Ride through Thai history

Ride through Thai history

Songkran, the traditional Thai New Year, is the time Thais living and working in all parts of the country return to their hometowns to reunite with their families. This year, the festival reminds me of a special place where family members not only can spend quality time together but also learn more about the country's history as well as its diverse cultural heritage. More than that, it's one of the best places to enjoy a leisurely bike ride.

Founded in 1963 by Lek Viriyaphant, a businessman with a strong passion for Thai art, Muangboran (Ancient Siam) is an expansive park that showcases architectural gems from across Thailand, both in the forms of finely detailed replicas and relocated original structures. It also has an added section dedicated to the so-called Muangboran-style of art featuring masterpieces, which, to me, make even the famous Wat Rong Khun in Chiang Rai look like child's play. Just for the record, there are two other Muangboran-style architectural works that are not located within the park itself, namely the Erawan Museum, also in Samut Prakan, and the Sanctuary of Truth in Pattaya.

Now that you have some idea about Muangboran, let's get back to biking.

First of all, there is no need to bring your performance rig. This is not a place for honing your cycling prowess but rather for enjoying a leisurely ride from one interesting spot to another. Besides, they have hundreds of "Japanese housewife bicycles" here that all visitors can use at no extra charge.

Pick the bike that is the right size for you and pedal through the "city gate". The road runs northward passing through the area supposed to be southern Thailand marked by important monuments of the region such as the revered stupas of Wat Phra Maha That Nakhon Si Thammarat and Wat Phra Borom That Chaiya. Soon you will reach a place you should stop and check out, the talat bok, which literally means "land market". Here, there's a variety of shops and businesses from centuries ago, from a herbal pharmacy and barbershop, to an opium den and tea house. Deeper in the park, there's also a floating market called talat nam, which you can save for lunchtime because there are noodles and other food stalls on the waterside.

Between the two markets there are many sites you should visit. Among them are selected buildings from palaces of the Ayutthaya, Thon Buri and Rattanakosin periods. These structures represent the art, tradition and history of each period depicted on murals and other features of the elaborate interiors. For those who are interested in Thai art, just visiting these sites can easily take the whole day. And yes they are just the tip of the Muangboran iceberg!

For those who are not so much into art and history, exploring the park on two wheels gives you a feeling of touring the entire country. You can visit Wat Chet Yot of Chiang Mai, Wat Phumin of Nan, Prang Sam Yod of Lop Buri, Khao Phra Wihan of Si Sa Ket and numerous more in just one day. If that's not enough, starting from Songkran, a brand new zone has been added to the park. I just saw it from the outside on my visit last week but I could tell it's grand. Now it's open to everybody.

Of course, I'll have to go back again to see the new Muangboran architectural work for myself, but I'll wait until after Songkran when the place is not so crowded.

Well, hope you enjoy a very happy New Year. See you here again next Thursday. Until then, if you have questions, news or biking insights you wish to share, please feel free to send an email to pongpetm@bangkokpost.co.th or go to Freewheel Bangkok community page on Facebook.

Pongpet Mekloy is the Bangkok Post's travel editor and a mountain bike freak.


Muangboran

GPS coordinates: 13°32'21.6" N 100°37'22.7" E

Trail condition: Well-paved roads lined with numerous interesting sites.

Distance: Up to you.

Getting there: Muangboran is situated around km33 of Sukhumvit Road (Highway 3) in Samut Prakan. The park provides a free shuttle service from a car park near BTS Bearing Station. Another option for those who prefer public transportation is to take the songthaew No.36 from its terminal near Samut Prakan's Pak Nam Market.

Parking: There's a parking lot at the main entrance.

Food & drinks: Small restaurants and shops are available at a number of spots within the area.

What your family can enjoy while waiting: In case they are not keen on biking, they can still explore Muangboran by using the provided sightseeing shuttles.

Accommodation: Muangboran is so close to Bangkok. However, for those who do not wish to hurry home, it offers a resort located just next door called Rimkhobfa Urban Resort.

Local contact: Call 02-323-4094-9 or visit www.ancientcitygroup.net/ancientsiam.

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT