A day in Bangkok.a long mini report!

[drron]

We have just had our 26th visit to Bangkok.We like to do something a bit different but it is getting harder.mrsdrron heard about a museum and garden through the New york times.So she emailed Gift the guide we had previously used and she put together a day visiting 3 gardens in Bangkok with the use of our own car and driver with Gift coming along as our guide.She is great,very good English(and Finnish!She spent a year in Finland.).Her details-
Privatetourthailand.com | Gift Private Day Tours
So for our day we set off at 0800 from the SGS and drove towards the airport.turned off to the left and down this narrow road to a real wonderland-

mr. Prasart was a developer and now runs an antique business.He bought some run down land out near the airport and has transformed it into a magnificent garden which contains several examples of buildings from Thailand and nearby.Also a larger Western Style house where he displays his antique collection.The garden started in 1981.Of course he has never married which obviously reduces his outgoings tremendously.
There are no photos allowed in the main house but you are allowed to even touch the objects-an ornate vase owned by the last Shah of Persia,items from the Taj Mahal,Kaiser Wilhelm 11 and many objects from the family of King Rama V.Just amazing.Taken around by Peter who started off as a gardener and now looks after the whole place.Mr Prasart watches from his quite humble personal quarters.So to the photos.garden first-

 

[drron]

Now you didn't expect just a couple of pictures did you?Still lots more!

 

[drron]

Everything is thought of.all pools and bowls with water have fish to eat the mosquito larvae-

 

[drron]

Now there is this huge palm which flowers only every 30 years but we were there when it did.The leaves are massive-

 

[drron]

Those of you who have travelled Asia may well recognise a lot of these works-angkor Wat,Ayutthaya,Northern Thailand etc.It really is a magic place-

 

[drron]

And the main house with the antique collection-

 

[drron]

Promise-the last lot of photos from Prasart.

this place blew me away.a real highlight of Bangkok.It is only open by appointment.
Next it was coping with the Bangkok traffic and going to the house of Mr.Kukrit-the 13th prime Minister.

 

[drron]

So next was the house of Mr.Kukrit,the 13th Prime minister of Thailand.A man of many parts.His family had connections to the Royal family so he had a lot of advantages.he was though an accomplished classic Thai dancer and ran a school to teach this form of dance.He was also an artist.in 1963 he appeared in the movie "The Ugly American"playing the part of the Thai Prime Minister which he became about 10 years later.his house is modest but built on a couple of acres in the middle of Bangkok,not far from the Australian Embassy.

 

[JessicaTam]

A picture certainly tells a thousand words. A great pictorial.

Fabulous drron​ thanks.

 

[drron]

 

[drron]

Ah the tranquility-

Mr.Kukrit built this with an eye to the future and preserve Thailand's heritage.The house is actually a collection of 5 styles of Southern Thailand houses.A great legacy for his country.
After this it was off to lunch.that next.

 

[drron]

Lunch was on sathorn road aty Baan Kanitha.A large and well set up restaurant.The food was also delicious-chicken in pandan leaves,pad thai,pomelo salad,duck and lychee panaeng curry and soft shell crab in tamarind sauce-

next to the Kamthieng house.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Great pics, I'm in awe of the way you find these hidden gems

 

[drron]

Kamthieng house is a traditional Isaan style house.Built in 1848 in Chiang Mai province.It is a Lanna house-in Lanna culture it is a matriarchal society.It was donated to the Siam Society in 1963 and was dismantled and reconstructed in Bangkok opening in 1966.Then renovated in 2001.The house is constructed of wood without nails-amazing craftmanship.

Not built for tall fellows though-

 

[drron]

So a few shots of the cultural items exhibited and the workmanship-

Of course it is perfectly positioned right beside the Siam metro station-

And just around the corner from shopping at Terminal 21-

And of course the SGS so a very quick trip back in plenty of time for happy hour!
After this day mrsdrron surprised me-she said why dont we rent an apartment and stay here for a month or 2.So possibly on the agenda for 2014.As you can see we love Thailand.Hope you enjoy.

 

[Alanslegal]

Another excellent thread of yours drron. I will be heading to Bangkok (3rd time this year) in a few weeks and your report has got me really thinking. I usually just do nothing but relax, chill, eat eat eat, get massages, and head to rooftop bars at night so your review definitely will inspire me to do a bit more when I am there. I will have another two visits after that, this year, so I really have to make the of it and stop being lazy!

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

As Ron said this was our 26th visit to Bangkok. We really enjoy the food, shopping, the SGS, the river, the shopping, my jeweller, the food, the people, did I mention the shopping.

It doesn't matter if it is your first visit to bangkok or your 26th, you can find all sorts of hidden gems. I was lucky to find a wonderful little guide in Gift. I have NO hesitation in recommending her if you want a private guide in Thailand.


Privatetourthailand.com | Gift Private Day Tours


Gift Private Day Tours Reviews - Bangkok, Thailand Attractions - TripAdvisor

 

[JohnK]

Great mini trip report drron and mrs.dr.ron!

I have lost count of the number of visits I have had to Bangkok but do agree there are a lot of hidden gems around. Most of the time I am too busy playing golf to spend time exploring though. Perhaps one day when I have more time to spend in Thailand.