s Muslim Quarter, or hopping on the BTS Gold Line to connect back to the Silom Line and explore other parts of the city. As for me, with the sun blazing hot, it was time to head back to my air-conditioned condo.
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Who We Are:
Alan & May
Welcome to North of Known! We’re Alan and May, a married couple who have embraced digital nomadism while calling Bangkok, Thailand, our current home base. Over the past 7 years, our shared passion for exploration and adventure has fueled our journey across the globe. Join us as we continue to embark on our nomadic adventures, sharing our insights, discoveries, and travel tales along the way.
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