When you think of eco-friendly travel destinations, Bangkok is unlikely to spring to mind! The bustling metropolis recently made global headlines for temporarily becoming one of the most polluted cities on the planet. But despite Bangkok’s smog, smoke and haze problems, there are a number of eco-friendly ways to discover this great city. So, if you’re interested in eco-tourism and want to minimize your carbon footprint, here are our top four ideas.
1. Use the Airport Rail Link
Will you be arriving at Bangkok’s main international airport, Suvarnabhumi? If so, the Bangkok Airport Rail Link is definitely worth checking out. Open every day from 6 a.m. until midnight, it provides an eco-friendly way of reaching downtown Bangkok and makes six stops on its route from the airport to Phayathai Station.
2. Try an electric taxi
The Thai Department of Land Transport’s (DLT) recently released 101 electric taxis and many more vehicles are expected soon, giving eco-conscious tourists a zero-tailpipe-emission way of getting where they need to go. You can book one via the DLT’s app, ‘Taxi OK’, or from a counter on Suvarnabhumi Airport’s first floor.
3. Use the MRT and BTS as much as possible
If sustainable travel is high on your list of priorities, Bangkok’s underground system, the MRT, and its elevated railway, the BTS Skytrain, should be your default options for getting around the city. These mass-transport networks offer reliable, sustainable travel for eco-friendly travelers who want to discover Bangkok.
The Airport Rail Link connects directly to both the MRT and BTS, and many tourist destinations and attractions are purposefully located near these mass transit lines for added convenience. Rides on the MRT and BTS are not only more environmentally friendly than buses, taxis or motorbikes, but they also help you avoid traffic jams too!
4. Take a walking tour
One of the best ways to experience real Bangkok is to take one of the many Bangkok walking tours on offer throughout the city. You meet up with experienced guides at an easily accessible location (usually near a BTS or MRT station) and set off to explore the amazing sights, aromas, and vistas that the Thai capital has to offer.
Some of the most popular areas to explore include:
Bangrak and Silom
Bangrak, the village of love, and Silom, the walled street of Thailand, served as Bangkok’s first business district and are steeped in rich tradition, history and culture. You can join a walking and food tasting tour that will take you off the beaten track and let you experience local daily life and taste traditional local delicacies.
Chinatown
Chinatown walking tours are some of the best Bangkok eco-tours around, combining sightseeing with unbeatable aromas, spices, and flavors. You’ll learn the art of ordering food from food carts while experiencing this unique part of Thailand’s cuisine.
KudeeJeen
KudeeJeen is located in Thonburi, Thailand’s former capital city, on the west side of the Chao Phraya River and has a unique Eurasian cultural heritage unlike anything else you’ll find in Bangkok. Taking a walking tour is one of the best ways of exploring KudeeJeen’s intriguing hidden alleyways. Here, you can admire the unique legacies of Portuguese settlements such as the Santa Cruz Church. You can soak up the history and culture as an experienced guide explains the significance of the Luang Pho Tho Buddhist statue and the Kuan An Keng Shrine, before guiding you to a one-of-a-kind bakery where you can sample the famous ‘Khanom Farang’ Thai dessert.
Conclusion
Whether you’re interested in booking an eco-friendly tour in Bangkok, or are simply looking for sustainable travel options during your stay here, we’re confident that our five suggestions will come in handy. With a little planning, it is possible to explore Bangkok and be kind to the environment as well!
