The Mighty Chao Phraya
For centuries, the Chao Phraya River has been the lifeblood of the Kingdom of Thailand. Stretching more than 300-km through fertile central plains, and fed by countless tributaries, the waterway serves the old capital of Ayutthaya and flows into the sea at Bangkok, where it remains an essential artery in the capital's economic life.
A visit to Bangkok would not be complete without spending some time on this river. An ideal way to take in the “River of Kings” is to while away an afternoon on an old style wooden rice barge converted to accommodate passengers.
River Scenes
Chugging slowly up and down the Chao Phraya lends the visitor a whole different perspective of Thailand’s capital. The river is teeming with boats of all shapes and sizes. On all sides, cross-river ferries, speeding longtails, river taxis and trains of massive barges pulled by tugboats a fraction of their size haul their cargoes to and fro.
Entertaining, English-speaking guides point out all the famous landmarks such as the Temple of the Dawn (Wat Arun), the Oriental Hotel, the Grand Palace as a pleasant breeze caresses your face and keeps you cool.
As an added bonus to your languid journey down the lazy river, the barge has a centerpiece table full of the country’s delightful tropical fruits. Rambutans, mangosteens, pineapple, bananas and more are offered for you to sample away to your heart’s content. You can even enjoy a sneaky afternoon tipple of Thai whiskey at the bar. After all, you are on holiday!
Living the Stilted Life
Just off the Chao Phraya is a network of canals running through the Thonburi side of the river. Hop aboard a longtail boat and cruise past wooden stilted houses and shops - life on the water is still a daily reality for some, where canals are their roads.
