Bangkok by River Taxi – 6 Great Sites

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Long ago, Bangkok was a city built around water. From the mighty Chao Phraya river which flows through the city, emptying into the Gulf of Thailand, to the canals that weave their way through the city and suburbs, everything about daily life in the city once centered around the water.

Much of this water-based culture has been replaced with skyscrapers and mega malls. Those who once traveled nearly exclusively by water now travel in taxi cabs and atop motorcycles. However, if you look just under the surface, you can still see remnants of the Bangkok that once was. Canal boats still travel set routes through many of the canals in the city, and the Chao Phraya remains a bustling center of trade and tourism.

Seeing Bangkok’s sites by river taxi provides a unique opportunity to step back to a time of Bangkok past, and see the city from the water. Fares are extremely cheap, you can get most places for 11-25 baht. The route is convenient to many of the favorite tourist destinations in Bangkok. These are a few of our favorite places to visit by river taxi. What are yours?

1. Chinatown – I find Chinatown exhilarating.

   

   It is known among expats and locals alike as being the place to purchase otherwise hard to find products. I love the crowded walkways, stores selling anything and everything you could ever want, and oh what smells! Whether you are sampling a variety of Chinese food, or haggling over the price of a few meters of fabric, there are vendors that can meet and exceed your every wish. Be prepared to fight crowds and watch out for motorcycles and push carts that share the narrow aisles with pedestrians.  I have made the trip to Chinatown many times with Miss C, however, it is not the  most child friendly of places. If you have childcare available, you may want to take the opportunity to do a child-free excursion. If you plan on taking the children, I would suggest babywearing and frequent breaks. There is a Starbucks nearby Sampeng Lane at Grand China Hotel if you or the kiddos need a break from the heat . It’s great for a nursing break! If you are looking for more than shopping, Chinatown offers some unique attractions as well. Wat Traimit boasts the largest gold Buddha in the world. Wat Chakawat Ratchawat offers the unique opportunity to view crocodiles. The China Gate is an impressive tourist attraction as well. One can easily spend a day here.How to get there: Get off the river taxi at stop N5 – Tha Ratchawongse. Walk perpendicular to the river to reach Sampeng Lane (Soi Wanit 1) or Yaowarat Road.
   

    

2. Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew– The Grand Palace complex is a must-see for anyone visiting Bangkok. The grounds house several impressive buildings including Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha). The Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha is Thailand’s most sacred site. Visitors must adhere to a strict dress code. Men must wear long pants and shirts with sleeves (no bare shoulders). If you are wearing sandals or flip flops you must wear socks (no bare feet). Women cannot wear see-through clothes, bare shoulders, or show their midriff. If you show up without proper clothes there is a changing room near the entrance where you can rent clothes for a fee. The entrance fee is 500 baht for foreigners and includes access to Wat Phra Kaew, the Royal Thai Decorations and Coins Pavilion and Queen Sirikit Museum of Textile which are both located within the Grand Palace compound. The ticket also includes entrance to Vimanmek Mansion Museum on Ratchawithi Road.

   

   How to get there: Take the river taxi to Tha Chang (Chang Pier). Walk through the market near the pier and out onto the plaza. The long white wall of the Grand Palace will be across the street on the right hand side. It’s nearly impossible to miss it.  

3. Wat Arun – Anyone traveling along the Chao Phraya cannot possibly miss Wat Arun. This ancient temple is one of the most iconic sites in Bangkok. It towers above the Chao Praya from a beautiful riverside location. The unique design makes it a much-photographed and much-visited location. The name translates “Temple of the Dawn” which adds to it’s romantic mystique.  This breathtaking monument is a quite popular Bangkok attraction which means that it can get a little busy. You would do well to arrive early to beat the crowds. Entrance is only 100 baht and offers some fantastic views of the river.

   

   How to get there: Take the river taxi to Tha Thien Pier and then take a second boat across the river (about 3 baht to cross).
   

    

4. 

   Wat Pho – If you are into temples, Bangkok certainly will not disappoint. Wat Pho also known in English as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha and sometimes spelled Wat Po is located nearby the Grand Palace complex. It is famous for a giant, 46 meter reclining Buddha covered in gold leaf. Not only an impressive example of Buddhist temple architecture and Buddharupa, but the temple is also a famous place to get a traditional Thai massage. It is often considered the leading school of massage in Thailand and certainly less sketchy than some of the seedy Sukhumwit area massage parlors. Entrance to the temple costs a mere 100 baht and is significantly more relaxing than the Grand Palace – especially if you include a massage in your visit!
   How to get there: Take the river taxi to Tha Thien and walk from there (easily combined with Wat Arun across the river). Or, alternatively walk from the Grand Palace which is located nearer to Tha Chang. 

5. Asiatique – Asiatique is a newer addition to the Chao Praya scene. It is located about ten minutes down the river from Central Pier at Saphan BTS station. What once was an

   

   international trade port has been transformed into a shopping and entertainment complex. It houses over 1,500 boutiques and 40 restaurants within a replica warehouse.  It is a night time attraction,  opening at 5:00 PM. It is easy to spend an entire evening here. We enjoy browsing the boutiques offering local and international fashion brands, gifts and other unique boutiques. I even saw a stand where you could have your photos or video made into a fun flip-book! There are seemingly endless options for food – street food to classy wine bars, beer gardens and swanky restaurants. We enjoyed Thai food from Baan Khanitha. The restaurant has a stunning riverside location and the best MSG free Pad Thai I’ve had in Bangkok. If all of this isn’t enough entertainment for you, there is nightly entertainment options ranging from a classic Thai puppet show to Muay Thai matches, cabaret shows and more.
   How to get there: Although accessible from the river taxi, Asiatique has their own free shuttle boat with direct service. Follow signs for Asiatique. As you approach the pier from the BTS station it will be on your far left hand side. 

6. Flower market – Located near China Town, the Pak khong talad is the best place in thecity to shop for fresh flowers. It is a unique and memorable experience to see all of the vendors set up with their numerous flower stalls. The best time to  visit is early in the morning. But don’t worry, there is a Starbucks coffee shop to help your early morning blues! (I do realize this is the second coffee mention in this article don’t worry, Adventure Family Life has your back where coffee is concerned because what can I say? #Momlife!)

   

   
   How to get there: Take the river taxi to the Memorial Bridge stop. The market is open 24 hours a day but the best time to go is after midnight with 3:00-4:00 AM being the most exciting time to visit. 
   

At this point it should be clear to you that the river is a great place to see much of what Bangkok has  to offer. It is far from an exhaustive list, but includes some of our favorites. It is clear that life in Bangkok is still very much connected to the water.

How to River Taxi and General Information

There are five lines denoted by a colored flag (or lack thereof in the case of the “local line.” The easiest way to catch the river taxi from many points in the city is to take the BTS Skytrain to Saphan Taksin station. When you exit the station, head towards the river, and the river taxi will be on your left hand side. There are many who will try to sell you trips on long tail boats, or a more expensive tourist boat, but unless that is what you are looking for, bear to the left and you will find lines of people waiting for the next Chao Phraya Express boat.

For more information about routes, fares and times, please check out the Chao Phraya Express Boat website.

If you would like to spend more time enjoying the sites and sounds of the Chao Phraya, check out the luxurious Millennium Hilton which is our favorite riverside hotel in Bangkok.