Outlook from Artist's House Baan Silapin Picture by marhas
Escape the fast-paced metropolis Bangkok and find the quiet life along its khlongs? Khlong Bang Luang คลองบางหลวง could be your destination. "A lovely patch of peace beyond the bustle", writes Khetsirin Pholdhampalit in The Nation on Sunday. The famous Thai writer Kukrit Pramoj chose it as the setting for Mae Ploy's birth in his novel "Four Reigns". Between Phetkasem Soi 20 and Soi 28 the wooden shophouses and Ayutthaya-era temples give you a feeling of how Thonburi looked in the 17th century, when it was Siam's capital and the King lived at Wang Derm Palace. Then this was the residential area for influential families and high-ranking government officials. From there comes the name Bang Luang: Bang means "area", Luang refers to the monarchy. Today the official name of the canal is Khlong Bangkok Yai. See impressions on youtube
One outstanding wooden house on Khlong Bang Luang is Baan Silapin, the artist's house ริมคลองบางหลวง. Admiral Yodchai Raksamruad took possession of it a few years ago after it had belonged to his family of goldsmiths for generations. It was in bad condition. He invited artist Chumpol Akkapantanon to help. He had seen, what Chumpol did for the Phranakorn Nornlen Boutique Hotel. Chumpol and three friends decided to buy, renovate it and turn it into an art gallery. The two-storey L-shaped house is built around an Yor Mum Sipsong-style pagoda in its garden, it has a gently sloping roof and gables, which are decorated with wooden carvings.
Pagoda in the garden Picture by marhas
Now there is a Coffee shop on the first floor and a studio where visitors can learn to draw and make woodcuts and jewellery. Upstairs you find the gallery. Baan Silapin was opened to the public in September 2009. Baan Silapin opens daily from 9 am until 6 pm and admission is free. See wonderful gallery about Artist's House and Khlong Bang Luang on Facebook and also on bloggang.com
The new owners encouraged their neighbours to create terraces in front of their houses, where vistitors now can walk along the canal. Artist Supasit Wongrom-ngern, who helped Chumpol, has moved to the community. He has rented a shophouse, where he gives lessons in painting and making woodcuts. See more pictures of Baan Silapin on Instagram.
Picture by marhas
Picture by marhas
Houses along Khlong Bang Luang opposite to Baan Silapin
More is to see nearby: Several local shops offer hairdressing services, portrait painting or fresh fruits and vegetables. And of course there are restaurants and coffee shops. For example the Dry traditional Coffee shop ซ้อแห้งกาแฟโบราณ:
Noodles by Auntie Lek, see more pictures on Instagram
Read more on The Nation . Bang Luang Gallery offers beauty products under OTOP (see picture by kajarp)
There is also the Museum of Khlong Bang Luang.
Picture by marhas
Nearby stucco and murals at Wat Kampaeng Bangchak วัดกำแพ may draw your interest. The murals show the Jataka Tales, the previous lifes of Buddha. They have been painted by Master Krueinkong, as we learn in the museum:
Picture by marhas
Picture by marhas
During the coronavirus pandemic in spring 2020 also Khlong Bang Luang got very quiet and Baan Silapin was closed. In this time Chumpol Akkapantanon developped the idea to renovate the house with the help of artwork. Now 30 pictures are waiting for buyers, who pay 30000 Bath, as you can read here. See the oil paintings on Facebook. And see this video by Thai PBS.
Picture by marhas
Wat Kamphaeng Bangchak Pier
Not all the residents like the stream of tourists coming to Baan Silapin now, as Bangkok Post reported. So be respectful!
How you arrive: By MRT Blue Line: Get out at Bang Phai station, follow Phetkasem street, then follow Wat Thong Sala Ngarm Alley. By Car: Drive to soi 20 or 28 on Petchakasem Road, then park your car at Wat Kampang or Wat Khuhasawan and walk. Or you rent a longtailboat and have your guide stop at Baan Silapin. Finally there is a public passenger boat running from Bang Wa Pier to Wat Kamphaeng Bangchak Pier. Read more: Discover Thonburi with new Public Boat Routes and by Walking
Finally Wat Pho temple and The Grand Palace in Bangkok get their connection to Bangkoks metro MRT: Sanam Chai station has been built in Front of Siam Museum. It is part of the MRT Blue Line extension from Hua Lamphong station to Tha Phra station. Train service has started for free on Monday, July 22nd for a test period. The paid operation has started on September 29th. The architecture of Sanam Chai station has been inspired by the throne hall of The Grand Palace. The station was designed by Artist Pinyo Suwankiri to fit in with the surrounding old the town area, the design is a fusion of Thai and neo-classicalist European architectural styles. Read more: Design Splendour for a Subway Line
The MRT Blue Line extension has also stations in Chinatown. MRT Mangkorn station is inside a Sino-Portuguese building. It is named after Wat Mangkon Kamalawat ("Dragon Lotus Temple"). The staircase leading downstairs resembles the underbelly of a dragon, while the walls are decorated with traditional Chinese patterns and tiled dragons read more).
MRT Blue line continues to Thonburi and Bang Khae, were it ends at the Mall Bang Khae.
