Exploring Bangkok's Chao Phraya River

Description:

Overlooking the Chao Praya River, this chic, Sino-Portuguese-style guesthouse has a view that can't be beat. Across the water is Wat Arun which enjoys stunning sunsets and lights up at night for some great romantic ambience. Four standard rooms are named for flowers and there are also three suites. Minibars, safes, down pillows, robes and slippers, hair dryers, and large screen LCD TVs are standard. The onsite restaurant The Deck and the bar above are worth a visit by themselves. From here it is a short walk to the Grand Palance, Wat Pho and the flower market.

Our Local Expert Says:

If you had to see one thing in Bangkok, this arguably would be it.

Description:

Over 200 years old, Wat Pho is one of Bangkok's largest and oldest temple complexes. For an entry fee of 50 baht, visitors can roam the grounds with or without a guide, stopping along the way at numerous notable temples and sites. The most famous of Wat Pho's relics is the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, wherein lies an impressive 46 meter-long gold-plated image of a reclining Buddha. A first grade royal monastery, Wat Pho is also Thailand's oldest learning center and the birthplace of traditional Thai massage. Take a Chao Phraya River ferry to Tha Thien (pier). The Grand Palace is a short walk from Wat Pho. You can also cross the river from the pier to see Wat Arun. Beware that scam artists (often tuk-tuk drivers) will try to claim that the temple is closed for the day. Don't believe it.

[Note: Pho is pronounced with a P like Paul not an F like a Vietnamese noodle soup]

Our Local Expert Says:

The Grand Palace is a Bangkok must-see, but beware of tourist traps! If a tuk tuk driver tells you that the Palace is closed for the day, make sure to get confirmation. And definitely think twice before agreeing to take the city tour he'll probably offer.

Description:

Bangkok's Grand Palace served as the official residence of Thailand's kings from the time it was built in 1782 until midway through the 20th Century. Although the entry fee is considerably higher than most at 300 baht, the grounds are gorgeous and provide an unforgettable glimpse at Thai history and architecture. Sitting on over 215,000 square meters, the Grand Palace houses government offices, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and royal residences. A trip to the Grand Palace is worth combining with Wat Pho, its next-door neighbor of equal cultural importance.

Our Local Expert Says:

Make sure to plan your trip to Vimanmek Palace with enough time to catch one of the traditional Thai dancing shows. They take place on the lawn at 10:30am and 2pm daily.

Description:

Long used only as a storage place, Vimanmek Palace was converted into a museum in 1982 to commemorate King Rama V and has since become one of the biggest tourist attractions in Bangkok. The world's largest teakwood mansion, the interior of Vimanmek Palace is breathtaking and displays Rama V's personal photographs, art and handicrafts. The expansive grounds of the palace also house a number of other restored structures turned museums, each important to Thailand's cultural and national heritage. Admission is 100 baht for adults who wish to escape into a sanctuary of history and beauty.

Description:

Formerly known as Wat Jaeng, the 79m-high (260-ft.), Khmer-inspired tower was renamed the "Temple of Dawn," by King Thaksin, Bangkok's founder. He was keen to signal the rise of a new kingdom after Ayutthaya was decimated, and so borrowed the name -- which means dawn -- from the Hindu God, Aruna. Fittingly, it's at its most wondrous as the sun rises and sets.

The original tower was only 15m (50 ft.) high but was expanded during the rule of Rama III (1824-1851) to its current height. The exterior is decorated with flower and decorative motifs made of ceramic shards donated to the monastery by local people, at the request of the King. At the base of the complex are Chinese stone statues, once used as ballast in trading ships, which were gifts from Chinese merchants.

You can climb the central prang, but be warned: The steps are treacherously tall, narrow, and steep -- and even more precarious coming down. If you go up, notice the Hindu gods atop the three-headed elephants. The view of the river, Wat Po, and Grand Palace is well worth the climb. Be sure to walk to the back of the tower to the monks' living quarters, a tranquil world far from the bustle of Bangkok's busy streets.

Description:

Call it the holy of the holies. This 45-centimeter tall statue of the sitting Buddha is carved from jasper and is only "emerald" in color. Nevertheless its importance is such that only the King of Thailand may go near it and he does so three times a year to change its golden clothing. The temple is right next to the Grand Palace and both are part of a sprawling 1.5 square kilometer collection of buildings. Murals adorn the temple's walls with scenes from the Ramakian, what in India would be the Ramayana. Visitors must cover up -- no bare shoulders or legs -- and some rental clothing is available for anyone who didn't plan ahead. Audio tours can be rented.

Our Local Expert Says:

Surely the most graphic museum in Bangkok but one is nevertheless compelled to look on.

