Your recommendations for Bangkok lovers

Good evening,

I’d love to discover the favorites and recommendations from travelers who, like us, love Bangkok.

Koh Kret, which you can explore on foot or by bike (available for rent on-site) in a 6–8 km loop. No cars, just a few motorbike taxis and Mickael’s tricycle from the street vendor. Peaceful and charming. Thai tourism only on weekends in the village, which you’ll leave quickly. Super quiet everywhere during the week. Happy to share tips on how to get there or anything else. I’ve been there 5–6 times. 14 photos near the end of the last page of this thread: https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=10760313;page=last;#last

Good evening, and thank you for this recommendation.

I’d noted it down for future trips since I think we’ll have to wait until our daughter can ride a bike on her own to really enjoy this place. I doubt they rent bikes with child seats, do they? We were also wondering about mosquitoes—we’re traveling in October, right after the rainy season, so there might be quite a bit of standing water. Do you get eaten alive there?

Anyway, I’d love any info on how to get there because if it’s not doable this year, it’ll definitely be on the agenda for our next trip.

Thanks so much!

For Koh Kret, you first need to get to Pak Kret, for example by bus or taxi, but there's a nicer option: take the orange-flag boat-bus to its terminus in Nonthaburi—a lovely ride along the Chao Phraya (e.g., 45 minutes from the Phra Athit stop near Khao San Rd) for just 16 baht. From Nonthaburi, continue by taxi for about 130 baht (metered) to Wat Sanam Nuea in Pak Kret (13°54'46.50"N 100°29'34.60"E), from where ferries depart for Koh Kret (a 2-minute crossing for 2-3 baht). Bikes can be rented at the ferry arrival point, but I don’t remember seeing any with child seats. As for mosquitoes, even though they usually love me, I’ve never had any issues with them on Koh Kret.

Website for boat-bus schedules: https://www.chaophrayaexpressboat.com/chaophrayaexpressboat?lang=en. It’s the only one I know that’s in English, comprehensive, and updated regularly several times a year. You’ll also see a boat-bus line (yellow-green flag) for Koh Kret, but it only runs downstream in the morning and upstream in the evening on weekdays to transport islanders who work in the capital. Plus, its landing point on Koh Kret isn’t the same as the other one.

Pak Kret: walking route from the bus stop to Wat Sanam Nuea (only if you go by bus):



The ferry to Koh Kret at the back of Wat Sanam Nuea (Koh Kret in the background on the left):

Alright, we're sold—we're planning this for this year! xD We'll do it on foot, and maybe we'll go back later by bike when our daughter is older. One question: have you been there on a weekday? Is it worth it? Because we’ve already planned a market for the Saturday we’ll be in Bangkok.

Thanks so much for the recommendation—can’t wait to get there!

A question, have you been there on a weekday?

Most of the time, yes, but once or twice on the weekend.

On a weekday? Is it worth it?

If you like strolling in an environment like the one I posted photos of elsewhere, yes, including on the weekend because the crowd is confined to the narrow shopping area (which only opens on weekends) for Thai village tourism. So, you get it—if you want to see what locals dare to call a "market" (souvenirs, crafts, restaurants...), it's better to go on the weekend.

Because we’ve already planned a market for the Saturday we’ll be in Bangkok.

Apart from what I briefly described above, there’s no market at Koh Kret.

On weekdays, bring some snacks because most of the village restaurants are closed. Sometimes there’s a skewer vendor at the boat exit (near the bike rental), a soup stall on the right side of the road shortly after leaving the village in the counterclockwise direction of the loop, and a basic Thai food spot (like khao pad) around here: 13°54'10.35"N 100°28'38.99"E * That’s about it.

* On the only "connecting soi" that lets you link two sois without having to go back to the "main road."

Don’t stick to the "main road"—also take the sois leading to the riverbanks (then retrace your steps afterward, except for the exception above).

South of the village:



North of the village, entrance to the tourist market that you’ll have to cross anyway to do the full loop of the island (photographed here on a weekday):



Sailing toward Nonthaburi:

a day in Nakhon Pathom

2-hour minivan round trip + 1 to 1.5 hours to see the chedi and wander around the market a bit—one day will be too much.