Are you looking for the big, famous and luxurious hotels in Bangkok? Here you find reviews, organized by the districts of Bangkok, so you can choose your hotel near the places you want to visit. The indicated prices are for double rooms.
Bangrak บางรัก Subdistricts: Maha Phruettharam มหาพฤฒาราม, Silom สีลม, Suriyawong สุริยวงศ์, Si Phraya สี่พระยา
Shangri-La Hotel: From 5500 Baht. 89 Soi Wat Suan Plu, New Road. According to the reviews on tripadvisor.com this hotel is fabulous, ohne of the best in Bangkok.
The Oriental: From USD 289 to USD 1200. 48 Oriental Avenue. The oldest hotel in Bangkok. Famous writers stayed here: Joseph Conrad, Somerset Maugham (he wrote here the "Siamese Fairy Tale"), Noel Coward, James Mitchener and John Le Carré. Read the history. "The only place to stay in Bangkok", says a reviewer on tripadvisor.com
Trinity Silom Hotel: From 2400 to 3200 Baht. 150 Soi Phiphat 2, (Naratiwas Soi 3 or Silom Soi 3) Silom Rd. A mall as well as a fitness centre belong to Trinity Complex. Quite good reviews on tripadvisor.com
Unico Grande Silom Hotel: From 2500 to 3700 Baht. 533 Silom Road. On the rooftop (20th floor), high above busy Silom Road, is the ‘Sky Garden’, the rooftop restaurant, and the swimming pool. only mixed reviews on tripadvisor.com
Chinatown/Samphanthawong สัมพันธวงศ
Chinatown Hotel: From 1390 Baht. 526 Yaowarat Road. Good reviews on tripadvisor.com.
Grand Ville Hotel: From 1300 to 3000 Baht. 903 Mahachai Road. With pool on 24th floor. Kiang Faa Sky Lounge Restaurant on 24th floor. Mixed reviews on tripadvisor.com
The Peninsula Bangkok Hotel From 12000 to 120000 Baht. 333 Charoennakorn Road, Klongsan. The 37-storey hotel was nominated "World's Best Hotel" in 2003 by the readers of Travel + Leisure magazine. Tripadvisor's users rated it as number one in Bangkok. The hotel has a shuttle boat, that crosses the Chao Phraya River every 10 minutes and drops you near Skytrain. "Ultimate luxury and service" means not only one review at tripadvisor.com.
Pathumwan ปทุมวัน Subdistricts: Rong Mueang รองเมือง, Wang Mai วังใหม่, Lumphini ลุมพินี
Asia Hotel: From 1800 to 23000 Baht. 296 Phayathai Road, in front of Ratchathewi Skytrain Station. 650 rooms. A hotel with a lot of groups. Quite good reviews on tripadvisor.com
Borarn House: From 85o to 1425 baht. 487/48 Soi Wattanasin Rajprarop Road. Quiet location.
Conrad Hotel: From 7000 to 27400 Baht. 87 Wireless Road, Phatumwan. The guest rooms and suites of the are furnished in a contemporary style of Thailand, with silk and wood. Very good reviews on tripadvisor.com
The Pool
Four Seasons Hotel: From 10000 Baht. The hotel is situated around open courtyards, open your room door and you are outside. It has the citys best pool, means fodors.com
Ask for a high floor, if you don't want to have a blocked view by skytrain. Some construction work is going on around the hotel, so ask for rooms, where there is no noise from that. At the pool you hear this noise too. Excellent service according to reviews on tripadvisor.com
Pathumwan House: From 1000 to 2100 Baht. 22 Soi Kasem San 1. Spacious rooms, also suites with two bedrooms and living room. Read review of Lonely Planet
Phra Khanong พระโขนง Subdistricts: Bang Chak บางจาก, Phra Khanong Tai พระโขนงใต้
Jasmine Resort Hotel: Its Pool Residencial Suite offers a private pool, where you look across the city. Nice hotel according to reviews on tripadvisor.com.
Phra Nakhon พระนคร Subdistricts and historic places: Banglamphu บางลำพ, Khao San ถนนข้าวสาร, Rattanakosin รัตนโกสินทร์, Phra Borom Maharatcha Wang พระบรมมหาราชวัง, Wang Burapha Phirom วังบูรพาภิรมย์, Wat Ratchabophit วัดราชบพิธ, Samran Rat สำราญราษฎร์, San Chaopho Suea ศาลเจ้าพ่อเสือ, Sao Chingcha เสาชิงช้า, Bowonniwet บวรนิเวศ, Talat Yot ตลาดยอด, Chana Songkhram ชนะสงคราม, Ban Phan Thom บ้านพานถม, Bang Khun Phrom บางขุนพรหม, Wat Sam Phraya วัดสามพระยา
De Moc Hotel From 1600 to 2000 Baht. 78 Prajatipatai Rd. If you don't take a superior room, it may be, that your window looks out to a wall. Quite good reviews on tripadvisor.com
Navalai River Resort: From 2100 Bath. 45/1 Phra Athit Road. The best rooms with balconies towards Chao Phraya River. Many good restaurants around and pier for Chao Phraya River Express just in front of the hotel. Very good reviews on tripadvisor.com
Picture marhas View from Navalai River Resort across Aquatini Restaurant, Phra Athit Pier and Chao Phraya River
Royal Hotel: From 1050 to 1550 Baht. There are rooms, where you have a stunning view to the Grand Palace. Guests love the pool. Quite good reviews on tripadvisor.com. Historical pictures you see on 2bangkok.com
Swissotel Nai Lert Park: 2 Witthayu Road. From 4800 to 87500 Baht. A five-story, low-rise hotel set in eight and a half acres of tropical trees and flowers, featuring a Thai-style canal and a majestic landscaped garden. Guests love the rainforest-like pool-area. "You don't think you are in a crowded city when you relax around this big pool", writes one guest on tripadvisor.com.
