A walk through old Bangkok

[Bangyai]

Well, not all of old Bangkok but one little bit of it. Here's a pleasant stroll you can take if you are at a loose end and want to go a little off the tourist trail. Firstly you will need to make your way to Rommaneerart Park. I usually get here by walking up Yaowarat Road from Hualumpong station which is at the end of the underground rail system.
When I first arrived in Bangkok , Rommaneerart Park was still a prison . In converting it to a park a few of the old prison buildings were saved from demolition. One houses an interesting museum about the former prison with many old photos and information on the old Thai penal system. As you enter the park at the South East corner you pass an old watchtower guarding the entrance :



This is a nice park with a laid back feel. They sometimes have free open air concerts here of old time music. Very atmospheric. There is a fitness corner and a childrens play area as well as plenty of shaded areas to enjoy a catnap. Get here early enough and watch the local Chinese residents working through their Tai Chi routines.






Leaving the park by the South West gate and heading directly west past a row of colonial era shops you need to look for a narrow canal with a paved walk running along its side that passes behind a row of these old shops. Tricky to find but worth the trouble. This is what you will see :



This is a nice looking building but I'm not sure if its a private home or something serving a public function.




At the end of this walk you will eventually arrive at Atsadang Road facing Saranrom Royal garden. If you are feeling a bit hungry , the ' Pathe " restaurant on the corner serves good Thai and western food at reasonable prices. This is in a well restored period building and worth a visit in itself.



Crossing this bridge you can carry on into Saranrom Royal Garden.




This garden has many Thai styled buildings to admire as well as several fountains and more shaded trees to lay under and let your lunch go down








To finish off your walk you can either continue west and visit Wat Pho or head north along Atsadang Road towards Sanam Luang passing a block of stores selling musical instruments, most notably , guitars.There is also a bus from here that goes to Sukhumvit Road.

[pluto]

Love your pics, really beautiful! Its' nice to see there are still some hidden architectural treasures in the Big Mango..Thank you.

[Chairman Mao]

That's Mahachai prison btw. And the 'museum' is a bit of a let down... consists of only about 10 cells with various models in them. Nice area, and park though.

[shunpike]

Nice thread...good to see new sides of BKK.

[Bangyai]

Originally Posted by Chairman Mao

That's Mahachai prison btw. And the 'museum' is a bit of a let down... consists of only about 10 cells with various models in them. Nice area, and park though.

True, but at least its free !! When I went a woman employee followed me around pointing things out. Turned out she was only a park sweeper fishing for an extra few baht. Could have done without her attention to be honest and I left quicker than I might have to shake her off. Yes. Mahachai prison. Wonder why they called it that ? Just a guess but it might be that its on Mahachai Road .

Also interesting that the old prison was located in a part of the city noted for its numerous gun shops which are still there. Kinda fits. Just a stones throw from the Park is the well known Chalerm Krung Theatre. This is in arto Deco style and has been renovated in all its former glory






I saw A Thai version of the ' Bootleg Beatles " play here a few years back. I forget their name but they also used to play in an Irish pub down Silom. They were absolutely stunning. Being Thai , I thought they would sing in English with a bad accent but if you closed your eyes you might have been listening to the Beatles. ....authentic in every minute detail. Now I remember. They were called : ' The Better '

Check this out : The Betters and listen to them.

And remember THESE ARE THAI GUYS !!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHS3MuPRWj8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yo3JyUYo1KU

[crazy dog]

Great thread been in that royal park with the little houses, also sala chalerm krung, but for something better than the betters, a star studded lukrung concert in 2002. Chlalerm krung was where the concert section of the film mon pleng luktung fm was filmed in 2001.

[sabang]

Great idea for a thread. I've really got into a rut when I go to Bangkok- I just hang out at the same old familiar haunts around Suk, been doing the same for years now. Reckon I'll give this one a try next time, including lunch at the Pathe'. Might make a day of it, and finish off in Chinatown.

[Phoenix]

I've seen The Better play and they really are that good. They used to play every Thursday down Silom but I havn't been down there for a while so I don't know if they are still playing there. I would love to know as it would be great to see them again. Thanks for the reminder.

[EmperorTud]

I'm going to see the Bootleg Beatles, as the bootleg Mark Chapman.

[BarnacleBill]

Thanks, Bangyai, for that tour. Good pictures and guide. Will add it to my 'collection' and hope to get round to following in your footsteps sooner than later.

[bobbysan124]

Very nice.

[john1000]

Nice thread thanks

[eddiem2005]

I am shocked at "The Better's" authenticity. They even have a Liverpool accent!

Thanks for sharing!!

[rickda]

This is a great walk I love to wander through old BKK

[AjarnJonesy]

Very nice pics there sir

[kingwilly]

A great thread.

A wee request, any chance of including a google earth route map ?

[Boon Mee]

Excellent thread Bangyai. I've never been in there but will make a point of it soon. Cheers for the tour!

[Bangyai]

Originally Posted by kingwilly

A great thread.

A wee request, any chance of including a google earth route map ?

Hope this will do....just follow the yellow line. No photos of the second part of the walk because the batteries in my camera gave out but its worth continuing to the giant swing or even better just make up your own second part .




Some pictures inside the Pathe restaurant :

[Bangyai]

This whole area is very interesting to stroll around especially on a Sunday when there is less traffic. A lot of the period buildings in this area are Crown Estate, belonging to the king. This includes even the small shops lining the streets which are rented out very cheaply for sums less than 1000 baht. The tennants obviously are never going to move out because of the low rents but in some cases they don't maintain the properties as well as they might. There is a very picturesque little square in this area with one of my favourite noodle shops. Next time I go there I'll take my camera and put some pictures up

[Christopher01]

Hi,

Nice pictures about Bangkok,thanks for sharing those information