And if you go to Koh Kret following Songsam’s directions, stop by the Nonthaburi market first: after getting off the express boat, go straight down the avenue—the market is on your right. A traditional market with heat, smells, and smiles.

A few other random tips: MOCA Bangkok, the Museum of Contemporary Art, for a completely different perspective compared to our Western museums.

Another spot: in the south of the city, accessible via the Pak Nam metro, the Samut Prakan district—renovated riverbanks, a tower with a view of all of BKK, and an old citadel with a museum and cannons across the river.

Otherwise, with kids, the aquarium (at Siam) is great. Paid entry, of course.

And still for kids, I was pretty disappointed by the zoo, but that was a few years ago.

We’re taking the train instead of a minivan that speeds along—we’ve got time :)

In the early years, we’d plan several things in a single day, but not anymore. We prefer to take our time, wander where the wind takes us, chat with people, etc. So one day works just fine for us!

Hi Denis, and thanks for your recommendations!

Nonthaburi is already on our itinerary—it sounds really nice.

We’re not into zoos or aquariums, etc.; we prefer animals in the wild. But actually, 20 years ago (before I’d formed my opinion on the matter), I visited the Bangkok Aquarium and thought it was amazing. For those who like that kind of thing, it’s definitely worth seeing.

I’m jotting down everything else, thanks. I’d already noted Salut Prakan under my “to explore” section—you’ve just confirmed my idea.

Just a heads-up that the new Jurassic World theme park in Bangkok just opened this month...

We saw this! At Asiatique Riverfront? But on one hand, it’s still 75 € for the three of us, and with all there is to do in Bangkok, we’re hesitating. On the other hand, we’re wondering if it’s suitable for our daughter’s age—the videos we’ve found online make it seem like it’s more about scaring people, so I think it’s aimed at a slightly older audience.

I tried to squeeze in another dinner at L'Harmonique this year, but my husband isn’t really up for it xD It’s far from where we’re staying, and he finds them too unpleasant to make the trip just for them (It’s true we were greeted pretty coldly, yet with a toddler and stumbling through 3-4 words of Thai, we’re usually welcomed so warmly everywhere we go... But for me, the memory of the crab curry is stronger than the bad welcome in my mind ah ah!)

Listen, I went back to L’Harmonique at Christmas and meh… I already thought it was just okay last time… The setting is still the same, but packed with tourists (yeah, like me), so I won’t be going back… Plus, it’s super hot in that restaurant, and they don’t have enough fans…

Just in case, you can check out https://voyageforum.com/forum/vos-recommandations-amoureux-bangkok-d10777465 for some ideas. But mostly about your other request for stones and crystals... I can tell you where to find them and, more importantly, which shop to visit—but only via PM. If you give me your email address or a WhatsApp number, I can send you videos of this Ali Baba’s cave.

You might find some ideas in this thread: https://voyageforum.com/forum/gratte-ciel-marches-glacons-tourisme-cascades-thailande-demesure-d10702071 and also for stones and crystals for your other request. I know an Ali Baba’s cave, but only in PM.

Oh darn... Well, I guess I’m less disappointed now...

I sent you a private message. Thanks!

(But why couldn’t you reply in the post where I was talking about it? It might interest other members)

I sent you a private message. Thanks!

(But why couldn’t you reply in the post where I was talking about it? It might interest other members)

I tried several times and got an error message saying your message was deleted...😉 Looks like the bug still isn’t fixed...

oh!

It was the two grandmas at the entrance who used to go buy crab every morning at the market. At least one of them is no longer alive (or no longer in good health), and things just aren’t the same anymore. We’d suspected that for several years. I already find it amazing that the quality has stayed this good for so many years. Nothing lasts forever—you’ve got to enjoy it while it’s here.

(But why couldn't you reply in the post where I was talking about it? It might interest other members)

And besides, if you want to find something, maybe you should look for it too?😉 I talk about it at length in my travel journal mentioned a little earlier...

Oh, believe me, I *do* search—always before asking questions here, and in general, since reading about Thailand (articles, books, travel stories, novels, researching places to visit) is exactly what keeps me going between trips.

