The Chao Phraya River
and other Canals of Bangkok
Chao Phraya River by Day
To get a real glimpse of everyday Thai life, you should take a cruise on the Chao Phraya River or at the very least one or other canal in Bangkok where you'll get to see how the locals cook and chat outside their traditional Thai houses on the riverbanks while children swim and play in the canals. On the biggest canal of all you will also get to explore and experience some of the best attractions such as the majestic temple of Wat Arun and the
Royal Barge Museum
along the way.At one very significant stage in Siam's recorded history the whole transportation system in Bangkok was primarily by canal. So much so that during the nineteenth century, Bangkok was actually known as the Venice of the East. I have had the privilege to visit the other Venice in Italy too. Each one has it's special memories. Though immensely different in both characteristics and cultures, they are two extraordinary channels in which to experience aquatic waterways saturated with a mesmerizing variety of historic sights, unique attractions and interesting boats.
Chao Phraya River by Night
Chao Phraya River Attractions
If you would like to explore the city of Bangkok from a different perspective other than that by road going transport where there is the exclusion of pollutants from taxis and tuk tuks, then one of the easiest and cheapest ways for you to this is to simply hop aboard the Chao Phraya Express. One of the services they offer is a 75 minute river bus trip that runs between Sathorn Pier and Phra Athit Pier. Along this route known as the royal mile, you will pass several colonial buildings and historical sights such as the
Grand Palace
and
Wat Phra Kaew
as well as the Pak Khlong Flower Market and the Church of Santa Crus amongst others.
Holy Rosary Church
Chao Phraya River Attractions
The Chao Phraya River boat will take you on a cruise stopping off at several piers along the way for sightseeing tours of some of Bangkok's best historical sites. The first stop is a pier near the Oriental Hotel with the latter well known for it's famous celebrities such as Somerset Maugham, Neil Armstrong, Audrey Hepburn, Pelé, Sean Connery, Richard Nixon, Noel Coward, Graham Greene amongst others. After the Oriental you get to see colonial sites such as the Holy Rosary Church which was built in 1786 near Chinatown by Portuguese settlers. Then there's the Siam Commercial Bank designed by an Italian architect and built in 1906. Then just before the Si Phraya Pier there's the Portuguese Embassy, Bangkok's oldest.
Santa Crus Church
Chao Phraya River Attractions
Si Phraya Pier is the next port of call and home to River City and a short walk to Charoen Krung Road. Built in 1861, it's believed to be the oldest road in Bangkok and runs all the way to Chinatown and beyond. Next is Ratchawongse Pier near Sampeng Lane and Yaowarat Road in the heart of where the Chinese community were granted land after being moved from where the Grand Palace now sits.The next port of call is the Memorial Bridge Pier or the Phra Buddha Yodfa, which is it's official Thai name. Though it’s located near the Memorial Bridge, the locals call this pier Saphan Phut. It's also the very first bridge to have being built over the river 1932. Just beyond the pier is the King Rama I Monument and a short way further on is
Pak Klong Flower Market
and the Pahurat Indian Market.
Wat Kanlayanamit
Chao Phraya River Attractions
And across the way on the Thonburi side of the river you should be able to get a good glimpse of the dome of Santa Cruz Church which towers ceremoniously above the roof-tops of the lower structures seen in this riverside community. The church itself was built by the Portuguese in 1770 during the reign of King Taksin. Not too far away from the Santa Cruz Church is Wat Kanlayanamit, a relatively newer Thai temple built between 1824 and 1851 during the reign of King Rama III. Within it's walls can be found what is believed to be the largest indoor seated Buddha at 50 feet (15 metres) as well as the biggest bronze bell in the country. Next attraction coming into view are the white walls of Fort Vichai Prasit which apparently was built during the the Ayutthaya period around 1680. The palace of King Taksin is believed to be contained within the walls of the complex. However what I can tell you is that the entire area is now part of the Royal Thai Navy HQ.
Fort Vichai Prasit
Chao Phraya River Attractions
Further upstream you will come across
Wat Arun
also known as the Temple of Dawn. This Ayutthaya period architectural masterpiece was established by King Taksin in the seventeenth century. It's main features are it's five prang towers which are encrusted with thousands of colourful pieces of Chinese porcelain.Tha Tien Pier is the next stopover leading to
Wat Pho
the oldest and largest temple in Bangkok where the longest reclining Buddha in the country is found. It's a typical sixteenth century Thai temple and comes complete with resident monks. The little visited by foreigners but often frequented by Thai's who go there to make merit, is the next temple to be seen upstream. It's known as Wat Rakhang meaning bell after an ancient bell was unearthed on the site during construction. Right Behind the bot is a wooden scripture library where you will find murals from the days between 1782 and 1809 when King Rama I once lived there as a monk.
