Itsaraphap Station

 Itsaraphap MRT Station is one of the four most beautiful MRT stations in Thailand. 

The ticket booths are elegantly decorated with an illuminated golden Hong (A mythical Thai swan), drawing inspiration from the Hongs which adorn 

Wat Hong Rattanaram Ratchaworawihan, a local temple. Itsaraphap Station is also the first station in Thonburi and is linked to Phra Nakhon’ Sanam Chai Station . Convenient as well as impressive! 

1.Wat Hong Rattanaram  Ratchaworawihan

Visit the biggest and most  beautiful ordination hall  in  the Thonburi area  and find the hidden Hong symbols that inspired the design of the new Itsaraphap MRT Station.

Wat Hong Rattanaram Ratchaworawihan is one of many temples with a long-standing history. 

The focal point is its grand and gorgeous ordination hall, reflecting Ayutthaya period art through the Phum Khao Bin pattern. The name “Wat Hong” came from Hong symbols that can be seen dotted around the temple. The temple is the home of two ancient images with great importance. One is the shiny, golden Buddha image in Maravijaya attitude with an artistic style from the U Thong era and the other is the black bronze Phra Saen from Lan Xang Kingdom. There are other Buddha images with exquisite characteristics and a shrine to King Taksin situated inside the temple for those who wish to pay their respects. Making merit and sprinkling holy water on the Buddha image associated with your day of birth for good fortune is also common practice here. When you have made enough merit, enjoy the breeze and shade of the surrounding trees while strolling around the monastery.  

Address:144/1 Arun Temple Sub-District, Bangkok Yai District, Bangkok 10600
How to get there: Itsaraphap Station Exit 1 600 M.
Tel: 02-472-0743

2.Ton Son Mosque

A Muslim community hidden in a not-so-secret  location with a 400-year-old Sunni mosque, the oldest of its kind in Bangkok.

มัสยิดแห่งนี้สร้างขึ้นตั้งแต่รัชสมัยสมเด็จพระเจ้าทรงธรรม แห่งกรุงศรีอยุธยา ซึ่งเป็นยุคที่สยามThis mosque was built in the time of King Songtham during the Krung Sri Ayutthaya era, at a time when Siam had its first Shiekhul Islam. Built by Thai craftsmen, the mosque is a teakwood building with a raised first floor and an earthenware roof and features a decent sized sermon hall. The gorgeous old Ayutthaya-style Mihrab and Mimbar are beautifully preserved inside the mosque and next to the main hall is gingerbread style house without gables that was once used to welcome King Rama VIII and his younger brother who later became King Rama IX. Outside of the building, there is a Kubur (graveyard) where Muslim chiefs who played important roles in Thailand are buried. One grave is decorated with magnificent Neshan patterns, some of which depict clan symbols, and others Bai Sema designs.

Address: 447 Arun Amarin Road, Arun Temple Sub-District, Bangkok Yai District, Bangkok 10600
How to get there: Itsaraphap Station Exit 1 700 M.
Tel: 02-466-5326, 0811733786

3.Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan

Appreciate the beauty of the spectacular“Prangs” at this well known temple by the  Chao Phraya river. As a tribute to their majesty and importance these ornate spires have been featured on the flip side of the  10-baht coin.

Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan or Wat Chaeng has played an important role in Thai history throughout the Thonburi period. The famous Emerald Buddha was situated here before it was relocated to  Wat Phra Kaew. The “Prangs” or stupas are so enormous that they can easily be seen from afar and the tallest of them stands at 81.85 meters, making it the highest in Thailand. The architecture of the Prangs is often praised and is particularly impressive as there is no other evidence of other Prangs of this type  being built later on in Thai history. Glazed tiles, Thai porcelain and seashells help increase the central Prang’s outstanding beauty. Wat Arun lives up to its title, the “Temple of The Golden Dawn”, as it is particularly impressive when viewed at sunrise.

How to get there: Itsaraphap Station Exit 1 – if you walk from Wat Hong Rattanaram   Ratchaworawihan

Itsaraphap Station Exit 2 and take a bus number 57

Address: 158 Wang Derm Road,  Arun Temple Sub-District, Bangkok Yai District, Bangkok 10600
Opening Hours: Everyday from 08.00 Hrs. – 17.30 Hrs.
Tel: 02-466-3167, 081-250-6538

4.Khao Moo Tod  Wat Arun

A quick-serve, budget -priced fried pork and rice dish that’s not short on flavour. A tasty plateful for just 20 baht!

Who would have thought that a 20-baht fried pork and rice menu could still be found in Bangkok? Well, such a place really exists and  “Khao Moo Tod Wat Arun”’s hundreds of  regular customers are a testament to the fact that the food is more than just cheap. Visitors to Wat Arun are  strongly advised to drop by for a taste. Apart from the famous Khao Moo Tod” (fried pork and rice), there are other local dishes like Ka Pao Moo Tod (fried pork with holy basil), Ka Pao Koong Tod (fried shrimps with holy basil), Tod Mun Koong (Thai shrimp cake), or Kao Pad Pu (crab fried rice). Add Nam Pla Prik (chili in fish sauce) . Add a fried or boiled egg, season, mix it up and tuck in!

