Bang Kachao: The Forgotten Island That Shouldn't Exist
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 มิ.ย. 2024
- Of all the things you'd expect to find in the middle of Bangkok, a remote and untouched island of old-growth jungle and ancient Mon culture is probably not on the list.
And yet- just a two-minute ferry from Khlong Toei, there's a 16-square-kilometer green space in the middle of the Chao Phraya that time and progress forgot. It's called Bang Kachao and somehow, through two centuries of growth and development, it's remained lost in obscurity, it's history and traditions ignored by the growing metropolis that surrounds it on all sides.
It's a place with endless bicycle paths, rare and abundant wildlife, and some of the best food on the planet- and coming to explore might be the best chance the island has to survive with its land and lifestyle under existential threat.
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0:00 - Introduction
1:58 - Throttling Down
4:06 - The Story of Bang Kachao
6:15 - Weekly First Meal
9:00 - Bangkok's Green Lung
10:20 - The Unofficial Museum
12:49 - Tourists
13:59 - Culinary Heritage Zone
16:51 - Mango & Sticky Rice
18:06 - Consequences
22:32 - Salvation
26:16 - The Real Island
27:35 - Rotisserie
29:21 - The Other Market
32:12 - Bang Kachao
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Video Credits:
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Hiddenwoods cafe คาเฟ่ลับที่ซ่อนตัวอยู่ ท่ามกลางบรรยากาศสุดร่มรื่นที่ไม่ไกลจากกรุงเทพ #บางกระเจ้า
• Hiddenwoods cafe คาเฟ่...
![CAMPปลิ้น | EP.77[1/2] ก็ไม่ได้ชอบเอาชนะ แต่เรื่องอะไรต้องแพ้!!](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/JraaBYOd7I0/mqdefault.jpg)
Alright I'll go a little overboard with the pins this week, since there's a few places we didn't show in this video that are still absolutely worth a try if you make it to the island- including one restaurant where we'd planned to film but it was closed (Bang Kachao is a...laid back place. Expect about a 70% "open rate" as most places are family run, which means if they have anything to do, it's shut for the day.)
First, the places show in the video:
Grilled Chicken & Som Tam: maps.app.goo.gl/aEANTz7pvaQQkZyj6
Floating Market: maps.app.goo.gl/yAKzFqmtEL4mnomY9
Museum: maps.app.goo.gl/e7MVHzdQocRdfri78
Mango Sticky Rice: maps.app.goo.gl/EPJESkLc3ChaEgpZ7
Coconut Lane: maps.app.goo.gl/T7n4U7Z1jPtYC7PCA
Rotisserie Chicken: maps.app.goo.gl/1bd8QijG5pnfzhoV9
*The Night Market is only open on Thursday and Sunday evenings, starting around 5 PM. Didn't pin it when we were there and it's not on the map, but it's maybe 200 meters away from the Rotisserie Chicken spot in the direction of the pier facing Khlong Toei.
Now two other places you really should try to visit, that didn't make it into this video:
Coconut Shoot Som Tam (!) - We really wanted to film here because it's so interesting, but they were closed the day we came to film. maps.app.goo.gl/yg1LDu7i3o7sqQ2T9
Hiddenwoods: maps.app.goo.gl/AwNq8Ajhb5nhV8mk8
It is not exactly an island but it is the meandering curve of Chao Phraya river ... After digging the shortcut canals around Bang Krachao, the regime at that time had to erect the watergate to to prevent rising sea water from seeping into the fruit orchards and ruined the annual harvest of fruits.
All explained in the video@@wisarutbholsithi5561
Thanks for the ride. I miss the island. I rode there every week for nearly ten years. Now I’m stuck in Ohio and miss lazy days at the park in my hammock.
Where is that local market?
@@elnosabedondeva Bang Nam Phueng market opposite to Bang Na Pier
Being there and seeing the skyscrapers peeking out of the seemingly endless woodland was so surreal. It feels so remote, yet you’re still always reminded of being in the middle of Bangkok.
