King Rama IX 80th Birthday Park​ is a small inter-city park located between Rama 4 and Suanplu Roads, near Sathorn Soi 1.  The park was opened in 2007 to commemorate the 80th birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej or King Rama IX.

The park is quite nice and well maintained, with a canal transversing the park with an elevated walkway above the canal. The northeast corner has a lotus garden that is worth close inspection.  There is interesting wildlife in and around the waters such fish and turtles as well as various waterfowl.  

The park is a great place to visit for a relaxing stroll or getting your daily exercise. 

​The Erawan Museum in Samut Prakarn Province in Thailand is not easy to forget as it is probably the only museum in the world that is housed inside a giant three-headed elephant. And boy, what an elephant it is! Made from pure bronze, this huge beast represents the god-king Airavata of Hindu mythology. Towering over 50 meters tall, this magnificent beast stands proudly on top of its pastel pink circular base.

The Museum was designed and built in 1994 by the Thai entrepreneur and businessman, Lek Viriyapant, who passed away in 2000.  His legacy lives in this museum as well and "Ancient Siam" and "Sanctuary of Truth". 

The Museum entrance is located in the base of the pedestal and this will lead you into the belly of the beast and the magical splendor that resides inside. The Museum not only houses many priceless antiques and cultural works of art, but its own intricate ornamentation is really something to be admired. Throughout, the decoration is breathtakingly beautiful. The Museum is set out over three levels with the basement representing the underworld, the middle level the human world and the highest level the heavens. A small window in the elephant’s belly gives you an amazing view over the surrounding area.

The museum grounds are meticulously sculpted gardens with statues related to both Buddhism and Hinduism.  There are coffee shops and shops to drinks and snacks available outside the museum as well.

The Erawan Museum is situated approximately 30 km south of Bangkok in the Province of Samut Prakarn. The Museum can be found on Sukhumvit Road and is easily accessible by Taxi.  But I recommend taking the BTS commuter train to the Chang Erawan BTS Train Station (it's an easy walk of about 800 meters). Use the Google Map link below to help you decide your best route. The Museum opens daily from 08.00 until 18.00.  

Most people go to malls for shopping and eating and everything else that goes along with malling. But not me, when I made my visit to the Icon Siam Mall I was enjoying the views and they are grande.

The second floor of river side of the mall has a wonderful garden area with 180 degree view of the Chao Praya River and I never miss a photo-op. I hope you enjoy..

I like to try to see as many of the Christmas light shows in Bangkok as I can during the holiday period to help me get into the holiday period.  I like to walk from Rama I Road and down Sukhumvite, where many of the shopping malls have there great light displays.  This year I was able to put together a really nice Christmas video for all my followers to enjoy!  

For 15 baht you can take a relaxing trip on the Chao Phraya River.  The express boats are mainly used by Thai Commuters going to and from work along the river.  There are various express boat designations denoted by colored flags on the back of each boat.  I recommend the orange flag boats as there are more of them on the river and they have more operational hours.  

​You can get off and on at any of the express boat stops but each time you get back you will have to pay an additional 15 baht.  I have included the Pier map and boat information for your use.

I began my journey at the Central Pier, located at the King Taksin Bridge and right below the Saphon-Taksin BTS commuter train station.  The majority of the boat routes begin and end here.  I went to the end of the route - the Nonthaburi Pier.  It took a little over an hour (and an hour back). The trip is great to see a big portion of the city.  You can take a look at the video below to get a taste of some of the view of the river.

The 39th Bangkok International Motor Show is Happening Now at the IMPACT Exhibition Center in Bangkok, Thailand!  There is plenty of parking and the entrance fee is only 100 baht! The show will continue until through the 8th of April.

Bangkok International Motor Show 2018 is a great platform where many awesome cars, trucks and motorbikes are being showcased.  There are also futuristic concept cars, mostly showing off the newest of electric cars.  I was fortunate to attend the show on Monday and I am sharing photos and a video of the event below! I had a great time!  Let me know how your experience was in the comments section below...

​Here is a Google Map link to the show:

Taking a tour of Bangkok's canals can be a great day trip to get to know Bangkok and relax on a cool longtail boat ride. The main area to catch a boat ride is at the Central Pier located just below the Saphan/Taksin Bridge and BTS Station.  There are three main tours to pick from depending on the amount of time you have.  The trips range from 1.5 to 3 hours long and there is a bit of haggling about the boat price.  You can get a break on the price if you are a little persistent and act like you are going to leave... (Common haggling ploy).  Before getting on the boat I recommend buying some drinks for the ride and making sure you will not need the bathroom for the appropriate amount of time.  

​I took the 2 hour trip but it was a little less time than that, at 1 hour and 53 minutes.  The trip just under 24 kilometers which starts out on the Chao Phraya River and heads south then into the canals and  back on the the Chao Phraya to the north. The best way for me to describe the trip is by recommending you take a look at my video and photos of the trip.  I have included a map from my tracking app on my phone as well as Google map link to help you get to the pier. I thought it was worth my time and money.  Have fun and if you do take the trip let me know how it went in the comments below.

I wanted to share the videos from my Thailand Travel Explorer Youtube Channel.

I hope you enjoy! Let me know if you want to see something else! 

​This is the best time to enjoy Bangkok due to the nice temperatures in the winter time. From late November into February the temperatures of Bangkok become cool and dry perfect for a walk in the city. Last week I went for just such a walk starting at the Chinatown area in mid day and ending in the Khao San Road area with some cool beers. The map below shows the General Route that we took through this area. We did a lot of Meandering around the city so there's a lot on the map it's not shown.

​We started at the Hua Lamphong MRT Station, taking Exit 1 onto Rama IV Road. Walked first to the Chinatown Gate then into Yarowat Road, which is the main Chinatown area for for restaurants, street food and markets. We explored Chinatown's market areas, walking up and down many small alleys. 

​From Chinatown we went north and ended up in Bangkok's flower market area on Chakpet Road and near Rama 1 Memorial Bridge. This market supplies much of the flowers to Bangkok's hotels and restaurants. 

​From the flower market we went to Yodpiman River Walk, taking a route through the Chao Phraya River dock area. The river walk is full of restaurants and bars to relax along the river. I found one of those restaurants and had a few beers and relax a bit from our long afternoon walk through Chinatown. After resting we took the Express ferry all the way up to Pier 15 passing the picturesque Rama VIII Bridege.  We had a wonderful meal at the Pier Thawet and from there we walked the final kilometers on Samsen Road to Khao San Road were we enjoyed the beers that we earned from the long day of walking. 

​The Bangkok's Flower Market supplies flowers to many shops and hotels throughout Bangkok.  The market is located along the river and within Chinatown proper.  The best time to visit the market is at night  when the Market comes to life when all the vendors prepare their flowers for the buyers who come at night to brighten their establishment for the next day with fresh flowers for decoration.  You can find many varieties of flowers at the Market and each market is pretty well illuminated so you can appreciate the flowers that are being shown for sale. If you enjoy the Thailand Markets and you are fond of flowers this is definitely a must see any night of the year...