How to find Siam Botanicals, OP Garden:
Address to show taxi drivers –
เรียน คุณไพร ห้อง1B-1107, เช่าพื้นที่ ตั้งอยู่เลขที่ 6, อาคารศูนย์การค้า โอ.พี. การ์เด้น ซอยเจริญกรุง 36, ถนนเจริญกรุง แขวงบางรัก เขตบางรัก กรุงเทพ 10500 ค่ะ
1B-1107, No 6, OP Garden Mall, Soi Chaloenkrung 36, Chaloenkrung Road, Bangrug, Bangkok 10500
Saphan Taksin BTS – 10 minute riverboat and walk
Take Exit 2 from Saphan Taksin BTS station and walk 150m straight until you reach the river. Here you will see the riverboat stop Sathorn (Thaksin Bridge/CEN), board a riverboat headed north (going underneath the bridge) and depart at the next stop, Oriental (N1). From this riverboat stop follow Charoen Krung 40 Alley straight for 200m and take a left (you should already see OP Garden signposted). Continue straight for 150m making sure you walk past OP Place, you should see the French Embassy on your left hand side. Take a right and walk straight, passing the small food stalls and after 100m you will see Siam Botanicals on your left side.
Saphan Taksin BTS – 20 minute walk
Take Exit 3 from Saphan Taksin BTS Station, walk about 10 meters and you will come to the main road (Charoen Krung road). Take a left and continue straight. Walk for about 700m/10 minutes until you reach Charoen Krung Soi 36 and you will see a sign that says OP Garden. Turn left into here and Siam Botanicals will be 50m on your right.
Alternatively from Saphan Taksin BTS you can take a tuk-tuk or motorbike taxi. You will see them stationed outside each BTS exit.
Motorbike taxi drivers will be wearing an orange vest with their license number on the back and they will take you to OP Garden for a flat fare of 30 THB. Make sure you mention this to them before getting on the motorbike or you might find yourself paying more than expected.
Tuk-tuks do not have a flat rate like motorbike taxis so it can vary depending on traffic and the mood of the drivers. However a short ride from the BTS to OP Garden shouldn’t cost you more than 50-60 THB.
Oriental River Boat stop – 5 minute walk
When you depart the riverboat at Oriental (N1) follow Charoen Krung 40 Alley straight for 200m and take a left (you should already see OP Garden signposted). Continue straight for 150m making sure you walk past OP Place, you should see the French Embassy on your left hand side. Take a right and walk straight, passing the small food stalls and after 100m you will see Siam Botanicals on your left side.
Buses 1, 35ร, 75, 514
The Oriental Hotel (โอเรียลเต็ล) bus stop on Charoen Krung Road is located opposite Soi 36 and OP Garden. Depart the bus and cross to the other side of the road and walk down Charoen Krung Soi 36, Siam Botanicals will be on your right side after 50m.
Points of interest around Siam Botanicals
The Chao Phraya River
The Chao Phraya River is often translated as the river of kings and runs through Bangkok and into the Gulf of Thailand. Along it there is crumbling shacks, huge high rises and everything in between, and you can’t come to Bangkok without a cruise along it to take in the magnificent skyline. From the Oriental riverboat stop you can head north in the direction of Bangkoks ‘Old Town,’ home of the Grand Palace and Wat Pho or you can go south and check out the large open-air mall Asiatique.
Assumption Cathedral
Assumption Cathedral is the main Roman Catholic Church of Thailand. The design of the cathedral is a mixture of French and Italian influence and has been renovated and expanded a number of times since the first church stood there in 1821. It is now said to be the most important place of worship for Catholics in Thailand and this was strengthened with the visit of Pope John Paul II in 1984. In a city of hundreds of temples, it is worth a stop here to add some architectural diversity to your visit.
Bangkokian Museum (Bangkok Folk Museum)
The Bangkokian Museum is relatively unknown and not very easy to find, but if you are in the area it is worth a stop by. It is an interesting look into what Thai life was like in the mid 20th century and is set in a peaceful haven away from the busy bustle of the Bangkok streets.
Art Galleries
There are numerous art galleries around the Charoen Krung area, as it is fast becoming an area for creative inspiration. Next door to OP Garden is OP Place, a beautifully restored colonial mansion that now houses independent shops and galleries selling antiques, carpets, decorations, jewelry and a host of other handmade items. Soi 30 is a quiet dead-end soi but it happens to be home to a number of beautiful and quirky art galleries. Check out P. Tendercool’s dining tables made from old planks of wood, WARP Studio 54’s oversized Asian portraits and Fifty Years Gallery’s 4000 year old antiques.
Restaurants and Cafes
Harmonique is a Thai restaurant located on Soi 34 that offers a small oasis and is popular with expats. The prices range from 65-200 THB and cater well to those who aren’t so accustomed to the spice of traditional Thai dishes.
Odds Rock Steak in Soi 38 is a great option if you want a change from Thai food, offering a menu of steak, pizza, salmon, pasta and others that you miss from home. Modestly priced and not too fancy, it is a good option if you’re in the area.
If you are looking for something fancy then head to Sala Rim Naam owned by the Mandarin Oriental. It is situated across the river from the Oriental hotel, next to the riverboat stop and is open for lunch and dinner. The menu offers Thai dishes and the prices are quite steep but you can forget about that when you are entertained during dinner by women in traditional dress performing a Thai dance! Also make sure you dress smart, as you may not be allowed in.