WESmile Magazine January 2020

TRAVEL
BICYCLE TOUR
Around Rattanakosin Island, along Chao Phraya River
บน : น้กทองเทียวัสี่นุก
ก้บการปั่่นเทียวั ณ
สี่วันสี่้นตั้ิชััยปิร้าการ้
Top : Tourists
had fun cycling at
Santichaiprakan Park.
上 方 : 游 客 在 蒂 差 帕 干 公 园
欢 乐 的 骑 行 。
AS WINTER BREEZE BLOWS, COMES A
PERFECT TIME TO EXPLORE BANGKOK’S
OLD DISTRICTS ON A FOLDABLE BICYCLE.
A TRIP WITH SUCH VEHICLE PROMISES
TO ENABLE YOU TO GO THROUGH
THE SMALLEST OF LANES AND GET AN
AMAZINGLY FRESH PERSPECTIVE OF THE
THAI CAPITAL.
Better Than Walk team brought us on its bicycle tour
along the Chao Phraya River and nearby old zones
the other day. Prepared for us were folding bikes of a
British brand, Brompton. These bicycles proved very
agile as we headed out from Phra Sumeru Fortress to
Santichaiprakan Park. Boasting a universal design,
this park is friendly to all people including wheelchair
users. From the park, we could enjoy a splendid view
of Rama 8 Bridge.
Then, we cycled along the Chao Phraya River to
the Pinklao Bridge and further to the Phra Arthit Road.
We went past the glittering Grand Palace, the Emerald
Buddha Temple, Sanam Luang, and the National
Theatre to stop at the National Museum Bangkok.
Located inside what was once the Front Palace, this
museum features an impressive range of historical
artefacts and cultural items.
From the museum, we pedalled our bike along
the Thammasat University’s wall past Wat Mahathat,
2-storey shophouses, rows of amulet, herbal medicine
and Dhamma book stalls, and then the Tha Phrachan
Market before dropping into Tha Maharaj to enjoy
some food and a good river view.
After a tasty meal and relaxation, we jumped on
our bike and rode past Tha Chang, the Grand Palace,
and Tha Ratchaworadit. We swerved into Tha Tian
zone to discover old-style shops and stylish cafés, and
then to the riverbank. From there, we could see the
awe-inspiring pagoda of Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn).
Next, we cycled further to Museum Siam to check
out interactive exhibitions. The fun continued as we
folded our bike to squeeze through the Bangkok’s
bustling flower market and the area under the
Memorial Bridge on foot. Cycling could resume after
we walked out of the bridge. We followed a canal and
went straight into Pahurad, Sampeng and Yaowarat,
where our trip reached its peak. It was amazing to
explore this zone, always impassable to cars, with
27-cm-wide bicycles and see up close the smiles of
locals.
By late afternoon, we reached Xiang Gong area
that smelled of oil and was full of metallurgic sounds.
We then went ahead through very narrow lanes of
Talad Noi market. Along the way are colourful graffitidecorated
walls. Our trip concluded at ‘Ban Rim Nam
Talad Noi’, an old barn that has transformed itself into
a gallery-cum pub. It was a refreshing and marvelous
end to our journey, as the place presented a tempting
cocktail plus panoramic view of the Chao Phraya River.
TRAVELLERS’ GUIDE
Getting There : THAI Smile offers daily direct flights between Bangkok and many provinces. For flight schedules and
reservations, go to www.thaismileair.com
More Info : Better Than Walk - Bangkok Premium Bicycle Tour usually offers a half-day programme around the old town
of Bangkok. Programmes can also be customised to customers’ interest. Tel. 089 122 1518, www.betterthanwalk.com
46 January 2020
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