Khlong Bang Luang Artist House is an old restored house by Bangkok Yai Canal which is clustered around an old chedi. The Artist’s House is an art center, gallery, cafe and art performance venue in Bangkok.
Khlong Bang Luang is the location where a community called "Khlong Bang Luang Community" is settled. This community lives their traditional way of local life along the canal. This area is charming and full of attractiveness. You will see a one-story wooden houses and an old peaceful temple standing by the canal.
Long-tail boats bring tourists here all day long to make them familiar with the old area of the city.
Khlong Bang Luang Artist House is also known as Ban Silapin, that’s how it is called in Thai. The Artist’s House is located on the west side of the Chao Phraya River near Wat Thong Sala Ngam, on Phet Kasem Soi 28 in Phasi Charoen district, Bangkok. From Wat Kuha Sawan, you can walk to the Artist’s House by the canal where you will pass many houses and a few shops on the way.
The house formerly belonged to “Raksamruat Family”, an old goldsmith family, but was later sold to Khun Chumphon Akaphanthanan who renovated and re-opened it as an art gallery which is also a venue of artistic show.
Artist’s House is decorated by using only old materials from this building since its old days. The Artist's House is Manila style, two-storey, L-shaped teak wood building encircling more than 300 years old Chedi which is assumed to be one of the 4 Chedis that marked the temple’s territory. The wall of the building is opened as a gallery showing both paintings and photographs.
Khlong Bang Luang Artist House is considered as an important learning center. Each floor is divided into various areas such as the area for making accessories. Every Sunday, there is a professional training for ornament making going on where anyone interested can participate without any charge.
Another area is a souvenir shop selling postcards and some artworks.
There is also a coffee shop corner where you can sit and sip a cup of coffee while enjoying the scenery along the canal.
Moreover, the Artist’s House is the place where Tumnai Puppet Company was formed with the purpose to promote Thai puppet dance.
At present, the traditional handcrafted puppet shows with three puppeteers pulling the strings to control lifelike marionette puppets, enacting Thai folktales and scenes from the Ramayana are performed. The shows are free but donation is appreciated.
Opening Hours
The community of Khlong Bang Luang
Every day, from 9:00 to 18:00
Artist’s House
Open everyday, from 10:00 to 18:00
Since February 2019, the Puppet dance shows are normally performed on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, at 14:00. However, there can be changes to the regular schedule because of the availability of performers (sometimes they can have performances in other venues as well), so you should call in advance to make sure. Artist's House phone number - 02 8685279.
How to get there?
BTS & Taxi
This is by far the easiest way to get to Artist’s House. Take BTS SkyTain to Wongwian Yai Station or Talad Phlu Station and then take taxi to the end of Jaran Sanitwong Soi 3. The taxi ride should cost less than 80 baht. Once drop off, you just need to cross a small bridge over the canal and the Artist’s House will be on your left.
By Boat
You can charter a boat from Tha Chang Pier to Khlong Bang Luang. You should also ask to include Artist’s House on your private Bangkok canal tour.
Khlong Bang Luang Artist House can also be visited on a boat tour from Taling Chan Floating Market.
By Car
Drive through Phet Kasem Soi 28 all the way to Wat Kuha Sawan. You can park the car at the temple's parking lot and walk to the Artist’s House by the canal.
Drive through Charan Sanitwong Soi 3 all the way to the end of the road. You can park there and walk across the canal. At the end of the bridge, turn left and walk all the way to the Artist’s House.