How to get there: Itsaraphap Station Exit 1 – if you walk from Wat Hong Rattanaram Ratchaworawihan  900 M.

Itsaraphap Station Exit 2 and take a bus number 57

Address: 135/1 Arun Amarin Road, Arun Temple Sub-District, Bangkok Yai District, Bangkok 10600
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday 06.00-20.30 Hrs. Saturday – Sunday 06.00-17.00 Hrs.
Tel:  086 521 0688

5.Sali Thip Mango Sticky Rice

This is the legendary mango sticky rice shop, serving luscious sticky rice, creamy coconut milk and ripe mango slices straight out of the orchard for the past 60 years.

There are a ton of mango sticky rice places in the capital and few really stand out, but Sali Thip gets our thumbs-up. At Sali Thip the glutinous sticky rice is made daily; the process starts from mixing Khieo Ngoo sticky rice with coconut milk, salt and sugar then steaming in until it turns soft and tender. Nam Dok Mai and Ok Rong mangoes from an orchard in Damnoen Saduak District are used, ripened by natural methods. The coconut milk is combined with a pinch of salt to provide a more balanced taste. You can also find other sticky rice desserts here. such as Khao Nieaw Sungkaya (sweet sticky rice with Thai custard), Khao Nieaw Na Pla (sweet sticky rice with dried fish), Khao Nieaw Na Koong (sweet sticky rice with dried shrimp), Khao Nieaw Tua Dam (sweet sticky and black beans in coconut milk), and even seasonal durian sticky rice.

How to get there: Itsaraphap Station Exit 2 300 M.

Address:603/1 Soi Itsaraphap 27 Arun Temple Sub-District, Bangkok Yai District, Bangkok 10600
Opening Hours: 08:00 – 20:00
Tel: 02 465 7367

6.Rung Rueang Phochana

This vintage restaurant  offering scrumptious dishes  has a great reputation among both dedicated foodies and intrigued passers by.

Rung Rueang Phochana transports you back in time with its distinctly vintage vibe. The old-style decorations and furniture give you some idea of how legendary this place is. The ever present famous dishes are Tom Yum Hua Poong Pla (fish head and fish maw spicy soup), Pla Muek Pad Phong Karee (stir fried squid with curry), Pla Pad Khuen Chai (stir fried fish with Chinese celery), Hoi Jor (deep fried crab meat rolls), Pad Pak Ka Ched Fai Daeng Moo Krob (fried water mimosa with crispy pork), Larb Pla Dook (grilled catfish meat salad), Khao Pad Yod Maprao Aon Koong (fried rice with coconut shoots and shrimps), Koi Si Mi (crispy noodle in thick gravy), and Mi Ka Ched Koong (stir fried rice vermicelli with water mimosa and shrimps). Sounds irresitable, right? Gather your family and friends then come and have a feast together!

How to get there: Itsaraphap Station Exit 2 200 M.

Address: 379, 7-8 Itsaraphap Road, Arun Temple Sub-District, Bangkok Yai District, Bangkok 10600
Opening Hours:Mon-Fri 10:30 – 14:30 Hrs. (Saturday: 16.30 – 20.30 Hrs.)
Tel :092-963-6929, 02-466-6342

7.Wat Ratchasittharam Ratchaworawihan

Pay respect to Phra Buddha Chularak, the presiding Buddha image and marvel at some  fascinating Thai art at this royal monastery.

Back in the Ayutthaya period, Wat Ratchasittharam was called Wat Plub. The temple came to have a more important role during the Rattnakosin era when King Rama I endorsed the construction of another temple adjacent to the existing Wat Plub. The new temple was later merged with Wat Plub and established as the dwelling place for the Buddhist Patriarch from Vipassana department during Buddhist Lent. The temple has also been used as a meditation school for the members of the royal family. King Rama III endorsed further renovation to this temple during his reign., additional residences for monks were built and the temple was renamed Wat Ratchasittharam  A generation later, King Rama IV royally named the pagoda “Phra Sisi Chumpatha Chedi”. 

How to get there: Itsaraphap Station Exit 2 200 M.

Address:  3 Soi Itsaraphap 23, Arun Temple Sub-District, Bangkok Yai District, Bangkok 10600

8.Calm back home café and room

This cozy and calm café  certainly lives up to its name. Drop in for coffee and bakery items with your favorite book and you’ll feel just like you’re at home.

Chilling here with warm vibes in one of the snug corners of  this café is like being in the comfort of your own home. Hide away from the heat with refreshing signature drinks like Ceylon, Thai or Taiwanese tea or even the café’s  own specially concocted “Calm Back Tea” . Not a tea fan? No problem. You can enjoy coffee, mint chocolate and fruity milk drinks. Tempting baked goods rotating on the display include matcha strawberry rolls, raspberry cheesecake, apple crumble, cinnamon rolls, creamy spinach puffs and orange jelly. Come and pick your favourite.

How to get there: Itsaraphap Station Exit 2  220 M.

Address: 23 Soi Itsaraphap 23, Arun Temple Sub-District, Bangkok Yai District, Bangkok 10600
Opening Hours: Everyday 10.00-19.00 Hrs.
Tel: 095 395 4644
FB: Calm Back Home – cafe and room

Route Guide