Klong Suan - Bang Khla

Time changes, things change. Still, there are certain areas that seem as if they've been locked in a time capsule. Today's route will lead you to a couple of such places plus some other interesting sites.

There is more than one way you can get to our first stop, the century-old market of Klong Suan. The easiest way is to drive on the Motorway, get off at the Lat Krabang exit and drive eastward along the Lat Krabang-Theppharat Road for 15 kilometres. There are big signs along the way so you will have no problem finding the market.

To move on from the Klong Suan market, drive further east along the Lat Krabang-Theppharat Road until you emerge on Highway 314. Now turn left, drive on for almost five kilometres and turn right at the second intersection onto Thep Khunakorn Road. The famous Wat Sothon Wararam is just two kilometres down this road.

From the wat continue along Thep Khunakorn Road for a few hundred metres, then turn right onto Maruphong Road that runs along the east bank of the Bang Pakong River and leads you to the old city wall and the city pillar, respectively.

From the city pillar, drive on along Maruphong Road and soon you'll find yourself at an intersection underneath the Bang Pakong Bridge. Go straight through the intersection. After less than two kilometres, you'll reach Talat Ban Mai, another old market.

After visiting the market, return to the big intersection and turn left to get on the river bridge. On the other side of the river continue along the road until it crosses path with Highway 304. Yes, turn left onto the 304. Drive on for about 14 kilometres, then turn left onto the 3121 towards Bang Khla. Wat Pho Bang Khla, today's Point F, is just five kilometres or so from where you veered off from Highway 304.
Bangkok Post May 06 www.bangkokpost.com