'''Thonburi''' (ธนบุรี) is the west bank of the Chao Phraya river in Bangkok, Thailand.

Understand

Thonburi was briefly the capital of Siam after the sack of Ayutthaya in 1767. In the Ayutthaya period, this city was named Thonburi Srimahasamut, known by West merchants as _gBangkok_h. At that time, the town centers were on both banks of the Chao Phraya River. However, King Rama I established his new capital ''Krung Thep'' (the Thai name for Bangkok) on the east side of the river in 1782. Thonburi remained a separate town before being incorporated into the Bangkok metropolitan area in 1972.

During reign of King Chairajathirat of Ayutthaya, a canal about 8-10 meters (26-32 ft) wide was built by his command as a shortcut connecting the Chao Phraya River in the area near Wat Rakhangkositararam, a royal temple near Siriraj Hospital. The strength of the current eroded the canal banks to undermine. As a result, it became a river while some old parts of the Chao Phraya River were narrower and finally they become two canals: the Bangkok-Yai and the Bangkok-Noi which made that area of Bangkok have outs shape as an island. Consequently, there was a hypothesis that the name Bangkok was originated from _gBangkok_h which meant _gan island community_h. However, for those who inhabited on both sides of the Chao Phraya River banks were the people of the same town (Thonburi).

Archeologically, the town center of Thonburi had long been an old town community located at the Old Palace (the Navy Base at present). It used to be a gateway town being called _gTha Khanon_h, which meat _gtax collecting port_h for foreign merchants who sailed in and out of the country. In 1665, there was a Fort, _gVichaiprasit_h, built by the command of King Narai the Great of Ayutthaya at the mount of the Bangkok-Yai canal. It was designed and constructed by French architects and engineers and had 200-300 French soldiers graded it. After the death of King Naria, Phra Phetraja, the King who succeeded the thrown had all the French soldiers captured and demolished the fort.

Geographically, Thonburi has an area of only 25 square kilometers (9.7 sq mi). The neighboring province in the North is Nonthaburi, on the West is Nakorn Pathom, the Eastern province is Samutprakran where some parts reach the Gulf of Siam. The East is the Chao Phraya River. Thonburi s in tropical zone; therefore, the weather is hot and humid all year round. Since the land is a delta on the month of the Chao Phraya River, the soil is well fertile, suitable for agriculture. As a result, the old typical careers of the people in Thonburi are agricultures and orchard owner. The land at the mouth of the river where Thonburi is located was once a sea and later became a fertile delta where there are several waterways, which made constructing canals in this area being done easily. Consequently, there are so many canals in Thonburi that this city has been known as _gVenice of the East_h.

Even though Thonburi was the capital city for only 15 years, this place had long been an old city community which was economically important because it was also a tax collecting gateway town. It has also been a fertile land for agriculture. Moreover, Thonburi has long been a multi-cultural community of different ethnic groups of people: the Chinese, Mon, Indian, Japanese and Dutch merchants since the Ayutthaya period. One of this distinguished proof is a Dutch Warehouse in Bang Pakok district, being called New Amsterdam.

The identity of Thonburi is entirely different from Bangkok. Besides having several canals, this city is the center for arts, architecture as well as Thai ways of life in Thonburi from past to present are peaceful and happy ones due to the simple way of living on the river and canal banks with the cool atmosphere, all make Thonburi a surprisingly fascinating city.

Get in

By metro

After nearly ten years of delays, the BTS Skytrain extension across the Chao Phraya to Thonburi finally opened in May 2009. Service is free until August 2009. Still, there are only two stations, neither of which is near anything particularly interesting, so most visitors will find it more useful to get off on the east side at Saphan Taksin and continue by the Chao Phraya River Express boat.

By train

There are two train stations in Thonburi, both comparatively quiet.

