Bangkok, the Venice of the East

Whoever visits Bangkok should definitely get acquainted with the 'river of kings', the Chao Phraya, which meanders through the city like a snake.

This mighty river and the many canals (khlongs) gave Bangkok the nickname 'the Venice of the East' in earlier times. Thanks to the many taxi boats, the river and canals are also an excellent way to travel through part of Bangkok without traffic jams. The banks of the Chao Phraya are impressive because of the many temples, with the stately Wat Arun (see photo) as the absolute highlight.

Venice of the East

In 1782, when King Rama I moved the capital to Bangkok, it was a small trading post in a swampy area at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River. The construction of an intricate network of waterways, which was carried out during the reign of Kings Rama I to Rama V, was to transform the area into a fertile agricultural land and the waterway network served as the main means of transportation. At that time Bangkok was called the “Venice of the East”, the canals were dug with a clear purpose. Modernization necessitated road construction and gradually many canals were filled in and paved to serve as a road through the increasingly crowded Bangkok.

Sightseeing along the Chao Phraya

The main attractions by taxi boat can be found in the 'royal mile' and goes from the National Museum and the Grand Palace to the Wat Pho and the Wat Arun. If you want to take a trip, start at the Sathon Pier because it is the most easily accessible. In the immediate vicinity you will find Mahadlekluang, Wat Yannawa and a number of renowned hotels. If you sail to the right along the Ratchawong Pier, you will see parts of Chinatown there. You can visit the Sampheng Market or the colorful Chinatown here. The Si Phraya Pier is the gateway to River City, with pleasant riverside bars such as Viva Aviv and a number of shops known for their antiques. Also stop at Praket to Koh Kret, a unique island in the middle of the Chao Praya. You seem to end up in another world with lush greenery and your own culture. Another tip; avoid the peak hours if you want to take a boat trip, it is very busy.

Day ticket

Two river taxi services commute back and forth across the Chao Phraya River: the public commuter service, busy but cheap. Buy a day ticket for the Express Boat. You can then get on and off wherever you want. A guide on board the boat provides text and explanations of the sights along the way. The Chaopraya Express Boat Company offers a day ticket for 75 baht and departs every 30 minutes from Sathon Pier. Take the BTS Skytrain and get off at Saphan Taksin Skytrain station. The boat stops at major piers, Wat Arun, Grand Palace and other tourist destinations. Along the river, see ancient temples, wooden warehouses and houses on stilts, alongside new condominiums and lavish five-star hotels.

When darkness sets in, the river reflects the many lights on its banks. An evening cruise is the best way to see the lights of Wat Arun, a beautiful sight that you must see and will be etched in your memory.