Thailand - Planning (Chapter)

BANGKOK

AROUND BANGKOK

BANGKOK

SIGHTS

BANGKOK

AMPHAWA

To reach your fi nal destination, charter a
boat (800B) or hop in a sŏrng·tăa·ou (8B)
near the market for the 10-minute ride to
Amphawa.

Amphawa อัมพวา

This canalside village has become a popu-
lar destination for city folk who seek out its
quintessentially ‘Thai’ setting. This urban
infl ux has sparked a few signs of gentrifi ca-
tion, but the canals, old wooden buildings,
atmospheric cafes and quaint waterborne
traffi c still retain heaps of charm. From Fri-
day to Sunday, Amphawa puts on a fl oating
market (p 154 ). Alternatively, visit on a week-
day and you’ll proably be the only tourist.

 1 Sights
Steps from Amphawa’s central footbridge
is Wat Amphawan Chetiyaram, a graceful
temple believed to be located at the place
of the family home of Rama II, and which
features accomplished murals. A short walk
from the temple is King Buddhalertla
(Phuttha Loet La) Naphalai Memorial
Park (admission 20B; h8.30am-5pm), a mu-
seum housed in a collection of traditional
central Thai houses set on 1.5 landscaped
hectares. Dedicated to Rama II, the museum

contains a library of antiques from early-

19th-century Siam.

At night long-tail boats zip through

Amphawa’s sleeping waters to watch the

Christmas light–like dance of the hìng hôy,

fi refl ies, most populous during the wet sea-

son. From Friday to Sunday, several opera-

tors from several piers lead tours, charging

60B for a seat. Outside of these days, it costs

500B for a two-hour charter.

 4 Sleeping & Eating

Amphawa is popular with Bangkok’s week-

end warriors, and it seems like virtually

every other house has opened its doors to

tourists in the form of homestays. These

can range from little more than a mattress

on the fl oor and a mosquito net to upscale

guest house-style accommodation. Rooms

with fan start at about 200B while rooms

with air-con, many of which share bath-

rooms, begin at about 1000B. Prices are half

this on weekdays.

If you prefer something a bit more pri-

vate, consider Ploen Amphawa Resort

(%08 1458 9411; http://www.ploenamphawa.com; Th

Rim Khlong; r incl breakfast 1400-2500B; aW), or

ChababaanCham Resort (%08 1984 1000;

Th Rim Khlong; r incl breakfast 1900-2400B; aW),

an attractive but somewhat overpriced

(Bight of Bangkok)

Ao Krung Thep

THANI

PATHUM

NAKHON

PATHOM

PRAKAN

SAMUT

SAKHON

SAMUT

NONTHABURI

Fairtex Muay Thai

Bangpli;

Prakan

Samut

Floating Markets

Amphawa & Tha Kha

BANGKOK

Nonthaburi

Lat Krabang

Thanya Buri

Minburi

Taling Chan

Thonburi

Pathom

Nakhon

Bang Len

Nakhon Chaisi

Sam Phran

Don Tum

Samut Sakhon

Pathum Thani

Saen

Kamphaeng

Samut

Songkhram

Imagery Museum

Thai Human

International

Don Hoi Lot

Ban Laem

Airport

MarketDon Wai Suvarnabhumi

Phutthamonthon

Phra

(Muang Boran)

Ancient City

Kret

Ko

Tha

Chin

Nam

Mae

Station

Bus

Southern

Airport

Don Muang

Come Hotel

Grand Inn

City

Siam Park

World

Dream

Muay Thai Institute

Rangsit Stadium;

Saduak

Damnoen

3

34

303

35

325

3097

4

338

304

(^3461)
321
Around Bangkok 020 km 0 12 miles