And the cranes from the port at certain vantage points. Still an oasis.
I’m 40 born and raised in Bangkok. To my surprise I just discovered this place about 2 years ago and now I bought a piece of land already (2 acres) close to Chaopraya river across Bangna.
You did an amazing job. The place is hidden gem
My dad used to drive an ice cream truck around the island every week when he was way younger. My grandma's is right across that island, but I've never went there myself. I planned so many times but didn't get a chance to go there myself. This convinced me that i really should go there. Thanks for the tour!
Videos like this are why your channel is heads above the rest, great job! I can see why you were reluctant to release this video as this is such a unique place that you felt like you would be hastening its demise. I really liked what the locals all had to say about the change and how it was not the same as it had been but it was always going to be home to them, I feel the same way about where I live. Change is inevitable and all we can hope for is to preserve what we can of what makes these places special, it's peoples, their culture and as much of their special way of life as possible. I had seen your top ten meals video and I thought that a trip here would be fun, now it is a must see, Thank you!
This was amazing from so many angles. I love the locals evening market, you know that’s my kind of place.....and collectively you guys gave it a fascinating showing. It looks like you are loving life, as you should. This is now my favorite video you have done.....I hope it helps the people of this area.....it needs to be as it was and I think you have helped them. You did it, the perfect video, history, food and activism......I hope people take note and protect this area and it’s wonderful culture......
Thanks so much.
Discovered this little gem over 10yrs back with a bicycle tour operator named "Co van Kessel" (mother of bicycle tours in "The Big Mango")...-even before Mark Wiens did one episode there😄...like the Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bang Krachao belongs to Prov. of Samut Prakarn. It was light developed at that time when visited the island, but it has been discovered by expats/tourists some years back...it's still nice during the week, less people...if you have a scooter, there are more hidden places in my hometown Krung Thep❤....love ur channel, keep exploring guys!👍🏼
Well, we (actually probably a lot of Phra Pradaengian) would rather secede from Samut Prakarn and either become part of Bangkok or regain independent. There is a resentment of the local for the politician from the other side of the river (Pak Nam). One of their family passed away recently and we kinda celebrate it in the social media.
Your content is always amaZING!, every one of them!
Even I am a local of Bangkok, Khlong Toei boy here, I also learn lots of national and local history. But everytime I come here, I always learn something new from your vid. I am SPEECHLESS!
Love and will always follow.
Peace
YOU REALLY KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING, NEVER SEEN SO GOOD THAI-FOOD-DOCUMENTARY, WELL CUT AND VERY GOOD QUALITY VIDEOS !!!!
I’m Thai…..and I’m all for the conservation of this island. The conservation law must stand for this island. If the developers want to build modern buildings, let them go elsewhere!! Thailand must have city planning……areas for residence, areas for factories, areas for conservation, areas for business district, areas for ancient architecture, etc…….don’t mix them all up. In Phuket town, there’s a great area, with old buildings kept the way they were 200 years ago….it’s a great, great , nice tourist place.
Agree, well-planned development could enrich the city so much for generations to come :)
Im thai and Idk what this place is
I went there 10 years ago when I graduated from high school. It is still one of the most memorable places in Bangkok I went to. I really love that I could bike any where on the island. Cheap and good local food. Not too many tourists. I will definitely go there again this year when I visit Bangkok before what I experienced 10 years ago disappear.
I finally paid it a visit last Feb. and did the typical bike rental. You're indeed taken back in time but notice gentrification with many upscale and out of character modern homes being developed along the water views........... We did have multiple stops at local eateries we throughly enjoyed. Too bad the floating market was closed day we visited and used her awnings while we biked to refuge for temporary shade. One of our stops was just for refreshments at a eco friendly cafe and tried Butterfly Pea for the first time - and how so refreshing. ! Can you please do a series on Butterfly Tea, its history, prep and health benefits ? ............Love your channel as it's always a learning experience and appreciate the hard work.
