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Bangkok, Thailand
Photo: Globe-trotter, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Ramkhamhaeng (Thai: รามคำแหง) is a vast district that lies along Ramkhamhaeng Road, a major arterial road in east Bangkok. The area could be considered a suburb and is almost completely unknown to foreign travellers, with the notable exception of Suvarnabhumi Airport. Most venues cater to locals who have their own transport, so attractions are spread far out and it is hard to get around. Hua Mak and Bang Kapi in the southwest are the most interesting neighbourhoods, and also the easiest to navigate as the Saen Saep Express Boat runs right through them. These are lively areas with shopping malls and restaurants that cater to commuters and university students.
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พิพิธภัณฑ์พุทธศิลปะ
This museum features a large private collection of Buddha images. It's operated by the Foundation of Thai Arts Preservation. The exhibition focuses on the art of Buddha images in conjunction with Thai history. An international presentation comprising light, sound (chanting), and scent (incense) explains the information to the visitor in an air conditioned room. Besides Buddha images and artefacts of different periods, there is also an area allocated to be a shrine and a museum dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy and other major gods of various beliefs in Asia.
This eclectic museum sprawls across manicured gardens, pavilions, shrines, chapels, and even an exact replica of the teak Red Palace (built by King Rama I for his sister). On display are art and antiques from all eras of Thai history, as well as books and manuscripts, and replicas of various prominent Thai architectural works. Mr. Prasart is usually around, and he and his staff will make sure you have a nice guided tour of the place.
สวนหลวง ร. 9
Built in 1987 to celebrate the 60th birthday of the former king, HM Bhumibol Adulyadej, this is the largest public park of Bangkok. It consists of six zones: the homage to His Majesty, the botanical garden, the Trapangkaew Reservoir, the Rommaniya Garden, the Sanam Rasdara and the Water Garden. It is very deep down the sois of Sukhumvit, so it is best to take a taxi to find it.
วัดเทพลีลา
One of the few temples in the Ramkhamhaeng area, this is a local temple that shows how the local inhabitants practice Buddhism. It is a big compound, which is fairly lively with people praying and paying respect to the Buddha statues. It was built in 1842 during the reign of King Nangklao (King Rama III). At that time, the temple was known as Wat Tuek or Wat Tuek Khlong Ton. Saen Saep Canal was dug for transporting troops and weapons to Cambodia. During excavations Pang Lila, a 1.2 m tall Sukhothai-style walking Buddha image, was found here. The temple was renamed Wat Theplila during the reign of King Chulalongkorn.
An abandoned junk yard with a few dismembered aircraft - a relatively interesting photographic site, without any guide though. IMPORTANT UPDATE: As of January 2024, the plane wreckages are no longer there. They were moved elsewhere, and construction are going on. Confirmed by Google Maps Street View.
A water park with a large swimming pool suitable for exercise, a lazy river, and slides suitable for smaller and larger kids. Appears to be better maintained than the water park at Siam Park City which has much higher prices for foreigners. An option if your accommodation lacks a pool but you crave to swim.
One of the Major Cineplex chain of cinemas, this is a fairly modern cinema that is close to Ramkhamhaeng University. English movies are shown, and Thai movies have subtitles in English. There are plenty of shops and places to eat if you want to kill time till your movie begins.
ซาฟารีเวิลด์
Safari World is Bangkok's greatest open zoo and leisure park. The 300-acre complex comprises a safari park that is populated by African and Asian mammals, a marine park with amusing performances of well-trained dolphins and seals, a bird park, and a games corner. There are separate tickets for Safari Park and Marine Park.
สวนสยาม
The water amusement park section contains a man-made sea with towering slides. Most of the park area is now covered with amusement park rides, a dinosaur exhibit, a dinosaur diorama safari, an African diorama safari, children's playgrounds. Foreigners must pay more for tickets than Thais.
It is a 25-kilometer, one-way cycle path around Suvarnabhumi Airport. Planes land and take off nearby—sometimes right above you. They’re very strict about the rules: no kids, no strollers, and no pedestrians allowed, so you can go full speed. Since it’s a one-way track, there’s no turning back, so be prepared to ride all 25 kilometers. There are three rest stops along the way with benches and vending machines. You can rent a good bike at the rental station near the information center.
A local fresh market that has many stalls selling Thai Muslim food at street food prices either onto plates or as takeaway.
ตลาดนัด พระรามเก้า
Just a simple street food market at the south end of Ramkhamhaeng Road. It seems to be at its best during evening commute time, when many locals are picking up snacks at the hawker stalls. You can get many varieties of satay, fish, rice, and many other things.