Description:

Housed in two buildings of Bangkok's Siriraj Hospital this is the all-encapsulating name of six distinct museums: Ellis Pathological Museum, Songkran Niyomsane Forensic Medicine Museum, Ouay Ketusingh Museum of History of Thai Medicine, Parasitology Museum, Congdon Anatomical Museum, and Sood Sangvichien Prehistoric Museum and Laboratory. Most of these exhibits are not for the weak of heart or stomach but the whole project is a fascinating, unblinking look at the subjects. A macabre and yet educational experience, the Forensic Museum may give visitors the shivers if not a few bad dreams. An entire modern exhibit with an accompanying video (with English subtitles) is dedicated to the 2004 tsunami and the work forensics played in identifying the rapidly decomposing victims. A variety of preserved skulls and other body parts and a few graphic photos show the results of trauma on the human body. Serial killer Si Quey (Ouei), the source of nightmares for Thai parents back in the 1950s, is preserved here in paraffin along with a few others. Seamlessly attached to this section is a brief historical section about Thai medicine and next to that is the pathology museum with its displays of afflicted human organs and tissues. The parasitology section in the room next door exhibits tapeworms and the like as well as the massive preserved testicle of an elephantiasis victim. This room will make you think twice about eating improperly prepared food or going without mosquito repellent. Siriraj Medical Museum is located in the Adulyadaejvikrom Building and is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and charges a nominal fee of 40 baht. Photos are not allowed. An audio tour is available for 100 baht plus a 200 baht deposit. Despite the lack of much English on exhibits and its dated appearance, the anatomy museum is also worth checking out. Founded by a visiting professor in 1927, it displays various dissections and a whole range of fetuses and infants in jars including conjoined twins. This is housed in the Anatomy building and admission is free. Take a river ferry on the Chao Phraya and get off at Pier 10 (Tha Wang Lang). Enter the hospital on the right outside the pier and follow the road straight back into the complex following green museum signs and arrows.

Description:

This museum houses several Royal Barges. Formerly serving as war vessels, these incredibly ornate vessels usually grace royal and government occasions. Suphanahong, the most beautiful and well-known barge, measures 45 meters long and weighs 15 tons. King Rama I built it, and today only the King himself uses it.

Description:

Wat Bukkhalo was founded in 1767 during the Ayutthaya Period. Tourists rarely get here despite its proximity to the Chao Phraya River. Steps up the outside of the three-story building take visitors to the rooftop where several Buddha images are shaded from the sun by small sala structures. Enjoy the breeze from the river and an impressive view while sharing the shade with the Buddha. A couple of food vendors are usually on the temple grounds. Merit making in the form of feeding the river fish is quite common thanks to the riverside access and kids typically get a kick out of this. Cross the Rama III Bridge to Thonburi to get here and go left at the other side to find Soi 63 on the riverside and the entrance marked by an ornate arch. Taxi is an easy option but the BRT bus crosses Rama III Bridge putting you in walking distance.

Description:

This beautiful open-air restaurant is located on the Thewet Pier and is very popular with locals, and some tourists and travelers who are lucky enough to find it. It serves a large selection of Thai traditional food, and specializes in seafood. The second floor is actually a deck overlooking the Chao Phraya River. The entrees range from Tom Yam Soup, to grilled fish. The bar offers wine and beer plus a full range of drinks.

Our Local Expert Says:

One of the best places in Bangkok for a romantic dinner by the Chao Phraya River

Description:

Located just a short walk from Wat Pho, this restaurant serves refined Thai food and Italian pastas with outdoor seating that overlooks the Chao Phraya River. Opposite the river is Wat Arun which when lit up at night creates an ambiance for this eatery like no other. The upstairs bar Amorosa enjoys the same view. The hot spices are backed off a bit to accommodate the foreign palate; you might request extra spice if you prefer. There is also indoor seating available but it sacrifices the view. Reservations are highly recommended. If you are just going for the sunset be sure to at least order a drink at the bar. The place is cozy and romantic, so the management frowns on tourists who merely tromp through for the photo opp.

Description:

This two-storey traditional Thai house on the banks of the Chao Phraya, near Wat Arun, is full of Thai history. It is formerly the home of Khunying Supatra Singholaga, a very successful businesswoman and a leading advocate for womens' rights in Thailand. Not only does it serve wonderful food, but every Friday and Saturday night the nearby Patarvadi theater performs a Thai classical dance routine. There's also a small museum devoted to Supatra, and in the daytime you can watch cooking demonstrations. There is a free ferry service from the Maharaj pier.

Description:

Dining while sailing on a restored rice barge is certainly a memorable Bangkok experience. Although there are multiple companies that run these types of cruises, Manohra is one of Bangkok's most respected and reputable. Their gorgeously crafted boats can accommodate between 40 and 70 people, depending on the model, and float down the Chao Phraya river in style. Manohra offers cruises for dinner and sunset cocktails, as well as overnight voyages, including one that sails to Ayutthaya, and a Thai cooking class cruise. As if the beauty of the boat is not enough, the route guides guests past some of Bangkok's most important temples and barges. Prices start at 1,990 baht per person.