The Artist House

Introduction

Author’s Note

Artist House

The various grammatical variations for the location can be confusing. While you might see “Artists’ House” or “Artist’s House” on some websites, the official and correct name for this historic landmark is Artist House. This is how the establishment refers to itself, so I will be using that name in this post.

Puppet Show

What to expect

Tired of the usual tourist trails? This post lets you explore a truly authentic Bangkok experience. While many people visit the Artist House by a quick longtail boat tour, we’ll show you a different way to get there – a journey that’s as rewarding as the destination itself.

Instead of a boat ride, this post invites you to take a walk through the heart of local Bangkok. You’ll wander down narrow soi (alleys), past a fascinating mix of opulent homes, houses on stilts, and more modest residences, witnessing the everyday rhythm of life. Keep an eye out for a beautiful surprise and a wonderful example of community action – a detail you won’t want to miss! We’ll also explore bustling street corners with the fragrant smoke of street food vendors, see locals going about their day, and discover tiny, hidden shops and cafés that cater to the neighbourhood’s residents. This isn’t just a trip to a landmark; it’s an immersion into the vibrant, unvarnished soul of the city.

The History

The Artist House, known in Thai as Baan Silapin, is more than just a gallery—it’s a living piece of history. The house itself is a two-hundred-year-old wooden structure, believed to have once been the residence of the Raksamruat family, a well-known family of goldsmiths. Its L-shaped design and traditional architecture, built on stilts, are a beautiful example of a bygone era when life in Bangkok was centred around its intricate network of canals.

The neighbourhood, Khlong Bang Luang, has a rich history that predates the modern city. In the reign of King Taksin (1767–82) of the Thonburi Kingdom, the area became home to many nobles, earning it the name “Khlong Bang Luang,” or “Canal of the Nobles.”

The Artist House was built on the banks of Bangkok Yai Canal (Khlong), which was originally part of a larger, meandering loop of the Chao Phraya River. In the Ayutthaya period (14th to 18th century), a shortcut was dug that became the current route of the river (the historic Bangkok Yai Canal also features in my “Soy Sauce Factory” post).

The Journey to the Artist House

The walk to the Artist House is a journey back in time, revealing the historic community’s architectural and social layers. You’ll pass traditional wooden homes, from meticulously maintained to rustically charming, along with several historic temples. The many canals you’ll cross add to the sense of a deep-rooted community. This is a place where you can truly feel the echoes of old Bangkok, a city once known as the “Venice of the East.”

So join me and explore the sights, sounds, and flavours of this off-the-beaten-path neighbourhood. Wander through alleys and streets, where you can witness a slower pace of life, connect with the local culture, and find a quieter, more authentic hidden Bangkok away from the main tourist trails.

Get your camera ready! You never know what unique moments you will come across. This route offers several photographic opportunities highlighted by the camera emoji 📷 throughout the post. Let’s dive straight in.

Highlights

Superscript links indicate waypoints on the map below.

• Community Garden Project⁵
• Artist House¹⁰

Directions

Superscript links indicate waypoints on the map below.

This walk begins at the Charan 13 MTR station and ends at the Bang Phai MRT station. The initial route follows a canal and leads you into a predominantly Indian community.¹ Here, you’ll see large, ornate houses with decorative gates and doors.

The path winds through a series of lanes and over canals before a raised walkway guides you into a unique neighbourhood. Here, you’ll find homes built on stilts and the beautiful ThaiDD House and Green Land.⁵ 📷 To learn more about this wonderful community project download my Detailed Guide.

After a short stretch on a main road, you’ll turn toward the Artist House,¹⁰ crossing more canals as you go. The Artist House 📷 is well worth exploring, along with its neighbouring buildings and alleyways. You can relax here with a coffee, browse for souvenirs, or even watch artists and students at work. The Artist House is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends. Over a small ornate bridge next to the Artist House you can enjoy a meal at one of several Thai restaurants.

Afterwards, the path leads you through a temple complex and another residential area before you arrive at Bang Phai MRT station. The total walk is about 5 km.

Map

The following map shows the entire route, with highlights and reference points to help you stay on track.

To view the map legend or follow the route in Google Maps, tap these icons in the map header.

Detailed Guide

For comprehensive directions and additional information, you can download my detailed guide. Just click Free PDF Download below to get access to the file.

Wrapping up

Exploring the Artist House and its surrounding areas on this walk is a vivid reminder that the heart of Bangkok lies not in its modern skyscrapers, but in its quieter, preserved corners. By venturing off the main tourist trails and into these historic areas, you’ll discover not just iconic landmarks, but entire communities built along a waterway that once served as the main course of the Chao Phraya River. This tranquil oasis is a haven for tradition and friendly faces, showcasing Bangkok’s unique heritage and making it a truly special place.

As always if you find any errors in this post I would be very grateful if you would drop me a comment below.

Best wishes
Derek