Wat Arun from across the River
Chao Phraya River Attractions
After passing the site of the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew you arrive at the Maharaj Pier where
Wat Mahathat
and Mahachulalongkorn Buddhist University and meditation centre are housed as well as where the amulet market is located.The last port of call before passing Thammasat University, the National Museum and the National Theatre is at the Phra Athit Pier just beyond the Phra Pin Khao Bridge. It's where the Chao Phraya River tourist boat completes it's epic journey before turning around and returning from whence it came. Disembark here and then take a short walk to Phra Sumen Fort nearby, one of only two remaining forts in Bangkok. This one was built during the reign of King Rama I in 1783.
Phra Sumen Fort
It has long been said that without the Chao Phraya River, also referred to as the river of kings, there would be no Bangkok and you needn't be a rocket scientist to see why this is so. The river has and always will be the lifeblood of the nation. Not only is the river a pleasure platform for people to explore it's many wonders but it's also a major transportation highway for a variety of goods and services. The river carries a range of vessels from the hefty rice barges that constantly chug their way downstream to the ferry boats that continually crisscross the river from bank to bank. There's also countless long-tail boats roaring past with brightly coloured awnings while churning the water with their propeller driven six cylinder engines. Oh! how I just love that resonating sound. Last but not least are the tiny boats laden with fruit and vegetables on their way to the markets. If you are not up to taking a tour on the river itself but would love to watch all the comings and goings on the river, then you could opt for a nice cold drink or hot cup of coffee at a riverside cafe or a leisurely lunch or dinner at a riverside restaurant. It's great fun to just sit there and watch the pageant parading past.
Long Boats Cruising the Canals
Chao Phraya River Canals
Meandering just off the Chao Phraya River are a number of canals, also termed khlongs some of which were once the main waterways to the river. The principle canals are known as Khlong Bangkok Noi, Khlong Mon and Khlong Bangkok Yai.Khlong Bangkok Yai is the first canal you pass if taking the tourist boat tour from Sathorn Pier at Taksin Bridge. To get to the pier, take the Sky Train on the Silom Line and get off at Taksin Station which is on the west bank of the river.
See map for details.
The canal itself is very popular with tour boats as there are several temples to see including Wat Kalayanamit which houses a big Buddha image and Wat Pak Nam which is famous for it's amulets. Along the way you can also stop at the snake farm and the floating market along Khlong Dao Khanong.
One of the Bangkok Khlongs
Chao Phraya River Canals
Khlong Mon is the next canal up on the same side just north of Wat Arun. This canal leads to an orchid farm where you'll be able to step ashore to look around before continuing your journey to explore and taste traditional canal-side life.Khlong Bangkok Noi is further up on the right near the Thonburi Railway Station and the Phra Pin Khao Bridge. Near the entrance to the canal is the Royal Barge Museum containing an awesome display of ornamented royal barges. Still further upstream is Wat Suwannaram which houses a display of rich decorative murals.
Traditional Thai House on the Riverside
Though there are numerous organized river tours you can take, the most popular one in Bangkok is with the Chao Phraya River tourist boat. They operates daily from 9:30 am until 3:00 pm. Their boats depart every half hour from Sathorn Pier. Ticket prices for tours are very reasonable allowing you to purchase a day pass for 150 baht which will give you unlimited trips for that particular day. Admission fees to the places of interest mentioned above are not included. You will have
to pay separately for the entrance fees to any additional sites you wish to visit. If you only want to visit certain places of interest then that's okay too. Simply step off onto any one of the nine piers where there is a site you wish to visit. Spend whatever time you wish there and when you want to leave, simply catch another tourist boat bus to your next place of interest using the same day pass. Alternately you can buy a single trip ticket from the Sathorn Pier central office or at the Phra Arthit Pier as well as the (BTS) Bangkok Transit System Tourist Information Centres at Taksin Bridge Station, Siam Station and Nana Station. You can also collect a brochure giving you details of the boats schedules so as to keep track of departure times etc. You don't want to miss the last bus back home. Not that it really matters as there are always loads of taxis around.
Children Playing in the Canal
Return from Chao Phraya River to the Bangkok Attractions Page
|
