A Colorful Stop in Korat
It was time for another road trip. We made our way to Korat, officially known as Nakhon Ratchasima, and checked into the La Reina Maroc Hotel. With its colorful décor and distinctive Moroccan-inspired design, it was a fun change of pace from some of the more conventional hotels we’d stayed in during our travels.
That evening, we headed out for dinner at a local Izakaya. After so many Thai meals during our travels, it was nice to change things up with Japanese food, small plates, grilled dishes and a relaxed atmosphere. It turned out to be a great way to spend the evening before another day of exploring.
Discovering Muang Boran: Thailand’s Ancient City
The next morning, we drove through Chachoengsao Province toward Samut Prakan, with a unique destination planned along the way: Muang Boran, better known as the Ancient City.
The Ancient City is unlike most attractions in Thailand. This enormous open-air museum brings together replicas and reconstructions of famous temples, monuments, palaces, and historic buildings from across the country. It offers a fascinating way to experience Thailand’s architectural and cultural heritage without having to travel to every destination individually.
From elaborate temple structures to traditional buildings and carefully landscaped grounds, the site provides a remarkable overview of Thailand’s history and regional diversity. Some structures reproduce famous landmarks, while others represent architectural styles and historical sites that might otherwise be difficult to visit.
Exploring the Grounds by Golf Cart
With so much ground to cover, we rented a golf cart and set out to explore. It was the perfect way to get around, allowing us to cover a lot of territory while stopping whenever something caught our eye.
Every turn seemed to reveal another impressive structure, beautifully landscaped setting, or reminder of somewhere we’d already visited – or somewhere we still needed to see.
The golf cart also gave us the freedom to explore at our own pace. Instead of rushing from one attraction to the next, we could pause to admire the architecture, take photographs, and enjoy the surroundings. With so many different buildings and scenes spread throughout the grounds, there was always something new around the corner.
Muang Boran turned out to be a destination where the journey between attractions was almost as enjoyable as the attractions themselves.
Checking Into Bangkok’s Centre Point Plus Hotel Silom
After exploring the Ancient City, we continued into Bangkok and checked into the Centre Point Plus Hotel Silom.
After a day spent wandering through Thailand’s historic architecture, it was time to settle into the capital. The hotel’s location provided a convenient base for our Bangkok stay, with the city’s riverfront attractions ready to explore the following day.
Wat Arun: Discovering Bangkok from the River
The following day, we traded the traffic for Bangkok’s waterways.
We boarded a water taxi and headed along the Chao Phraya River toward one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks: Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn.
Approaching Wat Arun from the river gives you an entirely different appreciation for this spectacular temple. Its towering central prang rises dramatically above the riverbank, decorated with intricate porcelain and colorful ceramic details that catch the light. The temple’s distinctive silhouette makes it one of Bangkok’s most recognizable sights, and seeing it from the water is an experience in itself.
But this wasn’t going to be an ordinary visit.
Dressing in Traditional Thai Clothing at Wat Arun
We decided to dress in traditional Thai outfits and turn the visit into a photo session. Getting dressed up added a completely different dimension to the experience, transforming a temple visit into something much more memorable.
Wandering around the grounds in traditional clothing, surrounded by Wat Arun’s elaborate architecture, made for some wonderful photographic opportunities. The ornate details of the temple provided a striking backdrop, while the colorful outfits added another layer of visual interest.
We spent time posing, exploring different corners of the complex, and taking pictures from a variety of angles. With the temple’s decorative structures and Bangkok’s riverfront setting all around us, it was easy to see why Wat Arun is such a popular place for traditional Thai costume photography.
Beyond the photographs, dressing in traditional clothing offered a fun way to engage with Thai culture and appreciate the beauty of its traditional styles. It was a different kind of sightseeing — less about checking off landmarks and more about creating a personal memory of the place.
From the history of Korat and the relaxed Izakaya dinner to exploring an ancient city by golf cart and then dressing in traditional Thai clothing beside Wat Arun, this was one of those stretches of the journey where every day felt completely different from the one before.
And that’s exactly what makes traveling through Thailand so much fun.
Backpack Benji’s Best Bets
- Muang Boran (Ancient City), Samut Prakan: Explore Thailand’s remarkable architectural heritage in one enormous open-air museum. Rent a golf cart to discover the impressive temples, historic replicas, and beautifully landscaped grounds at your own pace.
- Wat Arun, Bangkok: See the spectacular Temple of Dawn from the Chao Phraya River, then explore its intricate porcelain-covered architecture up close. It’s one of Bangkok’s most memorable landmarks and a fantastic destination for photography.
- Traditional Thai Costume Photography at Wat Arun: Make your temple visit extra special by renting costumes which they will prepare and put on for you. The colorful outfits and ornate temple architecture create a wonderful backdrop for distinctive travel photos.
Where I Stayed: Centre Point Plus Hotel Silom
Centre Point Plus Hotel Silom was a convenient base for exploring Bangkok, with a location close to the Chao Phraya River and the city’s famous riverside attractions. The hotel is attached to a shopping mall.
The hotel offered a comfortable place to unwind between sightseeing adventures, while the surrounding area provided plenty of opportunities to experience Bangkok’s restaurants, markets, and everyday city life. Its proximity to the river made it particularly useful for exploring the capital by boat, providing an alternative to navigating the city’s often-congested roads.
For travelers wanting to combine Bangkok’s historic temples, riverfront scenery, and urban attractions, Centre Point Plus Hotel Silom is a practical option for a city stay.