Bangkok Off the Beaten Track: Chom Thong, the Hidden District That Won’t Stay Secret for Long!

Bangkok off the beaten track. In this article, I am continuing my series of Walking Tours in Bangkok. After covering Talad Noi and Thonburi, today I am taking you to an even lesser-known area: Chom Thong. Featuring a local train, canals, street vendors, waterfront dining, peaceful temples, and hidden little treasures, this tour will show you a more village-like side of Bangkok, almost from another time.

Best time for this walking tour in Bangkok

I highly recommend doing this tour on a weekend for two main reasons:

• Very few shops are open at the small market along the canal during the week (locals work their regular jobs weekdays and earn extra income by selling food on weekends).
• The temples are less busy, making them less interesting for observing local rituals.

Starting Point: BTS Wutthakat

This obviously depends on your own pace, but this tour takes roughly a full day, with the goal being to reach the canal section just in time for lunch.

Personally, I started from the Wutthakat BTS Skytrain station. You will catch a glimpse of the back of Bangkok’s Big Buddha as you arrive.

Alternatively, you can head straight to the heart of the most interesting part by taking a train from Wong Wian Yai station to the tiny Chom Thong railway station (5 THB), though this offers less flexibility with schedules. Tickets can be bought directly at the station before departure.

Wat Nang Nong Worawihan Temple

There is a solid 15-minute walk between the Skytrain station and the first stop, Wat Nang Nong Worawihan. You can opt for a Grab or a motorcycle taxi, but the walk is pleasant even though it partly follows a main road.

Wat Nang Nong Worawihan temple is famous for its blend of Thai and Chinese influences. It is quite popular among neighborhood residents. It houses a beautiful bronze Buddha statue covered in gold leaf called Phra Maha Chakkraphat. The temple was built during the reign of King Rama III. A crystal Buddha was also supposed to be installed in the temple, but that project seems to have been postponed.

Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/re81dY9iA68HuoSH7

The Wat Nang Education Museum

Next, cross the bridge, taking some time to enjoy the view and watch the canal boats—often filled with tourists—passing by. Instead of diving straight into the main Wat Nang Ratchaworawihan temple complex, I invite you to walk along it via a small, narrow, and rather bucolic alleyway to reach the temple’s Museum for Education. Admission is free. Although it has the minor drawback of only having explanations in Thai, it is highly interesting for understanding the history and local life of the neighborhood. Using a smartphone and a translation app, you can learn a tremendous amount. There is even a small library of ancient traditional Thai medicine texts. I found myself staying here to explore for quite a while.

This spot is rarely visited by tourists and serves as an excellent introduction to the neighborhood’s history.

Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jgURqSrcyvpeXxaf8

Wat Nang Ratchaworawihan

Right next door sits Wat Nang Ratchaworawihan, a royal temple steeped in history. Its traditional architecture and peaceful atmosphere contrast sharply with the hustle and bustle of central Bangkok. There is a small building situated on an artificial hill at the back that almost everyone misses. In front of it stands a statue of King Rama III on horseback.

Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jpAcetHZmPvzwRQe7

Stroll along the khlong

After soaking up the neighborhood’s spirituality and history, it is time for my favorite part of this tour—and the one that is so much more vibrant on weekends: the stroll along the canal to the railway bridge, right through the market stalls.

Cross back over the bridge and walk along the canal past Wat Nang Nong Worawihan. You will quickly reach a small street packed with little stalls and eateries. The first restaurant on the left is famous for its Pad Thai. You will then turn right at the shop selling spring rolls into a small alley with a blue wall, leading you right alongside the canal where stalls are set up in old waterfront houses. The atmosphere is fantastic, and as a foreigner, you will receive a very warm welcome! People will offer you plenty of things to taste without minding at all if you do not buy. You can enjoy snacks on the go while sitting on a bench facing the canal.

As you can tell, this is exactly where I recommend having your lunch!

