Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Long-tail boats are Bangkok icons and can be chartered for tours of the Thonburi
klorng
(canals; also spelled
khlong
); see the boxed text below for details.
DON'T MISS
EXPLORING BANGKOK'S CANALS
For an up-close view of the city's famed canals, long-tail boats are available for hire at Tha Chang, Tha Tien,
Tha Oriental and Tha Phra Athit (Tha Banglamphu). Prices at Tha Chang are the highest and allow little room
for negotiation, but you stand the least chance of being taken for a ride or hit with tips and other unexpected
fees.
Trips explore the Thonburi canals
Khlong Bangkok Noi
and, further south,
Khlong Mon
, taking in the
Roy-
admission 100B, camera/video 100/200B; 9am-5pm; Tha Saphan Phra Pin Klao), Wat Arun (
Click
here
) and a riverside temple with fish feeding. Longer trips diverge into
Khlong Bangkok Yai
, further south,
which offers more typical canal scenery, including orchid farms. On weekends, you have the option of visiting
the
Taling Chan floating market
(Khlong Bangkok Noi, Thonburi; 7am-4pm Sat & Sun). However, to ac-
tually disembark and explore any of these sights, the most common tour of one hour (1000B, up to eight people)
is simply not enough time and you'll most likely need 1½ (1300B) or two hours (1500B).
Dinner Cruises
Perfect for romancing couples or subdued families, dinner cruises glide along Mae Nam
Chao Phraya, basking in the twinkling city lights at night, far away from the heat, bustle
and noise of town. Cruises range from down-home to sophisticated, but the food gener-
ally ranges from mediocre to forgettable.
The vast majority of cruises depart from, or very near, the pier at
River City
(
www.rivercity.co.th
;
23 Th Yotha;
10am-10pm;
Tha Si Phraya/River City or shopping centre shuttle boat
from Tha Sathon (Central Pier))
.
Loy Nava
( 0 2437 4932;
www.loynava.com
; from 1648B; cruises 6-8pm & 8.10-10.10pm)
Operating since 1970,
and quite possibly the original Bangkok dinner cruise. A vegetarian menu is available.
DINNER CRUISE
Wan Fah
( 0 2622 7657;
www.wanfah.in.th/eng/dinner
; 1300B; cruise 7-9pm)
The buxom wooden boats here
are more intimate than most. Dinner options include a standard or seafood set menu.
DINNER CRUISE
DINNER CRUISE
White Orchid