A new community mall clustered with a selection of restaurants. You can enjoy Thai, Chinese, or Japanese food here, as well as steaks, pastas or American fast food. If you just want a drink, Starbucks is present alongside other coffee shops and tea houses.
This is the food court of Central Power Center shopping mall, and it does a really good job at it. There are about a dozen separate counters for different kinds of food, including a Japanese, a Thai, and a European food counter and a beverages counter. It works with a coupon system, so first buy coupons at the booth. Then you can spend these at any of the counters surrounding the central seating area. Recommended for those on a budget.
Touted as the largest halal restaurant in Thailand. They serve American steaks, European steaks, Italian food, Thai food, and (from 16:00 on) a Korean-style meat buffet.
A pleasant ambience with dining and karaoke halls situated over an expanse of water, where the cuisine has an emphasis on Thai and seafood options. Yes, try not to drop your wallet or phone in the soupy pond water or you'll never get it back.
A night market known to locals for its wide array of halal food stalls.
Thailand's only pub that brews its own beer. It has a good atmosphere that's nice for watching sports, and is targeted at ex-pats and tourists. Happy hour every day at 16:00-19:00 and 11:00-01:00. "Quiz night" every Tuesday night at 20:00. Free WiFi. HAS MOVED. NO LONGER ON SUKHUMVIT ROAD
Cable TV, mini-bar, refrigerator, radio, and telephone.
Boutique accommodation in a cosy and friendly atmosphere. It is only a one-minute walk to the night market and nearby malls. It is 23km from the airport, so not particularly close. The rate includes daily breakfast and free Wi-Fi.
A 15- to 20-minute drive from the airport. There are some shopping malls and a large park nearby, but for the rest, it's very far off from the centre of Bangkok. Rooms are good, beds are comfy, breakfast is nice, and there's a friendly staff.
เมโทร พ้อยท์ กรุงเทพ
Far from the airport (about 22 km), but it is near the lively Bang Kapi neighbourhood and The Mall Bangkapi shopping mall. The hotel has 172 all non-smoking rooms that have private terraces and free Wi-Fi.
โรงแรม นาซ่าเวกัส
You can't miss this hotel walking down the road as the building is enormous. Rooms are a bit small and furniture a bit dated, but they are clean, so for the money paid it is a good value. Not really close to the airport, but it is close to the Ramkhamhaeng ARL stop, which takes you to the airport in about 20 minutes. The downside of the ARL is that it runs right beside the hotel, which makes some rooms noisy.
Another ordinary shopping mall, which is quite lively but not as crowded as downtown. It looks a bit old, but is still a nice browse as prices are noticeably cheaper than in The Mall. As usual, most of the products cater to local 20-somethings, including clothes, accessories, bags, beauty products, and mobile phones.
แฟชั่นไอส์แลนด์
A large shopping mall that, as the name indicates, mostly focuses on fashion stores. But it's not just clothes, shoes, and design, as there are plenty of books, gems, jewellery and furniture on sale. The usual chain restaurants, cafes and cinemas are also present, as is Robinson Department Store. There's even an amusement park with an ice skating rink and a monorail running around the mall..
This complex consists of two separate shopping malls, The Mall 3 on the north side of Ramkhamhaeng Road and The Mall 2 on the south side. Both are connected to each other and the road by an overhead pedestrian bridge. It is a good place to eat. For example, at Home Fresh Mart. There are plenty of chain restaurants too, including McDonald's at the side of the road.
The Mall 3 is rather generic and uninspiring, and anything on sale here can be found elsewhere in Bangkok (probably for less too). As it opened in 1986, it is obvious that it is older and more cramped than The Mall Bangkapi, but prices are somewhat cheaper. There are only a few escalators, so expect to walk the stairs to get to the upper levels. There are a lot of clothing stores, and clothes always seem to be on sale in the common space on the ground floor. Of course there are also the usual DVD and book stores, and many chain restaurants such as KFC.
เดอะมอลล์บางกะปิ
A huge shopping mall that looks like it has just been pumped out of the ground, although it dates from 1994! It looks brand new, shiny white, and boasts four floors with all the chain stores you could possibly imagine. Thais absolutely love it, and flock to it in large numbers, but for travellers it is "been there, done that". All the usual stores are in place, but at least it is a lively area with many commuters.
By public transit
Opened in August 2010, the Airport Rail Link is an alternative way of getting in.
By bus
Getting to Ramkhamhaeng by bus is very troublesome, but at least it's a cheap way of doing some exploring.
By songthaew
There are Songthaews (the red covered pickup trucks that have two benches facing each other on the inside, holding 10-15 people) that run along Ramkhamhaeng Soi 24.
Getting around this vast district is sure to give you a headache. The locals use their own transport for attractions that lie too far off a boat pier or ARL station.
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