  • '''Thonburi Train Station''', formerly known as '''Bangkok Noi''', is the terminus for twice-daily trains to Kanchanaburi. Just to keep things confusing, the previous Thonburi Station right next to the river (accessible by River Express) is now mothballed, but it's only 800 meters away from the new Thonburi, on the east side of Th Arun Amarin.
  • '''Wong Wien Yai''' station serves only the rustic Mahachai/Maeklong commuter line [http://www.2bangkok.com/2bangkok/MassTransit/maeklong.shtml], an experience for rail fans but of little interest to most visitors. Trains run roughly hourly. Despite the name, the SRT station is not very close to BTS station of the same name; to transfer, take a motorbike taxi for 10-20 baht.
  • By ferry

    The Chao Phraya River Express stops at a few points on the Thonburi side, notably at Wat Arun and near the old Thonburi railway station.

    By bus

    The '''Southern Bus Terminal''' (''Sai Tai Taling Chan'' ??????????????) is now located on Phutthamonthon Soi 1 in northern Thonburi. Long-distance buses leave from here to destinations throughout western Thailand (including Nakhon Pathom and Kanchanaburi) and southern Thailand (including Krabi, Phuket, Surat Thani, Hat Yai, and many others). The new terminal is a fairly pleasant airport-like structure with air-conditioning, electronic departure monitors (in English), a few bank offices and a KFC.

    Getting to the terminal is a bit of headache, as public transport is limited. The easiest option is to take a taxi, but it's also reachable on buses 515 and 549 and from Suvarnabhumi Airport with bus 556. Be sure the taxi knows where to go, or you may end up at the old "new" Southern Terminal (''Sai Tai Mai''), which only stopped operating in late 2008.

    From Victory Monument, take the (pale) orange-colored (air-conditioned) "No. 515" bus, it will cost you around (more or less of..) 16 Baht one-way per person (to the Southern Bus Terminal ("Sai Tai Mai"), in the Bang Ramat sub-district, Taling Chan district, in Thonburi-side of Bangkok. When approached by an onboard bus attendant ticketer, just tell them "Sai Tai Mai") or "Taling Chan".

    An easier, ''much'' cheaper and ''possibly'' more comfortable alternative to get to the station is to take the Thonburi-bound (white-colored, air-conditioned, Western-style) "Metro" Bus, that can be taken from various locations throughout Bangkok, such as Ramkhamhaeng road in Bang Kapi, Huamark, near the (Rajamangala) National Stadium. Be sure to have exact change, 30 baht/person.

    The good news is that these problems can easily be avoided by simply using a normal '''government licensed''' public bus service, as the Thai do every day. For southern destinations, tickets are sold at the Southern Bus Terminal, which is also where the bus will depart from.}}

    See

  • '''Temple of Dawn''' (''Wat Arun''), Wangderm Road, on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, next to the Navy base. Open from 7AM?5PM. 50 Baht (for foreigners). The highest rank Royal temple is the _gmost visited_h tourist attraction in Thonburi. Easily accessible by a short ferry hop from the Rattanakosin side and hence covered in the Rattanakosin article.
  • The magnificent pagoda called '''Phra Prang Wat Arun'''. Overlooking the Chao Phraya River, it is not only the symbol of Thonburi, but is also a world-famous landmark and one of the most photographed places in Thailand. Thousands of international tourists visit this temple everyday, mostly by boats early in the morning before taking boat trip along the canals to the floating markets and orchards.

    The _gPrang or pagoda was originally built during the Ayutthaya period and was rebuilt again in the reign of King Rama I. It was completely finished in the reign of King Rama III of the Rattanakosin period. The 67 meter-tall main Prang, surrounded by four direction smaller ones is beautifully decorated with colorful Chinese porcelain pieces. From the main Prang corridor, one can clearly see the view of '''the Grand Palace''', Wat Pho and '''the Temple of the Emerald Buddha''' across the river.

    The temple, being rebuilt in late Ayutthaya period, was firstly named Wat Makok, and later changed into Wat Chaeng (Temple of the Dawn). It used to be the Royal temple situated on the same compound of the Original Palace, however with no monk_fs residence during the reign of King Tak Sin (1767-1782), and once housed the Emerald Buddha. Beside the famous Prang, be sure to take a look at the main chapel, the image hall, the Chinese style bell tower, and the open pavilions overlooking the river.

