The Chao Praya River in Bangkok - So Much to See and Do

When traveling to Bangkok, a great way to take in a lot of sights at once is to hop on the Chao Praya River Express. Instead of catching a cab or hiring a guide, take this cheap and easy tourist boat along the Chao Praya River and hop off at any of the major tourist attractions. For 20baht (less than Usd) you can take a relaxing ride away from all of the noise and pollution of the city. For 100 baht ( Usd), you can buy an all day pass giving you an unlimited amount of rides to hop on and off whenever you please.

Make your way to the river and you can catch this boat at any pier. Social Buses, the sky train, taxis and tuk tuks, they will know where to take you. The boats run in whether direction from the Taksin Bridge to The Banglampu District near Khao San Road. Both the tourist boat and the Social boat leave from these piers. If you truly want to save money and voyage like a local, catch the Social boat for only 8 baht. It is more crowded and there are no tour guides, but it will get you to where you want to go just fine.

Bangkok Tour

But if you are a first time visitor to Bangkok I advise the tourist boat. It is quieter, the seats are comfortable and it doesn't spew exhaust that chokes you as ride along. A tour guide will talk to you about the sights on the shores and you can sit and listen all the way to the end of the line. However, you will want to jump off a lot, because this boat stops at every major tourist attraction along the river. These sights are some of the most spectacular in the city and a must for every tourist.

You can hop off at China Town, the National Museum, Temple of the Dawn, Wat Arun and Wat Pho. The nautical Museum, the Gemstone Market, the Oriental Hotel and of procedure the Grand Palace, Bangkok's most favorite destination.

It is an effective and well-run system. At each pier the deck hand ties the boat up as he blows his whistle relentlessly to let the captain know what is going on. Once the boat is safely secure, you can step off onto the pier to contemplate the area in front of you. Once you are done, you can catch the next boat that comes by. Between the tourist boat and the local boat, you can get to your next destination in minutes. They run just like a bus or subway system. If you don't have the 1-day pass, you will have to pay again, but the price is so little, you won't feel bad, especially if you ride the local boat.

You could spend days in Bangkok and never leave the river. Every stop is whether right on the rivers banks or within walking distance from the Pier. The temples are splendid and Wat Pho is a must see destination. The oldest temple in Bangkok, it is home to the 46 meter long reclining Buddha. Lying down, it stands 15 meters high.

Wat Arun aka The Temple of the Dawn is majestic. It stands on the opposite side of the river from the other attractions and its tower stands proudly seeing over the water. Chinatown is vibrant and interesting and you can make your way to the Temple of the Golden Buddha. A solid gold Buddha sit in its walls and it has an interesting story. For 20 years it was sitting in storage underground within a plaster Buddha. It was discovered when a crane accidentally dropped it to spin this great treasure that is now on display for your viewing.

Last but not least is the Grand Palace. Built in 1782 it houses the Royal Temple containing the Emerald Buddha. Walk around its gorgeous grounds and take in its grandeur. This is by far the most visited temple in all of Bangkok.

When visiting the Wat's, make sure to dress properly. Have respect for the Buddhist culture and result the guidelines. In places like the grand Palace, Wat Arun and Wat Pho wear a long sleeved shirt and a sarong or long skirt. Men should wear long pants and have their shoulders covered. These temples are open to the Social and people pray and worship within their walls. Have respect for their beliefs and do not disrupt them.

Once you are done your day of sight seeing, you can hop back on the tourist or local boat and make your way to the Taksin Bridge where you can catch the sky train back to anywhere that you are staying in the city. Be it Siam Square, or Sukhumvit. The sky train is quick, efficient, cheap and fast.

Or great yet, hire a tuk tuk to taste a true Thailand tradition. Zip through the streets in a three-wheeler motorcar and feel the power of the city. Barter hard however and never fall for the scam of a free or cheap 10 baht ride because they will take you to every gem store until you buy something. Once they have their commission, you may not have a lift back to your hotel.

With a good map, a guide book and a firm rule to stick to your plans, getting around Bangkok can be a lot of fun and a few days by the river can be a rejuvenating experience.

The Chao Praya River in Bangkok - So Much to See and Do