For dessert, you can head over to Sweetness Station (formerly Panee Mango Sticky Rice), located just before the railway bridge. This shop is currently going viral, so it gets quite busy on weekends, especially after noon. Personally, I preferred the whole section leading up to it, but Instagram enthusiasts will definitely want their video eating mango sticky rice here with the train crossing the bridge in the background. Quite a few people come just for this and miss everything else.

If there is room or if you want that shot too, grab your dessert here.

Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZqRHwjkexJd9V7ok6

Ideally, aim to arrive before 12:23 PM to catch the train passing by. It will come from behind you, and about ten minutes later, another one will pass heading the other way. Keep in mind, however, that trains in Thailand are not always perfectly on time!

Chom Thong Train Station

After the train passes, walk up onto the bridge, cross the canal, and walk over to Chom Thong station. This is where you would get off if you chose to arrive by train instead (an option that is less practical schedule-wise but fun for the adventure).

This neighborhood station offers a cool glimpse into Bangkok’s traditional rail network, far removed from the modern, air-conditioned hubs found near the shopping malls.

Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/PrS4G1kTNauTV3GW9

Wat Ratcha Orasaram Ratchaworawihan

Next, retrace your steps slightly to visit Wat Ratcha Orasaram Ratchaworawihan. This is the most impressive temple of the tour.

This royal temple is considered one of Bangkok’s most remarkable, yet it remains surprisingly unknown to foreign visitors. Its architecture draws heavy inspiration from Chinese art, giving it a unique look among Thai temples. The inner courtyards, pavilions, and decorations offer plenty of great photo opportunities. It also features the famous Buddha footprint where the goal is to try and balance a coin vertically for good luck. Give it a try! It is not as easy as it looks!

Take your time exploring the entire complex, as it is much larger than it appears from the outside.

Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/E9wv8RGjazyWjCML9

The Turtle Pond

Continue walking along the railway tracks and the temple complex to discover the “Turtle Pond.”

This shaded pond houses numerous turtles and offers a lovely, relaxing setting to take a break.

Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/MACd3K39AVvR4dJf7

You can end the tour here if you wish and hop on a train (buying your ticket directly on board from the conductor), turning it into a half-day tour, or you can keep going.

A surprising public swimming pool

If you are feeling hot, a public swimming pool used by local residents is just a 5-minute walk away (60 THB per adult and 40 THB per child). I haven’t tested it myself, but the reviews are good.

Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/MnsbEumXbrTyVx2s8

Poomjai Garden

The final major stop on this Bangkok walking tour is a relaxing break at Poomjai Garden.

Expect about a 30-minute walk through residential streets. The first part up to the railway crossing is quite nice, but past that, I wouldn’t blame you at all if you hail a motorcycle taxi or order a Grab on your phone to get to Poomjai Garden… because that is exactly what I did! It was incredibly hot!

Poomjai Garden is a community garden set on a former agricultural plot in the Chom Thong district of Bangkok. Created to preserve a green space amid a rapidly expanding urban area, it provides a rustic setting blending nature and canal-side life. It is wonderful to unwind at Natura Café, right on the terrace by the khlong (canal), sipping a drink or enjoying some of the sweet treats the café offers (they do not operate as a full restaurant) far away from the city center chaos.

Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/6vHvHwE8o3iGHKJc6

You can also arrange canal boat tours here. The prices are quite standard. Since these are private tours, they can even drop you off closer to central Bangkok at the end.

Heading back to BTS Wutthakat

Otherwise, to get back to your hotel in Bangkok, I recommend ordering a taxi via the Grab or Bolt app, either to take you directly back to your hotel or to drop you off at the Wutthakat BTS station.

Practical Information

• Total Duration: about half a day to a full day depending on your pace, especially if you add the full program including the canal boat tour.
• Difficulty Level: easy.
• Best Timing: head out in the early morning to ensure you are near the bridge before the 12:23 PM train passes and can have lunch in the area.
• Ideal For: travelers who have already checked off all the must-sees in Bangkok and want to explore local life in a peaceful, off-the-beaten-path neighborhood.