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Things to Do on the River in Bangkok

The Chao Phraya River, which runs north to south through Bangkok, is one of the city’s most important landmarks. Temples, luxury hotels, shopping malls and other attractions are within reach of the river and are easy to access using the Chao Phraya Express Boat.

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Riverside © drtran

Below, we’ve put together a detailed list of things to do in Bangkok on the Chao Phraya. Each listing includes the nearest pier, making it easy to get to and from each attraction on the Chao Phraya Express Boat.

Temples and Historical Attractions

Grand Palace

  • Pier: Tha Chang (N9) or Maharaj
  • One of Bangkok’s most popular attractions, the Grand Palace is a large complex of palaces and temples built from 1782 onwards. Wat Phra Kaew (the Temple of the Emerald Buddha) is one of several important cultural and historical attractions located within the grounds.
  • Entry to the Grand Palace is 500 baht per person. In order to enter, you’ll need to wear a shirt that covers your shoulders, a long dress or trousers and closed shoes. Suitable clothes can be rented at the entrance.
Wat Pho
  • Pier: Tha Tien (N8)
  • Wat Pho is one of Bangkok’s most impressive temples, known in English as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. The temple contains a 46 metre long reclining Buddha statue and is home to Thailand’s oldest massage school.
Wat Arun

  • Pier: Tha Tien (N8), followed by cross-river ferry
  • Wat Arun, or the Temple of Dawn, is located across the river from Wat Pho. One of Bangkok’s most recognisable temples, Wat Arun has a tall spire that reaches between 66 and 86 metres into the air. Some parts of the temple are accessible via a steep staircase.
Sanam Luang
  • Pier: Tha Chang (N9)
  • Sanam Luang is a large public space located close to the Grand Palace and Wat Pho. The field is used for royal ceremonies and official events, but remains open to the public for most of the year and is a great place to take a break in between visiting nearby temples.

Museums and Culture

Bangkok National Museum

National Museum, Bangkok
National Museum, Bangkok © paultraf

  • Pier: Tha Chang (N9)
  • Southeast Asia’s largest museum, Bangkok National Museum features interesting exhibits that focus on Thai history, culture and art. The museum, which has been open since 1874, also has exhibits dedicated to Chinese, Khmer, Vietnamese and Indian Buddhist art.
National Art Gallery
  • Pier: Tha Chang (N9)
  • Located close to Sanam Luang — the large open field beside the Grand Palace — the National Art Gallery is a small gallery with a selection of work by Thai and international artists, including several paintings by King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Royal Barges Museum

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Royal Barges Museum © rogerhoward

  • Pier: Phra Pinklao Bridge (N12)
  • The Royal Barge Museum contains eight impressive boats used as part of the Royal Barge Procession — an important official ceremony. The largest of the barges measures 46 metres long and requires more than 50 people to be rowed along the Chao Phraya.
Museum of Siam
  • Pier: Rajinee (N7)
  • Located just across the river from Wat Arun, the Museum of Siam is dedicated to the history of Thailand and the numerous cultures that, over the centuries, have played a role in forming the modern country of Thailand.

Shopping and Dining

Phra Athit Road

  • Pier: Phra Athit (N13)
  • Phra Athit Road is located just north of Phra Pin-klao Bridge and runs beside the Chao Phraya River. The street is home to a great selection of boutique restaurants, cafés and bars, many of which feature excellent live music.
River City
  • Pier: Si Phaya (N3)
  • Antique shopping mall River City is a great place to shop for paintings, statues and other Thai cultural items. A free shuttle travels from Sathorn Pier to River City, making it easy to access from the BTS.
Chinatown (Yaowarat)

  • Pier: Ratchawong (N5)
  • Bangkok’s Chinatown (Yaowarat) is a good place to enjoy authentic Chinese food and visit a variety of interesting street markets. Chinatown is a short walk from Ratchawong Pier — just follow Ratchawong Road from the river.
Pak Khlong Flower Market
  • Pier: Memorial Bridge (N6)
  • Pak Khlong Market, Bangkok’s largest flower market, is located close to the Memorial Bridge and a short distance from Wat Pho. The market is open 24 hours but is best visited early in the morning as the city’s flower vendors shop for orchids, roses and more.

Other Attractions

Phra Sumen Fort

  • Pier: Phra Athit (N13)
  • One of 14 forts built throughout Bangkok in the 18th century, Phra Sumen Fort was an important watch tower that overlooked the Chao Phraya. Today, it’s surrounded by an open green space that’s a nice plate to take a break from the otherwise busy streets of Bangkok.
Siriraj Medical Museum
  • Pier: Wang Lang (N10)
  • Bizarre and morbid, Siriraj Medical Museum, also known as the Museum of Death, has a large variety of unusual medical exhibits on display. Star attractions include the embalmed corpse of one of Thailand’s most notorious murderers, human bones and diseased body parts.



Boutique Hotels in Bangkok

Our pick of boutique hotels in Bangkok are:
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