July
30 2006
Nonthaburi
Pier
Classic
Thai architecture
I
first visited Nonthaburi over 10 years ago when I
was accepting a job at a university there. I went
to scope out the place in a trip with my friend Beni.
We took the ferry from Banglampu up the Chaopraya
River to the Nonthaburi pier. When we exited the boat
we were in a strange new world. This felt like the
real Thailand, not the sugar coated watered down version
of Silom and Khao Sarn Road.
All
along the Watchtower…
We
asked the tuk tuk drivers to take us to the University
where I would be working. They refused saying it is
too far. I asked how it could be too far if this was
Nonthaburi and the University was in Nonthaburi. The
driver clarified, “ Yes that is true, but Nonthaburi
is really big.” So we were stuck in Nonthaburi
and no one seemed to speak English. Naturally, we
gravitated to the massage parlor right above the low
life snooker club,. There we conversed with the bad
girls who flouted tradition.
Durians on the lamp post.
Nowadays
I sometimes go to Nonthaburi to eat at Rim Fang restaurant
on the river. The river out in Nonthaburi is cleaner
and the pace of life slower. There are various artistic
and architectural touches that make the area attractive.
Durian replicas hang from lampposts. There is an interesting
watchtower. There is also some classic architecture
where a branch of the Ministry of Interior is located.
Promenade
at Nonthaburi Pier with durians hanging from lamp
posts.
Nonthaburi
was once full of durian orchids and you can always
count on tasty durian being sold on roadside stalls
in Nonthaburi. Nonthaburi is on the Chaopraya Express
Boat road and is a fun little trip.
Related
Stories: Riverside Dining
/My%20Webs/Thailandroad/images/sukhumvit02.jpg)
