Have to tell you about a place we visited in Bangkok. Amongst the Thai's it is known as (Thai equivalent) Bangkok Beach.... Most tourists refer to it as Siam Park, but all the road signs call it Wonder World...
Amazing Thailand.
The beauty of going places in Thailand in September, is that it's low season, so many places of interest / theme parks etc are fairly empty..... and hotels and resorts can be (up to) half the price.
Siam Park has 5 different sections, ranging from the family bit for little kiddies, right up to some pretty fearsome looking rides in the more adult sections. The whole place is nicely decked out, lots of activities, food, pretty gardens and things of interest (the Thai warrior figure above for example) and it's all clean and tidy, and well kept.. The staff are low key and behind the scenes, but well drilled... I saw some lady picking away the unwanted grass from between the paving stones...! Attention to detail you don't see in Thailand every day.
The park is large as well, easily as big as your average Chessingtons for instance (that's a UK theme park to all non-UK readers) and when the weather is not so sweaty it's a nice walk. Finding 'Bangkok beach' (a large open air wave pool) was a bit of a struggle and took us a while.
But once we got there, again I was pretty impressed..... Maybe it's a little different when the place is swarming, but everything is clean and nicely laid out. There were lots of places to plot up, and the water obviously is a very welcome relief from the heat (.... and the slides were pretty fearsome as well!)
(two happy punters, above) The pool is a sort of big figure of eight, and when the waves come on, this helps push all swimmers around the waterways (although when the sun is up, you'll find many of the older, redder faces seeking respite under the bridges)
A simple message ... Go and see Bangkok Beach....... It's clean, and a very nice day out. It is also only a small part of Siam Park, and when I get 5 I'll post some more pictures of the other areas (cost to visit the whole park is 300 Baht per adult, although this goes up if you want access to the other areas with the bigger rides).
Ben the pleasure park looks a great place to visit and oh so clean. I'm not much of a swimmer myself but I do take the occasional dip and I think Bangkok Beach's clear blue waters would tempt me. It looks a fun place to be.
Nice photos.
Posted by: Martyn | September 23, 2010 at 09:51 PM
Martyn - you definitely don't need to be a swimming legend to enjoy it... Its actually a pretty good way to clear the cobwebs from the night before... Aside from the pool there are alot of other things to do (and some great food as well)
Posted by: Ben Shingleton | September 24, 2010 at 01:11 AM
Hi Ben, I've been thinknig of taking my son there - he is only three so I wonder if he is too young. We have taken him ot Safari World and Dream World so maybe Siam Park is next. It is actually fairly near to wher I live; we drive past it about once a week.
Posted by: Paul Garrigan | September 24, 2010 at 10:45 AM
Hi Paul you can do the family section, it's not expensive and you get access to Bangkok beach and a few other things. There is a good outdoor waxwork boat and train ride called 'African adventure' - I reckon he'll like it (I did).
Posted by: Ben Shingleton | September 24, 2010 at 11:18 AM
Ben, sounds like a great place to take the grand-kids when they come over from the USA next summer , and maybe me and Ciejay will check it out first , I love all the big rides and will for sure go to Bangkok Beach , thanks for the post and great pictures and that boy of yours' is growing fast, looks like he is Daddy's little man. Malcolm
Posted by: Malcolm | September 24, 2010 at 01:11 PM
Hi Malcolm, they'l love it - you can hit the 'beach' AM and do the rest after, and seriously, some of the rides look full on. Aiden is growing up fast, my little shipmate. Hope all well, will maybe catch you and Ciejay on a trip down to Kanchanaburi sometime. Chok dee kup, Ben
Posted by: Ben Shingleton | September 24, 2010 at 03:37 PM
Ben, Looks like the park is a blast.The waters are definitely cleaner than that of Pattaya beach unless you like swimming with garbage.
Posted by: Talen | September 25, 2010 at 11:34 AM
Yeah Talen, definitely a damn site cleaner than Pattaya... I like some of the beaches in Pattaya, but like you, generally steer clear of the water... I'm from a place in the UK called Southend, on the coast, and the arse end of London, so staying away from the sea is in the blood :)
Posted by: Ben Shingleton | September 26, 2010 at 01:53 AM
Hi Ben,
Looks like a fun place. Our kids just loved Dream World earlier this year, I'm sure they love this one too, especially the water part!
Nice one, I will Google directions in due time!
Posted by: Camille | September 26, 2010 at 02:40 PM
Cheers Camille, its on Ram Indra road I believe (best google it though)
Posted by: Ben Shingleton | September 27, 2010 at 01:28 AM
You really had a great time in Thailand. Nice place I would to go there one day
Posted by: Pirate Costume Ideas | September 29, 2010 at 05:11 AM