After Wat Pho Tour, more time should be spent for further tour to two small communities to the west of this monatery along the Chao Phraya River bank:

Tha Tien Community

     An old trading center since pre-construction period of the Grand Palace, this Chinese style bazaar and floating market with a large pier has existed here from the beginning of the Rattanakosin period.

     Though wooden houses or rafts had already turned to concrete buildings; and fruits & vegetables boat venders became truck transportaion, Tha Tien community is still alive along with Wat Pho and the market is normally busy with trading as it used to be.

     Piers for taxi boats across the river to Wat Arun, or for express boats along the Chao Phraya River are open daily from dawn till dark

     Although it was opened after Tha Tien, this market is as busy and large. It is the daily wholesale market for fruits, vegetables and flowers, which operated 24 hours. It is also the biggest flower market in Bangkok. Not only fresh flowers from gardens but also many kinds of Thai style typicaly embroidered flowers, even wreathes are sold here. Bangkokians always come to this market for their party decorations. The trading scenery shows both busy vendors and buyers. This is an interested lifestyle to observe.