Did you know ? The woman who created the American fried rice , she just passed away last week. She is Khunying Sureepan Maneewat.
Remember a lot of good things about her and her husband khun Wilat also.
Me too, I really love this place. During covid it is the only I came to get through the pandemic. Whenever I came here I found peace.
Love your video. Thanks to Adam, Jasper and Daria!
As a Bangkok resident, I'd never cared to check this place out ... until I saw this lovely video. By the way, บางกระเจ้า should be spelled "Bang Kra-chao". As a very bad habit, MANY Thai locals do not care to pronounce the clusters in many words (and we can manage to understand one another with no problem, unlike in the English language), and it's getting worse and worse among the younger generations.
Anyway, seeing you all enjoy our country is so rewarding---it's probably the same manner, in which I enjoy many parts of the U.S. and Europe. Will you come back to our country for more and for better? You're always welcome!
I just want to take a moment to say thank you. I only discovered your channel a couple of weeks ago, but it has been full of such great information and ideas that have now been incorporated into my upcoming visit to Thailand, including following this suggestion. Your content is great, and I really appreciate the dive into history and context you make in your episodes.
Wish this video had come out while I was visiting! 😢 Keep up the good work, y’all!
Another amazing video. Thank you for bringing it to us.
It's technically not even in Bangkok. It's a part of Samut Prakan Province. It is such as lovely place! If you go during the weekdays not many restaurants and shops will be open though. If anyone want to enjoy both the peaceful and lively Bang Kachao in the same trip, go there on Friday so you can enjoy a very peaceful Bang Kachao and stay for a night then go to the markets and some other places on Saturday. After watching the video, I feel Khun Wan, the owner of Coconut Lane looks and sounds so familier. She could actually be my colleague from almost 20 years ago. Maybe I should visit Coconut Lane and try to find out!
Thank you for another excellent story on this island. I've always wondered about this green spot on Google maps that I've only discovered recently-which I thought was odd being in the middle of Bangkok. I didn't even have a clue about this "island" growing up in Bangkok in the 70s and early 80s. Like I've said before, I always learned something about my home country from your videos.
Wow !! Your production is awesome !! Professional !👍👍✌️✌️
We’ll be in Thailand soon. Definitely will make the trip there. Not sure my own Thai relatives who live in Bangkok know the existence of this island. Love every video you produced.
Great work! Keep it up! more uncovering of this kind is necessary.
I am Thai living in America and I glad I came across your channel. Your contents and questions you are exploring are very good.
I was there once for biking, but never try their food yet. thank you for give me inspiration to come there again!
I have no idea how your channel get so underate, The contents are so great. i am 45 live in Bangna and I have never been there, LOL.
Really amazing content guys!
I arrive October 6. This is definitely on my list. Thanks for all you do!
Nice. We arrive October 19 into Bangkok before heading to Chiang Mai. Enjoy your trip
Another excellent piece. Keep it up.
I am Bangkokian. Visited Bangka Chao and loved it. You made a great video.
Great video as always, I might have to stop putting off visiting the island for once.
Keep up the good work guys. Love it
Great video to see that old Bangkok is still around. I live in CA for now. I have an aunt who lives in Samut Prakan. They have orchid farm, mushrooms, and coconut groves. This place reminds me a little of that and it is right next to the water/canal. Very green too. Will visit next time in Bangkok visiting relatives.
This so reminds me of my time living in Samut Prahkan in '69 at the compound of the leprosy hospital and in the midst of the housing built for those families afflicted (and their dogs) when the Bangkok government wanted to keep them off the streets of the city. I made quite a few friends back then, and was gifted with quite a few relics and other things which have disappeared over the decades. I believe I did visit the old floating market in Bang Kachao a couple of times and learned how to bargain for the best prices (the market had a good deal more than just food). That breaking of the rules and protections is certainly sad and troubling, and it just makes me feel that I need to come back at least to visit before it's all gone and gentrified. Thanks for this episode.
