Rivers running through cities are particularly fascinating, and Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River is no exception. The piers along the river are the busiest parts of the city, and it is where some of the most famous attractions, restaurants, shops, and hotels are located.
Taking a cruise on the river is your chance to see a different side of Bangkok, to explore the city in a more fascinating way. The boat slowly travels on the river, while you watch theGrand Palace, the Temple of Dawn and other famous sights go by… and you enjoy a lovely buffet and some good live music − the perfect escape from the bustling city!
Read our brief guide and learn more about cruises on the Chao Phraya River.
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Three weeks encompassing Vietnam
A special shoutout to our last guide in Bangkok - Ms. Ka-Noon who spoiled us with her kindness and then got us through check in and security for our flight home in record time at that huge Bangkok airport. MoreDeby, Feb 2023
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Three weeks encompassing Vietnam
Three weeks encompassing Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Laos. Albee Ning arranged everything perfectly. Not a flaw in the whole 3 weeks. Guides, flights (7 in total), hotels, private tours…everything was excellent. Travelling on a private tour gave us so much freedom to change our day if we chose to rest or go somewhere else. MoreDeby, Feb 2023
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Three weeks encompassing Vietnam
Asia Highlights is the way to go without any question. Next overseas trip will be booked with them for sure. Thank you for a wonderful and stress free vacation experience. MoreDeby, Feb 2023
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Over the last 5 years we've used Asia…
Over the last 5 years we've used Asia highlights twice. And both times we've had fantastic vacations. Would not want to do it any different when we travel to Asia from now on. Sharon was fantastic. She was a wonderful agent who helped us nail down our trip and make everything go as smooth as possible. MoreTodd Atwell, Feb 2023
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Family Trip to Thailand
Our trip to Thailand comprised three generations of the family , ten people and an age range of 4 to 70 so a potentially difficult brief.Our itinerary over two weeks involved four locations, and a number of different trips and tours.From out arrival at an extremely busy Bangkok airport Asia Highlights were terrific.In each location we were met by a smiling , knowledgeable and professional guide who simply made everything easy and stress free for everyone.Our transportation was clean and comfortable . Transport was always ready for us at the agreed time and the drivers were excellent.There were so many highlights enjoyed by all the age groups. The floating houses , railway market and elephant sanctuary were particular favourites.We had one minor glitch with the accommodation in Phuket which was immediately dealt with by Tip. I think we would have struggled to resolve the problem by ourselves. So, thank you Asia Highlights , Cathy, Tip and tour guides Tanny, Sam and Lisa. It was a memorable holiday and we will be back. MoreRoger Pyle, Feb 2023
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Family Trip to Thailand
So, thank you Asia Highlights , Cathy, Tip and tour guides Tanny, Sam and Lisa. It was a memorable holiday and we will be back. MoreRoger Pyle, Feb 2023
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Trip of a lifetime from Asia Highlights!
I recommend highly Asia Highlights as a travel company. Our travel consultant Albee took the time to connect with us during the planning process to make sure we were comfortable with our itinerary. When we arrived, we were met by our guide and all the details were attended to. They picked great hotels and tours. I often describe our trip as the trip of a lifetime! Would definitely use them again when we come back to Asia MoreNancy Parker, Feb 2023
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Asia Highlights and Albee - highly recommended
Asia Highlights is very reliable agency and Albee is an amazing representative of the company. From the moment when we contacted her until our departure, the whole support we received was 6* level. She prepared our trip offer within few hours and afterwards she was extremely flexible to adjust as per our needs. In the period between the offer and the trip, Albee was always available for all our questions and supported us on the best possible way. During the trip she was again flexible to add new activities/transfers and this went on the smoothest possible way. Thank you, Albee and Asia Highlights. Definitely we will approach you again for our next Asian trip MoreAZ, Feb 2023
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Bangkok was founded near a river because the site was fertile and had plenty of fish. In 1782, King Rama I founded modern Bangkok on the eastern banks (more favorable to the development of the city) and built some striking temples you can still admire today.
The Chao Phraya River became more and more famous, praised by famous travelers like Joseph Conrad, who gave to Bangkok the epithet of “Venice of the East”.
The river cruise is about 21 km long, and it will let you admire some of the most beautiful attractions of Bangkok’s landscape. Be sure not to miss the many wats, like the famous Wat Arun, or Temple of Dawn, lit at night for a unique view; or Wat Pho, located within the Grand Palace.
