5 Top Things to Do by the Chao Phraya, Bangkok

You can learn a lot about a place, and experience much of its culture and history, by sticking to its natural landmarks, and there are few places this is more true about than the Chao Phraya river. Also known as the River of Kings, this river has always played an important role to the people of Thailand, and taking a trip up that river can help you enjoy much of what the region has to offer.

Enjoy a River Cruise on the Chao Phraya

There are cruises that will take you all over the Chao Phraya River, offering breathtaking views, luxury dining experiences, and an itinerary of plenty of interesting stops along the way. The Bangkok city cruises tend to be the most popular, and it definitely offers one of the most picturesque ways to see the city for yourself, especially at night.

Get a Taste of Bangkok Luxury

Of course, while you’re in the city, you should make sure that you take the opportunity to stop and enjoy the taste of luxury living that it has to offer. Not only can you enjoy good riverside dining in Bangkok, but with the right choice of wellness hotel stop, you can take the time for some pampering treatments in the spa, as well.

We were pampered to the hilt during our stay at Capella Bangkok that sits right on the waterfront. Every single room has a gorgeous floor-to-ceiling view of the river, and the Verandah rooms even have their own jacuzzi plunge pool and terrace! The Auriga Spa was also one of the most unbeatable spa experiences, not to mention the details in service we had throughout our stay.

Enjoy Real Urban Thai Flavours

While soaking up the lap of luxury can certainly be a wonderful way to spend a day and an evening, that alone is not going to give you the real experience of Bangkok or Thailand. If you want to see something a little different, the Knack Market is one of the spots in the city accessibly only by the river, a night market that offers live performances, yoga classes, street foods, and a whole host of booths of locally created goods. It feels, in a way, like the real heartbeat of the city.

Take a Trip to the Historical Temples

Thailand is known for its strong spiritual and religious traditions and it’s very easy to see this from the river, where you will be able to find many of the grand and impressive temples. There are a lot of temples to see on the river, boasting a wide range of architectural styles and designs, from the historical Wat Arun, as well as Wat Pho with its famous reclining Buddha.

Explore Old Bangkok

Close to the river,  you will also find Talad Noi, a traditional and historic neighbourhood that feels like another world from the metropolitan glitz of the city centre. Long-running tea houses, Chinese shrines, and a bustling market of street food can make it feel like you’ve entered an entirely different city, but this is authentic Bangkok.

Take a trip up the river to enjoy the sights of Thailand in its many flavors. Just don’t forget to stop and enjoy it when you can, as the river always has exciting sights and experiences to offer around the bend.