Exploring Bangkok on a Tuktuk

The best way to explore Bangkok is through its very popular auto rickshaw vehicle – Tuktuk. They are readily available in every street corners of Bangkok so it is easy to spot them to get a short trip within the city. It is a very popular mode of transportation in Bangkok so there is no reason to excuse myself in a taking a wild ride of tuktuk especially as a first time visitor in Thailand.

Our tuktuk driver and city tour guide, Dalin, literally drive us through-out the city to explore its great sights ans places of interest for a whole day. Since tutuk is a small vehicle, it can easily pass through the traffic jams of Bangkok and small alleys for shortcuts. My tuktuk ride wasn’t just a great experience of exploring Bangkok but also a great way to sample the urban life scenes in Thailand’s capital.

Exploring Bangkok on a Tuktuk!

Our tuktuk driver/tour guide - Dalin, driving us in every part of Bangkok.

First thing that I noticed in the streets of Bangkok is that it is less polluted in smoke even though there are times it is traffic and heavily packed by vehicle. The streets are also cleaned, well maintained most of the time free from litters and trashes. I am also fascinated by bright and loud colored taxis that brings lively vibes to the busy streets of Bangkok. Malls and shops are in every street corners making the city a real shoppers paradise.

The streets of Bangkok on a tuktuk's eyeview.

Tuktuk can easily pass through the network streets of Bangkok. That’s why going through the nearest attractions of Bangkok just like a breeze. One of the nearest museums in Pratunam and Ratchaprarop train station is Suan Pakkad Palace. This museum is a collection f traditional Thai houses collected by Prince and Princess Chumbot. Some houses belonged to the prince’s family and all are more than a century old. Don’t miss to see the Lacquer Pavilion. It is an extraordinary example of Thai art and consists of a room within a room styled structure decorated with richly carved gilded wood.

A few short hops on tuktuk, we passed by the palace residence of the Thai monarchy, The Chitlada Palace. Though it is beautifully covered with fountains and canals in its gates, it is impossible to see the palace as it is mostly covered with trees and always close to the public. We drove to our intended destination, Wat Benchamabophit or The Marble Temple is the most beautiful temple I saw in Bangkok. It is just located opposite one corner of Chitlada Palace in Dusit district. The temple is noted for its stunning and majestic architecture which is distinctly Thai. You’ll admire the temple’s stunning architecture from the gold and orange encrusted roofs to the ubosot (hall) covered outside by marble from Italy. Take a peek into its altar and it main Buddha image (Phra Buddhajinaraja) as these is the most beautiful in Thailand. Take time also to look the surrounding cloisters of the temple where there are numerous Buddha images on display as well as significant buildings like Song Dharm Hall and Sri Sri Somdej Pavilion.

Wat Benchamabophit or The Marble Temple.

The surrounding canal inside The Marble Temple.

Wat Benchamabophit - The most beautiful temple in Bangkok!

Various Buddha images found inside the temple's cloister. 

The author and the stunning Marble Temple.

A reminder that you are in the land of smiles!

Driving past Bang Lumpoo district, I saw the Democracy Monument, a public monument commissioned in 1939 to commemorate Siamese Revolution of 1932. After a few rolls, we reach Rattanakosin where a few steps from our drop-off is the large Sanam Luang Park. On opposite of the park is one of Bangkok’s major attraction – The Grand Palace. It is a complex of palaces and temples where for 150 years was the home of King and his court. It is here where I became amaze by the different and detailed architectural structures of buildings, palaces and temples. Everything is bejewelled in gleaming stones and gold! Wat Phra Kaew or The Temple of the Emerald Buddha is the most important temple inside the complex because it houses the Emerald Buddha. Some of the most remarkable building inside the complex were The Royal Pantheon or Prasat Phra Dhepbidorn, Chakri Maha Prasat Hall and Dusit Maha Prasat Hall. All of which are architecturally stunning buildings. The Grand Palace is a grand invitation to Thailand’s rich culture, history and heritage.

