MAKE MORE OF YOUR CITY

Actually he has previously visited Talat Noi Community several times before. But when I love SSD  asked Freud Nuttapong Chartpong to take us for a city tour, he still picked the place as a preferred, laidback destination. In fact, SSD  was a bit concerned it might be the same as other popular tourist destinations. Freud’s quick response was “Absolutely no.” Because this time around he was going to take us to experience a typically entertaining #Backstreet Freud, navigating Bangkok’s vibrant backstreets and small alleys on the back of a motorbike. SSD just wanted to remind you that if you go on foot you’ll never visit all the interesting sites. And if you drive there, it is extremely had to find a parking space. Then ask no more. Let’s jump on the back of his cool motorbike and enjoy an adrenaline-pumping pillion ride experience.

It literally took us almost an hour trying to buy curry puff and having a meet and greet with Freud’s senior fan club. Then we continued with our journey, speeding away into the hustle and bustle of Soi Charoenkrung 24 until we finally got to the entrance of the “Shoemaker’s Shrine Alley.” Freud expertly made a turn into a small alley only to abruptly applied a brake in order to stop by and check in with a  Wall Street Art. The art on the wall vividly portrayed the way of life of the local residents and the history of Talat Noi Community, one of the very first Chinese settlements in town where the local Thais, Hokkien Chinese, and Hakka Chinese have been living peacefully together for over a hundred years. It was apparently a great opportunity for Freud to update his Instagram photos and start checking in @ Talat Noi Community.

.... Here we are at the alley named Shoemaker’s Shrine Alley

As I have been told, but someone needs to satisfy my curiosity

Where is the Mighty Guardian

Whose name is Shoemaker and the Place’s Custodian

The alley as I have been told

Used to be occupied by shoemakers in the days old

It was therefore named Shoemaker Alley ever since

Though sounds pretty rude, the neighborhood is known as it was originally named

All sacred guardian spirits

May I make an offering and a wish

Please help ward off all misfortunes

As soon as the poetry recital was done, everyone was simply impressed by Freud’s great knowledge about the place and offered him a big round of applause. Hey Freud! Actually that could have been a grand finale, had the poem not been spotted being posted right at the entrance of the shrine!!!

This is a must visit for those who have never been there. Despite Freud having visited the place before, he still remained impressed by this over-a-century-old, classical style mansion of the Chinese millionaire. Right in the middle of the residence there is a deep swimming pool that has been used to offer a diving course since 2004. Different corners inside the mansion are open for visitors to enjoy coffee and homemade desserts and bakery in order to bring in revenue to maintain the place for continued operations. SSD would recommend iced latte and iced Thai tea, which are very delicious. For sweet treat, you are recommended to try out orange cake and blueberry pie. And you’ll instantly realize that only premium-grade ingredients were used. So it’s not satiatingly sweet. Just enjoy the treat and keep ordering for more just as Freud did. #Just keep ordering one more

Apart from experiencing first-hand the traditional way of life of people in Talat Noi Community, Freud also wanted us to witness another aspect of Talat Noi Community which had over time been evolving from life in the old days to changes brought in by the outsiders who value and respect the traditional way of life of the local community. The outsiders in question are "Khun Jib," Mr. Florian Gypser, who is an Austrian architect and jewelry designer, and his Thai wife “Khun Koi.” The couple had presided over a major renovation of an old house once belonged to a Thai businessman of Chinese descent and transformed it into a chic hangout place and contemporary art gallery. In addition, a vacant plot was also turned into a tiny organic farm growing pesticide-free vegetables for homemade organic menus served up for the visitors. The place was aptly named “Baan Rim Nam (Waterfront Residence)” to reflect its location by the Chao Phraya River.

And probably because they seemed to be getting along very well, Khun Jib decided to invite Freud to take a tour of the second floor, which had never been open for a film/documentary shoot. Back in the old days, when the structure was a warehouse its second floor was used as workers’ living quarters. But given its intact classical beauty, Freud just floated the idea of having the place transformed into a lodging for travelers who want to experience a unique way of life of people in Talat Noi Community – just like we did today. And Khun Jib seemed to have bought the idea. So please stay tuned because we may have another new place of interest to visit in the near future.

We continued to enjoy good meals in a laidback atmosphere by the river right through the end of the show.  Right afterward Freud bade us farewell and sped away on his buddy motorbike to further explore the alleys on his own. As we had spent the whole day together, a special bond between us just happened to develop and kept growing to the extent that we may need him to take us for another visit of a couple more neighborhoods.