Baan Silapin Artists’ House – A Hidden Gem Away From Bangkok’s City Hustle

If you have read my post on Amphawa Floating Market and love to spend a relaxing afternoon by the canal, Baan Silapin Artists’ House is another recommendation for you.

Unlike Amphawa Floating Market which is only opened on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Baan Silapin Artists’ House is opened everyday. This place is not as crowded as Amphawa Floating Market, except for weekends where families will bring their kids here for some art lessons.

So, don’t worry about it turning into a touristy spot. Till now, the community of Klong Bang Luang retains such old-world charm that a famous Thai writer Kukrit Pramoj chose it as the setting for his novel.

People continue to live life the way it is and wooden walkways still stitch the shophouses together.

Artist Supasit Wongrom-ngern has also rented a shophouse where he has a studio and gives lessons in painting and making woodcuts the traditional way, using only natural pigments. During his free time, he will just sit by the river to paint.

As we walked further down, we finally saw the Artist’s House. It is a L-shaped Raksamruad house owned by Chumpol Akkapantanon, who is also an artist. Within the compound, there is an Ayutthaya-era chedi. It must have been part of a temple in a community that was here since the Ayutthaya days.

On the first floor, there is a studio where people can learn to draw and make woodcuts and jewellery.

There is also a coffee area where you can surf net and have a cup of drink.

Up on second storey is an art gallery. One of the featured artist is Chalermchai. His paintings are rather abstract and based on his dreams.

Fish-feeding is a favourite activity for both Khlong Bang Luang residents and visitors.

You just buy these colour crackers for the fishes.

Throw them into the water and see how the fishes snatch the food. Ops, seems like we are disturbing the red man again. He doesn’t look very pleased.

Across the bridge you will find a noodle shop which sells Thai Kway Chap.

If you are here, you really have to try this! This is very different from Singapore’s version of Kway Chap.

Their noodles are different, and the pig’s innards are all mixed with the noodles, together with a herbal broth which is slightly pepperish. As I blog about it now, I am so craving for it.

This is the noodles for the kway chap.

As you walk around the neighbourhood, you will see every household doing different business. Some sell vegetables, some do craftwork, some open hair salon.

We walked past this hair salon and we saw this grumbly little boy having his haircut.

There is a cafe too! The girl is learning guitar. This is the most modern shop I have seen in this place!

I was craving for chendol but our guide didn’t have time to bring me to a eatery that sells very good Lod Chong. Just then, we happened to see this man selling Lod Chong! So we bought it. Not nice 🙁

There are also temple within this neighbourhood which you can take a look.

But be careful of dogs.

Great atmosphere, isn’t it? Now you know where is the hidden gem!

Baan Silapin Artists’ House is very quiet and you can just sit back, relax and spend a quiet afternoon here. It is opened to anyone to spend their day time free of charge. You can bring your favourite books to read, create some art, surf net or even just people watch for the whole day.

How to go?
It is within Bangkok and it probably takes about 20 minutes by taxi. However, it is not easy to find Artists’ House. My advice for you is to take a cab and alight at Charan Sanitwong Soi 3.

Other Thailand posts:
– Don Kai Dee Benjarong Village (Thailand): click here
– Greyhound Cafe @ Emporium, Bangkok: click here
– TCDC / Khao Thom Bowon Porridge / Khao San Road: click here
– Amphawa Floating Market: click here
– Or Tor Kor Market: click here