Beat the traffic and travel like a local along Bangkok’s rivers and canals, discover hidden treasures and explore the old city on foot. Take a tuk-tuk ride and get a Thai foot massage on this fun and interesting excursion through the Thai capital.
BTS Skytrain next to MBK Shopping Mall, National Stadium station (W1), Exit 3
08.30 hrs.
Thai foot massage is strictly not recommended for pregnant women.
All participants are covered by limited travel insurance in the event of personal injury, however as insurance laws vary from country to country it is highly recommended that you take out personal liability or travel insurance prior to traveling.
Meet & Greet
Meet your walking tour guide at the meeting point and walk to the Elephant Head Bridge to board a boat on the Saen Saeb canal. You’ll travel to the old city area that is known as Pom Prap Satru Pai.
Khlong Saen Saeb
Khlong Saen Saeb canal was constructed in 1837 by the order of King Rama III for military transport during the war over Cambodia. Today it serves as a fast and inexpensive way for Bangkokians to travel through the city, avoiding traffic jams.
Wat Saket – The Golden Mount
Your first stop is Golden Mount and Wat Saket, a pagoda situated on an artificial hill, and another creation of King Rama III. It wasn’t completed until the reign of King Rama V however, due to land subsidence causing the original structure to collapse. Today the pagoda commands a panoramic view over Bangkok.
Wat Ratchanadda – Metal Castle
Next, you’ll head to the stunning Metal Castle, built during the reign of King Rama III, in 1846, for the princess granddaughter. The temple is best known for its 37 metal spires, signifying the 37 virtues.
Bamrung Muang Road
Continue walking to Bamrung Muang, Bangkok’s first shopping street. Today it caters to temple supplies where you will find monk robes, candles, incense sticks, books, and many golden statues of the Buddha. Down a small side street, you’ll find Baan Bat, where a small group of locals have, for centuries, made their living producing hand-made alms bowls to be purchased by the faithful and donated to monks.
Giant Swing
At the end of the road, you’ll arrive at the Giant Swing, constructed in 1784. It was originally used in a ceremony where Brahmins would swing, trying to grab a bag of coins placed on one of the pillars. In 1935 the ceremony was discontinued after several fatal accidents.
Wat Suthat
Take a walk through Wat Suthat, a royal temple constructed during the reign of King Rama I, but not completed until the reign of King Rama III. Wat Suthat is huge and actually one of the most important temples for the Thai people. Its large size was needed as it was constructed in the early 19th century to house the huge Phra Sri Sakyamuni Buddha image, brought all the way down from Sukhothai by boat. The outer wall of the cloister has more than 150 Buddha images lined up, and as they are currently being re-gilded, they are in various states of repair. Outside is an open courtyard with many Chinese statues.
Wat Pho – Temple of the Reclining Buddha
Give your feet a rest and take a tuk-tuk ride through the small streets of old Bangkok to Wat Pho, home of the first school of medicine in Bangkok. The temple is the oldest and largest monastery in Bangkok, and it was the first university in Bangkok to teach students in the fields of religion, science, and literature through murals and sculptures.
Thai Massage
After all this walking you’ll be rewarded with a 30-minute foot massage (strictly not for pregnant women) at a nearby Thai massage school. According to ancient medicine, the sensory nerves of the internal organs that spread throughout the body are mainly gathered around the soles of the feet, making massage an effective means of stimulating the functions of the organs.
Chao Phraya River
Once you’re relaxed and ready to head out again, it will be time to take a riverboat down the Chao Phraya River, connecting to a skytrain that will take you back to the meeting point.