There are many piers along the river, each one of them with its own attractions and points of interest. Cruises usually depart from pier 1, Siphraya, and will slowly wind their way along the river going north, arriving at the River City Pier. The trip usually laststwo hours, and you will be entertained with live music while eating from a delicious buffet.
As said above, the route along the Chao Phraya River has many piers on both sides. Each pier is characterized by some peculiar attractions, and all of them see plenty of shops, restaurants, and hotels. You can check the piers you are interested in and then take ferries to move from one to the other.
One of the major piers in Bangkok, Sathorn, is the place to go for business hotels, high-end restaurants, and shops – there is an infinite choice of shopping places. From here, it is also extremely easy to reach Silom Road and Sathorn Road, two of the busiest streets of the city.
Besides, you will also find one of the botanical parks of Bangkok there, the Lumpini Park. There you can visit the artificial lake, go to the fitness center, or just wander around the green area – a nice break from the concrete jungle.
Oriental is characterized by a colonial atmosphere and some unique buildings you won’t easily find in the rest of the city. The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Bangkok is a luxurious hotel, ideal for an afternoon tea at the Author’s Lounge or a spa treatment.
If you like antiques, visit O.P. Place, a European-style structure, filled with boutiques selling artifacts, silk, furniture, jewelry, and much more.
When walking near Rachawong Road, be sure not to miss Chinatown, one of the most evocative neighborhoods of the whole city. It is your chance to buy some unusual souvenirs like: amulets, Canto Pop cassettes, Guan Yin statues, Chinese medical herbs, bird nest soup, and tons of other objects you won’t be likely to find anywhere else.
And if you want to see a different kind of temple, visit Wat MangkonKalamawat, a Chinese temple with Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist shrines.
By stopping at the Memorial Bridge, you will have the chance to visit an interesting historical place:the King Rama I Monument, a huge statue celebrating the founder of the Chakri dynasty.
For more mundane activities, you can visit Pak Khlong Talad, Bangkok’s biggest 24-hour flower market (just 10 minutes away from the pier); SaphanPhut Night Market; or Little India, famous for its Hindu iconography.
Tha Tien feels like an obligatory stop, since there you can visit Wat Pho, one of the most important temples of the city. It is located close to the Grand Palace, and its most striking feature is the huge statue of the reclining Buddha.
When you cross the river you will find Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, a majestic temple that dominates Bangkok’s skyline.
Tha Chang is full of things to do and see. The area is brimming with nostalgic atmosphere and shops dating back to King Rama V. The market on Maharaj Road sells everything, from false teeth to Buddhist amulets.
You can also visit Wat PhraKaew and Wat Mahathat, the holiest temples of the city; the Grand Palace and the National Museum.
Right in front of the pier, you can buy a delicious snack from the dozens of street vendors selling authentic Thai snacks.
A cruise lasts usually between2 and 3.5 hours. The boat will slowly drift along the Chao Phraya River, giving you all the time to admire the outside scenery and take some stunning pictures.
A private car or van will pick you up at your hotel to bring you directly to the pier, where the boat will wait for you. The staff will welcome you with a fresh cocktail and, at nighttime, the boat will start the tour.
You will enjoy a romantic dinner, surrounded by some of the most famous attractions in Bangkok, wrapped in the special evening atmosphere.
Starting from Pier 1, you will travel northward, passing by the Grand Palace, Wat Arun, Bang Khunprom Palace, Wat PhraKaew, and many other attractions – all of them lit in a fascinating way, perfect to snap some amazing pictures!
At the end of the tour a driver will drive you back to your hotel.
The atmosphere on the boat is relaxed, fun, and casual. For the whole cruise, you will be delighted by some exceptional live music that will provide the perfect background to the scenery in front of you. Other entertainers will perform as well, with short, fun shows.
As said, most cruises offer pick up and drop off service, so you won’t have to worry about finding the boat or being late.
Some cruises include a candlelight buffet dinner with Thai and International dishes, while other offer a bigger buffet, always including Thai and International food. You can sit inside the dining room or outside for a better view.
There are many different agencies operating on the river, so it is important to choose the right one.
Before buying your ticket, the most important thing you have to check is what is included.Pick up, drop-off and dinner should always be included in the ticket price. Double checking this will avoid lots of problems and unexpected expenses.
Check also the duration (not less than 2 hours) and the itinerary, to be sure you will pass by all the major attractions. Unfortunately, some boats don’t have access for wheelchairs; so, if you need it, be sure to ask beforehand.
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