CHAO PHRAYA TOURIST BOAT Contents About the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat
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Hop On Here, Hop Off There. Travel Guide On the River, Hop Anywhere. CHAO PHRAYA TOURIST BOAT Contents About the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat Introduction Welcome to Bangkok, the City of Angels, and wel- come to the River of Kings, the Chao Phraya River. This handy guide is for Chao Phraya Tourist Boat travellers and introduces you to the main attrac- tions to be found at the numerous piers along this historic waterway . From the magnificent Temple of Dawn to the fasci- nating Museum of Siam and from the vibrant flower market to the spectacular Grand Palace, this guide tells you what to see, where to go and, perhaps most importantly, how to get there using the Chao Useful Established in September 1971, the Chao Phraya Express Boat Co., Phraya Tourist Boat. It’s also packed with useful Numbers Ltd. is Bangkok’s biggest public water transportation provider with information, travel tips, departure times and where a total fleet size of 65 boats carrying around 35,000 to 40,000 to try some delicious Thai delicacies. Chao Phraya Tourist Boat passengers a day or 13.5 million passengers per year. Call Center Table of Contents The Chao Phraya Tourist Boat service provides tourists with the 02-866-3163-64 opportunity to see Bangkok from a whole new perspective. With About the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat 3 one-day tickets, tourists can easily travel from pier to pier without having to worry about purchasing boat tickets or getting lost. Sathorn (Central) Pier 4 Tourist Police / Tourist Service Center Oriental Pier 6 Routing & Piers Service Condition River City Bangkok Pier 7 1155 The Chao Phraya Tourist Boat Unlimited rides on the Chao Ratchawongse Pier 10 services eight piers, which in Phraya Tourist Boat from Sathorn Pakkhlong Taladd Pier (Yodpiman Pier) 13 Bangkok Metropolitan turn give access to Bangkok’s (Central) Pier to Pha Arthit Pier Administration Hotline Tha Tien Pier 16 most famous tourist attractions. on the stamped date only. 1555 The journey starts from the Tha Maharaj Pier 18 Sathorn (Central) Pier adjacent Wang Lang Pier 21 to BTS Saphan Taksin Station Phra Athit Pier 23 Bangkok Taxi Call Center and proceeds up the river, Map 31 1681 stopping at seven different piers before returning back to Sathorn Timetable 32 1661 2 (Central) Pier on the same route. 3 Sathorn (Central) Pier Sathorn (Central) Pier Jieow Eng Bieow Shrine Wat Yannawa Sirocco Jieow Eng Bieow Shrine Wat Yannawa Lebua Hotel at State Tower The shrine was erected 150 years ago, Known as the “Boat Temple,” Wat Sirocco (63/F of The Dome, Lebua Hotel at State Tower) is though the exact history of its construction Yannawa was originally built in the one of the world’s highest alfresco restaurants and bars. is a little unclear. One story tells that it was early 19th century during the Ayutthaya Offering Mediterranean-inspired cuisine and sundowner built to commemorate 108 Chinese Period and called Wat Kok Krabue. cocktails, it had a starring role in the hit US movie The merchants who set sail from Siam to When King Rama III ordered the Hangover II. It’s worth the dizzying journey up in the lift Vietnam to trade, only to be mistaken for temple to be renovated, it was (and the high prices) for the breathtaking views over the pirates and killed. When their relatives renamed after the new pagoda city and the river from the vertiginous sky bar. Please note found out, they traveled to Vietnam to invite resembling a Chinese fishing junk, no flip flops, vest tops or shorts allowed and it’s really not Thai Treats: There are those souls back home to stay at the reminding Thais of the ships that for those who suffer from vertigo! three famous grilled duck with rice restaurants in purpose built shrine. Another legend claims promoted trade and prosperity and To get there: Walk from the Sathorn (Central) Pier to this area: Saenyod, that the 108 souls who perished were brought many Chinese immigrants to Charoen Krung Road and turn right until you reach the Prajak and Charoenviang. The actually Chinese monks. Whatever the true the country. junction with Silom Road. The hotel sits on the right hand easiest one to get to is tale, those travelling by water still come To get there: From Sathorn (Central) corner of the intersection. Open daily 6pm-1am (last order Prajak. Walk from here to make offerings and pray for a safe Sathorn (Central) Pier Pier walk to Charoen Krung Road. at 11:30pm). 