Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Small private ferry service plying between Rama
I
II Road and Bang Krachao.
Follow Phetchahung Road a little further, and there is a turning for Wat Bang Nam
Phueng. This lane leads through fields and woodland, across a bridge that spans a narrow
waterway, and here we are at one of the peninsula's few conscious attempts at a tourist at-
traction: a floating market. A number of vendor boats line the canal side, covered by net-
ting to reduce the sun's rays, and visitors walk along concrete walkways to the stalls and
the food outlets, so this is not really a floating market at all: although, admittedly, “con-
crete walk-way market” doesn't quite have the same cachet. Bang Nam Phueng Floating
Market is a recent innovation by the villagers themselves and designed primarily for Thais,
and consequently is a lot less pushy than other floating markets that cater to foreign visit-
ors. There are some quality handicrafts and food products from the otop project available,
some reasonably priced clothing, and of course, good food. The market is open only at the
weekends but is well worth a visit. An added attraction are the sampan rides that are avail-
able along the canal, which unlike most of Bangkok's
klongs
is clean and fragrant. Along
the lane that runs past the market is one of the community's two temples, Wat Bang Nam
Phueng Nai, a small temple that has a tiered stupa topped with a golden image, and bey-
ond this are green fields and orchards.
Taking the lane that leads to the ferry pier for Bang Na brings us to the second temple,
Wat Bang Nam Phueng Nok (
nai
and
nok
mean, respectively, “inner” and “outer”), which
is far larger than its sibling and sits on the river's edge. A large golden Buddha is seated
facing the ferry pier, and a fat Buddha is placed in the cemetery, its tummy button used
for offerings. Behind the temple buildings on the pierside are the original chapel and or-
dination hall, dating back to the early days of the Mon settlement, but long neglected and
crumbling away. They are hidden now behind overgrown trees, with small homesteads up
against the walls, their exterior décor gone, their interiors bare, the remains of ancient
murals still to be seen on the walls. The Buddha images are still here and are regularly vis-
ited.
At least two other temples on the peninsula have allowed their former buildings to
fall into disuse, although not to the extent of Wat Bang Nam Phueng Nok. Wat Pa Kedi
has a disused chapel crammed in behind a newer structure, and although stripped of its
grandeur is sound enough. The small original chapel at Wat Bang Krasop, although mainly
plain brick and stucco on the outside, is in a good state of repair and has beautiful mould-
ings over its windows and the doorway arch. What appears to be a new chapel in the
compound was having its interior images painted during a recent visit, enormous swirling