How to Navigate on Chao Phraya River - Guide to Exploring and Travelling along the River of Kings

 As the principal body of water that cuts across the Thai capital, no tour of Bangkok would be complete without exploring the River of Kings or the Chao Phraya River. Serving as the hotbed of the city's cultural attractions and landmarks, the banks of the river are home to some of the most iconic points of interest in all of Thailand. From uncovering its main highlights to wandering down its channels, here are some guidelines on navigating the Chao Phraya River.

Image by iSAW Company from Pixabay 

 1. Secure a Strategic Base

Those who wish to explore all of the attractions and activity hubs along the shores of the Chao Phraya River must first and foremost secure a riverside base. While it is possible to tour the riverside even if one is staying at Bangkok resorts in the CBD, the accommodation hotspots located on the banks of the river provide visitors with more opportunities to discover the magic of the Bangkok riverside. So whether you select the Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort or any other hotel, make sure the venue offers easy access to the key landmarks and modes of water-bound transport available along the Chao Phraya River.

2. Choose Your Vessel

When it comes to navigating your way around the riverside, there are two main modes of transport to choose from. The Chao Phraya Express Boats are perhaps the most easily available as they bear different colour flags (yellow, green, orange) with the orange flagged vessels operating daily ferrying locals and tourists from one shore to another. Chao Phraya Express Boats with green or yellow flags only operate on weekdays (Monday to Friday) from around 6 am to 10 pm. Ticket prices are very affordable, especially when compared to transport fares in the inner city area and it is possible to purchase tickets from any pier. Boats typically arrive every 5 minutes but some are only available every half an hour. Don't lose the ticket as it is necessary to hold on to it till the end of the journey.  A Chao Phraya Tourist Boat pass will also come in hand for those who wish to hop and hop off this tour boat which runs from 9.30 am to 7 pm along the length of the river, stopping at main attractions.

 3. Sign Up for a Temple Tour

There's no better way to discover the beauty of the Bangkok riverside and the Chao Praya River's major landmarks than with a temple tour. Most temple tours in the city start off with the Grand Palace where one finds Wat Pho and continues along to some of the most exquisite religious highlights on the river, including the Temple of Dawn or Wat Arun. Wat Traimit, Wat Rakhang and Wat Prayun Wongsawat.

 4. Shop at the Floating Markets

Occupying pride of place on the Chao Praya River, the floating markets of Bangkok are not only a retail Mecca for the masses but a cultural hotspot in their own right. With so many vendors on long-tail boats crowded around the area, shoppers can purchase everything from fresh fruits and veggies to Pad Thai and souvenirs at this one of a kind thoroughfare.

5. Tour the Khlongs

The canals of the Chao Praya River have been home to Bangkok's river-dwelling community since the nation's capital was first moved from Ayutthaya to the shores of this mammoth body of water. Living in stilted homes, visitors who tour these intricate channels can witness people going about their day in their wooden homes on the river.

6. Embark on a Dinner Cruise

Usually hosted on converted rice barges, dinner cruises are perhaps the most romantic way to travel along the river and witness its majesty in the veil of night.