Chao Phraya River – Bangkok (video)
For centuries, the Chao Phraya river an important passage for the population of Thailand. The source of the river is 370 kilometers north in Nakhon Sawan province. The Chao Phraya is one of the largest and most important rivers in Thailand.
The meandering waterway runs through the capital Bangkok before emptying into the Gulf of Thailand. Within walking distance of the famous Khao San road, you will find three of the city's most beautiful temples on the river bank. Wat Pho, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn. The Tha Tien pier is close to the three temples, you can use this pier as a base to visit the temples.
There is always something to see on the river. It is an important location for trade and transportation. The Ta Tien pier is full of stalls where you can buy everything such as food and souvenirs. You can see craftsmen at work making jewelry.
Travel on the river is a great way to see more of Bangkok. It is also cheap, you pay less than a euro. After visiting Wat Pho and Wat Phra Gaew, most tourists choose to visit Wat Arun. You can cross the river in just two minutes by ferry.
Wat Arun is a temple with Buddhist towers in Khmer style. The Temple offers a beautiful view of the old center of Bangkok. From this distance you can see the boats and the pier of the Chao Phraya River in a different perspective.
Video: Chao Phraya river
Watch the video here:
We haven't been to Bangkok for some time. We look behind our house in a ditch that flows into a stream, which ends in a water. Which eventually ends up in the Mae Ping. That water eventually ends up in the Chao Phraya.
Living in the north I sometimes feel homesick for Bangkok. The atmosphere, the expansive view of the river and, for me, Wat Arun. My wife and I have very fond memories of the dinner dances on the water with the big boats and the view of the beautiful buildings at night.
It is very different from my sailing boat on the IJ in Amsterdam when I was young.
There the VOC was visible and the old buildings. Maybe that's what gave me my desire to see the other side, the destinations of those sea voyages. In the fifth grade of primary school I already had the wish to live here.
It's getting hot here again, the Rudoe rohn is coming again. Five days by the sea, in beautiful weather, with no rain to spoil the game. A bit much to ask for IJmuiden, but possible here in paradise. Save up a bit and then maybe we can go to Cha-am for a few days.
Coincidentally sailed on that river for the first time today. With the Skytrain from Nana to Saphan Taksin (change to Siam), boarded the first boat at the pier, towards Grand Palace. Pay at the counter first. Completely wrong - it was such a fast long-tail boat that charged 200 baht. Not a disaster for once, but I should have just been more careful………… Back with the 'regular' boat which is a bit slower and visits all stops: 15 baht……………
Apart from the costs, there is another good reason not to take such a long-tail boat: they sail fast and therefore go wild (little stability) and that makes it difficult to take pictures. It looks like those boats have a converted car engine as a propulsion.
Traveling on the Chao Praya is really just a regular boat service.
Convenience, speed and no busy traffic roads.
The skill of mooring sometimes differs from captain to captain.
Just take the first boat in the morning from Sathorn Taksin to Pakkret, the green flag boat.
You see a beautiful sunrise, the temples on the river, the boats with fishermen. Children and adults washing in the river.
The tourist boat is often recommended, 40 baht or a day ticket 150 baht. However, the orange flag boat costs 15 baht and stops at all jetties.
You also have the yellow flag which does not stop at all jetties.
On each jetty you have the flags which boat moors there.
Just orient yourself where you want to go.
From Ratchawong, for example, it is only a 10-minute walk to Hua Lampong, right through China Town.
From Khaosan road you also walk in 10 minutes to Fan Faa where you get on the boat to, for example, Bo bae, MBK or Pantip Plaza.
The boat is my favourite. I use this means of transport at least a few times a week.
me every working day, twice.
Made a business trip in the 90s from northern Bangkok to the sea for 3 people. Jan, Hetty and Ton.
Boat with propeller far behind. Impressive in Bangkok all palaces and temples. Wat Arun made a big impression on me. Further to the sea the Thai life on the water. Impressions poor but happy. The harbour, ships moored at the buoys, reminded of Rdam. When the boat got too much swell at the harbor mouth. (HvH feeling) we are reversed. And lazy back to the luxury hotel due to the heat.
In the meantime, after 10 years, I have visited the river several times and have been able to see Wat Arun again from the top hospital Sirijah. Visited Wat Arun last year, this temple gives me a very special feeling. My timeline? Boats, religion, beautiful.
I also 'climbed' the Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun) two years ago. What is that steep! Climbing is still safe, but descending is quite dangerous.
This video recording is very restless and hardly gives a good impression of the ups and downs of the Chao Praya River. A video recording made from the bridge of the boat gives a much clearer picture.
A tour with the Tourist Boat is recommended. Costs approx. BTH 100,00 pp. During the cruise, a guide will provide an extensive explanation in English. Departures are every half hour. On departure you will receive a guide in which the piers where mooring will be moored are briefly explained. A must during this cruise is a visit to China Town. The pier from which the Tourist Boat starts can be reached by Sky Train from Sathorn Taksin station. This is really recommended.
I always thought that river was called the 'Menam'?
OK, the name.
Full in Thai แม่น้ำเจ้าพระยา Mae Naam Chao Phrayaa (tones falling, high, falling, high, middle)
Ma Nam. Mae is mother and Nam is water. Together that means river. Mae in this case is a title as in Moeder Teresa (or Vadertje Drees, literally 'the Honored Water', a river.
Chao Phrayaa is the old highest civil title of civil service.
'Mae Nam' precedes the name of the river.
Wonderful movie!
One of the most fun things to do, boating up and down the river.