    There is a pier next to this temple opposite ''Tha Tien pier'' in Bangkok. Those who are interested in chartering boats to the canals in Thonburi, are able to find some boats here.

  • ''' Wat Kalayanamit''', 656 Tesaban 1 Road, is situated on the mouth of Bangkok Yai canal on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River opposite Rajinee School. It is also close to Kudichin old community and Santa Cruz Church. This Royal Temple was named after Chao Phraya Nikornbodin (Toah Kalayanamit), a noble man of King Rama III who donated his own residence and bought a piece of land to built a temple. Wat Kalayanamit is well known for a large Buddha image named _gPhraputtatrirattananayok_h, which is 15.44 meter tall and 11.75 meter wide. This image is also called _gSampokong_h by the Chinese-Thai race worshippers.
  • Every day during the Chinese New Year festival, this temple is crowded by thousands of the Chinese Thai visitors. Other interesting items in this temple are the Chinese style ordination hall, which was the previous residence of Chao Phraya River.

  • ''' Santa Cruz Cathedral''', 112 Tesaban 1 Road. Also known as _gWat Kudichin_h overlooking the Chao Phraya River, near Memorial Bridge and Wat Kalayanamit. This is the first Catholic Church in Thonburi. The church building has a magnificent Italian-style architecture built in 1816. The word _gSanta Cruz_h in Portuguese is taken from Latin words _gSanctus Crux_h which means _gthe Holy Cross_h. The reason this cathedral takes both the Portuguese and the Chinese names was due to the war with the Burmese in 1767 when King Tak Sin commanded to gather the people who had escaped from the war to settle down in the capital. The King dictated that the Chinese group who migrated from Ayutthaya settle down around the area of Wat Kalayanamit while the Portuguese people would have their houses built along the bank of the Chao Phraya River. The Portuguese who settled her were called _gFarang Kudichin_h which means _gWesterners at the Chinese shrine_h. This area is an old community, also being the birthplace of a kind of famous cupcake, _gKhanom Farank Kudichin_h.
  • '''Wat Intrawat''', a temple located on Thanon Wat Inthrawat road and a canal, in the Bang Phrom section of the Taling Chan district, is up the road from the nearby "open" market in (nearby) Bang Ramat.
  • '''Wat Poe''', a temple located on Phutthamonthon Sai 1 road in the Bang Ramat section of the Taling Chan district, near the Southern Bus Terminal ("Sai Tai Mai").
  • '''Wat Kok Poe Ram''', a temple located on a side road of Phutthamonthon Sai 1 road, in the Taling Chan district.
  • '''Wat Rakhangkositaram''', 250 Arunamarin Road. Formerly known as Wat Bang Wa Yai, situated on Arunammarin Road. The front of the temple is on the bank of the Chao Phraya River.
  • This temple was built during the Ayutthaya period, later it was reconstructed and upgraded as a Royal Temple by King Tak Sin. The name _gWat Rakhang_h which means _gThe Bell Temple_h, is due to the discovery of a huge bell at this temple in the reign of King Rama I. This significant second category Royal Temple was the residence of many supreme patriarchs of the Rattankosin period including _gSomdej Toah_h, the highly respected monk in the reign of King Rama V. Things of note are the beautiful mural paintings in the ordination hall, the image hall and the bell tower.

  • '''Wat Suwannaram''', 33 Charansaniwong Road. A big Royal Temple on the banks of the Bangkok noi canal built during the reign of King Rama I and renovated during the reign of King Rama III. Inside are murals depicting the Jutaku, deities and the Buddha image in subduing the mara posture. These works of art of the early Rattanakosin period (19th century) are considered as the best survival mural paintings in Bangkok.
  • '''Royal Barge National Museum''', on the mouth of Bangkok Noi canal, Arunammarin Road, near Bangkok Noi railway station. Open daily from 8:30AM-4:30PM. This place displays several Royal barges, and their ornaments used for Waterborne state ceremonies.
  • The ornately carved barges were crafted in the early centuries, taking the form of famous mythical creatures of the Ramayana epic. The most impressive is the Suphannahongse or Golden Swan, the red and gold Royal river procession for the Kathin (robe presenting ceremony) at Wat Arun.

