Chao Phraya River Bangkok

Also known as Mae Nam Chao Phraya, the Chao Phraya River lies at the heart of the world's most popular capital city, Bangkok! Providing transportation, water, and great views the river has been the lifeblood of the city since the city was founded hundreds of years ago. Today it teems with boats both big and small, providing freight and passenger services to locals and tourists alike. The river runs in from the north, past the old royal quarter on the east bank and the temple-lined Thonburi bank opposite, and out to the Gulf of Thailand in the south. The guides linked from here cover the river's boats, temples, bridges and riverside districts. The story of how the river made Bangkok, from the kingdoms that came before it to the city you came to see, is on our history of the Chao Phraya River page.

Getting onto the Water

The Chao Phraya is a working river, and the simplest way to see it is to ride it. Color-coded express boats (the river bus) run scheduled lines between numbered piers and call at the old-city piers for the Grand Palace and Wat Pho, and at the BTS Skytrain interchange at Saphan Taksin. Buy your ticket on board from the conductress if the pier office is closed, and check which flag you are boarding before you commit. First trip? Our first-time Bangkok water bus guide walks you from the pier gate to a seat, and the express boat and river bus guide covers which line goes where.

What to See Along the River

Many of Bangkok's oldest monuments stand within a short walk of a pier, which is why the river is the easiest way to string them together. The Grand Palace and Wat Pho stand on the east bank at the old city, with Wat Arun facing them across the water, and our Wat Arun and Grand Palace guide covers all three. Dinner cruises leave from the riverside piers, and the river cruise booking guide sets out what each one includes. The bridges and the floating markets are the other two subjects worth planning a day around.

How to Reach the River

The river is easy to reach on public transport: the BTS Skytrain at Saphan Taksin drops you at the water, the MRT stops within walking distance of several old-city piers, and local buses run to the old city. If you are coming from the airport, from a hotel away from the river or from another part of the city, our Chao Phraya River location and how to get there page covers the routes from the airport, from Sukhumvit Road and from the main riverside hotels. Once you are at the water, the old-city piers are a short walk from the palace and the temples.

🗺️ Complete Travel Guides

On the River:

• Royal Barge Precession
• Chaophraya Express Boat
• Chao Phraya River picture gallery

History AND the River

The river has been at the heart of the city of Bangkok since it was founded in 1782, and even before when the city was the built by King Taksin when he established new capital of Thonburi.

As early as 1538 there was a town at the mouth of the Chao Phraya river as it offered a perfect spot with access to fresh water, access to the sea, and land as well.