Bangkok Friday Dec 13

 Friday Dec 13 2025 - Bangkok

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TOUR DAY 18 On our own

ITALICS TOUR DESCRIPTION

Breakfast at the hotel. Full day free to continue your exploration of Bangkok on your own. If you are willing to absorb the atmosphere of Thailand’s water markets, make your way to Damnoen Saduak floating market, located just an hour away from Bangkok. It can be a fascinating insight into Thai culture. You can also visit the historic city of Ayutthaya, dating back 700 years, which is bursting with stories to tell. This ancient capital of the Kingdom of Siam is well known for the splendor of its traditional architecture and will give you a new perspective on the Thais’ spiritual life. (Breakfast)

We had done the floating market when we were in Bangkok in 2015.

We had also visited Ayutthaya with a private guide in 2015.

So we decided to get a tuk tuk and head down by the water.

We had told him we wanted to go to the "big wheel" and you can see him describing it towards the end of the video.

Quick video

Asiatique The Riverfront Destination is a large open-air mall in Bangkok, Thailand. It occupies the former docks of the East Asiatic Company, and faces the Chao Phraya River and Charoen Krung Road. The complex opened in 2012 after extensive renovation of the site.

The Denmark-based East Asiatic Company was founded in 1897 and was one of several Western firms conducting trade with Siam at the time. The company owned port facilities on the Chao Phraya, which included several warehouses, the oldest extant building dating from 1907. The port ceased operations in 1947, and the facilities later fell into disuse. 

It was quiet but I imagine it gets busy in the evenings.

Asiatique features several artistic sculptures in its open-air mall, including a notable statue of a European (or Western) lady sitting on the edge of a fountain, as well as statues of dancing women and historical workers.

Old warehouses converted to restaurants.

This is a large decorative compass, or wind rose, installed in the pavement at Asiatique.

It displays the names of various countries and the distance in kilometers from that location.

The center of the compass indicates it was "Est. 2012".

The countries listed include the Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Spain, the United Kingdom, the USA, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Hungary, and Italy.

The distances vary from 4003 km to Spain to 9448 km to France.

These statues celebrate the site's rich past, particularly the late 19th-century trade partnership between Siam (Thailand) and European nations, including France.

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We decided to walk over to this temple, perhaps finding lunch on the way.

Wat Ratcha Singkhon is a historic, non-touristy temple located on the southern edge of the shopping complex, known for housing the Luang Pho Daeng Buddha image and being situated near an old Protestant cemetery. 

Click here for the murals lining the walls.

I just learned this as I was researching this post.

Article 112 of Thailand's Criminal Code (lèse-majesté law) mandates 3 to 15 years in prison for defaming, insulting, or threatening the King, Queen, Heir-apparent, or Regent. Used frequently to stifle political dissent and online speech, it has resulted in hundreds of charges, sometimes yielding decades-long sentences. The law is heavily criticized internationally for restricting human rights. 

Another dedication to the recently deceased Queen Mother.

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We didn't find anywhere to eat so walked back to Asiatique.

Lunch - too hot to sit out.

SEA YA is a vibrant, modern Thai seafood restaurant located in Warehouse 7 at Asiatique The Riverfront in Bangkok, specializing in fresh, shareable dishes with bold flavors and energetic, "Fun-Fresh-Friends" vibes. Known for signature plates like river prawns and spicy salads, it offers a riverside dining experience.

Some silliness, out of the heat.

Our "souvenir" photo which we did not buy.

We finish with a tuk tuk ride back to the hotel.