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Bangkok Travel Guide Temples & Shrines Palaces in Bangkok Museums, Libraries, Theaters Monuments & Memorials Rattanakosin Island Bridges Public Parks Zoo & Amusement Parks Bangkok Canals Walking Street Night Life Shopping Paradise Flower & Plant Markets Taste of Thai Food Where to Eat Entertainment Sports Arts & Culture Centers Map of Bangkok Travel Information Tours in Bangkok Thailand Destination |
Walking Streets Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has implemented a "walking street" project by closing some roads of historical and cultural interest for four main reasons: firstly, to create an open space; secondly to provide avenue for arts centres and concerts; thirdly for cultural and commercial activities and, lastly, for walking. The roads involved in the programme are: Thanon Khao San, Bang Lamphu Thanon Yaowarat, China Town Thanon Phra Chan Thanon Phra Athit Thanon Convent Cycling Routes The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has converted footpaths into cycling routes with entrance and exit facilities for cyclists. Cycling routes are in evidence all over the city with some routes running through historically important and quite beautiful areas such as Thanon Ratchadamnoen which was copied, to some extent, from avenues in Europe at the time the city was expanded northwards. The Royal Plaza with the Equestrian Monument of King Rama V is at the end of Thanon Ratchadamnoen along with the Dusit Throne Hall. The route passes many tourist attractions such as Rattanakosin Island, Golden Mountain, Loha Prasat, Wat Ratchanatda and winds back to the middle of Thanon Ratchadamnoen, passing Democracy Monument, Sanam Luang, the Grand Palace, Tha Chang and Tha Phra Chan. There are other cycle tracks through older sections of Bangkok such as Thanon Fueang Nakhon, Thanon Bamrung Mueang with routes going close to interesting temples. If you want to be accompanied on your cycling ventures, contact the Cycling For Health Association of Thailand which organises cycling around Bangkok and other provinces. They can be contacted on telephone 218-6669 and 252-7511. Pedalling around old Bangkok The first three-wheeler was invented in 1933 by Group Captain Luen Pongsophon adapted from a Chinese rickshaw to speed up transport around Nakhon Ratchasima province. In place of a puller, he installed the front part of a bicycle and pedaled his way into history, as pedicabs became the mode of transport all over Thailand. A motorcycle soon replaced the bicycle, and then a brightly coloured cab was placed on top to protect the driver. Voila! The Tuk-Tuk finally emerged, its name coming from the yammer of its noisy two-stroke engine as its raced passengers around the streets of Bangkok. Slower pedicabs were soon banned from the city as traffic jammers. Today's noisemakers, however, cannot compete with the charm and simplicity of the pedal-powered three-wheelers. Fortunately, Bangkok's Governor of Bangkok agrees on a campaign, making a comeback for pedicabs in Amazing Thailand year as a pollution-free taxi service for sightseeing in old Bangkok. You can catch your pedicabs at Thanon Na Phra Lan or the Grand Palace and head off on a 20-minute tour. First stop is Tha Chang Pier, where court elephants were bathed in the Chao Phraya River over 200 years ago and where white elephants were presented to the king. Buildings in this area were constructed during the reign of King Rama V, and are notable for their intricate decorations around windows and door frames. The Sam Lo moves on to Maha Rat Pier, where the Royal Family traditionally embark on royal barges for the annual Kathin ceremony, and turns into Thanon Chetuphon. On the left is Wat Pho, famed for its massive Reclining Buddha, which was built in the Ayutthaya period and houses an acclaimed school of traditional Thai massage. Left again, and the cabbie pedals along Thanon Sanam Chai, past the Territorial Defence Department, whose Roman-style portals once gave entrance to the palaces of King Rama II and Rama III. Will Further along the road, you pass the yawning old cannons of the Ministry of Defence on the right and the golden roofs of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha on the left, where we will end the journey. The service is open from 15:00-20:00 hours, on Monday-Friday, and 10:00-20:00 hours, on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. The fare is 30 baht for Thai passengers and 50 baht for heavier foreigners.
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