The entrance facade of Grand Palace.

The grand temples and palaces of Grand Palace.

Admiring the grandeur of Chakri Maha Prasat Hall.

A grand invitation in Grand Palace.

Almost right next door is Wat Pho, better known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha because of the reclining Buddha sparkling in gold. Aside from the golden reclining image, the temple also has four largest chedi (Thai buddhist monument or pagoda). They are decorated with ceramic tiles and three dimensional ceramic pieces which form intricate floral patterns. Its four highest chedis which is also each colored distinctly actually represents the kings who ruled the country in the past. I was surprised to learned that the four chedis is just part of the 91 chedis that can be found inside the temple. There are also 400 buddha images on display in the surrounding cloisters of the temple. All are gleaming in gold! Wat Pho is also known as the oldest temple in Bangkok and actually much older than the city of Bangkok itself. It was founded in 17^th century.

The reclining golden buddha, sparkling in gold!

The stunning wall design of the reclining Buddha hall.

One section of the cloister surrounding Wat Pho with numerous buddha images.

Via tuktuk, you can also reached the Royal Barges Museum. The museum displays 8 of the 50 royal barges on display that is used in formal processions during the old Ayuthaya period. The barges on display very in size and function. The most important of all is the Suppanahong or “Golden Swan”, with its figurehead prow in the shape of a huge golden swan. Next to it is the Narai Song Suban with King Narai riding a Garuda on its prow. Around the sides and back of the warehouse are display cases with oars, flags, and other paraphernalia of the procession ceremonies.

The head of Suppanahong or “Golden Swan”

The Royal Barges in the museum.

Also in a day you can explore the almost the side by side sights of Loha Prasat (a unique temple structure in Bangkok for its “metal castle” concept and Wat Ratchanadda) and Wat Saket (or Golden Mount is located just outside the old royal city precincts, famous for the golden chedi sitting on a man-made mountain). Then you can also proceed in exploring Vimanmek Mansion. Billed as the world's largest teakwood mansion, it was built as a royal residence in the first few years of the 20th century. Its now a large complex of museums where the buildings themselves form part of the "collection" on display. Next to the mansion, the tuktuk can fetch you to the nearby Dusit Zoo. A favorite for families in Bangkok, the zoo is popular as a picnic spot as it is for the animals. The park has many food stalls with a reputation for delicious food at very low prices. Its central location makes it easy to get to.

 
Bangkok experience is not complete without taking a ride of Tuktuk. (Video)

I had a satisfying whole day exploration of Bangkok via Tuktuk!

A day exploration of Bangkok is an indulgence to the senses but it also involves tiring walks, getting lost and dealing with hot weather. So it just rightful for Dalin to drive us one of the best seafood restaurant in Bangkok to replenish energy from a tiring day. This is a great way to end my day of exploration of Bangkok – to start exploring it this time by trying Thai cuisines! Who wouldn’t agree? A tiring day of exploration needs a yummy bowl of Bangkok! 

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Exploring Bangkok on a Tuktuk is part of my Thailand's Amazing Smiles series where I share my wonderful trip to the land of amazing smiles last October 25-28, 2011. We actually did not visit Royal Barges Museum because of the flooded situation and we only passed by Suan Pakkad Palace but each site can be easily reach via tuktuk and other main attraction in Bangkok. For a helpful trip to Bangkok visit Bangkok for Visitors website for more information.You might also like the other parts of the series: 

• Exploring Bangkok on a Tuktuk
• Everything is Gold in Bangkok
• A Bowl of Thailand
• Bangkok by Boat
• The Charming Canals of Ratchaburi
• The Royal Orchids of Thailand
• Siam Elephant Encounter made me Smile
• Pratunam's Irresistible Bargains
• 360 Degree of Bangkok from the Sky 
• Suvarnabhumi Airport: Thailand's megastructure