The gentle winds cooled the summer heat as I sat on the bank of the Nakhon Chai Si River, taking in a beautiful view of the waterside hamlet and lush landscapes of the small town of Sam Phran in Nakhon Pathom province. It's only a 90-minute drive from the hustle and bustle of downtown Bangkok in order to breathe in some fresh air on the weekend.
Sitting on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, the Samphanthawong district is home to a large Chinese community and the Sampheng neighbourhood, which once functioned as Bangkok's primary commercial core. Browsing around, visitors can see historic Chinese shrines with striking architecture nestled among clusters of classic shophouses, transporting visitors back to the early Rattanakosin period when Chinese sea merchants played a major role in the import and export industry.