  • '''Bang Ramat Floating Market'''. This major attraction, with a pleasant and shaded atmosphere, is by a canal on Bang Ramat (road), in the Bang Ramat section of Taling Chan.
  • '''Taling Chan Floating Market'''. This major attraction along Chak Phra canal is held every weekend. It is more convenient than taking a Khlong trip to '''Wat Sai'''. Boat and stalls gather here selling a variety of food. ''' ''Opened on the weekends (Saturdays and Sundays).'' '''
  • '''Bang Ramat, ''"open" market'' '''. A large outdoor (tent) market, down the road from the ''Southern Bus Terminal'' (or '' "Sai Tai Mai" ''), that is popular and well-known to locals, but barely-known or visited by tourists. It offers a variety of items, such as Thai and Western foods, clothing, toys, media, etc.
  • '''Snake Farm''', Shake Farm, 35 minutes from Wat Sai floating market is another stop for sightseeing and watching a snake show. The farm is open daily from 8:30AM?5PM.
  • '''Songkran Niyomsane Forensic Medicine Museum''', Siriraj Hospital, Adulayadejvikrom Building 2nd Floor (''a short walk from Chao Phraya pier N10 Tha Wang Lang'')[http://www.si.mahidol.ac.th/museums/en/index.htm]. Offers a creepy collection of medical oddities similar to the Mutter Museum in Philadelphia.
  • Do

    '''Klong (Canal) Trips'''

    Taking a trip along the canals in Thonburi are easily arranged for a group of 10 tourists or more by chartering a boat along the canals to visit orchards and the floating market. The most convenient place to charter a boat is at the pier in front of Wat Aurn (Temple of the Down). However, for tourists from Bangkok, a boat service is operated every morning from 6.30 a.m. The boats depart from Tha Cang pier every half an hour unit 11.00 a.m. They leave the pier when there are enough passengers. Boat fare is 30 bath per person. Major canals in Thonburi which tourists can take boat trip to are Klong Bangkok Noi, Klong Bag Yai, Klong Daan, Klong Chakphra, etc.

    Buy

    Bangkok Noi (District)

  • '''Directions:''' To get to Bangkok Noi district, particularly the '' '''Central Plaza Pinklao''' '' and the '' '''Major Cineplex Pinklao''' '', take the small old-fashioned ('retro') green-colored No.40 bus from a designated bus stop, near the Taling Chan Post Office on Borommaratchachonnani Road in the Chim Phli sub-district. Not sure about whether this bus originate from the Southern Bus Terminal ("Sai Tai Mai"), but it is near within about 1 to 2km. If it doesn't, then make sure to take the small truck-bus with the green-colored sign, from (Thanon) Phutthamonthon Sai 1 road, nearby the road entrance/exit -way to the Southern Bus Terminal ("Sai Tai Mai"). Do make sure that you take it when it heads into the direction of a very noticeable large curve/bend in the road. The No.40 bus should cost you less than 10 Baht (per person/per trip), and the small truck-bus should cost you about 5.50 (or ~6) Baht (per person/per trip). When you are on the small truck-bus, just make sure to press the red-colored 'stop' button, then hop off (and then ''directly'' pay the driver, through the passenger window, but only at your stop, which will be at the bus stop near the post office. On the No.20 bus, you need not to announce your destined stop to the bus attendant ticketer, besides asking the price for the trip (if you choose to do so). Do make sure to press the white-colored 'stop' button (about a block) before your stop, which would be in front of the Central Plaza Pinklao. Take the elevated pedestrian bridge from nearby the plaza, to get to the Major Cineplex Pinklao complex.
  • Central (Pinklao)

