Thailand’s capital and largest urban area of the country is the city of Bangkok, and is a popular destination among travellers. During the rule of the Siamese Ayutthaya Kingdom, the city was founded at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River where it was established as a trading post. From the early beginnings of its history, almost as many people were living on the canals of Bangkok as could be found on the city streets. For this reason, Bangkok has long been referred to as the “Venice of the East.”
Great ways to see the city
Most major airlines are now offering flights to Bangkok, and at reasonable prices too. Once you arrive in the city and get settled into your hotel, you’ll probably be anxious to start seeing as much of the city as you can during your stay. When venturing out, you will quickly discover that there are plenty of ways to get around and see the city. Buses, motorcycles, taxis, and Tuk Tuks are seen everywhere in the bustling streets of Bangkok. Where travelling the streets is concerned, these are the preferred modes of travel in the city.
Travelling the canals and the river
The favourite method for cruising the waterways of Bangkok and the Chao Phraya River is the long-tailed boat, or long-tailed taxis as they are more commonly called. A common sight as you travel through the waterways are the numerous stilt houses that line the canals and river, which were built in order to stand up to the Asian monsoon season.
Group tours are available for meandering through the city on the river, as well as numerous dinner cruises that are well worth the money. A popular favourite among both locals and tourists alike is the Bangkok Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise, but other notables are the Bangkok Grand Pearl, Loy Nava, and Manohra dinner cruises.
Must-See River Cruise Attractions and Landmarks
According to travellers, there is no better means of seeing the different Bangkok communities, grand palaces, historical monuments, and temples situated along the river banks than by taking one of the many river cruises currently available. The Chao Phraya River is one of Thailand’s longest rivers and measures 370 km in length. It starts roughly 200 km to the north, passes through the city, and empties into the Gulf of Thailand. Visitors taking part in the cruise can control how elaborate their river cruise is, by cutting out some of the frills and expenses – should they wish to do so.
The first recommended site to see along any Chao Phraya River cruise should be the Ratchawong Pier, the gateway to Thailand’s Chinatown (Yaowarat). This should be followed by the Memorial Bridge, a structure dedicated to Bangkok’s founder, King Rama I, whose depiction can be seen on a throne close to the bridge. The best time of the year to take a river cruise is during the festival of Loy Krathong, during which the river is transformed into a sea of lights filled with candlelit floral floats.
