The Chao Praya river in Bangkok

Riverside

The Chao Phraya river area

10 BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN BANGKOK

The Chao Phraya river area is among Bangkok’s most attractive. As in previous centuries life was centered around the river, many of Bangkok’s historical sites and most beautiful temples are located on the river banks. A good way to see them is to take a dinner cruise or a canal tour by longtail boat. The river breeze makes the area a little cooler than the city.

There is a constant flow of traffic on the river. Barges carrying heavy loads move slowly upstream, while people commute to work on the river boats. Try some Thai food in one of the riverside restaurants and watch large schools of catfish waiting to be fed.

Getting around on the river

It is easy to get around on the river with the Chao Phraya Express boats or the Chao Phraya hop on hop off Tourist Boat. To explore the river and its many canals called the khlongs hire a private long tail boat. In the evening enjoy Thai cuisine and the Chao Phraya scenery taking a dinner cruise.

Historical district Rattanakosin

On the East bank of the Chao Phraya river is the area known as Rattanakosin. Also called Rattanakosin island, this is where King Rama I established the new capital of Siam after the Burmese had destroyed the old capital Ayutthaya.

The area houses some of Bangkok’s most famous sites including the Grand Palace, the Wat Phra Kaew (the temple of the Emerald Buddha) and the Wat Pho (the Reclining Buddha temple). The Wat Arun (the temple of Dawn) is right across the river.

Asiatique The Riverfront

Asiatique is a riverside shopping and entertainment complex easily reached by Chao Phraya river express boat. Behind the boardwalk are a night market with countless shops, dozens of restaurants and Thailand’s largest Ferris wheel. In modern theaters visitors can enjoy Calypso cabaret and a Muay Thai boxing show.

Several Chao Phraya river dinner cruises depart from the Asiatique pier, including the Indian dinner cruise and the Vertical dinner cruise.

A unique experience is to enjoy a high end dinner aboard the Sirimahannop, a large three master sailing ship docked at Asiatique.

The Royal Barges Museum

The Royal Barges Museum stores a collection of colorful, ornately decorated historical barges including four Royal barges. The long and slender boats are used during the Royal Barges Processions on the Chao Phraya river. These processions have been held for centuries for Royal ceremonies, important Buddhist events and coronations.

Phra Sumen Fort

When Bangkok was made the new capital of Siam the King ordered a number of forts build to protect the city against invaders. Phra Sumen fort, completed in 1782, is one of only two remaining today. The fort is located in Santichai Prakan park next to Phra Athit pier on the Chao Phraya river bank.

Church of Santa Cruz

To thank them for their help in Siam’s wars with Burma, King Taksin gave the Portuguese a piece of land on the West bank of the Chao Phraya river, the area which is today called Thonburi.

Around 1770 the Portuguese constructed a Catholic church here, a wooden building of which nothing is left. The currently standing cream colored church building dates back to the start of the 20th century. Highlight are the stained glass windows that depict Biblical stories.

The Santa Cruz Church is located on Thetsaban Sai 1 road. Nearest river pier is Wat Kalayanamit.

Map of the Chao Phraya river express boat lines
An orange flag boat of the Chao Phraya river express boat service

Get around the riverside by Chao Phraya River Express Boat

  • Sightseeing around the river
  • Check five express boat lines, route map & fares
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Holy Rosary Church

Right on the banks of the Chao Phraya river is Holy Rosary Church, another Roman Catholic church built by the Portuguese.

Also known as Kanwa church the Gothic style cream colored building features large arched entrances, glided ceilings and beautiful large arched windows inlaid with stained glass.

The first church was built in 1786 shortly after King Rama I had established Bangkok as the new capital of Siam. Rebuild several times, the current building dates to the late 19th century.

Holy Rosary Church is located on Soi Wanit 2 near the River City shopping center. Nearest Chao Phraya river express piers are N3 Si Phraya and N4 Marine Department.

