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Kudeejeen in Bangkok is one of those places in Bangkok that everyone should visit. The is small community with easy walkable alleyways on the banks of the Chao Phraya River has a Chinese temple, a Catholic church, a Buddhist temple and a curious history. I have been there and it was lovely!
KUDEEJEEN IN BANGKOK WAS A PORTUGUESE COMMUNITY
The story behind Kudeejeen in Bangkok is very interesting and involves Portugueses. After the fall of Ayutthaya, the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Siam, in 1767, King Taksin moved the capital to Thonburi. Both Chinese-descended Thais and Portuguese settlers were relocated here, the latter in recognition of their support in defeating the Burmese in Ayutthaya. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to stay in Ayutthaya, soon after dominating Malacca in Malaysia in 1551.
The new neighborhood was a perfect mix of Catholics, Muslims and Buddhists who lived in peace for more than 200 years. The result is a multicultural community that survives today.
The Kudeejeen in Bangkok is much more than narrow streets, just enough for a motorcycle, and zinc roof house. It is a region with a cultural heritage that is still preserved and does not even have a non-local convenience store. No, there is none 7Eleven!
WHAT TO SEE IN KUDEEJEEN IN BANGKOK
TEMPLE KUAN AN KENG
Kuan An Keng Temple was built by Chinese when King Taksin moved the capital to Thonburi. Originally was two temples, but later Chinese demolished the twin temples and rebuilt a new one, the Kuan An Keng. After years without care, the Sae Sim family, one of the oldest to live in the neighborhood, took the temple to take care.
How to get there: Exit the pier, go left on the river bank.
Openning hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
SANTA CRUZ CHURCH
The Santa Cruz Church was built by the Portuguese in 1770 and is one of the oldest Catholic churches in Bangkok. The original wooden structure was severely damaged by fire and was rebuilt in bricks in 1916. Nowadays the church is also known as Wat Kudi Jeen, or Chinese church.
How to get there: Exit the pier, go left on the river bank.
Openning hours: 5:00 AM to 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM
WAT KANLAYANAMITR
The Wat Kanlayanamitr temple was built in King Rama III’s reign on the banks of the Chao Phraya River and it’s on undergoing general renovation. It’s in this temple that the locals prays for a good journey. The temple is huge and trully beautiful.
How to get there: at the exit of the pier.
Openning hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
EATING KANON FARANG KUDEEJEEN
Thailand itself is already a country with an immense variety of flavors, but in Kudeejeen the Portuguese influence still alive. It’s not difficult to find the kanon farang kudeejeen, a small cake (it’s like a cupcake) made of flour, egg and sugar. You can find it at Thanusingha Bakery House.
How to get there: Kudeejeen Soi 7
Openning hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
HOW TO GET IN KUDEEJEEN FROM THE YARD
There are several ways to get to Kudeejeen in Bangkok, but first you have to get the bus number 8 and get down at the Flower Market:
Crossing the river through the Flower Market pier, the Pak Khlong Talat pier.
Walk across the Memorial Bridge bridge and walk there. It's very close! The bus number 8 stops at the Memorial Bridge.
Or maybe you can go from The Yard BTS Ari to BTS Saphan Taksin, take a public boat to the Memorial Bridge Pier. It`s about 10 minutes walking from Wat Arun.
1 DAY IN BANGKOK
You will need about 2 hours to see everything calmly and taking pictures.
I suggest on 1 day Bangkok itinerary: Flower Market, Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun and Kudeejeen. Make sure to where a comfortable shoes.
