In the past, living by the canal was very common for Bangkokian. A huge network of canals around Bangkok, derived in every direction from the main Chaophraya river, connects every community together. Everyone can easily go anywhere by boat, which created many interesting activities along the canal such as a floating market. Nowadays, many canal networks are replaced by roads and it is rare to find a real community which is still alive and filled with activities by the canal. Khlong Bang Luang community is still one of the few communities remaining and here are activities and experiences you can get from Khlong Bang Luang community.
Experience Authentic Life by the Canal
Upon arrival at the entrance of the community at Wat Kamphaeng Bangchak, there will be a plaza in front of the temple which is called Khlong Bang Luang Market. This is the starting point of a journey to the community. Here you can purchase some souvenirs or snacks as well as a boat ride tour along the canal network for around 30 minutes to see the local life along the canal, passing temples and other communities around. The tour will take you from the pier at Wat Kamphaeng Bangchak and bring you back to the same spot. The boat will not drop you off at any point but may slow down for you to take memorable photos. You can go inside the community first and if you still have some time you can come back and purchase a boat tour later.
From the market, you can choose to walk along the street to go inside the community or use the walkway along the canal. I would recommend walking along the street until the end of the street at Wat Khuhasawan Worawiharn first, then turn right to use the walkway along the canal.
There are many houses along the street with real people who live in the community. My feeling when I visited here was “am I actually walking on a street in Bangkok”. Honestly speaking, this is a vibe of the “organic” community back in the old days when there was no proper urban planning or the standard of housing. People just live in a very small house, packed on both sides of a narrow street which leads to nowhere. Sometimes, you are not even sure the street you are walking is built on solid ground or above the canal. Some houses prefer to maintain their privacy. Some houses do commercials, offering souvenirs, collectibles, snacks or a home cooked meal at a reasonable price. Feel free to stop by if you want to buy something.
Once you turn right to the walkway by the canal, the vibe is completely changed. From the feeling of being packed, hot and a bit suffocated from the narrow street, now you will get the open space with a view of the canal on one side. The weather turns to be much cooler and you will instantly feel ‘peace’ from the inside. Unbelievable! From this point, you can slowly walk along the walkway which was built above the canal and feel the wonderful life by the canal.
Craft Your Signature Pieces or Shop Your Favorite Handcrafts
Along the walkway by the canal, there are many shops offering handcrafts, artworks and designed souvenirs you will never find anywhere else. Some shops offer a D.I.Y. workshop session to craft your own favourite art pieces and jewellery like bracelets, necklaces or earrings. If you want to spend some more time immersing yourself in the canal vibe, I recommended taking a workshop session for a few hours. Most of the time, you will sit in an old Thai style house, crafting your art pieces facing the view of the canal. Many people said it is a kind of a therapy session where you can bring your focus back to yourself by doing art work in a quiet place. The price for a session here is also reasonable.
Coffee and Chill at The Artist House Bangkok, Heart of Khlong Bang Luang Community
At the very center of the community, facing the canal, there is a house called “The Artist House Bangkok” or “Baan Silapin” in Thai. I would say The Artist House is the heart of the community not because it stays at the center, but because the vision of the owner of this house turns the entire community from a community by the canal no one knows into an escape D.I.Y art space inside the city, where everyone can enjoy the arts in a relaxing settings by the canal.
On the second floor of this house, it is an art gallery space where you can enjoy vintage collectable items and paintings from various artists in the community. I am not sure if you can buy a painting there but of course you can always ask a staff at the cashier.
This is the place where you can also enjoy coffee and it is probably the only place in the community that offers coffee from the fresh beans. You can sip it anywhere in the house, on the second floor at the art gallery or even sitting along the table by the canal.
The Artist House also offers a D.I.Y. workshop session where you can choose any beads you want to make your own bracelets. Or if you are into paintings, you can also buy a canvas of your choices as well as renting a colour palette and start painting.
Opening hours
The community is open to the public. You can explore the community any time. However, there might be nothing to see after 18:00 as many shops are closed by that time.
The Artist House Bangkok opens daily from 10:00 until 18:00.
My recommendation is to come here during the weekdays as it is less crowded and more enjoyable compared to the weekend.
Entrance fee
You are free to enter and explore the community. There are no extra charges to enter The Artist House Bangkok as well as temples nearby.
For a D.I.Y. session, the price can be different from shop to shop. Please read the price chart or ask for the price from the shop you want to attend their workshop first. No reservation is needed for a session.
How to get there?
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- By TukTuk/Taxi
Since the community is quite far from the main street, it is better to commute there by TukTuk or Taxi. You can call for a taxi to go to Wat Kamphaeng Bangchak which is the entrance to the community. - By MRT
If you come from the location inside the city and are able to walk along the narrow street with no proper footpath for about 1 km, then you may consider using MRT.Take the MRT to the MRT Bang Phai station and use exit no. 4. Walk along the Phet Kasem road for about 100 meters, then turn left to Wat Thong Sala Ngarm alley. Continue to walk along the alley for about 500 meters until you meet Wat Thong Sala Ngarm. Turn right and walk along the street until you see Wat Kamphaeng Bangchak and the entrance to the community is there. - By Car
It is not really recommended to use a car as the road to the community is very narrow and the parking lot is very limited. However, if you cannot avoid it, the shortest route is to enter from Soi Phet Kasem 28. After entering Soi Phet Kasem 28, go straight for about 350 meters, turn right and continue to go along the road for about 600 meters. At this point, Wat Thong Sala Ngarm will be on your left. Continue to go straight to the alley at the side of Wat Thong Sala Ngarm. The alley will lead you to Wat Kamphaeng Bangchak where you can park the car at the parking lot there, which is very limited.
- By TukTuk/Taxi