Thanks for sharing this video and showing us around. It would be good to visit this place and wow! I can’t believe that I’ve only heard about this now. This is definitely a must see place. Looks so peaceful and full of culture as well.
Following your very good advice, I've been to Bang Kachao during my too brief stay in Bangkok, last week.
Long story short, the grilled-chicken stand was closed… and it rained, like a lot!
On the other hand, a very, very good surprise, the Thai foodcourt a little before the gates at the beginning of the street that leads to the ferry. Good music, fresh "Leo" and the best hot-pot of my life!!!
Believe it or not I was born in Bangkok more than seventy years ago
I never heard of the bang
Kachao before much to be thousands of places in Thailand I never heard or never been to any of them. But I'm glad and
Appreciate you for showing and sharing an awesome places in the land of freedom the land of Thailand.
Great job on all videos 🙏 love the history that comes with it💕is like watching A&E - the Thai version 🙏🙏
Thank you ❤️❤️
You did many great videos on story of Bangkok. Keep doing it. 👍🏻
Great Job! Bang Kachao is well worth several day trips. But I need to dust off my bicycling skills. Thanx, again. Cheers!
Love it, will have to check it out next time I’m there. I also love the betel leaves in miang Kam:) also I notice hor mok is the Thai version of Cambodian dish “amok”! Makes complete sense! Loved the vid thanks am subscribing :)
This video and also the place is AWESOME! I visited Bangkok secerah times, but never realized about this island!
I havent been there since I was a teen- my mom is part Mon and I remember we were looking for old relatives there! Truly a gem in the middle of the city, I never knew it existed till I actually went there haha!!!
I visited Bang Kachao in December and it was one of the best things I've ever done in my many travels. Cycling is a must and so easy and cheap.
What a gorgeous place. But it is facing some of the same problems that we have in Koh Samui as well. Let's just hope that overdevelopment can be kept out of places like these.
Superb video.
Great video!
I would just like to take a moment to follow-up on this video in particular. My partner and I went to Bang Kachao when we were in Thailand in November. It was a huge highlight in our trip. So, thank you, OTR, for what you do. But also, follow this advice. If you like to be a little off the beaten path, it is a place for you.
Very interesting, first time I’ve caught your channel ,
10:37 Ugh, I know where this is. It’s in Medan Selayang, province of North Sumatra. Those poor ducks 😭 People are horrible, I tell you. Anyways, thank you for introducing us to Bang Kachao. A food tour on bicycle sounds good!
The secrets out about Bang Kachao, and it's a great thing. I have always made a morning day trip to the island on all my BKK trips, a lovely place to discover by bike.
Never knows it exists until now. Great job introducing this place to a Thai living abroad. I shall visit it soon
I went to that island earlier this year and I loved it. Encountered a huge monitor lizard crawling out of a canal and loved the narrow back roads on bike.
Damn! The best i saw on youtube for months! Want to go there! In case i get the opportunity to go BKK again i will head for Bang Kachao
by far this is the most interesting one of all❤
Why have I never been here? It's a great find!
I already love thailand but your content makes me love it more.
Very interesting, and somewhere to potentially add to my list for my impending visit to Bangkok. I'll have to figure out whether my aging knees are up to riding a bike around there first, though!
I do have to ask though, what's with the "Once in Royal David's City" in the soundtrack near the beginning??! 😁
Got a Google pin for the chicken stall at 6:15 ' Weekly first meal'? Great video, thank you.
