River Cruise in Bangkok ? Sightseeing on the Chao Phraya
A river cruise in Bangkok gives an insight to the community life on the Chao Phraya River and the legacies on this river of kings, a picture of stark contrasts.
It needn't have to be an elaborate affair; you can cut the frills and expenses. Plan the river cruise yourself for a more meaningful Bangkok sightseeing tour from the Chao Phraya River.
The Chao Phraya River is the longest river in Thailand stretching 370 km from Nakhon Sawan, more than 200 km north of Bangkok. The river continues past Bangkok to flow into the Gulf of Thailand in Samut Prakan to the south.
Chao Phraya is also the highest title in ancient Thai nobility, similar to the Duke in British nobility. The title is no longer in use.
Attractions, landmarks and views in a river cruise in Bangkok
Start the river cruise from the Sathorn Pier near the Taksin Bridge; five minutes walk from the Taksin Bridge skytrain station, the terminal station for trains from the city center.
Proceed northwards passing the scenic water front hotels like the old Oriental Bangkok where famous writers like Joseph Conrad and Somerset Maugham left their mark.
The first recommended stopover, in a river cruise in Bangkok, is the Ratchawong Pier which leads to Yaowarat Chinatown, Soi Sampheng where Chinatown started and Soi Sun Yat Sen named after the father of the Chinese Revolution.
The Memorial Bridge, the next stop, is dedicated to King Rama I, the founder of Bangkok. His monument, near the bridge, depicts King Rama I on a throne gazing at the bustling city he founded more than 220 years ago. Pahurat, the Indian community in Bangkok is further inland.
Historical aspects of the Chao Phraya
Further upriver on the Thonburi bank, near the mouth of the Bangkok Yai Canal, the white ramparts of Fort Vichai Prasit come into view. This was an old Ayutthaya fort built in 1688. King Taksin's Palace is here in the complex that's now the Royal Thai Navy HQ.
Next to this old citadel, stands the glittering Wat Arun, Temple of Dawn, a temple built in the Ayutthaya era.
The Bangkok Yai Canal and the Bangkok Noi Canal, further upriver, used to be the original course of the Chao Phraya River.
This long meander was straightened out by a canal in 1542 to shorten sailing time to Ayutthaya. The new canal subsequently became the present course of the Chao Phraya River.
The river cruise in Bangkok will now pass the most majestic sight along the Chao Phraya River, the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in old Rattanakosin, the historical center, which is the origin of modern Bangkok.
The Thonburi bank, across from the Grand Palace, is where old communities have lived long before Bangkok was established as the capital. The Bangkok Noi Museum, further inland, preserves the history of these communities.
The Royal Barge Museum is located in the Bangkok Noi Canal near the Phra Pin Klao Bridge.
The river cruise in Bangkok next passes Fort Phra Sumen, built in 1783 to fortify the old city. Located near the mouth of the Banglampoo Canal, the second protective canal ring, it's one of the two remaining forts left from the Bangkok era.
River life and scenes on the Chao Phraya
On the banks, rickety old wooden houses on stilts can be seen in stark contrast to the spanking new houses and condominiums. The noodle vendor in a boat sells her food from house to house as restaurants provide riverside dining near the some of the piers.
The most spectacular bridge across the Chao Phraya River encountered in a river cruise in Bangkok is the King Rama VIII Bridge, a suspension bridge that stands out like a giant harp over the water. Bang Khun Phrom Palace, which houses the Bank of Thailand Museum, is nearby.
Bridges across the Chao Phraya River serve as useful landmarks in a river cruise in Bangkok. Some piers, located near these bridges, are named after them. You'll pass under eight bridges in the entire river cruise.
Further upriver life gets less touristy and more rustic, particularly on the Thonburi bank. Many piers are named after wats (temples) located nearby, around which community life is built. Some of these temples, though less well known, are equally beautiful as their city counterparts.
Chao Phraya boat services for a river cruise of Bangkok
Chao Phraya River boats ply along the river during the day stopping at regular piers. These boats are an inexpensive and convenient way for a Bangkok sightseeing tour of the river.
A Chao Phraya tourist boat service is also available for a day tour of selected areas and piers. Boat rental services are also available for groups of 20 or more.
A total of 34 Chao Phraya river piers located along this 25 km winding stretch of river. You don't have to go all the way though, just take your pick and get on and off where you wish.
A river cruise in Bangkok provides a very different perspective of life in the city on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, an aspect you can't get from the usual Bangkok city tour.
This article, by Eric Lim, first appeared in Tour Bangkok Legacies, a historical travel site on people, places and events that shaped the landscape of Bangkok. Lim, a free-lance writer, lives in Bangkok Thailand.
Latest News
How to Tame a Cat With a Taste for the Outdoors Washington Post, United States - He has had a taste of the outdoors and wants to go out again. We regularly have to get chairs to reach him when he jumps onto curtain rods and bookcases, ... |
Outdoors Report: Steelheaders getting in some early punches Seattle Post Intelligencer - By GREG JOHNSTON The winter steelhead season is well under way, not spectacular so far but definitely early and spread throughout the traditional streams of ... |
Outdoors briefs Dallas Morning News, TX - By RAY SASSER Outdoors Writer rsasser@dallasnews.com With the 2009 Panhandle pheasant season looming Saturday, Texas Parks and Wildlife is asking hunters ... Outdoors notebook |
Want a holiday gift for an outdoors lover? Here are some ideas Dallas Morning News, TX - They cost about $1 a packet and should be available at any good outdoor store. • Miniature flashlights that function on lithium batteries are excellent ... |
Outdoors by Wayne Baughman Pittsfield Pike Press, IL - The tally is in for the first portion of the firearms deer season that was held Nov. 21,22, and 23. Statewide hunters took 71894 deer, which is a decline of ... Fisheries biologist hatches plan in dark of Marquette Park |
 News & Observer | GI Janes get outdoors News & Observer, NC - Deanna Lampley, MWR business manager for outdoor recreation, told the group of 29 participants the day was designed to show that the outdoors is for ... |
 Evening Sun (subscription) | Gift giving – the outdoors versus the non-outdoors Evening Sun (subscription), NY - the “gifter” is pretty much left to their own devices when perusing the outdoor departments or sporting goods stores. The true challenge is to avoid giving ... |
Outdoors With Braz: A Few Tips On How To Keep Warm While Hunting thejournal-news.net, IL - Still a lot of good ideas coming in for the 2009 Montgomery County Outdoor Expo and more people continue to contact me. Keep your eyes on the paper; ... |
A handy guide to outdoors gifts Detroit Free Press, United States - It's that time of year again, when outdoors guys and gals have to figure out how to let family and friends know what we really want without appearing too ... |
Great Outdoors Almanac Green Bay Press Gazette, WI - A few anglers are starting to fish frozen portions of rivers and harbors, but it's still slushy, open water throughout much of Green Bay. ... |
Resources
-
Andinia.com - The Web, Outdoors - Search Engine and Portal
Search engine dedicated to nature lovers, the great Outdoors and adventurous spirits: survival, extreme sports, travels, ecology, mountaineering, photography, how-to articles, courses, real experiences, gear, tips, and more; published in English, Spanish