One thing you definitely should do when exploring Bangkok is to take a bike tour with Co van Kessel. Co van Kessel actively support the communities they visit on their routes and tours are operated by local guides that can provide you with a real insight into Bangkok’s history, architecture, and daily life. This works especially well when cycling, as this allows you to navigate narrow alleyways and bustling markets with ease. Immerse yourself in the local Thai culture and discover hidden gems and experience the city’s vibrant energy in a way that walking or driving simply can’t match. As a bonus: the breeze you feel when as you pedal will help to cool off on warm days!
Our experience
Our tour started at 08:00 AM in Tha Pra Chan Aly, which is in the old center of Bangkok. We showed up early at their office and got something to drink while waiting for the tour to start. We struck up a conversation with the other people joining the tour, most of them were Dutch as well (not unexpectedly, since cycling is in our DNA). We met with our guide, who told us more about herself and Co van Kessel’s mission of responsible tourism. She brought us to the bike stalls and, after a quick instruction, we hopped on for our adventure!
💡 Tip: We opted for a 3-hour day tour through Bangkok, costing 1150 Baht (around 30 euro’s) and was 100% worth it! There are also longer tours that include a meal with a local family, or night tours.
Starting from Rattanakosin, Bangkok’s historic heart, our bike tour took us through the busy streets Bangkok. We stopped at a few temples and our guide told us all about the city’s rich history.
💡 Tip: Did you know that Bangkok isn’t the actual name of the capital of Thailand? Bangkok’s full name is actually: ‘Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit’ (or for short Krung Thep: City of Angels). This is actually the longest name of any capital in the world.
Then we went off the beaten path; zig-zagging through hidden alleys and even crouching under a fence. The tour took us to places we normally wouldn’t have dared to come, and really gave us a feel for what everyday life in Bangkok is like. Co van Kessel actively gives back to the communities they visit on their routes, by supporting local shops and initiatives. We enjoyed interacting with friendly locals, especially the enthusiastic children who lined the streets asking for highfives and greeting us with happy sawadee’s (‘Hello’ in Thai).
We hopped of our bikes to visit one of Bangkok’s flower markets after which we had a quick stop at a neighborhood shop. Here we got some refreshing ice cold wipes, that are the best invention ever. We also got another waterbottle and had the chance to try out some fresh Thai fruits we had never tried before: mangosteen and rambutan!
After some more cycling, and even getting chased by a dog for a bit (!!!), we concluded our tour by hopping on a ferry. Satisfied, we returned to our starting point and watched as we passed by some of the familiar city highlights that we had spotted during our tour.
