Chao Phraya River, Bangkok

Jack’s Bar - as we nicknamed it - is a very rustic little place on the Chao Phraya River. Great for chilling out, people watching and taking in the atmosphere of the comings and goings of this busy river.

Jack himself is a real character; if he’s not serving you your drink, he can be found negotiating river trips on either a long tail boat or similar from the public pier or playing with his 3 adorable puppies or feeding his big, fat toad in his ornamental pond or, practising his golf swing off the end of the public pier!

If you’re staying at the Shangri La it’s ideally located – from the entrance gateway of the main wing, turn left and it’s just a few steps down to the river. If you’re staying at the Peninsula, it’s also conveniently situated – take the hotel boat straight across the river and from the Peninsular Pier reception lobby, turn right.
Address is roughly: Charoendrung Rd 42/1, Bangkok, Thailand

A G&T cost £2 – a bargain and with a great watching spot and a different perspective of the Chao Phraya River.

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I first heard about Koh Kred (or Koh Kret) from fellow VTer, "TheDouglas". Thought I will check it out myself one good day.

That one good day finally arrived. In fact, it was so good that it was too hot to explore the island, especially after noon day. Felt that I could fry an egg on top of my head.

Koh Kred was created in the Chao Phraya River through digging a canal around a cape in 1722. There was no island originally. As the current diverted while making the canal larger, the island was formed.

Today, the island is popular with the locals as a day trip destination. It is home to the Mon people, and they are renowned for their pottery. In fact, there are 2 pottery villages on the island and it is in these villages where activities were centered.

While there is supposedly a river express boat every Sunday bringing city folks to the island, my entourage arrived at Pak Kred, just across the river via taxi. It was just a 30-40 mins ride from the city. Thereafter, we hop onto a hired speedboat and crossed the river.

We landed at the southern part of the island, away from the main activities. There is a concrete path linking the entire island where motorbikes do good business ferrying people around as an "island taxi". You can't miss them - the drivers wear red vests. It is said that one needs an 1-2 hours stroll to circumnavigate the island. It took us almost 1 hour to travel from the south to the northeast (where the villages are) in repressive heat. Not that we did not enjoy ourselves. There were rustic villages and cosy temples dusting the road and it was refreshing to be away from the greyish concrete to embrace lush greens. (Singaporeans: Think Pulau Ubin) Like Pulau Ubin, you can hire bicycles in the villages for easier exploration.

The villages were swarmed with weekend merrymakers, mostly locals, out for a hunt of good bargains. There is a Sunday market here, full of stalls and shops selling hand-made trinklets, jewelries, furniture and of course, the famed quintessential potteries. My entourage carted back lovely clay aromatherapy urns, quaint motiffed plates and fanciful hand-made wind charms, with prices not seen in Bangkok.

Local stalls were selling plenty of local food and snacks as well - including deep fried wild flowers ala Tempura style and steamed coconut puddings.

On the far deep northeast end of the island, look out for Wat Paramaiyikawat, a snow white stupa, tilting to one side ala the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and adorned with a deep red sash in the middle. This is seemingly the most famous landmark on the island.

You can also learn more about the island through Wikitravels' page on Koh Kret.

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This is the King of Rivers which you can sail by the Chao Phraya River Ferry. The boat trip is really a worthwhile, which we did coming from Khao San Road going to the Oriental. At each pier, the boat hands plead to the crowd to keep a "cool heart" and allow the gap between dock and boat to subside before disembarking or boarding! Get aboard as quick as possible!

And ... a charming lady all in hippie style, dared to ask 400 THB per person when we wanted to enter the pier. An unsuspecting tourist would have payed her.

It is good to know the boat trip only cost 10 THB, just like by a river-bus. You pay and get your ticket within the boat. You'll love it, the cool breeze, watching some famous spots (we saw the Grand Palace and the Temple of Dawn), some Thai kids splashin' around ...

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We took a ferry to Thewes - and immediately at the exit, this market is upon you - well after the many taxi, tuktuk and moto taxis are upon you! A feast for eyes - even for a non-gardener such as me! In such an often dreary landscape, this healthy and colourful display was truly beautiful!

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Along Chao Phraya River we can see so many various fishes which can be consumed by people who live along this river.But the strange goes to one of the Vihara/Wat along Chao Phraya. [Forget the name].There's only one white fish among thousand cat fishes[black] in this River, live here.Persicely in front of the Vihara/Wat.... Some says if u see this extinc fish in this river...it will bring you the good luck in future...Just Pray and all your wishes come true.That's what people say abt .
And we saw it!!!.I saw the White Cat Fish!!!The one and only.
We can feed them from boat and they will surround us.What greedy fishes!!!

It might not be the best place to watch a sunset regarding all the pollution that covers the city. However, it is nice enough to be able to catch one along Chao Praya river, our main river in Bangkok. Whether you watch it while cruising or having a dinner at a place along the river.. Sunsetting sets a different mood to Bangkok.

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The boat trip on the Chaophraya river is marvelous, inspite of the rainy day - from an elephant ride through the djungle - over to a boat trip in many parts of Thailand.