River and Canal Boats, Bangkok

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N14 Rama VIII Bridge Pier


Information
Name: Rama VIII Bridge
Attraction Type: Pier
Close to: Bank of Thailand
Pier Code: N14
City: Bangkok
Pictures in the web: Tha Chang Pier in Bangkok


My Photos
First Photo: Rama VIII Bridge Pier
Second Photo: Rama VIII Bridge Pier from the boat
Third Photo: Rama VIII Bridge from the boat
Fourth Photo: Rama VIII Bridge from the boat
Fifth Photo: Rama VIII Bridge from the boat

There are so many things to see along the Chao Phraya river.This makes it perfect for a day trip away from the Bangkok roads.The Chao Phraya River Tourist Boat visits 10 pier for a sightseeing tour of some historical sites of "Old" Bangkok.The tour starts at Sathorn at Taksin Bridge. You can buy a 100 baht unlimited all day river pass at Sathorn,Maharaj,Phra Artit,Siam,Nana & Taksin Bridge BTS Station. The ticket does not include admissiun fee to the various places.

I'd recommend taking the canal ferry which can be caught across the street from the MBK shopping complex. Just use the MBK crossover, then walk towards the canal and on the left side of the street just under the bridge, you can catch the canal ferries. It's cheap and pretty fast except that during the middle of the day there aren't as many boats as during the morning and evening rush hours when they seem to come almost every 2 minutes. You'll need to get off like everyone else at the Pratunam stop and transfer to another boat at the same landing and on the same side. Just follow the locals as they'll get off for those heading past or further east of Pratunam. You'll need to hop-off at the Nana boatlanding stop and you'll actually pass the Bumrungrad Hospital so it's a 5 mminute walk back to the hospital. As paying for the canal ferry, tell fare collector that you're taking the Nana stop. If memory serves, it's about 12-15 bahts.

Take the skytrain down to the river, and then use the river taxis to get around Bangkok. You can visit Chinatown , Grand Palce, Wat Po, Temple of the Dawn, Royal Barge Museum, canal tours etc all from the river taxis. These are cheap, and you travel with the locals, and your views are phenominal

The Royal Orchid Sheration is located right along the Chao Phraya River which is where we stayed for 3 days. It was very convenient to hop onto a boat to take us up the river or down the river to catch the sky train. They come quite frequently so you don't ever have to wait very long. Some boats only go across the river and back. The colored flags on the boat indicate what stops they will make.

As of May 8, 2008

From Sathorn (Central Pier), pay 15baht for the orange line boats. yellow line cost 10 baht. Look for flags on the boats. If you are going north, pass through the right side of the pier. Left side, if going south.

I went to Wat Pho and got off at N8 (Tha Thieng/Tha Chang). Walk a little bit and you'll emerge at an intersection. Wat Pho is the temple complex to your right.

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If you want to see the nice temple of Wat Arun you have to cross the river. Near the Wat Pho you will find the Tha Thien Ferry. Here are the ferries leaving for the other side of the river, it is easy to find and prices are cheap!

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There are many ways to travel in Bangkok. Some prefer the meter taxi which should start from 35bath. Others prefer the sky train & bought themselves 'tourist tickets' (250bath for 10 trips). Many hate the tuk- tuk because the drivers always try to overcharge the tourist while others like it so much. You'll have to negotiate the price before you jump in to one & I guess that's one of the reason most people avoid the tuk-tuk .We use all & enjoy the boat service most. We paid only 10bath per person from Pratunam to Bobae...They are faster & cheaper with no traffic jam!

There is a dedicated taxi boat that crosses the river from Tha Tien Pier (8) to Wat Arun for as little as 3 bahts each way. The boat seems to go back and forth from one pier to the other and takes about 5 minutes.

Tha Tien Pier is located near Wat Po.

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The Chao Praya river is a very busy waterway.
Chao Phraya River boats ply along the river during the day stopping at regular piers. These boats are an inexpensive and convenient way for a Bangkok sightseeing tour of the river.

A Chao Phraya River tourist boat service is also available for a day tour of selected historical areas and piers. Boat rental services are also available for groups of 20 or more.

A total of 34 Chao Phraya River piers located along this 25 km winding stretch of river. You don't have to go all the way though, just take your pick and get on and off where you wish.

Chao Phraya River ferries provide point-to-point crossings at various piers to help you get to the other side.

A river cruise in Bangkok provides a very different perspective of life in the city on the banks of the Chao Phraya River.