มาอยู่กรุงเทพ20กว่าปีแล้ว ยังไม่เคยไปเลย สงบ สวยงาม ขอบคุณที่ถ่ายทอดเรื่องราวให้ต่างชาติรู้ ถ้าคนภายนอกมอง อาจจะเห็นแค่ว่ามันก็คือเกาะหมู่บ้านทั่วไป แต่มันมีความแตกต่างคอนทราสท์เพราะความใกล้ชิด กทม. เมือง สมุทรปราการ เหมือนหลุดมาอีกโลกนึง แถมผู้คนบนเกาะมีความหลากหลายทางวัฒนธรรม ธรรมชาติไม่ต้องพูดถึง สวยงามมากค่ะ
man your channel is so underrated. so entertaining and informative. Dee Mak Krub
ahhh! i went on a bike tour there. so wonderful ❤
As a Thai I like the way you tell the story , thank you so much .
those are some of the toughest bikes I have ever ridden. I rode around that island last year for 3 hours. by the end, my behind was numb, my legs were sore, and my neck/face were totally roasted. but if anyone wants an outdoor workout session, I think that island is a great place for it....
good job Man
My first time in Thailand I went with my best mate. We met some girls and one day this girl made plans for our date. The night before however I got steaming drunk, despite the fact she wanted to meet at 9am. I woke up severely hungover, and incredibly nervous, (admitting the pre date butterflies in the stomach). We cycled around Bang Kachao for 8 hours in the blistering heat. I felt horrendously sick. However, Bang Kachao was cool on any other day I’d have probably enjoyed it 100 times more. To be quite honest, I didn’t even know it was Bang Kachao, until I just watched this video… I give myself top marks…
fascinating. i've been to bkk so many times but never heard of it before
I live so close Thankyou for reminding me to go back.
I just finished watching ALL of your videos now. Did you know, that when you watch them in a row (with some discontinuitiy, I admit, but still), that (nearly) in every video you mention something that's the best food you ever had? Must be a lot of best foods. 😄 This is not meant as criticism! I can totally understand, just found it interesting. Please never stop finding the best food. Maybe some time I'll come around to at least taste some of it. Never got more east than Bahrain until now...(I'm from Germany)
Btw: how on earth do you manage to stay that lean???
this episode.. this one hits different
My maternal family is from Phrapradeang and every year we would visit our Mon cemetery to clean it up. I’ve OK ly recently realized that the market near the cemetery was in Bangkrachao during a company trip to the market and I happen to walk past our family cemetery. I was literally ordained as a novice monk at that temple and dnver realized.
I found the lung last year & spent 2 weeks
arttra villa. Absolutely will return. Beautiful, found chicken barbecue, people so friendly. Best market on weekend
Arttra's great. That's the one with the pool right on the water, yeah? Have hung out there several times.
There are 2 islands that I know very near Bangkok Koa Kred and Bang Krajao both have Mon people. I've known of them years ago more of Koa Kred than Bang Krajao anyway, l've never been to either of them. Love to go there before they or I'm gone.
this is amazing!!! btw do u remember me?
ในกรุงเทพและเมืองรองที่ติดกับกรุงเทพมีสถานที่ลับหลายที่ โดยเฉพาะพื้นที่ติดกับเกาะระหว่างเมืองเช่น บางกะเจ้าติดสมุทรปราการ, ตลิ่งชันที่ติดกับนนทบุรี, ตลาดหัวตะเข้ที่อยู่ใกล้ๆกับสนามบินสุวรรณภูมิ, เกราะเกล็ดในเมืองนนทบุรี และที่เป็นความลับมากที่สุดคือชุมชนในฝั่งธนบุรีที่ติดกับจังหวัดสมุทรสาคร ซึ่งมีทั้งตลาดร่มหุบรถไฟ, บางขุนเทียนชายทะเลซึ่งเป็นเขตเดียวของกรุงเทพฯที่มีทะเล, แสมดำที่เป็นแหล่งอาศัยของชุมชนมอญขนาดใหญ่ หรือแม้แต่ในแม่กลองก็มีบ้านสวนที่ล้อมด้วยป่า เหล่านี้อยู่ห่างจากกรุงเทพเดินทางไม่ถึง 1-1.5 ชั่วโมง แต่เพราะมันเป็นพื้นที่อนุรักษ์ทางสิ่งแวดล้อม มันไม่เลยไม่มีพาหนะอย่างรถไฟฟ้า นักท่องเที่ยวก็เลยไม่ค่อยรู้จักเหมือนในตัวเมืองกรุงเทพมหานครย่านเศรษฐกิจ แม้แต่คนไทยบางส่วนก็ไม่รู้จักว่ามันมีที่แบบนี้อยู่ในเมืองมหานคร.
