Bang Krachao
Khlong Bang Kachao Bang Kachao, Samut Prakan 10130, Thailand
About
Most tourists think Lumpini Park is as green as Bangkok gets, but hidden across the Chao Phraya River is the almost-island of Bang Krachao, known as the "green lungs" of the city. A 10-minute boat trip from Khlong Toey Port, it's a vast area of unspoiled mangroves and orchards with little in the way of infrastructure. Many biking tours will organize trips to the area or you can go it alone and rent a bike when you get there.
When you think of Bangkok, the image of lush, green jungle does not spring to mind. That is what makes Bang Krachao just so unbelievable, and in my opinion, one of the most rewarding Bangkok experiences. There is plenty to complain about when it comes to the city's traffic, pollution and general disarray, but in the case of Bang Krachao, the government has done something right. Enforcing laws ensuring no over development, high-rises or excessive traffic, the area is a rare glimpse into what Bangkok life once was.