Two weeks in Bangkok: your off-the-beaten-path suggestions
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Translated into English.

Original post
MA
Hello, After a lot of searching, exchanging ideas, and thinking it over, I’ve decided to go back to my original plan of spending two weeks in Bangkok. From January 19th to February 2nd. I’ll also take a quick trip for one night/two days to Ayutthaya (and return to Bangkok, where I’ll have kept the apartment I booked), and possibly the same for Kanchanaburi, depending on how I feel once I’m there—whether I find something more interesting in Bangkok or nearby. The key word is: taking my time to take photos, observe, taste, savor (in every sense of the word), and most importantly, not rushing. Beyond the must-see tourist spots, I’d love to wander around the city and maybe within a 40 to 50 km radius for a day trip to discover unusual and lesser-known streets, houses, temples, markets, gardens, and more. I’ll also be spending two weeks in Chiang Mai and two weeks in Nan. I’m open to any suggestions. Thank you so much!
MA Marien33 Veteran ·
Hey Joël, I just reread the detailed notes you sent me, and I realize I already have plenty to do and see in Bangkok with all that...
MA Marien33 Veteran ·
Money-wise, I’ve budgeted 3,000 € for this 14-day trip (12 days on the ground if you subtract arrival and departure). Is that a good budget? Average? Not enough?
DE Dennis2 Regular ·
Hello! Personally, in modern Thai style, I really like Chang Chui Creative Park—hardly any tourists, and there’s a plane turned into a luxury restaurant right in the middle. Such a fun spot!

Or the more famous Train Night Market, open on weekend evenings behind Seacon Square. It’s huge and crowded, but before it was full of antique dealers—I think there are fewer now. Still pretty great though!
ER Ericdu38 Regular ·
Financially, I’ve budgeted 3000 € for this 46-day trip—44 days on the ground if you exclude arrival and departure. Is that a good budget? Average? Not enough?

What’s included in that? Flights too?
MA Marien33 Veteran ·
Hi there, personally, in modern Thai style I really like Chang Chui Creative Park—hardly any tourists, a plane turned into a luxury restaurant in the middle, such a fun spot...

Or the more famous Train Night Market, open in the evenings on weekends, behind Seacon Square. It’s huge and crowded, but before it was full of antique dealers—I think there are fewer now. Still pretty cool, though...

Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind!
SO Songsam Veteran ·
Hello Jean Marie

Beyond the must-see sites packed with tourists, I’d love to wander around the city and maybe within a 40–50 km radius for a day to discover unusual and lesser-known streets, houses, temples, markets, gardens, etc.

The rural river island of Koh Kret is perfect for you too (I’ll share it willingly).

It’s peaceful as soon as you move away from the small main village (popular with Thai visitors on weekends) and quiet everywhere during the week. The biggest motorized vehicle you’ll see is Michael the street vendor’s tricycle—aside from him, you’ll only spot a few motorbikes and bikes. A narrow road, about 5 km long and sometimes slightly elevated above the greenery, circles the island, with other equally narrow paths branching off toward the shore and hamlets. You can rent bikes at the "ferry" dock. There aren’t many places to eat outside the village (most are closed on weekdays). You’ll find a soup stall on the right, about 500–700 m after leaving the village heading north, and—if it’s reopened—another small eatery here: 13°54'10.44"N 100°28'38.63"E (located on the only "road" that lets you skip backtracking to the "main road" before continuing your loop).

From Bangkok, you can reach Koh Kret by bus or taxi via Pak Kret, but I recommend this option: take the orange-flag Chao Phraya river bus to its northern terminus in Nonthaburi (a pleasant, breezy 45-minute ride among locals for 15 baht), then a taxi (~120 baht) to Wat Sanam Nuea in Pak Kret. The pier for Koh Kret is at the back of the temple (a 2-minute crossing for 2–3 baht).

I’ve been there half a dozen times, so I have photos I’ll try to post here.
SO Songsam Veteran ·
Financially, I’ve budgeted 3000 € for this 46-day trip, 44 days on the ground if we exclude arrival and departure. Is that a good budget? Average? Not enough?

If you avoid: -beach resorts -the "party" scene -French-speaking spots (accommodation, services, restaurants, etc.) -renting a car with or without a driver -excessive beer -international restaurant chains and if you mostly eat at local street stalls*, your budget of 66 € per day all-in (excluding airfare) will be more than enough. For reference, with the same criteria, Madame Songsam and I travel on 50 € per day for two. *which are the best places to discover the incredible variety of Thai cuisine.
MA Marien33 Veteran ·
The rural river island of Koh Kret is perfect for you too (I’ll share...).

Peaceful as soon as you move away from the small main village (popular with Thai visitors on weekends) and quiet everywhere during the week. The biggest motorized vehicle you’ll see is Michael the street vendor’s tricycle—aside from him, you’ll only spot a few motorbikes and bikes. A narrow road, about 5 km long and sometimes slightly elevated above the greenery, circles the island, and smaller paths branch off toward the shore and hamlets.

Oh! A huge thank you! That’s so nice of you. It’s really kind—this is exactly the kind of place I love.

