Bangkok Short Trip
Today we present you Bang Rak - Chareon Krung District where the mixture of Thai, Chinese, and western cultures lives. Observe old western architectures and Charoen Krung’s unique lifestyles with both old and modern which are the landmarks of the old Charoen Krung road.
Let’s get some education about this historic road first.
Charoen Krung Road was constructed during the reign of King Mongkut.
It was the first western road in Bangkok flanked by a set of traditional western architectures since there were many Europeans staying in Bangkok,
back in the time as same as today's.
With lots of incidents such as floods and WWII, these historic buildings have been dilapidated as time’s gone by, but the dilapidation in the area makes it more attractive to many hipsters to visit.
Bangkok City View
Charoen Krung Road now is prosperous like its name, Charoen Krung means prosperous city. Lots of local buildings, residences, and department stores in the area can be perfectly described as “modern but classic” where you should visit once when you are in Bangkok.
Before Trip, please, check all points on your Google Map.
A list of places in Charoen Krung we visited in a day:
- BTS Saphan Taksin (สะพานตากสิน) https://goo.gl/maps/3k4NQBiqM452
- Assumption Cathedral (อาสนวิหารอัสสัมชัญ) https://goo.gl/maps/JQtKEoC2Zix
- Bang Rak Fire Station (สถานีดับเพลิงบางรัก) https://goo.gl/maps/bP1BodmTzmD2
- Grand Postal Office (อาคารไปรษณีย์กลาง) https://goo.gl/maps/kSMqLeyZQM32
- Street Wall Art (เจริญกรุง 32-38) https://goo.gl/maps/G7UBwySVKHB2
- House No. 1 (บ้านเลขที่ 1) https://goo.gl/maps/eJbTSRVMNzA2
- Holy Rosary Church (โบสถ์กาลหว่าร์) https://goo.gl/maps/FUyNPfM1tUt
- So Heng Tai (บ้านโซวเฮงไถ่) https://goo.gl/maps/2Njme8tcwf32
- Sarnies Coffee Map Link
- ขาหมูเจริญแสงสีลม Kamoo Charoensang Silom https://goo.gl/maps/sEdv6r2Fn2t
- เมล็ด MaLet's Cafe ' https://goo.gl/maps/dyfQ8efhfa72
- Loftel 22 Cafe. https://goo.gl/maps/R3nuc7YAPGP2
Bangkok City View
Let’s get some education about this historic road first. Charoen Krung road was constructed during the reign of King Mongkut. It was the first western road in Bangkok flanked by a set of traditional western architectures since there were many Europeans staying in Bangkok back in the time as same as today's.
With lots of incidents such as floods and WWII, these historic buildings have been dilapidated as time’s gone by, but the dilapidation in the area makes it more attractive to many hipsters to visit.
Charoen Krung Road now is prosperous like its name, Charoen Krung means prosperous city. Lots of local buildings, residences, and department stores in the area can be perfectly described as “modern but classic” where you should visit once when you are in Bangkok.
Start with Foods
Sarnies one of the best coffee place in Bangkok.
Best Coffee and foods.
Kamoo Charoensang Silom.
An army marches on its stomach! We decided to fill up our bellies before strolling around the area with the bib Gourmand Michelin restaurant “Kha Moo Charoen Saeng Silom.” Although the restaurant is rated by Michelin Star, but the price is not that high like you expect it to be. For the review, we can’t even find a word to describe the taste and quality of the Kha Moo.
You need to come and try
it yourself and you will know why!
Sarnies Coffee
We started this trip from BTS Saphan Taksin Station, walked along Charoen Krung Road and took a shortcut to Soi Charoen Krung 40. Only ten-minute walk for one kilometre will bring you to the big cathedral. This Renaissance styled cathedral is the main Roman Catholic church of the Archdiocese of Bangkok and was built 111 years ago in 1909.
The interior was so superb! We were captivated by the extravagant of the roman pillars, golden stars decorated ceiling and the stained-glass clerestory windows of the cathedral.
Our tummies are rumbling again and there it is MaLet’s café right to serve us. It is situated near O.P. Garden at the entrance of Soi Charoen Krung 36. The taste of the drinks is good. The host is so nice and friendly that she can rise our energy and keep
us continuing the journey for a day.
From the Assumption Cathedral at Soi 40, take a few steps to Soi 38 and then turn left to Soi 36, a 120-year old Neo Palladian building is placed nearby Chao Phraya River. Before turning into Bang Rak Fire Station, it was the Old Customs House built in 1890 during King Rama V era where Bangkok was progressively influenced by western culture. Nowadays, it is a residence of the firefighters of Bang Rak Fire Station and it is obviously seen that some parts of the building are ruined and look very damaged.
Not long from the earlier place, only ten-minute walk to Soi 32, a big brutalist architecture is located. The tremendous building in the heart of Bangrak belongs to Grand Postal Office and is placed for TCDC (Thailand Creative and Design center) where an art library, a co-working space, an art workshop and Thai Stamp Museum are all inside the building.
We went to the fifth floor to feel and capture the breathtaking view and atmosphere of Bang Rak District to you guys but it was quite hot up there in the middle of the day. However, you can chill up your body by sitting inside the library of TCDC.
Wall Street Art @ Soi Charoenkrung 32 – 38. All hipsters shouldn’t miss such an artistry landmark. At Soi 32 near the Grand Postal Office is the popular spot.
Bangkok City View
Where many famous street art artists such as Alex Face, Phai, Kult, Sabek, Thibaud Tchertchian, and Lolay branding their masterpieces.
Hope that these street arts will become one of the favorite spots for people who love taking pictures with a hipster style.
At Soi Charoenkrung 30, we saw a big house standing out in the middle of the alley. This Neo-Classical styled house is called House No.1. It was owned by King Rama V. Now it is a space provided for holding various special occasions such as a wedding party. If you are looking for a warm and gorgeous place for your wedding, House No.1 will be at your service.
Strolling from Soi 30 to Soi Vanich 2, what caught our eyes is a beam of light in the evening casting on the pointy dome of Holy Rosary church, another Roman Catholic Church
in Bang Rak, nearby the Chao Phraya River.
Before ending our journey, we need to fill our energy back up at Loftel 22 Café. It is the café in a small and cozy hostel at the entrance of Soi Charoen Krung 22 near Talat Noi market. They serve lots of lovely waffles, pancake and some mouthwatering ice cream.
Walking straight along Soi Vanich 2 then turning left to the narrow San Chao Rong Kueak alley, you will see an old Chinese style mansion. So Heng Tai has been lasted for 220 years and now is opened for a scuba diving school. Also, there is a café in the mansion for you to sit and appreciate this traditional Chinese architecture.
The Chinese styled doors decorated with the lanterns are alluring us
to explore what’s behind them.
Bangkok City View