Walk and boat through Bangkok’s vintage communities, away from the touring masses, into the fiber of the city. Several longtail boat stop-offs take us through Thonburi, Thailand’s capital between the Ayutthaya and Bangkok periods, visiting old artisan villages, markets and art communities.

Areas include:​ Bangkok Noi, Bang Luang Canals and canalside stops, including Royal Barges Museum, Baan Bu Thai bronzeware workshop, a short walk through the Baan Bu community to Wat Suwannaram Worawihan, an Ayutthaya-era temple, then Baan Silapin – the Artist’s House to catch a traditional Thai puppet show daily at 2:00 pm.

Important Notes:​

• On the weekends, the bronzeware workshop at Baan Bu will be closed. Taling Chan Market (open on weekends only) will be visited instead, providing opportunity to sample some local delicacies before heading to Baan Silapin.
• To see puppets show, we suggest leaving the hotel at 12pm
• This trip is in a traditional Thai longtail boat, which (depending on the tides) sometimes requires climbing in and out due to Pier height. If you can’t climb, please talk to us about other options.

About places we visit:

Royal Barges Museum The Royal Barge Procession, a royal ceremony that involves more than fifty gold-crafted barges, is one of the most spectacular events in the world. With a long-run history since Ayutthaya era, the procession aims to transport the king and/or member(s) of the royal family during special events, such as when delivering the new robes to the monks after a Buddhist Lent period. The museum houses a precious collection of historic barges, some of which were built more than two hundred years old. Each barge’s figurehead was crafted to represent a different kind of mythical animals. Probably the most remembered barge as it’s part of the logo of Tourism Authority of Thailand, the figurehead of the 46-meter-long Suphannahong royal barge features the shape of a mystical swan.

Baan Bu Thai​ bronzeware workshop,​(weekdays) a specialty of the Baan Bu communityin Bangkok Noi is a little known Thai handicraft in making stone polished bronze bowls or “khan long hin,” an art that has been handed down for six generations since the Ayutthaya era. Watch the entire process of making a bowl from molten bronze, then browse in the shop.

Wat Suwannaram Worawihan,​an Ayutthaya-era temple that was used for royalcremations up until Rama IV times. It is known for its beautiful murals created by the best artists at the time of Rama III. They show from high to lower walls: angels, royalty, palace servants, working class and slaves. In amongst this are depictions of the first foreigners to arrive in Thailand.

Talat Taling Chan is ​more of a weekend food market. The vendors do not paddle to sell their products, but stay at one stop where visitors walk by.​ The​ Market takes place in front of Taling Chan District Office in Klong Bangkok Noi from 11am to 2pm. It is entirely authentic and frequented visited by locals. Fruit, vegetables, flowers, plants and trinkets are on offer (weekends only).

Baan Silapin (Artist’s House),​ a restored 200 years old wooden house along Klong BangLuang which now houses an art gallery displaying paintings, vintage photographs, crafted masks and puppets. There are also some unusual features that always catch the eyes of people passing by on boats: Several human-sized statues painted in white, red or black sitting by the water, endlessly staring at life passing by. In addition to the art gallery, the traditional Thai puppet show is performed at 14:00 every day except on Wednesday.

Travel is by boat, foot, tuk-tuk.

Program includes: Snacks, drinking water, soft drinks, cool towels, all entrances fees, transport costs and a professional host.

Duration: 3 hours , Suggest Time 10:00hrs – 13:00hrs or 12:00hrs – 15:00hrs