Talad Noi Bangkok, Thailand
Talat Noi, also known as Talad Noi, is an enchanting district in Bangkok’s heart. Talat Noi is one of Bangkok's most underrated districts. Many people skip this area or pass by without understanding how beautiful it is and how vital the whole old town ecosystem is.
The origins of Talat Noi can be traced back over two centuries when Bangkok was still known as Thonburi and served as the capital of the Siamese kingdom. This period saw the neighborhood emerge as a hub for maritime activities. Talat Noi’s significance was primarily attributed to its strategic location along the Chao Phraya River, which facilitates maritime trade and transportation.
By the late 18th century, the neighborhood had grown into a bustling port that attracted merchants and traders worldwide. Drawing on economic prospects, Chinese immigrants formed a substantial part of the population and established their presence there.
I discovered that Talat Noi is unique and captures the essence of Bangkok through narrow streets, improvised street art, scrapes of cars, cool bars, and tasty food. Don't overlook this area on your trip to Bangkok. You can add this area to your trip to Chinatown because it is located just south of Chinatown. This was one of my favorite areas to explore in Bangkok.
A self-guided tour of Talat Noi might take about 2 hours, without considering the time spent in cafes, restaurants, bars, or at a single attraction. It is approximately 3.7 km and a 52-minute walk, which can take you half a day around Talad Noi.
The best way to experience Talat Noi is by getting lost in its small streets and alleyways. You will quickly pass from car parts shops to vibrant, calm streets filled with bars and cafes. Even though Talat Noi is a relatively compact area, it’s packed with many things to see and food to experience.
The Sieng Gong Spare Parts District. Passing by the narrow streets of Talat Noi, you will see many workshops selling old cars and motor parts. Song Wat Road is at the heart of this unique district. The atmosphere is rusty, with many parts in the dark and only lit by red lanterns and dim lights. They say you can find parts of cars and motors that are impossible to find elsewhere.
This has left its mark on the neighborhood, and you will notice abandoned and rusty cars on some corners. Those are some of the most attractive things in Talat Noi, and locals refer to them as “turtle cars.”
Rong Kuak Shrine. It’s one of the most beautiful temples in Bangkok, showcasing ancient Hakka and Chinese architectural styles. The Hakka are a Chinese Ethnic group, originally from Northern China, but emigrated to the South and then spread out.
You can visit the shrine free of charge. The intense smell of incense, a sign of local offering, welcomes you inside. You will surely be impressed by the statue of Han Gao Zu, the first emperor of China’s Han dynasty. The temple’s serene atmosphere and historical significance make it a charming place to visit.
Talad Noi also has a great selection of coffee cafes. I love coffee and have to explore a couple of them. The first one I went to was Mother Roaster. I did a Google search, or I would have never found this place. The Roaster is a hidden gem, and you must go through a maze of old items to find the stairs that will take you to the Roastery. Here is a video of trying to find my way.
Here are some pictures of the garage you half to walk through to get to the Roastery.
Next up was Timo and TinTin.
Then, it was off to La Cabra Coffee.
The final coffee cafe stop was Sunset Coffee Roaster.
Sol Heng Tai mansion is a hidden gem that testifies to Talad Noi’s long history and a far more glorious past. It’s easy to mistake the 200-year-old residence for a Chinese religious shrine at first, thanks to its large, red front gate bearing lanterns and auspicious phrases in Cantonese. The walls are decorated with porcelain ornaments. The entrance to the Mansion costs 50 THB, which is about USD 1.50, and you get complimentary water; if you order something at the cafe, it’s free. The 200-year-old Chinese-style house has some impressive frescos, and it’s nice to cool down from the heat of Bangkok.
One of the few remaining pre-Bangkok Chinese houses, this was home to the wealthy Sol clan, whose descendants comprise the influential Posayajinda and Chatikavanij families. The mansion is a two-story house mainly made of teak timbers assembled by wedge connections, while the external walls and the entire first floor are brick. Influenced by Thai architecture, the first floor was the open space flowing under the house that Thais call tai thun and was designed to store the rice.” In the center of the house is a pool used for scuba diving lessons.
Nearby is, one of the oldest Catholic churches in Thailand, built in 1787 on the site of the Portuguese Calvary Church. And next to that is the Cho Su Kong Shrine, dating to 1804, where Hokkien gods happily continue to greet visitors.
When a Portuguese contingent moved across the river to the present-day Talat Noi area of Chinatown in 1787, they were given this piece of land and built the Holy Rosary Church. It's known in Thai as Wat Kalawar, from the Portuguese ‘Calvario’ (Calvary). Over the years, the Portuguese community dispersed, and the church fell into disrepair. However, Vietnamese and Cambodian Catholics displaced by the Indochina wars adopted it, and together with Chinese speakers, they now constitute much of the parish.
After two rebuilding programs, the church resulted from the third rebuilding from 1891 – 1898. The present cream-colored structure has a high facade topped with a towering spire; a statue of the Virgin Mary stands above the high arches framing the main entrance, leading to tall arched doors. As her power and influence overseas diminished over the years, Portugal was soon eclipsed by the other European powers. Nonetheless, this old Bangkok church and the Santa Cruz Church are reminders of a small seafaring nation who were the first Europeans to venture into Asia.
The Holy Rosary Church is conveniently located in a pedestrian mall along the riverbanks, leading from River City Centre to Chinatown.
