Baan Silapin Artists House, Bangkok

Thank you for joining me for the artistic allures to be had at the Baan Silapin Artist’s House, a charming off-the-beaten-track escape, alongside the Bangkok canalside of Bang Luang Khlong.

Should we want, we can travel in style by hiring a James Bond boat from the Chao Praya River, to arrive wind in your hair, whizzing along the Khlong waterways (canals).

Price by negotiation at Saphan Taskin Pier (around 900 -1,100 Baht per hour)

WHY VISIT BAAN SILIPAN ARTISTS HOUSE?

There are many reasons why I urge you to include this haven of tranquillity in any upcoming Bangkok Weekend Wander:

• You don’t need to take an organised tour – this is perfect for those who like to explore and wander as FIT visitors (free independent travellers)
• You will find a simple riverside community area that is welcoming and unspoiled.
• The wider neighbourhood remains largely unchanged with a temple, small market, shops
• Enjoy Thai-style lunch with the locals overlooking the canal.
• It offers an authentic Thai cultural experience that is not a naff tourist show.
• This traditional puppet show on offer at weekends is spell-binding
• However you arrive – boat – taxi – walking – motorbike – BTS – it will feel like an adventure!
• Free (although tipping for the puppet show is appreciated)

Baan Silapin Artists House (บ้านศิลปิน)

Set in a 200 hundred-year-old rickety old house you will find creatives meeting house and gallery for art, crafts, and performance which is a joy to explore.

Check out the following guides and reviews for more information:

• Lonely Planet guide is found here
• Culture Trip: What is the Artists House in Bangkok
• Trip Advisor: Khlong Bang Luang Artist House

The Traditional Thai Puppet Show

If you have not enjoyed a traditional Thai puppet show you are in for a treat. It is the skill and the coordination of the puppeteers creating highly animated, life-like movements that are memorising. This enables the puppets to move or dance gracefully, and to bring to life ancient stories from Thai culture.

Performances usually 2 pm Saturdays and Sundays. For up to date showtimes check here

TRIP ADVISOR REVIEWS:

A Must-See Experience –  Watch the World Go by – A hidden Treasure

Thanks to PRMandWEN for their Trip Advisor review:

The show uses large ornate puppets, each controlled by three people dressed in black who operate the head, arms/hands, and legs/feet respectively. When the performance starts, you see the puppeteers moving in perfect unison with each other and the puppet, so that they become at one with the puppet then they start disappearing from your consciousness with the result that the puppets themselves dominate. Absolutely spell bounding is the only way to describe the performance. The shows take place in the lower level of the house with the 600 yr old Buddhist chedi built in its backyard acting as the backdrop for the show.

Thanks to Denise Moore from Townville Australia

Khlong Bang Luang (Thon buri)

Wikipedia’s khlongs (or klong) of Bangkok:

Commonly refers to a canal in Thailand. These canals are spawned by the Chao Phraya, the Tha Chin, the Mae Klong Rivers, and their tributaries particularly in the low-lying areas of central Thailand. 

WAT KhamphAeng bang chAk temple

Address: 271 Soi Phet Kasem 20, Pak Khlong Phasi Charoen, Phasi Charoen, Bangkok 10160

Whilst you are in the area check out this ancient temple with ruins dating back around 300 years from the late Ayutthaya period.

HOW TO GET TO THE ARTIST’S HOUSE: 

Address: 315 Wat Tong Salangam, Phet Kasem 28, Thanon Phet Kasem, Pa Si Charoen, Bangkok, Thailand 10160

Bang Wa BTS Skytrain and a 17 min walk

Open Hours: 9 am – 6 pm daily (but no puppet show on Wednesdays, also call ahead to confirm the puppet show)
Phone: 02-868-5279, 089-125-3949 , 081-258-9260

315 วัดทองศาลางาม ซ.เพชรเกษม 28 ถ.เพชรเกษม แขวงคูหาสวรรค์ เขตภาษีเจริญ กรุงเทพ 10160
โทรศัพท์/โทรสาร: 02-868-5279, 089-125-3949, 081-258-9260
เวลา 9.00-18.00น ทุกวัน (งดการแสดงทุกวันพุธ)

WITH THANKS TO AWC THAILAND

Full credit here to the wonderful American Women’s Club of Thailand, my lifeblood here in Bangkok. It was with their activities program (thanks Sue!) that I was introduced to this wonderful Sunday stroll.

I hope you have enjoyed this wander with me as we explore this lesser worn path and old riverside community.  It offers much to surprise and delight won’t you agree?