    '''Central Plaza Pinklao''' is a shopping mall/office tower complex on Borommaratchachonnani Road in Bangkok Noi district, Bangkok, Thailand. The shopping portion includes 6 floors (with a basement floor), which features stores, shop stalls, restaurants, a movie theater (split on two separate floors), and a karaoke lounge. Across (the road) from the complex, easily accessible by an pedestrian crossing bridge, there is the Major Cineplex Pinklao shopping complex.
  • '''ASA Services''' ''(Key Duplicating & Shoe Repairs)''
  • '''B2S''' (Book & Stationary) ''(book/media store)''
  • '''Fixit''' ''("Clothes Fixing Experts")''
  • '''Marks & Spencer''' ''(European-style clothing)''
  • '''Powerbuy''' ''(electronics store)''
  • '''Thai Ticket Master''' ''(performance tickets seller?)''
  • '''Wash Me''' ''(Professional - Dry Clean & Laundry)
  • '''Western Union''' ''(money exchange, transfers, etc.)''
  • Major Cineplex Pinklao

    '''Major Cineplex Pinklao''' is a shopping mall complex, which features several floors of stores, shop stalls, restaurants, and a large movie theater (split into two separate floors). Across (the road) from the complex, easily accessible by an pedestrian crossing bridge, there is the Central Plaza Pinklao shopping/office tower complex.

    Makro Supercenter

    The '''Makro Supercenter''' is an indoor complex, which features an wholesale club retail supermarket, a cafeteria, a bank, and some shop stalls. Located on Charan Sanitwong road, Bang Khun Non, Bangkok Noi.
  • Makro ''(European-style wholesale club retail supermarket)''
  • Tesco Lotus Supercenter

    The '''Tesco Lotus Supercenter''' is an indoor complex, which features an "''Walmart-style''" supermarket, including a pharmacy, several restaurants, and several small shops, on Borom Rachachonnanee Road, Arun Amarin?, Bangkok Noi.
  • '''Dunkin' Donuts''' ''(American fast-food restaurant)''
  • '''Tesco Lotus''' ''(European-style supermarket/supercenter)''
  • Bang Khae (District)

    The Mall Bang Khae

    '''The Mall Bang Khae''' is a large shopping mall complex, which features many floors of stores, shop stalls, restaurants, and a movie theater. It is located down the street from Kasemrad Hospital.

    Taling Chan (District)

    Bang Ramat Floating Market

    '''Bang Ramat Floating Market''' is a major attraction, with a pleasant and shaded atmosphere, is by a canal on Bang Ramat (road), in the Bang Ramat section of Taling Chan. Although this relatively-new floating market is not frequently visited by boats, but it does have many shop stalls, a small boat museum, water buffalo?, several walking paths (around the market), small restroom facilities, a few outdoor restaurants, and a variety of foods and merchandise for sell. Occasionally, it does feature live outdoor performances by local children and/or organizations. ''' ''Opened on Sundays.'' '''

    This market is easily accessible (and used as a prolonged stopover) on some tourist tour boats from Taling Chan Floating Market. Also, it is accessible by road, not too far from Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal ("Sai Tai Mai"). From the bus terminal, walk towards the corner of the road entrance/exit -way and Phuttamonthon Sai 1 road, to hop onto the red-colored pickup truck-bus with the white sign (with blue-colored Thai writing), heading into the 'opposite' direction of a nearby road (U-turn) curb. '''Cost: 5.50 Baht''' ''each-way per person'' (paid ''directly'' to the driver, through the passenger's window, at your stop, once you press the 'red button' to hop off of the truck-bus at your stop). <br> '' '''Note:''' Down the road, across the intersection of Bang Ramat, Phutthamonthon Sai 1, and Thanon Wat Inthrawat road, you will find the "open" market (in Bang Ramat). From this intersection, down the road of Phutthamonthon Sai 1 road, you will find Wat Poe (temple) and the road entrance/exit -way to the Southern Bus Terminal ("Sai Tai Mai").''