Bike rentals are available at the "ferry" pier. Not many places to eat outside the village (most are closed on weekdays). There’s a soup stall on the right, about 500–700 m after leaving the village heading north, and if it’s reopened, another one here: 13°54'10.44"N 100°28'38.63"E (located on the only "road" that lets you avoid backtracking to the "main road" before continuing your loop).

I prefer walking to biking. I do 8–10 km every morning and can easily cover 20 km or more in a day when exploring. Plus, I’m better on my feet than on a bike. I love walking—you notice more details, like a huge scorpion on the path this morning or ant processions. For food and drinks, I’ll pack my small insulated backpack, but anyway, I have a big breakfast and skip lunch. Maybe a snack around 4:30–5:00 PM.

From Bangkok, you can reach Koh Kret by bus or taxi via Pak Kret, but I recommend this option: take the orange-flag Chao Phraya boat bus to its northern terminus in Nonthaburi (a pleasant, breezy 45-minute ride among locals for 15 baht) and then a taxi (~120 baht) to Wat Sanam Nuea in Pak Kret. The pier for Koh Kret is at the back of the wat (a 2-minute crossing for 2–3 baht).

And even the transportation tips! Wow!

I’ve been there half a dozen times, so I have photos I’ll try to post here.

Amazing, thank you again!
SO Songsam Veteran ·
The ferry to Koh Kret, at the back of Wat Sanam Nuea in Pak Kret:

On board the/orange-flag boat bus:





MA Marien33 Veteran ·
A big thank you, Thierry, for these photos
SO Songsam Veteran ·
Koh Kret:

















SO Songsam Veteran ·
And even the means and how to get there!

Yes, I like it when my info or suggestions are complete.
MA Marien33 Veteran ·
Amazing! I can already picture myself there. I’m trying to lose the 3 kilos I’ve put on since arriving in India from eating parotha, dosa, uthappam, and more... But I feel like I’m gonna gain 5 kg in Thailand! 😇 Gotta get disciplined ;)
SO Songsam Veteran ·
With a one-night/two-day side trip to Ayutthaya (and returning to Bangkok where I’d have kept the apartment I booked) and, depending on time, the same for Kanchanaburi.

In any case, you always have to factor in Bangkok’s monstrous traffic jams: ~6 AM to 10 AM and 3 PM to 8 PM, including weekends. For example, leaving during those hours, plan for at least 4 hours total to get from central Bangkok to Kanchanaburi—and the same on the way back if you’re traveling in the afternoon. What a joy!… Even the expressways get jammed at those times.

Kanchanaburi (the town and surrounding area) deserves more than 2 days/1 night.
SO Songsam Veteran ·
Another day trip: the Mae Khlong railway market. It’s become quite touristy, but getting there by train is still very "off the beaten path." You’ll need to take 2 trains + a ferry in between, and the one-way trip takes half a day, so it’s better to return to Bangkok by bus or spend the night there. In the same area, the floating markets of Amphawa (weekends only) and Damnoen Saduak are both *super* touristy.
MA Mathews Globetrotter ·
uhhh are you sure you want to pick Bangkok as a city to "get off the beaten path"? Have you ever been to Bangkok? Bangkok is a megacity of several million people, so it comes with all the downsides—horrendous traffic, pollution... and the humid heat doesn’t help. You’d be better off going to La Baule, it’s way more peaceful.🙂
JO Jojoone1 Globetrotter ·
I’ve already told him that. But he loves walking and he’ll be there during a cooler time of year.

After that, he knows that air-conditioned taxis, the Skytrain, and river shuttles exist...
DE Dennis2 Regular ·
Bangkok is a megacity of several million inhabitants, so it comes with all the downsides that entails—horrendous traffic, pollution... It's better to go to La Baule, it's much quieter.🙂

Personally, in December I prefer BKK—the weather’s warmer there.
MA Marien33 Veteran ·
With a one-night/two-day side trip to Ayutthaya (and returning to Bangkok where I’d kept the apartment I booked) and, depending on how it goes, the same for Kanchanaburi.

In any case, you always have to factor in Bangkok’s monstrous traffic jams: ~6 AM to 10 AM and 3 PM to 8 PM, including weekends. For example, if you leave during those hours, budget at least 4 hours total to get from central Bangkok to Kanchanaburi—and the same for the return trip if you’re coming back in the afternoon. What a joy!… Even the expressways are jammed at those times.

Kanchanaburi (the town and surrounding area) deserves more than 2 days/1 night.

Yeah, I didn’t realize it would take so long. I was planning to go by train... So either I tweak my plans again, or I skip Kanchanaburi altogether... Either way, I’ve already booked my non-refundable, non-changeable bus ticket to Chiang Mai from Bangkok, so I’ll have to come back to Bangkok. I’m thinking it over, weighing my options... For my two-week stay, I’ve booked a small apartment near Lumphini Park. For the option of only one week in Bangkok, I’ve reserved a room in a guesthouse, pretty close to the Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha (4 km away), so I can get around on foot. It’s run by a woman who gets rave reviews and is super helpful. I need to make up my mind once and for all—one or two weeks in Bangkok—so I can cancel one of the two bookings as soon as possible.

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