From Pier to Path
Exploring Bangkok by the Chao Phraya
STORY
See & Do
Bangkok was born by the water. Long before the highways and skytrains, the Chao Phraya River was its lifeline—carrying traders, monks, and migrants who shaped this city of contrasts. Today, the river remains the most beautiful way to see Bangkok’s layers unfold—from its glittering temples and colonial warehouses to creative communities and riverside cafés. Step aboard the Chao Phraya Express Boat, as one of Bangkok public transportation mode, and explore the city from pier to path, hopping ashore to wander through neighborhoods where history and modern life flow together.
Chao Phraya Express Boat
The Chao Phraya Express Boat operates along the Nonthaburi – Wat Rajsingkorn route, with convenient access to the BTS Skytrain at Saphan Taksin Station.
Check routes, boat types, piers, and timetables at www.chaophrayaexpressboat.com.
Thai Smile Boat
Thai Smile Boat offers air-conditioned electric boat services along the Sathorn – Phra Pinklao route, also connected to the BTS Skytrain at Saphan Taksin Station.
For detailed route maps, boat types, piers, and schedules, visit www.thaismilegroup.com.
Si Phraya Pier
(Wat Benchamabophit Dusitvanaram)
Your river adventure begins here—the gateway to Charoen Krung Road, Bangkok’s first paved road and a timeless meeting point between East and West. The area still hums with nostalgia: shophouses with ornate facades, hidden bars, and art galleries tucked between crumbling colonial buildings and modern hotels.
Pier info :
https://maps.app.goo.gl/C6kbfd18BQTADFbE8
Warehouse 30
Just a short 100-meter walk from Si Phraya Pier, this creative community hub sits inside refurbished World War II-era warehouses. Inside, find art galleries, design shops, indie cafés, and local fashion studios—a perfect blend of Bangkok’s industrial past and contemporary cool.
Location & Info
Talad Noi
Older than Chinatown and infinitely more intimate, Talad Noi is a maze of narrow lanes, century-old Chinese houses, and riverside shrines. Rusted auto parts sit beside street art and stylish cafés, creating a neighborhood that’s both gritty and photogenic. You can walk here from Si Phraya Pier or take the express boat to the Department of Marine Pier directly . From Talad Noi, stroll along Song Wat Road, lined with revived shophouses and bakeries, before catching your next boat at Rachawong Pier.
Song Wat Road
Once the heart of Bangkok’s river trade, Song Wat is now a creative corridor reborn. Its century-old warehouses host artisan bakeries, coffee shops, and art spaces. Murals bloom on the walls where merchants once stacked rice and spices. It’s a living reminder that Bangkok’s charm lies in its reinvention.
Memorial Bridge (Saphan Phut) Pier
This bridge marks the boundary between Bangkok’s old city and its modern skyline. Once a project linking two eras, it now houses a sky park where you can gaze at the city’s dual personality—the gleaming skyscrapers to the south / east side, and the timeless rooftops of Rattanakosin to the north / west side.
From here, it’s a short walk to the historic Kudi Chin community.
Pier info :
Kudi Chin Community
On the west bank of the river lies one of Bangkok’s most fascinating enclaves: three communities, four religions, and centuries of shared history. Thai Buddhists, Chinese, Catholics, and Muslims have lived side by side here since the Thonburi Kingdom. Visit Santa Cruz Church, one of the oldest Catholic churches in Thailand; sample the famous khanom farang Kudi Chin, a centuries-old Portuguese dessert; and stroll through narrow lanes where temples and mosques quietly coexist.
Location & Info :
Tha Tien Pier
A central hub for travelers, Tha Tien is full of old riverside charm—colonial buildings, lively markets, and cozy cafés overlooking the Chao Phraya. Here, you can explore Wat Pho, home to the reclining Buddha and traditional Thai massage, or take a short ferry across to Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, which gleams like porcelain in the sunlight.
Pier info :
Tha Chang Pier
Set behind the Grand Palace, Tha Chang offers one of the most beautiful river views in the city. The pier area is filled with snack stalls, amulet shops, and a laid-back local vibe. From here, cross the river to Wat Rakang, one of Bangkok’s oldest and most revered temples.
Pier info
Wat Rakang
Before ascending the throne, King Rama I once resided in a traditional wooden house during his service as a general under King Taksin. After his coronation, he had the house moved to this temple as an act of royal merit, where it became the temple’s scripture hall (ho trai). This wooden pavilion is now regarded as one of the oldest and most exquisite examples of traditional Thai architecture in Bangkok. The temple’s name, Rakang—meaning “bell”—comes from a bell discovered here during restoration, which has since become a symbol of its sacred resonance.
From Wat Rakang, you can stroll through the lively Wang Lang Market—filled with street food, clothing stalls, and local buzz—before reaching Phran Nok Pier.
Location & Info :
Phran Nok Pier
(Wang Lang)
Bustling with life, this pier connects to Siriraj Hospital and the famous Wang Lang Market, where the air smells of grilled squid, Thai desserts, and fried chicken. It’s one of Bangkok’s best street food spots, loved by locals and students alike.
Location & Info :
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ia6kNNSGhaKvwdRdA
Wang Lang Market
Siriraj Museum
Located within the hospital complex, the museum is both fascinating and eerie—a collection of medical, forensic, and anatomical exhibits that tell the story of Thailand’s medical history. It’s not for the faint-hearted, but deeply intriguing.
Location & Info
Tha Maharaj Pier
Cross the river from Phran Nok and you’ll find Tha Maharaj, a riverside community mall that blends local culture with laid-back lifestyle. Relax at one of the open-air cafés, browse boutique shops, or simply watch boats glide past the glittering Grand Palace spires.
Pier Info :
https://maps.app.goo.gl/mHj5z47cJ6ekioUg6
Tha Maharat Shopping Mall :
https://maps.app.goo.gl/jCKLKKYxJwkctHWT7
