Chao Phraya River, Bangkok: Cruise Along For A Riverside Adventure

When you think of a cosmopolitan holiday filled with beaches, malls and everything in between, Bangkok is something that inevitably comes to mind. The city is a beautiful tourist destination for couples, families and solo travellers! Any street you visit in Bangkok is filled with a line of vendors selling street food made out of love for the local cuisine. Like every city that stays as a permanent part of your travel memoirs, Bangkok comes alive at midnight in ways too beautiful to describe!

But as much as it gives its city-loving tourists, Bangkok is just as much blessed with natural wonders that are a sight to sore eyes! Among these is the perennial Chao Phraya river. So don’t forget to add this to your Bangkok trip package. The river is revered as the lifeblood of the city. Besides being the backbone of the surrounding industrial regions, the Chao Phraya river of Bangkok has also become a tourist attraction in recent days. Read on to find out what makes Chao Phraya a unique location among several others in Bangkok.

Royal Barge Procession

The river has as much political significance as it does culturally. On special occasions, the king travels along the river on the royal barge shaped like a swan, to present fresh robes to the Buddhist monks residing in the temples of Wat Arun which is also called the temple of the dawn. The royal barge is accompanied by several other barges and stands out as the unique highlight of the event.

Since the event takes place in the hours of dawn, the royal barge is lit up by shining lights making it a grand affair. The event starts at the royal landing place and the procession is aided by around 2000 oarsmen. The national museum of royal barges has all the four major barges on display even on normal days. You could pay a visit to marvel at the beauty of the royal barge. 

Chao Phraya Express

This river offers a service called the ‘river bus’ service of Bangkok. Traveling through express boats or river buses is considered to be the fastest mode of commutation within the city. With beautiful views of monuments and attractions on both sides of the river, the Chao Phraya express gives you the look and feel of a little Venice in Bangkok. It operates just like a normal public bus would and is a great option for sightseeing. Make sure it is added to your Bangkok Package.

Tourist Boat/ Ferry

You could book private tours to explore the Chao Phraya river or you could hop on to one of the tourist boats or ferries along the riverbank. The city has tiny bars and beautiful pubs on every road and makes an excellent spot for a bachelor party or even a fun holiday with friends. Some of these ferries are even air-conditioned making them a very nice place to be curled in. As you go sightseeing on the riverbank, you can stop wherever you like and take a walk along the bank. The place gets even more beautiful as you go into the night, with glittering lights, street food and tiny coffee shops! 

Dinner Cruise

If you are considering Bangkok for your honeymoon, you should definitely check out the dinner cruises offered on the boats on Chao Phraya river. You can check our website to book yourself one before you step foot in Bangkok. Dinner cruises usually start at 6 PM in the evening and go on till late at night. Remain comfortably seated inside your cozy boat as it moves along some of the most magnificent sights in Bangkok, giving you a perfect sex-and-the-city vibe!

The river is open to the public from 7 in the morning till 9 in the night. The entry fee ranges from 10 to 150 Baht depending on your preferred mode of transportation.

If you want to visit the river for a peaceful experience with your friends or family, we would suggest that you go early as it gets crowded in the evening. Explore the vibrant culture, breathtaking landscapes, and exotic cuisine with our exclusive Thailand trip packages, offering an unforgettable journey through this enchanting Southeast Asian destination.

Wat Arun

This temple is visible from the Tha Tien Pier of the river. This temple is known to the locals and culture-enthusiasts as the ‘temple of dawn’. This is where pious Buddhist monks reside and meditate. On special occasions, the King is expected to grace this temple with his presence and fresh robes for the monks. Whatever your religious orientation is, this temple’s architecture is sure to turn your head!

Chinatown

Chinatown is that part of Bangkok that puts on a flamboyant display of the culmination of Chinese and Thai culture. The archives, preserved houses and cafes here are all testimony to the influence of Chinese culture on the local lifestyle brought about by Chinese traders. Take a stop here on your ferry route for a quick bite or a nice long evening of shopping for souvenirs. 

Grand Palace

The grand palace is situated magnificently in the heart of Bangkok. With a commanding view and a brilliant architecture, the palace sure is a national treasure. It houses in itself the temple and chapel of the emerald Buddha which is a must-visit for anyone who wishes to have a true Thai experience on their holiday to Bangkok.

Also Read: Best Places to Stay in Thailand

• You could take the BTS Skytrain to Saphan Taskin which is on the Silom Line. From there you could head towards the central pier or Sathorn bridge pier, from where you can begin your journey.
• Or you could also opt to drive or rent a taxi from the Suvarnabhumi airport which will take around an hour and a half.
• Shuttle service or renting a town car from the airport will take you around 40 minutes to get to Chao Phraya river.