    Bang Ramat's local 'outdoor' marketplace

    Located near the ''intersection'' of... '''Phutthamonthon Sai 1''' (road) ''[down the road from the '''Southern Bus Terminal''' or '''"Sai Tai Mai"''']'' and '''Thanon Wat Inthrawat''' (road) ''[a side street of '''Highway 4/Ratchaphreuk''']'', you will find an local 'outdoor' marketplace, filled with food, refreshments, clothing, souvenirs, and miscellaneous items, by various independent local vendors. '''Opened from the ''afternoon'' to ''late night'',''' all '''7 days of the week''', but ''best to '''visit during mid-afternoon''' ''.
  • '''Food'''
  • Many traditional Thai cuisines, Thai and Western -style desserts, and refreshments. Very reasonably priced, '''most items costing between 10 to 25 Baht'''.
  • '''Clothing'''
  • This market has a variety of clothes for sale, new or used, with a variety of styles, from traditional Thai clothing, to Western and Eastern -style camouflage military uniforms, and including Western name brand 'knock-off' attire.
  • '''Other Merchandise'''
  • Many other merchandise is sold at this market, including CDs/DVDs/VCDs, children toys, phone accessories, purses, weapons (handguns, hunting knifes, ammunition, etc.), toiletries, ceremonial gifts, Thailand souvenirs, etc.
  • '''Activities'''
  • Located at the market, is a large inflatable playpen for children, and music played throughout the market on stereo speakers.
  • '''Parking'''
  • There is a good amount of parking spaces located on the market grounds, usually not filled to capacity.

    To/From Market
  • '''Pick-up truck-bus''' ''' ''(aka - "mini bus")'' '''
  • *Flag down and hop onto the small-pick-up truck-bus, with the 'red-colored (background)' (front) sign, from the corner of the 'roadway entrance' to the Southern Bus Terminal ("Sai Tai Mai"). Also, you can take either the 'red-colored sign' or 'white-colored sign' pick-up truck from the corner of the 'roadway entrance' to Taling Chan Floating Market, including from Bang Ramat's (canal) floating market. '''Cost: 5.50 Baht''' ''each-way per person'' (paid ''directly'' to the driver, through the passenger's window, at your stop, once you press the 'red button' to hop off of the truck-bus at your stop)
  • '''Motorcycle Taxi'''
  • *Located across the road from the market is a motorcycle taxi post, often filled with many available drivers, where you can catch a fast (but dangerous) ride to anywhere that you need to get to.
  • '''Car Taxi/Taxi Meter/Taxi Cab'''
  • * Occasionally, you will find unoccupied (in-service) taxi-meter cars/cabs, driving by on either street side of the market, just flag (hand-gesture) one down, tell them your destination, and enjoy the ride.
  • **''Useful Taxi Terms''
  • ***Please use the meter = Buet Meter Noi; Turn left/right = Lee oh Sai/Kwa (Khaa/Khap); Go straight / U Turn = Dhrong Bai / Khlap Rot (Khaa/Khap); Please stop here = Yoot tee nee (Khaa/Khap); Near / Opposite = Klai Klai Kup / Dhrong Kham; Please slow down = Cha Cha Noi; Thank You! = Khap Khun (Khaa/Khap); ''(Women say "Khaa", men say "Khap")''
  • Bang Phrom's local 'outdoor' marketplace

    Located near the intersection of Wat Kaeo-Phutthamonthon Sai 1 and Thanon Kaeo Ngoen Thong (roads), in the Bang Phrom sub-district, is an local 'outdoor' marketplace, similar to the one in Bang Ramat, but slightly larger, busier, and more crowded.

