What's the name of the area across the canal from Jim Thompson's house museum?

The crossing is doable, just bring your sense of direction because the lanes split without much rhyme or reason. I've walked it a few times and always end up on a different soi than planned, which is half the fun. There are a couple of small mosques tucked in there too, and the Friday crowd is a good reminder that this is a living neighborhood, not a tourist set piece.

Daytime is fine, people are used to strangers wandering through, and the silk weavers are genuinely friendly if you nod and smile. I'd skip it after dark, not because it's dangerous but because the lighting is poor and the soi dogs own the place at night. If you want a landmark to aim for, the little community school near the middle of the maze is a good reference point before you double back toward the main road.

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that whole warren of lanes across the klong is called Ban Khrua, the old Muslim weaving community. it's not really one named "area" on maps, more a maze of soi that locals just call Ban Khrua.

yeah you can basically cross it on foot from the pier near Jim's place all the way down to Soi Rong Rian King Phet, but it's not a straight shot. the alleys twist and sometimes dead-end, and a few are private. if you follow the main soi that runs parallel to the canal you'll get through, just don't expect street view to match reality.

as for safety, it's fine during the day, people live and work there, kids play, it's got that sleepy village vibe right in the middle of the city. at night it gets dark and empty though, and the soi dogs get territorial. I'd stick to daylight hours, and honestly it's more confusing than dangerous. just keep your phone out and follow the sound of the main road when you're lost.

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i think it's ban khrua, been through it a couple times just to see the old wooden houses. the crossing's fine if you're not in a hurry, but watch for motorbikes coming out of nowhere in those narrow lanes. there's a little coffee spot near the mosque side if u need a break, and the weavers don't mind a quick look at their looms if u ask nicely. daytime's chill, just keep an eye on your bag and u'll be alright

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Krua Dok Mai Kao is solid but I've always found their som tam a bit tame on the pla ra. If you want the real funky version, try the shophouse spots along Soi Udomsuk 26, near the night market end. They pound it fresh with fermented fish that'll clear your sinuses, and it's like 60 baht. Different style from the On Nut places, more Lao-leaning.

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for som tam specifically i'd say the Isaan spots in Chatuchak are underrated, weekdays only though since the weekend crowd ruins the vibe. there's a stall near gate 2 that does tam pa with fermented bamboo shoots, super sour and funky, not something you see much in On Nut. if you're already heading north for Or Tor Kor anyway its worth the detour.

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honestly the som tam at Krua Dok Mai Kao is good but what got me hooked is their nam prik pla raa dip with the raw veggies, that funk hits way harder than the papaya does. think most people sleep on it cuz they just order the som tam and gai yang. also pro tip, go before noon on weekdays, after that teh pla ra gets milder cuz they batch it for the lunch rush

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