But when it comes to gemstones, I’d rather get recommendations from buyers because I’m terrified of fakes...

That explains it, then...

No regrets, then. And I’m glad I took advantage of it when it was so good. We know who we have to thank for the great tip 😉

Oh, believe me, I do search—I always search. Before asking questions here, and generally speaking, because reading about Thailand (articles, books, travel stories, novels, researching places to visit) is exactly what keeps me going between trips.

But when it comes to gemstones, I prefer getting recommendations from buyers because I’m afraid of fakes...

Oh! I’m sorry if you took it personally. I was responding to what you said about "others"—people I might give tips to who often expect you to do the research for them and often don’t even say thank you. We never hear from them again once they’ve gotten what they wanted. That’s why I never share my "great tips" randomly, carelessly, or with just anyone...

Well, I got it backwards 🤪

This forum is a goldmine when you're looking—it's where we found the places that gave us our best memories (like the hot springs in San Kamphaeng outside Chiang Mai, a temple in a completely hidden corner of Bangkok where our daughter, who was under two, got to feed turtles, natural hot springs in Italy, and so many more). All these authentic spots, far from the beaten path, where we were often the only tourists—this is where I discovered them thanks to people who took the time to write up their travel journals. There aren’t many (and I get it—they’re often poorly received, criticized for their writing quality or the originality of their journal, when it’s really just about sharing experiences to give cool ideas to fellow lovers of authentic places...), but when they do exist, I savor them...

That said, I also understand travelers who don’t want to share their hidden gems online—precisely to keep the authenticity of the place from being lost by recommending it to the masses...

I’m reading yours now 🙂

Just in case, I’ll remind you all about Siam Wisdom: https://voyageforum.com/forum/carnet-thailande-chiang-mai-bangkok-on-ne-bouddha-pas-notre-plaisir-d8228796-7/

Just in case, I’ll remind you about Siam Wisdom: https://voyageforum.com/forum/carnet-thailande-chiang-mai-bangkok-on-ne-bouddha-pas-notre-plaisir-d8228796-7/

When I click on that link, I end up on page 1 of this very thread... 🤔😢😭

When I click on this link, I end up on page 1 of this very thread...

That’s the other bug at the moment: no matter which link or thread title you click, you land in the same place. It happens every day. And apparently, it doesn’t happen at the same time for everyone because in this case, I actually ended up on the thread Jojoone mentioned.

Oh, I didn't know that—thanks!

Same here, it worked for me 👍🏽

Hi Thierry, I’ve been trying for a while to reply to your last PM, but it’s just spinning and won’t open so I can write my response. These bugs are getting really frustrating... Actually, you sent me the link for route 105, but it’s route 211 I’m looking for (on your other travel site...) Thanks...

I sent you the one about Highway 105 because your DM was titled... Highway 105. I’ll send you the one about Highway 211.

I sent you the one about route 105 because your PM was titled... route 105. I’ll send you the one about route 211.

Sorry, the title was cut off—I wanted to check for both...

Thanks, I just got your latest PM but same here—I can’t reply to... say thanks

While our friends are desperately searching for the connection with the 22 in Asnières 😏, you might consider spending a late afternoon and early evening on Banthat Thong Street, between 500 to 1000m east of Chinatown. There’s color, there’s life, and you won’t starve there.

le 22 à Asnières 😏,

There must be very few of us who get the joke you're referring to...😉 Who still knows Fernand Raynaud these days?😏

🤔🤔 I was trying to figure out where these roads led—I never thought of Asnières!

You read our minds (files?!)—we’ve actually planned an evening on this street, and I can’t wait, my stomach’s already growling! 😋 Plus, we’re planning to get there via the Klong Saen Saep boat taxis, which we’ve never had the chance to try—it’s gonna be so cool!!

Thanks for the recommendation!

Not me 🧡💛

The Klong Saen Saep express boats we’ve never had a chance to try—it’s gonna be cool!!

Yeah, a ride on the Klong Saen Saep is cool (in both senses of the word). Just watch out during rush hours—it can get crowded.

I'm even more excited seeing the photos 🐯 thanks!

The best thing is to take it from near the Golden Mount, which you can visit before catching the boat...

Thanks!!