    Eat

  • '''7Eleven''' ''(convenient store)''
  • *''' ''Bang Ramat'' '''
  • **''also the location of 2 (outside) '''ATM'''s and an (outdoor) automatic (drinkable) '''water dispenser''' machine'', on the corner of Phutthamonthon Sai 1 road and an ''undisclosed entrance roadway leading to a 'gated' upscale neighborhood'', ''down the road from the entrance roadway to the Southern Bus Terminal ("Sai Tai Mai") and up the road from Bang Ramat's local 'outdoor' marketplace'', Bang Ramat, Taling Chan. Open 24 hours?, 7 days a week?. '' '''Note:''' An easily walkable distance up Phutthamonthon Sai 1 road, from Bang Ramat's local 'outdoor' marketplace ...or... hop onto an pickup truck-bus (with either... a "green"-colored sign or a "white"-colored sign) heading into the direction of the Southern Bus Terminal ("Sai Tai Mai"), '''Cost: 5.50 Baht''' (one-way) per person.''
  • *''' ''Bang Phrom'' '''
  • **on the corner of Wat Kaeo-Phutthamonthon Sai 1 and Thanon Kaeo Ngoen Thong (roads), ''across the street from Bang Phrom's local 'outdoor' marketplace''.
  • '''Auntie Anne's''' ''(American fast-food restaurant)'', ''(2 locations)'' at Central Plaza Pinklao, Borommaratchachonanni highway road, Arun Amarin, Bangkok Noi. Open during shopping mall hours.
  • '''Baskin Robbins''' ''(American fast-food dessert)'', at Central Plaza Pinklao, Borommaratchachonanni highway road, Arun Amarin, Bangkok Noi. Open during shopping mall hours.
  • '''Grand Italia Ice Cream''' ''(fast-food dessert)'', at Central Plaza Pinklao, Borommaratchachonanni highway road, Arun Amarin, Bangkok Noi. Open during shopping mall hours.
  • '''Kentucky Fried Chicken''' (KFC) ''(American fast-food restaurant)''
  • *at the Southern Bus Terminal ("Sai Tai Mai"), Bang Ramat?, Taling Chan.
  • *''(2 locations)'' at Central Plaza Pinklao, Borommaratchachonanni highway road, Arun Amarin, Bangkok Noi. Open during shopping mall hours.
  • *at the Major Cineplex Pinklao, Borommaratchachonanni highway road, Bang Bumru, Bang Phlat. Open during shopping mall hours? .
  • '''McDonald's''' ''(American fast-food restaurant)'', at the Major Cineplex Pinklao, Borommaratchachonanni highway road, Bang Bumru, Bang Phlat. Open during shopping mall hours?.
  • '''Mister Donut''' ''(fast-food dessert restaurant)'', at Central Plaza Pinklao, Borommaratchachonanni highway road, Arun Amarin, Bangkok Noi. Open during shopping mall hours.
  • '''MK''' ''(restaurant)'', at Central Plaza Pinklao, Borommaratchachonanni highway road, Arun Amarin, Bangkok Noi. Open during shopping mall hours.
  • '''noodle soup shop''' ''(restaurant)'', on the corner of Phutthamonthon Sai 1 road and an ''undisclosed road?'', '''opposite''' ''' ''street'' ''' from Ban Suan Phutthamonthon road, ''(same side) as a nearby school & Wat Poe (temple)'', Bang Ramat, Taling Chan. An outdoor (but shaded) restaurant with a cozy outdoor atmosphere and plenty of tables and seats. It serves authentic Thai noodle soup of several different varieties, Thai and Western -style desserts, etc. Open in the afternoon and into nighttime. '' '''Note:''' A walkable distance up Phutthamonthon Sai 1 road, from Bang Ramat's local 'outdoor' marketplace ...or... hop onto an pickup truck-bus (with either... a "green"-colored sign or a "white"-colored sign) heading into the direction of the Southern Bus Terminal ("Sai Tai Mai"), '''Cost: 5.50 Baht''' (one-way) per person.''
  • '''rice soup shop''' ''(restaurant/shop)'', near the corner of Phutthamonthon Sai 1 road and Wat Kaeo-Phutthamonthon Sai 1 road, Bang Phrom, Taling Chan. A small outdoor restaurant offering authentic Thai-style rice soup ''(served warm/hot)''. Open in the afternoon and into nighttime. '' '''Note:''' An easily walkable distance down Phutthamonthon Sai 1 road, from Bang Ramat's local 'outdoor' marketplace.''
  • '''S&P''' ''(bakery & restaurant'', at the Major Cineplex Pinklao, Borommaratchachonanni highway road, Bang Bumru, Bang Phlat. Open during shopping mall hours.
  • '''Swensen's''' ''(American dessert restaurant)'', at Central Plaza Pinklao, Borommaratchachonanni highway road, Arun Amarin, Bangkok Noi. Open during shopping mall hours.
  • '''Sizzler''' ''(American restaurant, with an open food bar)'', at the Major Cineplex Pinklao, Borommaratchachonanni highway road, Bang Bumru, Bang Phlat. Open during shopping mall hours.
  • '''Swensen's''' ''(American dessert restaurant)'', at Central Plaza Pinklao, Borommaratchachonanni highway road, Arun Amarin, Bangkok Noi. Open during shopping mall hours.
  • '''The Terrace Restaurant''' ''(restaurant)'', at Central Plaza Pinklao, Borommaratchachonanni highway road, Arun Amarin, Bangkok Noi. Open during shopping mall hours.
  • '''TOPS Supermarket''' ''(supermarket)'', at Central Plaza Pinklao, Borommaratchachonanni highway road, Arun Amarin, Bangkok Noi. Open during shopping mall hours.
  • Drink

