Page 99 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Bangkok

Greater Bangkok ❮❮ 97

Bang Krajao
9 EXPLORING CHATUCHAK
AND THONBURI
MAP T6 • MRT to Khlong Toey,
then taxi to pier behind Wat Khlong
Toey Nok Chatuchak Weekend Mo Chit
Market
Cycling is a great way to see this Skytrain
area, an oasis of traditional villages, SKYTRAIN Station
mangrove forests, and fruit orchards Royal Barge
on the west side of the Chao Phraya Museum
River. Bicycles can be hired at the pier. Tha Thien
Nearby, the Sri Nakhon Kuenkhan
Park has huge trees, landscaped Wat Arun FERRY
gardens, and pavilions on a lake.
Saphan Taksin
THE DREADED DURIAN
The durian, a most unusual fruit, MORNING
arouses adoration and disgust in Start before 8am and make your
equal measure for its strong repelling way to Mo Chit Skytrain station
smell and heavenly creamy taste. for a good look round Chatuchak
The spiky shell belies the soft yellow Weekend Market (see pp28–9).
pods beneath it, cushioned by thick Pick up a map at the main
padding. The mushy texture and entrance on the Phaholyothin Road
smooth, tangy taste take some and go straight ahead through
getting used to, but once hooked the maze of stalls to the slender
there is no going back. clocktower to orient yourself.
Check out section 8 (handi crafts),
wander through sections 9–15
Rama IX Royal Park
0 (pets and accessories) before
stocking up your wardrobe in
MAP U6 • Sukhumvit Soi 103
• Open 5am–6pm daily • Adm sections 10–21 (clothing and
footwear). As there are thousands
This is an ideal spot to head for when of foodstalls, you can refuel
you need a break from Bangkok’s whenever you get hungry or thirsty.
relentless congestion. Though it
takes a while to get to the park, on AFTERNOON
entering the 200 acre (81 hectare)
site, the effort becomes worthwhile. At midday, return to Mo Chit station
and take the Skytrain to Saphan
The park was opened in 1987 to Taksin. From here, take an express
commem orate the 60th birthday of ferry upriver to Tha Tien, then hop
Rama IX (see p41), and contains a on one of the regular cross-river
museum explaining the life and ferries to Wat Arun (see pp32–3).
achieve ments of the king, a large Take a good look at the bright
lake with pedal boats, as well as ceramics on the prangs (towers),
beau ti fully landscaped grounds with and clamber up the steep steps
of the central spire for a panoramic
several unusual river view. Rest in a breezy
Rama IX plants that are riverside pavilion before taking
Royal Park clearly labeled. the ferry back to Tha Tien. Get
some refreshment at Rub Aroon
café, just around the corner (see
p75), then take an express boat
to Phra Pinklao pier, which is a
ten-minute walk from the Royal
Barge Museum: head up the road
and take the first left down Soi
Wat Dusitaram. Marvel over the
intricate decoration of the other-
worldly vessels on display here
before heading back to your base.
See map on pp94–5

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