Thailand is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. People are drawn here for the amazing beaches, great food, and the friendliness of the people. In the larger cities, English is widely understood, which makes getting around much easier. Bangkok, the capital city, is usually the first stop for international visitors. If you plan on spending a few days in Bangkok, you should consider taking a boat tour on the Chao Phraya River.
Chao Phraya River
The Chao Phraya River stretches from the northwestern part of the country through Bangkok and out of the Gulf of Thailand. It serves as a very important means of transportation from the capital city to smaller towns in the north. In addition, many people in Bangkok travel by boat to reach important landmarks and temples along the Chao Phraya River.
Numerous animals make the Chao Phraya River their home. There are about 280 species of fish in the river, with about 30 of these species only being found here. While large mammals such as tigers, elephants, and the Javan rhinoceros, used to live along the river banks, hunting and human activity have forced most of these populations away from the river. However, many species of birds and reptiles, including the Asian water monitor, can still be found on this river.
The Chao Phraya River is extremely important to Bangkok and Thailand as a whole, but unfortunately, the river has become extremely polluted in recent years. Over 30,000 industrial facilities built along the river in Bangkok have greatly contributed to this problem. Fortunately, there are proposals in place from both the public and private sectors to clean up Chao Phraya and restore it to its original glory.
Sites to Explore
There are over 200 sites along the Chao Phraya River that are considered national heritage sites, including religious sites and old settlements. Many boat tours will take you to any location you request. Bring some extra money on this tour because some temples require a small entry fee for foreigners.
One of the most famous temples in Bangkok is Wat Arun. This is located right on the banks of Chao Phraya and many boats will be willing to take you there. Next to Wat Arun is the Wichai Prasit Fort. Built in the 17th century, this is an impressive sight to behold from the Chao Phraya River. The Grand Palace is also located right next to the river. This large complex houses the royal family, as well as some of Thailand’s most popular tourist attractions, such as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Beware of scammers and pickpockets around this area!
Along with the different landmarks, you will also likely pass vendors on boats selling food and souvenirs. When they see that you are a tourist, they will likely inflate their prices. If you see something you like, don’t be afraid to haggle with them. Just keep in mind that this is their livelihood, and a couple extra dollars will probably do more for them than it would for you.
Options for Tours
There are a variety of tour options depending on how long you wish to be on the river, what sites you want to see, and what your budget is. The most economical option is a long-tailed boat. This traditional Thai boat is very cheap to build and maintain, so it is what most locals use to get around. I took an hour-long tour on a long-tail boat for just a few hundred baht, or a few USD. There are options to rent out boats for a private party, but from my experience, this is often not worth it. There are so many boats available, there is a good chance that your boat will not have many people on it anyway.
There are also dinner cruises available. I did not go on one in Bangkok, but from my experience, seeing the city lit up at night from the river is definitely worth it. Most options for reserving a dinner cruise online are $30-45 USD, but cheaper options can probably be found in Bangkok.