Trang Hotel: From 1400 Baht. 99/1 Wisutkasat Rd. Some renovation work is going on. Mixed reviews on tripadvisor.com
Viengtai Hotel: From 2000 to 5000 Baht. It can be noisy, if the room faces the street becaouse of the music in the area. Read reviews on tripadvisor.com
Sathorn สาทร Subdistricts: Thung Wat Don ทุ่งวัดดอน, Yan Nawa ยานนาวา, Thung Maha Mek ทุ่งมหาเมฆ
Banyan Tree Bangkok - Hidden Gem From 6200 to 22700 Baht. Open-air rooftop Vertigo Restaurant 61 floors above the streets (barbecued seafood). The Moon Bar is the highest al fresco bar in the Asia Pacific.
Sathorn Grace: From 2549 Bath. 81/1 Soi 11, Sathorn Road. Serviced residence. One to two bedroom apartments. Great view from the pool. Reviews on tripadvisor.com are mixed.
The Metropolitan Bangkok: From US-D 50 to 2000. "Once the contemporary jazz and trip-hop tunes greet your ears in the towering atrium lobby, you will quickly appreciate this stylish urban getaway", says travelfish.org. "Great", "highly recommended" according to reviews on tripadvisor.com
Met Bar
Fashion in the Metropolitan Video:
The Sukothai: From 12000 to 86000 Baht. "Best luxury hotel in asia" following to one review on tripadvisor.com
Thonburi ธนบุรี Subdistricts: Wat Kanlaya วัดกัลยาน์, Hiranruchi หิรัญรูจี, Bang Yi Rue บางยี่เรือ, Bukkhalo บุคคโล, Talat Phlu ตลาดพลู, Dao Khanong ดาวคะนอง, Samre สำเหร่
Best Western Bangkok Hiptique: From 1799 Bath. 42 Sukhumvit Soi 13. With rooftop pool. Good reviews on tripadvisor.com. Some guests feel not comfortable on the fact, that the reception is on the seventh floor, so you can go to the lower floors without passing the reception.
Fortuna Hotel:
From 1500 to 2500 Baht. 19 Soi 5, Sukhumvit Road. Traditional Thai Massage.
Golden Palace Hotel: From 1100 to 1350 Baht. 15 Soi Sukhumvit 1 Sukhumvit Rd. Not glorious but budget hotel, rooms towards street can be noisy according to review of Lonely Planet.
Landmark Hotel: From 240 to 520 USD. 138 Sukhumvit Road. Very good reviews on tripadvisor.com, but they mention, that there are a lot of men with prostitutes in the hotel.
Le Fenix: From 1530 to 3230 Baht. 33/33 Sukhumvit Soi 11,
Klong Toey. Budget design hotel with loud youngsters in their 20’s-30’s, interested in partying late. Good reviews on tripadvisor.com
Majestic Suites Hotel: From 1315 to 2050 Baht. Good reviews on tripadvisor.com, but be aware, that there are a lot of single men, taking women from Nana Plaza just around the corner into their rooms, as you can read in reviews on tripadvisor.com
Novotel Lotus: From 3200 to 5600 Baht. 1 Soi Daengudom Sukhumvit 33. Nice hotel, rooms a bit worn, say reviews on tripadvisor.com and they mention, that soi 33 is full of hoestss bars.
Volve Hotel Bangkok: No pool, nice rooftop terrace, attractive design, very close to excellent Bo.lan Thai restaurant. Very good reviews on tripadvisor.com.
Windsor Suites Hotel: From 89 to 600 USD. 8-10 Sukhumvit Soi 20. It has and older, cheaper and a newer part. The rooms from 14th floor upwards are nicer according to a review on tripadvisor.com. The breakfast you take on 32th floor with a good view of awaking Bangkok.
Suite Wing and Garden Wing
Airport Suvarnabhumi ท่าอากาศยานสุวรรณภูมิ
The Phoenix Hotel Bangkok: From 900 Bath. 88 Ladkrabang Soi 7. 70 rooms in two buildings. Shuttle Service between airport and hotel. Simple hotel in a quiet soi, but the coming and going of guests from the airport can cause some noise during your sleep according to reviews on tripadvisor.com.
Picture moonbamboo
Picture moonbamboo
Picture moonbamboo
Krungthep Wing
Garden Suite
Riverside Lounge
Picture by 
