"It’s like entering a different world that’s cool, green and insulated from the harsh concrete landscape outside", writes Tour Bangkok Legacies about Koh Sarn Chao Community ชุมชนเกาะศาลเจ้า in Taling Chan district of Bangkok. It looks like an island or a green oasis between highways and urban development. And its name means "island of shrine".
If you visit Ko Sarn Chao community you may start at Wat Champa วัดจำปา. Its history ist not clear. Some say it built in 1822 during the reign of King Rama II. But others believe that the temple was built in the Ayutthaya era and underwent a massive restoration in the reign of King Rama III.
The Ubosot or Ordination Hall of Wat Champa with Chinese porcelain on the gable
There are figures of crocodiles on the roof:
A pond behind the prayer hall is belived to contain holy water, which cures illnesses.:
Wat Champa lies along Khlong Ban Sai
From Wat Champa the Champa Kanchanaphisek Alley leads to Koh Sao Charm community. Its houses are built along narrow canals leading into Khlong Bang Sai คลองบางไทร and Khlong Bang Ramat คลองบางระมาดกั. People here move by boat or on raised pedestrian footpathes. Soon you reach a traditional Thai house, Ban Sawang Chan บ้านสว่างจันทร์. Owner Khun Thaweesak Wangchan shows the house to visitors on weekends. He also offers homestay (contact: Facebook). He also demonstrates banana trunk carving. Carved banana trunk is used for religious ceremonies like ordination or funeral. He helped to develop Koh Sarn Chao community as a tourist destination. On weekends the boat operators at Lat Mayom floating market bring visitors to Koh Sarn Chao. At Baan Suan Rim Klong there is a pier.
Wang Chan house
A traditional door:
Sarn Chao Por Chui ศาลเจ้าพ่อจุ้ย (also: Chao Pho Shui), the Water God Shrine:
Picture by ไหว้พระ ไหว้เจ้า on Facebook
A special fountain:
Learning how to make traditional Thai incense, perfume and powder made natural material at this perfumery, Baan Kreung Hom บ้านเครื่องหอม:
At Dr. Toi’s Garden House you an get organic herbal drinks like butterfly peas (อัญชัญ), torch ginger (ดาหลา), Chrysanthemum (เก๊กฮวย) and fruits from their own garden during the weekend.
A recommended stop is at Grandma Berm’s house, where you get desserts like banana cake (Khanom Kluay; ขนมกล้วย) and banana in sticky rice (Kao Tom Mud; ข้าวต้มมัด). She also offers Banana cake cooking workshops:
How you arrive:
You can take buses, which stops on Boromratchonnanee Road (123, 124, 125, 146, 149, 507, 511 and 516), a red Songthaew from Siriraj Hospital or on weekends a boat from Klong Lad Mayom Floating Market.
Koh Sarn Chao Community is on Facebook. Who wants to go with a tour can book at Hivesters.
Read also:
Island Community
