It was just another ordinary Sunday afternoon. The morning was spent curing the slightly exhaustive weekend shenanigans. Nothing that a cold jug of water, some vitamin C and some greasy food couldn’t fix.

I had to make up for the withering day and couldn’t spend a second more in bed. I decided to get out of bed and go off exploring. It was already 11 am so anything further than an hour away from downtown Bangkok city would be a lost cause.

Where could I go? I’ve been to Bang Krachao, the green lung of Bangkok. Thonburi is a nice district, which is not too far as well but I wanted to see and experience something new.

Chom Thong it is!

After reading a few articles on what’s near, unique and off-the-beaten path, I decided to visit the Wutthakat district, known for it’s quaint local life and a railway train station that is perched right next to a canal. I just had to see this for myself.

Wutthakat

Fast forward 15 minutes on the BTS sky train, I arrived at the Wutthakat station. I come down to the main road where I’m met with local motorbike taxi guys. “Where is this” I pointed at a picture of the place on my mobile phone. “Chom Thong” I iterated. After a few minutes of thinking he goes “Oh! OK, 20 Baht”. I asked if it was near he said yes but not by foot so I was inclined to take up on his offer. The heat was beating up on me already and I knew it was going to be a long day.

Within minutes after zigzagging through a bit of traffic, we arrive at our destination and the driver points – there!

Chom Thong Bangkok

The Simple Life

As I’m walking in awe of this railway that literally cuts through a community of homes and shop houses, I’m met with a group of smiling locals. An old lady who yells out “Hello! Where you go?” as she cuts the vegetables. I explain that I’m just passing through taking pictures. She smiles, waves and says goodbye.

It was quite a pleasant surprise to see such contrasting lifestyle and the way people interact with foreigners here compared to downtown Bangkok. Everything is calmer, time slows down and people are way nicer.

Chom Thong Bangkok

I walk closer to the station, which is basically a makeshift shack and I notice a woman sits in it with a cell phone in her hand, chatting away. Right next to the station, rests the khlong (canal) and the railway that passes over it. Nervously, anxiously and warily, I walk on the narrow side path along the railway across the bridge.

As I’m clicking away, a bunch of locals yell from afar, Hello! They come running in my direction, waving their hands, smiling, laughing and giggling. They ask me a bunch of questions in Thai but I’m only able to understand half of it. I ask them if they want me to photograph them and they got extremely excited. I ask if one of them could take my picture with the remaining kids. A little one keenly obliged.

Chom Thong Bangkok

Chom Thong Bangkok

The kids say bye but not before asking what I’m doing here and where I’m going next. I explain that I’m not really sure and that I’m just here taking photos.

Waving hysterically, they run off as I’m left by myself wondering what will I do next? A few minutes later, over on the horizon, I catch a glimpse of some temple roofs and stupas. I decide I’ll go there and check them out.

The Train is coming!

Just as I’m about to cross over to the other side of the track, the ground starts shaking beneath my feet. Split seconds later, I hear a loud horn as if there was an earthquake warning. I turn around and I see the train coming. At last – the reason for my visit in the first place. Luckily, it wasn’t one of those fast-paced trains so I had a bit of time to step to the side and get my camera out.

Chom Thong Bangkok

Temple Hopping

Chom Thong Bangkok

To get to the next set of temples, I got a bit lost. That’s when those same local kids saw me and asked me where I wanted to go. I pointed to a tall stupa off in the distance and they insisted I come with them.

Apparently they knew some kind of short cut. I gladly followed as they took me through their local community homes just off from the railway track.

Chom Thong Bangkok

Tip: the locals generally don’t mind you passing through the tiny streets along their home and shops. Just smile, saw Sawadee krup/ka and they will show extreme gratitude. The love and respect of local people is unparallel to any I’ve seen in downtown city.

Chom Thong Bangkok

From there, the children again said goodbye and we went on our merry way. Who knows where they were going (probably to play or grab an icecream, or at least that’s what I would do) while I continued to explore this wonderful outskirt of Bangkok.