Cycling Routes Although Bangkok is reputed to be the world's 21st largest city and infamous for its traffic problems, solutions are at hand with cycling routes being Introduced to help solve congestion and reduce pollution. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has converted footpaths into cycling routes with entrance and exit facilities for cyclists. Cycling routes are in evidence all over the city with same routes running through historically important and quite beautiful areas such as Ratchadamnoen Avenue that was copied, to some extent from avenues in Europe at 'the time the city was expanded northwards. The Royal Plaza with the Equestrion Monument of Kin Rama V is at the end of Ratchadamnoen Avenue along with the Dusit Throne Hall. The route passes tourist attractions such as Rattanakosin Island, Golden Mountain, Loha Prasat, Wat Ratchanatda winds back to the middle of Ratchadamnoen Avenue, passing some tourist attractions such as Rattanakosin island, Golden Mountain, Loha Prasat, Wat Ratchanatda, Democracy Monument, Sanam Luang, the Grand Palace, Ta Chang and Ta Phra Chan. There are other cycle tracks through older sections of Bangkok such as Fuang Nakhon road, Bamrungmuang Road with routes going close to interesting temples. If you want to be accompanied on your cycling ventures, contact the Cycling For Health Association of Thailand which organises cycling around Bangkok and the provinces. They can be contacted on telephone 218-6669 and 252-7511.

Pedalling around old Bangkok
Banned from Bangkok since the 1960s, pedal-powered Samlos the name means three-wheels) are making a welcome return as romantic eco-taxi for tourists to visit the popular sight around Rattanakosm Iiland.

The first three-wheeler was invented in 1933 by Group Captain Luen Pongsophon as adaption from a Chinese rickshaw to speed up transport around Nakhon Ratchasima. In place of a puller, he installed the front part of a bicycle and pedalled his way into hitstory, as pedicabs became the mode
transport all over Thailand. A motorcycle soon replaced the bicycle, and then a bnghtly coloured cab was placed on top to protect the dnver. Voila! The Tuk- Tuk finally emerged, its name coming from the yammer of its noisy two-stroke engine as its raced passengers around the streets of Bangkok. Slower pedicabs were soon banned from the city as traffic jammers Today's noisemakers however, cannot compete with the charm and simplicity of the pedal-powered three-wheelers Fortunately, Bangkok's Gover nor agrees and pedicabs are makmg a comeback in Amazing Thailand year as a pollution free taxi service for sightseeing in old Bangkok.

You can catch your pedicabs at N a Phra Lan Road or the Grand Palace and head off on a 20-minute tour. First stop is Tha Chang Pier, where court elephants were bathed in the Chao Phraya River over 200 years ago and where white elephants were presented to the king. Buildings in this area were constructed during the reign of King Rama V, and are notable for their intricate decorations around windows and door frames. The Samlos moves on to Maha Rat Pier, where the Royal Family traditionally embark on royal barges for the annual Kathin ceremony, and turns into Chetuphon road. On the left is Wat Pho, famed for its massive Reclining Buddha, which was built in the Ayutthaya period and houses an acclaimed school of traditional Thai massage.

Left again, and the cabbie pedals along Sanamchai Road, past the Territorial Defence Department, whose Roman style portals once gave entrance to the palaces of King Rama II and Rama III. Further along the road, you pass the yawning old cannons of the Ministry of Defence on the right and the golden roofs of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha on the left, where we end the journey. The service is open from 15.00 - 20.00 hours, Monday Friday, and 10.00 - 20.00 hours, on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. The fare is 30 baht for Thai passengers and 50 baht for heavier foreigners.