Khlong Bang Luang Artist House

📍 Location of Khlong Bang Luang Artist House 🚘 Directions to Khlong Bang Luang Artist House

About Khlong Bang Luang Artist House

The Artists House in Bangkok is a place that has been described as ordinary by some, but for others, it is a hidden gem, a real treasure, and a haven of tranquility. This charming meeting house and gallery for art, crafts, and performance is set in a 200-year-old rickety old house. It is a place that is perfect for those who like to explore and wander as free independent travelers. The simple riverside community area is welcoming and unspoilt, and the wider neighborhood remains largely unchanged with a temple, small market, and shops. Visitors can enjoy a Thai style lunch with the locals overlooking the canal.

The Artists House offers an authentic Thai cultural experience that is not a typical tourist show. One of the highlights of the place is the traditional puppet show on offer at weekends. The puppet show uses large ornate puppets, each controlled by three people dressed in black who operate the head, arms/hands, and legs/feet respectively. The puppeteers move in perfect unison with each other and the puppet, so that they become at one with the puppet. The shows take place in the lower level of the house with the 600-year-old Buddhist chedi built in its backyard acting as the backdrop for the show.

The location of the Artists House is very peaceful. Visitors can wander along the waterfront along a covered wooden walkway and watch the boats go by, feed the fish, observe people going about their daily routines, or enjoy a drink while sitting and doing nothing. This is really a little oasis amongst all the hustle and bustle of Bangkok. The Artists House also has a small café which serves small meals/snacks and tea/coffee. One of the highly recommended snacks is the “Miang Khum”, a snack made up of dried shrimp, peanuts, lime, coconut chilies, and sweet sauce wrapped in “cha phlu” leaves.

Getting to the Artists House is not simple, but well worth the effort. The best way to get there is to take the BTS Skytrain to “Bang Wa” Station then catch a taxi. The location is a bit remote so don’t expect any taxis hanging around when you leave. However, at no time do visitors feel unsafe walking around these small lanes. The area it's in is safe and beautiful and really lovely to wander around.

The Artists House is a wonderfully chilled place, with different art workshops appealing to different people. There's a ruined temple in the middle and a free puppet show every day except Wednesdays. It is a wonderful place to sit and watch the world go by. It is also a great place to buy souvenirs - quality art pieces and quirky oddities made by local artists. It is an essential place to spend the late afternoon, admiring the art shop and puppet display, watching dancers practice, sitting on the wharf snacking and feeding the fish. The people there are easy to talk to, making the Artists House a must-visit place in Bangkok.