Car Free Day in Bangkok on 23 September 2012

Cyclists in Bangkok will be joining with countless thousands of other people around the world to celebrate International Car Free Day over the weekend 22-23 September 2012. In Thailand in the past, only major cities such as Bangkok and Chiang Mai were organizing special car free days. But the last few years many more cities are joining in with activities. If you have a bicycle you too can join the events over the weekend.

The main event in Bangkok starts at the Royal Plaza (statue of King Rama V on a horse) at 8 a.m. on Sunday 23rd September. Over 10,000 cyclists have already registered an interest. If you are feeling ambitious, you can start at one of the meeting points listed below and then cycle to the Royal Plaza in a large group. Registration at these place is about 6-6:30 a.m.

Group 1 Main gathering point: Royal Plaza (King Rama V Statue/Suan Amphorn)
Group 2 Sukhumvit area: Benjasiri Park next to Emporium Mall
Group 3 Phetkasem area: The Mall Bangkhae
Group 4 The Mall Bangkapi
Group 5 Rama 2 area: Thonburirom Park
Group 6 Phaholyothin area: Pratu Krungthep Market
Group 7 Phuttamonthon area: Uttayarn Road
Group 8 TOT Chaeng Watthana Road Laksi
Group 9 Ramintra-At Narong Rd. World Bike
Group 10 Big C Ramintra Road KM.3
Group 11 The Mall TaPra Thonburi
Group 12 The Mall Ngamwongwan
Group 13 TOT Service poit at Klongtoey
Group 14 Suan Luang Rama IX Public Park

The big parade of cyclists will leave the Royal Plaza at 8:30 a.m. and head towards Lumpini Park where the official opening ceremony will start at 10 a.m. Silom and Sathorn Roads are expected to be closed to cars on this day. In addition, all cyclists are allowed to take their bicycles on the BTS Skytrain for free on both Saturday and Sunday.

Santorini Park Cha-Am

For people driving down to Cha-am or Hua Hin seaside resorts for the weekend there is a new stop-over which you can use to break up your journey. It is called Santorini Park Cha-Am and is a cross between an amusement park and a boutique shopping center. What they are labeling it is an  “Amused Shopping Experience”. Apparently they drew their architectural inspiration from Santorini Island in Greece. The new tourist attraction is on Petchakasem Road in Cha-Am district. It’s about a two hour drive from Bangkok and 30 minutes from Hua Hin (see map).

Santorini Park Cha-Am is divided into five different zones. Park Zone has amusement park rides such as the 40 meter high Ferris Wheel, Double Deck Carousel, G-Max Reverse Bungee, G-Max Giant Swing, XD Dark Ride 7 D interactive game and a Wallholla climbing structure.  The Village Zone has an impressive selection of brand name fashion and accessories, lifestyle products, art and decor, and handmade items. The Rest Area has fast food outlets, convenience stores and other shops ideal for people wanting to take a short break from driving. The Activity Zone has space for concerts and other performances. The Weekend Art Market is a haven for art lovers and handicraft enthusiasts.

Go Surfing in Central Bangkok this Weekend!

If you don’t have time to hit the beach this weekend, then you are in luck as Flow House Bangkok are having a soft launch. Now you can enjoy the California surf lifestyle in the heart of Bangkok with their purpose built wave machine. With this you will be able to do both stand-up surfing and body boarding. The facilities are not fully open yet, but they are inviting people for test rides this weekend. The cost is only 250 Baht per hour. It is strictly first come, first served due to limited space. Opening times this weekend are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Flow House Bangkok is in the A-Square complex on Sukhumwit Soi 26 (see map). It is not too far from Emporium and K-Village community mall. From BTS Phrom Phong it is only five minutes and from MRT Sukhumwit it is 10 minutes. If you go, dress as if you are going to the beach. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have your own board as they have a full selection of Flow Boards and Flow Body Boards for free use or to buy.