Bang Krajao

In a bend in the Chao Phraya River, the Thai "River of Kings" which runs through Bangkok, there is a bend, cutting a large area off from the rest of the city. This area is called Bang Krajao, and is known as the "green lung of Bangkok".  Bang Krajao is a welcome green jungle in the middle of one of Asia's largest cities!

I work seven days a week. My weekend jobs are actually pretty nice, they are just tutoring jobs, two hours each day for good money. Still, it's nice to get a day off, and I got this Sunday off due to the traffic from Bike For Mom, a large bicycle ride organized by the Crown Prince in honor of his mother, The Queen's birthday, designed to encourage Thais to get some fresh air and exercise. I think it's a great idea, and the ride ended up setting a world record!

It was too late for me to register to participate though, and since I had the day off from tutoring, I wanted to get out of Bangkok to avoid the crowds. I have a general rule to try to leave the city once a month, but I haven't really traveled much this year except for a few days in Koh Sichang a few weeks ago.

Riding around and trying to follow a map of the twisting jungle paths, we were eventually able to find some of Bang Krajao's most special places. First, a floating market, where visitors can order food from vendors in boats floating in the canals before walking around and browsing at the shops and stalls.

Baan Toop, the "Joss Stick House" is Bang Krajao's branch of OTOP, the "One Tambon One Project", a government project which supports and encourages each district in Thailand to continue a traditional craft. At Baan Toop, craftsmen produce "joss sticks" (incense). On certain days, they hold classes teaching visitors how incense in made. The day I was there, they were doing a demonstration on dying traditional Thai fabric. I like to call it Thai-dye. I think I'm pretty funny.

Mine was green and gold, of course!

sic'em

The last place that we visited was the Siamese Fighting Fish Gallery. These fish, also known as betta fish, are beautiful and colorful fish that are native to this area of Asia. They are commonly found in the standing water of rice paddies.

I'm trying to find more areas in Bangkok where I can get fresh air. These precious green spaces, though rare, aren't impossible to find around the city, and a quiet afternoon in the clean atmosphere is a much-appreciated break from the pollution and chaos of Bangkok.