  • '''7Eleven''' ''(convenient store)''
  • *''' ''Bang Ramat'' '''
  • **''also the location of 2 (outside) '''ATM'''s and an (outdoor) automatic (drinkable) '''water dispenser''' machine'', on the corner of Phutthamonthon Sai 1 road and an ''undisclosed entrance roadway leading to a 'gated' upscale neighborhood'', ''down the road from the entrance roadway to the Southern Bus Terminal ("Sai Tai Mai") and up the road from Bang Ramat's local 'outdoor' marketplace'', Bang Ramat, Taling Chan. Open 24 hours?, 7 days a week?.
  • *''' ''Bang Phrom'' '''
  • **on the corner of Wat Kaeo-Phutthamonthon Sai 1 and Thanon Kaeo Ngoen Thong (roads), ''across the street from Bang Phrom's local 'outdoor' marketplace''.
  • '''Coffee World''' ''(coffee & desserts)'', at Central Plaza Pinklao, Borommaratchachonanni highway road, Arun Amarin, Bangkok Noi. Open during shopping mall hours.
  • '''Mezzo''' ''(coffee & desserts)'' at Central Plaza Pinklao, Borommaratchachonanni highway road, Arun Amarin, Bangkok Noi. Open during shopping mall hours.
  • '''Starbucks''' ''(American coffee restaurant)'', at Central Plaza Pinklao, Borommaratchachonanni highway road, Arun Amarin, Bangkok Noi. Open during shopping mall hours.
  • Sleep

  • Marriott Resort and Spa. 57 Charoennakorn Road, Samrae, Thonburi. 66 2-476-0022 . ttp://www.bangkok.com/marriott/. The ambience of a resort hotel yet only a short hop from the city. Shuttle boat to BTS Saphan Taksin every 15 min.
  • '''River Side Bangkok''' [http://www.riversidebangkok.com/eng/index.html] 195 Ratwithi Road, Bangkok Noi, tel: +66 2-883-1588 ext. 20. Situated by the edge of the Chao Phraya river, near the Krung Thon bridge, and Highway 341.
  • '''The Royal River Hotel''' [http://www.royalrivergroup.com/] 219 Soi Charansanitwong 66/1, Charansanitwong Road, Bangplad, tel: +66 2-435-8888 fax: +66 2-434-3636 E-mail: info@royalcityhotel.com[mailto:info@royalcityhotel.com]. An international first-class hotel situated by the edge of the Chao Phraya river, near the Krung Thon bridge, and Highway 341.
  • '''Sivalai Place'''[http://www.sivalaiplace.com/]:168 Isaraphab Soi 33 Isaraphab rd, Thra Pra. tel: +66 2-412-4000 ext. 201 or +66 2-864-1251-2 fax: +66 2-418-5184 For reservation: sivalai.place@hotmail.com[mailto:sivalai.place@hotmail.com]. Fully-furnished apartments for rent for short term and long term stay.
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