On the banks of the Chao Phraya River in the Thonburi district lies the Kudeejeen neighborhood (also spelled Kudi Chin), one of Bangkok's oldest residential areas. Founded over 250 years ago by the Siamese-Portuguese community who settled here after the fall of Ayutthaya and the relocation of the capital of the Kingdom of Siam to Thonburi, this small neighborhood feels like an idyllic village amidst bustling Bangkok. A charming place brimming with history, culture, and culinary discoveries, as I demonstrated in my suggested Thonburi walking tour (see my video), which includes a restaurant recommendation and the famous Khanom Farang, a Kudeejeen specialty—a cross between a madeleine and a cupcake. A great place to begin your visit to Kudeejeen is at the Santa Cruz Church, whose name means "Holy Cross" in Portuguese. It is one of the oldest Catholic churches in Thailand, although its first teakwood structure, built in 1770, was replaced by the current building from 1913. Its doors are often closed. The small village of Kudeejeen is entered via a road to the right of the church. The main road leads to the Baan Kudichin Museum (free admission). On the ground floor, there is a small café with a pleasant atmosphere, perfect for lingering, while the museum on the upper floors recounts the arrival of Catholics of Portuguese, Vietnamese, Chinese, and even Western origin during the reign of King Rama III. A stroll through the narrow lanes of Baan Kudichin offers a pleasant and exotic experience compared to the main thoroughfares of Bangkok.

Baan Kudeejeen isn't necessarily a must-see in Bangkok if you're only spending two or three days in the Thai capital. There are other attractions like the Grand Palace, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew), or the Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho). However, for history buffs, those staying longer, or returning to Bangkok after a first visit, Baan Kudeejeen is an interesting district. The entire Thonburi district is worth exploring and is quite different from the streets on the opposite bank of the Chao Phraya River.

The nearest metro station to Kudeejeen is Sanam Chai (MRT Blue Line). From there, take the train to Atsadang Pier and catch the ferry across the river to Wat Kalayamanit. From Wat Kalayamanit, it's a 15-minute walk to Baan Kudeejeen. Alternatively, you can take the Chao Phraya Express, get off at Yodpiman Pier, and then walk to Atsadang Pier to cross the river. Kudeejeen is also a 15-minute walk from Itsaraphap MRT station.

How to get there

How do I get to Kudeejeen Community? The nearest metro station to Kudeejeen is Sanam Chai (MRT Blue Line). From there, take the ferry to Atsadang Pier and continue to Wat Kalayamanit. From there, it's a 15-minute walk to Baan Kudeejeen. Alternatively, you can take the Chao Phraya Express, get off at Yodpiman Pier, and then walk to Atsadang Pier to cross the river. Kudeejeen is also a 15-minute walk from Itsaraphap MRT station.