One of the best ways to see the city of Bangkok is by river express or river taxi on the beautiful river, Mae Nam Chao Phraya, which flows from the central plains of Bangkok to the Gulf of Thailand. Fares run between 9 and 32 Baht with the Chao Phraya Express Boat Company. Boats arrive fifteen to twenty minutes. It’s cheap, fast and incredibly scenic. Traveling up and down the river by river express or river taxi are a main means of transportation for locals and tourists alike.
Chao Phraya River Express
Longtail boats and dinner cruises can also be booked for private tours of the river.
One of the main attractions and, quite possibly the most famous, is beautiful Wat Arun and its 82m-high prang (a Khmer-style tower). Early morning visits to Wat Arun, Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Po are recommended for avoiding the heat, but afternoon jaunts are just as nice and not as crowded. The best time to see Wat Arun is in the evening at sunset with the sun sinking slowly behind the temple. Sunset in Bangkok is the same throughout the year, between the hours of 6pm and 7pm. There are many other attractions within the area. Wat Po, Wat Phra Kae and The Grand Palace are all easily accessible by river taxi.
Wat Arun was named after the Indian god of dawn, Aruna.
Photo: John Kellenberger
Useful Information
Admission: 20 Baht
Open: 9am – 5pm
How to get there: Take the cross-river ferry from Tha Tien
Chao Phraya Express Boat
78/24-29 Maharaj Rd., Phranakorn, Bangkok 10200
Tel: +66(0) 2623-6001-3, +66(0) 2225-3003, +66(0) 2222-5330
Fax: +66(0) 2225-3002
info@chaophrayaboat.co.th
hey carrie,
check your email! i have left you a little message there.
thanks, david
p.s. good to have you back.
thanks for your comment about Redpilot! you are lovely! i wrote you a longer comment back on my blog.
one question: in all your travels, where have you seen the best sunset ever?
Oooh. That’s one tough. We make a habit of catching at least a couple of sunrises and a lot of sunsets where ever we are. I’ve been compiling a group of photos to post on this very question. Now I’ll have to hop to it!
Thailand has spectacular sunsets, but I appreciate any sunset no matter where I am. Cambodia, Bali, Vietnam, Canada, US, Malaysia, China, Taiwan….to name a few…are all very different and all very bewitching!
Great shots. I really want to visit Thailand.