hi guys, what a great vid. i have been transiting through BKK for 30 years, staying a few days at a time, and never heard of this beautiful island.
I am going to BKK next week. What is the best way to get there from On Nut? thank you so much.
GReat video, thanks for sharing - it really makes you want to be there !! Could you tell me how I can get in touch with the Tour Guide - Kaan please? I wil be in Bangkok in a few weeks time and wold like to hire him
Thank you. Paul😃
Hi, how does one get in touch with Khan for his bicycle tour?
Yet another great video 👍
Is this the best thai food history channel or what?
Been going here for 17 years.. its a great spot
I love this place
Well, definitely know where to go, next time in Grung-Tep!!
Its so important it can not be understated how important all of Thailand and not just Bangkok make every effort to create and up hold laws about as much environmental conservation, preservation and restoration for every aspect to its people their habitat, culture and traditions for generations to come I will back any program that encourages this.
Their mannerisms seem way more laid back than in bkk. So close to the city, yet they behave so differently. The woman in the glasses is angel 👼 I might head over tomorrow 😄
I wonder if Uncle Daeng has a successor to carry on his family’s legacy. It would be such a shame for that museum to close when he passes. Those historical artifacts are priceless. I love his passion for collecting and sharing the history and culture.
My hometown
Pretty sure I saw you there this afternoon
ชีวิตเเสนสงบสุขที่บางกระเจ้า
Thank you so much for sharing such a well put together video and headed gem.
Remember going to this place about 2 years ago .
It may become like resort town someday and lost it's heritage of old people, food and culture. But at least this still be the Green Lung of Bangkok.
I’m glad more people are going there, for the sake of the entrepreneurial locals. I’m sad that it’s not as wild and free as it was when I first set up a couple geocaches there in 2006.
Sounds like my kind of bike ride 👍❤️👍. Pétanque is a REAL THING, 😮 🏀🏀🏀🇨🇵🇪🇺.
Just realised what the backing music at the beginning was based on 🤯... Had me bugged for a good 15mins 🤔
If you find out where to get that miang kham Monday through Friday, I would love to know.
ขอบคุณ
🙏🙏นะคะที่คุฟณชอบเมืองไทยเรา❤❤
ขอบคุณมากๆคะ
OTR eats so much Isaan food we need a vid where he actually go try it in Isaan
This is so depressing, Sorry. I took my mates on a massive all day bike ride around Bang Krachao in 2016. We were almost the ONLY falang there it seemed. We went on the wrong day for the markets (rookie mistake) so i actually came back again the next year with a diff mate and we had Gak Fruit juice, boat noodles, and Found a half built hindu Ganesh temple (*which many years laters looks a LOT more complete). Even the Google Satellite images of this island now show a story of vanishing Greenery, receding nature. But i guess change is constant. We cannot stop it. I'll be back next March with 2 completely different friends yet again, and this video has put some urgency i to me to bring them to Bang Krachao as well.
Dude! I think you are a lot more talented than you know.
Bang ClKra Chao island near my hometown 🤗😊🫰❤️🏝🌴
You may not know that Bang Krachao also has a beach at a private public park owned by PTT and also Sri Nakhon Khuean Khan Park, Lat Pho Park,