Have you ever seen an elephant taking a bath? Probably not in the middle of a city! But here at Tha Chang Pier, that image wasn’t so unusual centuries ago. Tha Chang Pier, meaning “Elephant Pier”, earned its name during the reign of King Rama I. He was the founder of the Chakri Dynasty and the Rattanakosin Kingdom. In those days, the grand elephants of the Grand Palace, just a stone’s throw from here, were brought right here for their baths. Can you imagine the sight? This pier was also once known as “Tha Phra”, meaning “Pier for Buddha”. A very important delivery happened at this very spot. It was here that a massive Buddha statue, Phra Sri Sakyamuni, arrived on a raft before being enshrined within the city. Today, that same statue is the most revered figure at Wat Suthat, a temple well worth a visit. Today, Tha Chang Pier is a bustling hub on the Chao Phraya River. It’s more common to see ferries gliding across the water carrying locals and tourists than bathing elephants. The pier connects Bangkok to Nonthaburi Province to the north. It also serves as a ferry point for those heading to Thonburi on the opposite bank of the river. If you’re looking to experience the pulse of Bangkok, to glimpse its past and present, Tha Chang Pier is a perfect stop.
Garuda Museum
Behold the Garuda, a four-meter sculpture spreading its wings. This is the entrance to Southeast Asia’s one and only Garuda