When business travelers come to Bangkok and stay at Triple Two Silom, they often want to spend their off-days taking a break from the hustle and bustle of downtown Bangkok. While Bangkok is a dynamic city with sizzling street food and first-rate shopping, the suffocating traffic and eclectic city noises can be enough to send guests in search of green spaces and hidden gems in Bangkok.
Fortunately for our guests, Triple Two Silom is conveniently located near Bangkok’s best green spaces and city escapes, away from the chaos and congestion that define much of city life in Bangkok. From Bangkok’s parks to its jungle oases, there are plenty of ways to see a greener side of the city without straying too far from Triple Two Silom.
Bang Krachao
Often referred to as the “Green Lung” of Bangkok because of its shape and terrain, Bang Krachao is a nature-dense micro-neighborhood southeast from the Sathorn and Silom areas of Bangkok. To get there, visitors can take a taxi to the Khlong Toei pier and then take a small boat across the Chao Phraya River.
Bang Krachao is technically an island in the Chao Phraya River, and while it abuts the Bangkok Port and other busy areas of the city, it truly feels like a jungle haven fully removed from the city. There are no skyscrapers or urban developments on Bang Krachao; only quiet streets and waterways.
After arriving on Bang Krachao, visitors can rent bicycles which also come with a map of the area. Without many cars or other traffic, cycling is wholly safe and encouraged. Additionally, being on a bicycle allows you to explore the many side paths along the local canals. If you’re lucky, you may even stumble upon the local fresh market or one of the few cafes on the island.
Thonburi Canal Cruise
With all the natural canals and waterways in the city, some call Bangkok the “Venice of the East”. Unlike Venice, Bangkok’s canals are unfortunately polluted and unsightly; however, just across the Chao Phraya River, on the less-developed Thonburi side of Bangkok, the canals are much cleaner and more suitable for leisure travel.
Just a few minutes from Triple Two Silom by car or other transportation is Saphan Taksin, one of the many bridges that cross the Chao Phraya River. Underneath the bridge, you can find boat drivers and tour operators offering river cruises in one of Thailand’s famous longtail boats.
The cruise itself is peaceful and relaxing, as your driver will take you across the river and snake through the canals. You’ll experience a much simpler Bangkok, one without skyscrapers, cars and noise.
Lumpini Park
No trip to Bangkok would be complete without a visit to the famous Lumpini Park, the largest of central Bangkok’s parks. The massive public park is smack dab in the middle of the city, essentially connecting the Sukhumvit area to the Sathorn and Silom areas.
The park itself is extremely popular with local residents thanks to its wealth of opportunities for exercise and fun activities. Many visitors like to run or bicycle on the winding 1.8km path, practice yoga on the grass, or even just lay out a blanket and enjoy a meal with friends or family.
On your next trip to Bangkok, take an afternoon and explore a few of the green spaces and natural oases that make Bangkok such a diverse and enjoyable city to live in.
