Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(Th Ratchadaphisek; 5am-8pm; Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre exit 3)
This 130-
rai
(20.8-hectare) park is built on what was once a part of the Tobacco Monopoly, a vast,
Crown-owned expanse of low-rise factories and warehouses. There's an artificial lake
that's good for jogging and cycling;
bikes
(per hr 40B;
8am-7pm)
can be hired around its 2km
track.
TOP SIGHTS
SIAM SOCIETY & BAN KAMTHIENG
Stepping off cacophonous Soi 21 (Asoke) and into the Siam Society's Ban Kamthieng
is as close to visiting a northern Thai village as you'll come in Bangkok. Ban Kamthi-
eng is a traditional 19th-century home that was located on the banks of Mae Nam
Ping (Ping River) in Chiang Mai. Now relocated to Bangkok, the house presents the
daily customs and spiritual beliefs of the Lanna tradition. Communicating all the
hard facts as well as any sterile museum (with detailed English signage and engaging
video installations), Ban Kamthieng instils in the visitor a palpable sense of place,
from the attached rice granary and handmade tools to the wooden loom and woven
silks. You can't escape the noise of Bangkok completely, but the houses are refresh-
ingly free of concrete and reflecting glass, and make a pleasant, interesting break.
Next door are the headquarters of the prestigious Siam Society
(admission free)
, pub-
lisher of the renowned
Journal of the Siam Society
and a valiant preserver of tradi-
tional Thai culture. Those with a serious interest can use the
reference library
, which has
the answers to almost any question you might have about Thailand (outside the
political sphere, since the society is sponsored by the royal family).