To find Street Art, you must find Charoenkrung Road Soi 30. Once known as one of the most important streets of Talad Noi, as the home of Captain Bush, an able British seaman who managed the Marine Department and made it thrive in commerce. Charoenkrung Road is the first asphalt road in Bangkok, and today it is the emblem of Talad Noi Street Art. Charoenkrung Soi 30 isn’t the only area filled with murals in Talad Noi; you can also find some great art pieces in Trok San Chao Rong Kueak.
The street art scene constantly evolves, transforming pieces of the district’s daily life into representations on its walls. These artworks depict diverse subjects, from Chinese cultural motifs to eccentric characters, offering a visual narrative that reflects the neighborhood's unique blend of history and modernity. This alley full of portraits and street photos lining the walls.
Walking further down the alley, you’ll spot more murals on both sides. I have got to say this is a major feature that makes the spot remarkable and explains the heavier foot traffic. Even though the place is well-known among Thai folks, I think it would be nice if it gets more recognition from tourists as it’s definitely a breath of fresh air compared to typical malls and shopping districts.
Henryfry is at 747 Charoen Krung Road, in the heart of Talad Noi. It is one of the most popular spots for well-done, deep-fried chicken for a small price. No secrets: it is one of the favorite spots for backpackers in Bangkok.
You will love the soft, tender chicken as they complement it with their signature secret Henry sauce. You can choose Chicken pieces such as breasts, wings, drumsticks, or thighs. You can add potato wedges and pickles to this. I ordered the Medium Fry, two chicken pieces, potatoes, and pickles. This is another budget-friendly place to eat in Talat Noi. Each piece of chicken costs 55-60 THB, about $1.60 USD per piece.
Despite being in a popular area and located on the riverfront with a fantastic view, NAAM 1608 serves delicious food, which is a bit expensive but worth it.
I was here with a friend, and we ordered Green Curry, Massaman Curry, Panang Curry, and Khao Soi and all were a 10/10. All the soups we ordered were 248 THB each, which is still acceptable considering that you pay mainly for the view.
TIP: As it’s a popular spot, I recommend arriving a little bit early to secure your table. Also, if you’re considering paying by card, they have a minimum charge of 800 THB which is about 23.50 USD.
Cross the Chao Phraya River to Iconsiam. Iconsiam is currently the largest mall in Bangkok.
What I love about this district is its location, and you have more opportunities to explore. If you cross the river, you can spend some time at Iconsiam, which has air conditioning, shopping boutiques, and more. I didn't spend much time here because it is a mall, and I would rather be out exploring. You can also visit the Starbucks Roastery Reserve. Sorry, I'm not a Starbucks fan, so I passed on this. Next to it, there is a riverside terrace on the 7th floor, with a perfect view of the Talat Noi district. It is Unmissable, and it is free!
How to get to Talat Noi Bangkok:
The best way is by taking the Chao Phraya boat service, any line: green, yellow, and orange Chao Phraya Express. Be aware that there is also a tourist boat, which costs about 60 THB. However, for budget travelers, I suggest the regular boat, costing only 16 THB per person which is about 50 cents USD. The boat service will drop you off at stop 4, the Marine Department. From there, you must follow your GPS or a map, as the maze of streets is insane.
Once you get to the Riverboat stop, make your way to Talad Noi and point the direction toward the Rong Kuak riverside shrine.
There is a second option available: taking the MRT. The closest station to Talat Noi is Hua Lamphong Station, and you should go through Exit 2. You will soon be launched through the creative hub, and it’s also perfect for a night out in Bangkok. Hua Lampong is just 10 minutes’ walking from the center of action.
The third option is using the phone app called Bolt or Grab. These are like Uber in the United States. I recommend using Bolt over Grab for a couple of reasons. Bolt is cheaper and with Grab you will have a driver respond they have taken your request only to find out a couple of minutes later they have canceled and taking another fare. I think they do this based on fees and what they will make. If they do cancel the trip you have to start the process all over again. The issue is you can't be in a hurry if you are using these apps because Bangkok traffic is insane, and it may take them 3o minutes to get to you.
Things to do in the area:
Wat Traimit (Golden Buddha). Located in Bangkok's Chinatown, Wat Traimit, or Temple of the Golden Buddha, is aptly named. The Buddha dates to the 13th or 14th century and weighs a hefty 5.5 tons. That's a lot of gold! At some point in its history - experts believe in the early part of the 18th century - the buddha was covered in stucco, presumably to protect it from thieves. It remained covered until 1955 when, during a move from one location to another, some of the stucco chipped off exposing its true golden composition.
Chinatown's Yaowarat road. This is the bustling heart of Bangkok’s Chinatown, where vibrant colors, lights, exotic aromas, and delicious food converge to create an unforgettable experience for visitors from around the world.
Notes:
Make sure you have THB currency because a lot of places do not take anything else.
To decrease the chances of getting food poisoning make sure a street vendor is cooking the food in front of you. Thailand weather is hot and avoid fish or other animals that have been out in the sun all day. The heat and something that should be at least refrigerated is best to be avoided.
Almost all Thai food has Thai Chili Peppers. If you don't like the spice, then make sure you order your food with no spice.
Thailand is a very safe place and has very little crime. However, scammers are everywhere. The biggest scams in Thailand are the Tuk-tuk's. They are crazy priced and are the most expensive form of transportation in Thailand. Another scam is the Taxi Drivers. You can ask them how much to get to a location and they will give you a high price. Always and I'll repeat this Always ask for your taxi to be metered. They tried to scam me when I arrived at the Bangkok airport. They quoted me a price which was about 450 THB. I told them this is too high, and I'll get a Grab. They then tried to negotiate a price with me. I told them if they metered the ride I would take it. They did meter it and it came out to 75 THB which is a lot different than 450 THB.
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