Something different to do in Bangkok!

At the beginning of the year, we spent a few days in Bangkok and decided to take a day trip outside the city, as we had already seen the main sites a few years ago.

The tour packed a lot of unusual activities into a few hours! We started by taking a train out of the city to Nakhon Pathom province, about 50 km outside Bangkok. Although the ticket was in 3rd class, it was still a very pleasant, roughly 40-minute trip. Local people walked up and down the train, selling various items, such as drinks.

We got off the train near a small Buddhist temple called  Wat Suwannaram Ratchaworawihan and walked down to the canal to meet our boat. While we were waiting, we noticed that there were many catfish in the river, and people were selling bread to feed them. We asked our guide about the fish, and she said they are considered sacred. In Thai Buddhist culture, feeding fish, especially catfish, is considered an act of making merit (known as "tham bun"), which is believed to bring good karma, improve one's fortunes, and even aid in resolving health or personal problems.

Our boat took us along the canal to a lotus farm where we were taken around in a small boat to see the lotus plants, observe how they are harvested and even pick some ourselves. It was a very interesting, unusual and memorable experience. The lotus flower has great spiritual significance in Buddhism, symbolising purity, enlightenment, and the journey toward spiritual awakening. It is one of the most important and recognisable symbols across Buddhist traditions. When visiting temples in Thailand or elsewhere, you'll often see lotus flowers being offered at shrines.

After the lotus farm, our longtail boat took us to a small ‘Creative Industry’ Village which sold local produce and specialised in products made from rice, especially rice crackers. Of course, we had to try them!

Next, we were transferred by taxi to a large local market located near another temple. Seeing the locals interact with the temple, make offerings, and go about their daily business at the market gave the tour a truly local flavour.

The great variety of produce available was very impressive. Our guide told us that the Thai people are very keen on using fresh ingredients for cooking, and therefore, they frequently visit these markets.

For the final part of the tour, we took another boat ride to a picturesque restaurant by the river for lunch, where we were personally greeted by the owner. We were the only guests in our part of the restaurant, which featured many local dishes, set in a pleasant atmosphere.

'The whole experience was exciting, varied, and left us with lasting memories. If you’ve got a free day in Bangkok and want to do something a little different from the usual tourist trail, this is the perfect way to spend it!

All photos by Mark A. Bailey for D.H.M (except for the ones he is in!)