Wat Kalayanamit

Standing out with its large viharn on the river banks, Wat Kalayanamit is an attractive little visited temple. The viharn of the early 19th century temple enshrines a huge golden Buddha image measuring nearly 16 meters tall.

The temple is located on the West bank of the Chao Phraya river (Thonburi side). Get there by Chao Phraya Express river boat, Kalayanamit pier.

Wat Kalayanamit standing on the banks of the Chao Phraya river in Bangkok
Wat Kalayanamit
On the banks of the Chao Phraya river

Bang Khun Phrom Palace

On the banks of the Chao Phraya river is Bang Khun Phrom palace, a very elegant European style palace constructed at the start of the 20th century. Today the main building, a beautiful Baroque style mansion, houses the Bank of Thailand Museum.

The palace is located on Samsen road next to Rama VIII bridge. Nearest Chao Phraya Express pier is Thewet.

Pak Khlong Talat flower market

Not far from the Wat Pho is Pak Khlong Talat, Bangkok’s largest flower market. Walking past endless rows of flower stalls visitors will enjoy the variety of colors and smells. Vendors sell flowers as orchids, lotus, jasmine and roses as well as garlands for temple offerings.

The market is located at Chakphet road near the public park on Saphan Phut road (Memorial Bridge). Get there by Chao Phraya Express river boat, N6-1 Pak Khlong Talat pier.

Colorful flowers at Pak Klhlong Talat, the biggest flower market in Bangkok
Pak Khlong Talat flower market

Riverside hotels

Chatrium Hotel Riverside
The Chatrium Riverside is a high rise four-and-a-half-star hotel on the Chao Phraya river. The riverfront hotel offers deluxe rooms and suites with great river or city views. It has an infinity pool, children’s pool, gym and spa. Five restaurants serve international and Chinese cuisine.

Shangri-La Bangkok
The Shangri-La Bangkok is a five-star luxury riverside hotel offering comfortable deluxe and premier rooms with city view or river view. Enjoy the hotel’s riverside dining, two outdoor pools, fitness centre, full-service spa and tennis court. Its five restaurants serve Thai, Chinese, Italian and international cuisine.

Mandarin Oriental
The Mandarin Oriental is among the most luxurious hotels in Bangkok. The five-star hotel on the Chao Phraya river offers luxury rooms and suites, fine riverside dining and facilities as two pools with pool cabanas, children’s pool, two tennis courts, spa, gym, sauna and steam room. Its restaurants serve seafood as well as Thai, French and Chinese cuisine. Take the shuttle boat to ICONSIAM shopping mall across the river.

The Peninsula Bangkok
On the West bank of the Chao Phraya river stands the Peninsula, a five-star hotel offering spacious luxury rooms and suites. Among the riverside hotel’s facilities are a tennis court, spa, gym, riverside pool, sauna, steam room, art gallery and four restaurants. If you’re looking for a unique experience, take a helicopter or airplane tour.

Royal Orchid Sheraton
The five-star riverside Royal Orchid Sheraton offers deluxe rooms, premium rooms and suites, all with great views of the Chao Phraya river. It has two pools, a children’s pool, gym, sauna, steam room and a tennis court. Five restaurants serve international, Thai and Italian food and barbecue. The hotel is situated next to Si Phraya Express boat pier. Take the hotel’s shuttle boat service to the luxury ICONSIAM shopping mall across the river.

How to around the riverside area

Chao Phraya river express boat
Getting around on the river is easy, cheap and often quicker than a taxi.

The Chao Phraya Express operates five lines, recognizable by the color of the flag at the back of the boat. The service covers a distance of 20 kilometers between Nonthaburi in the North and Rat Burana in the South.

For more details, read Chao Phraya river express boat.

Hop on hop off tourist boat
The Chao Phraya tourist boat serves nine piers between Sathorn pier (at BTS train station Saphan Taksin) and Phra Arthit Pier (Khaosan road). Passengers can get on and off an unlimited number of times anywhere they want at a fare of 200 Thai Baht per person.

On the route are landmarks as the Grand Palace, Wat Arun and Wat Pho.

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