02-624-9999. www.lebua.com then turn left and cross passage to their destination. Turn right and walk around 100 Chareon Krung Road. Turn left again and the To get there: Walk from the pier towards meters. It’s between Soi 52 and 54 on shop-house restaurant is the BTS and the shrine is situated on your your right hand side. Open daily on your right. left hand side. 8am-9pm. 4 5 The Oriental Pier N 1 Mandarin Oriental Hotel Assumption Cathedral Mandarin Oriental Hotel Assumption Cathedral One of Bangkok’s most luxurious hotels Bangkok’s principal Roman Catholic also boasts the richest history. Since it Church was designed by a French first opened its doors in 1879, it has architect in 1909 and survived heavy played host to various famous guests allied bombing during World War II. As from David Beckham and Michael well as the Romanesque church, the Jackson to the Prince and Princess of area is also home to three other leading Wales. It’s particularly famed for literary Catholic institutions: Assumption visitors like Somerset Maugham, Joseph College, Assumption Convent and Conrad and Noel Coward. They are Assumption Suksa. remembered in the original Author’s To get there: Walk about 80 meters Wing, where today’s guests can still from the pier and turn right into a little enjoy high tea in the beautiful colonial alley. At the end of the alley you will style lounge. come to a courtyard and the cathedral. To get there: The hotel is at the pier. Contact 02-659-9000 or visit www. mandarinoriental.com/bangkok 6 PB River City Bangkok Pier Holy Rosary Church Siam Commercial Bank Holy Rosary Church Siam Commercial Bank Standing out amid glittering Buddhist Prince Mahisara Rachaharuthai, a temples, the simple clean spire and brother of the then-monarch, King muted cream colors of the Holy Rosary Chulalongkorn (Rama V), started Church are a reminder of the trade Thailand’s banking sector in 1906 with between Portugal and Siam in the 18th this, the country’s first local bank. century. The church was built in 1786, Originally the bank’s book club, it now four years after Bangkok was founded, operates as a branch of Siam on land given to the Portuguese by Commercial Bank, and is notable for King Rama I. It is one of the city’s its classic European-style architecture. oldest places of Christian worship. To get there: Turn left at the exit from To get there: Turn left at the exit from the pier, walk past River City, and the pier, walk past River City, and head into Soi Wanit 2. The bank is head into Soi Wanit 2 for about 80 located on the left hand side. Open meters. The church is on your left. 9:30am-3:30pm. Open Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:30pm. 02-266-4849 PB 7 River City Bangkok Pier River City Bangkok Pier River City Bangkok Wat Traimit Wittayaram River City Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel Wat Traimit Wittayaram Bangkok Recently renovated, this five-star property boasts Home to the world’s largest golden Buddha image, Located right on the 726 rooms and two pools. Those who enjoy dinner the three-meter, five-ton Phra Buddha Maha riverbank, this high-end with a view and a breeze should check out their Suwanna Patimakorn, this white marble temple is shopping mall is a great riverside restaurant, Sambal, which serves up an seen as the gateway to Chinatown. After paying your spot to hunt for unique intriguing mix of Southeast Asian dishes. respects at the temple, don’t miss the Yaowarat souvenirs, antiques and art. To get there: Located right next to the pier. Chinatown Heritage Center, which offers a fascinating It’s also home to a number 02-266-0123. www.royalorchidsheraton.com insight into the neighborhood and a history of of top restaurants and Bangkok’s early Chinese immigrants. coffee shops, as well as the Thai Treats: Take a ferry Millennium Hilton Hotel To get there: Walk to Charoen Krung Road. Cross the to Klong San Pier main departure point for road and keep walking until you pass Charoen Krung opposite Si Phraya Pier many of the popular night- It’s hard to miss this towering structure with its to experience Bangkok’s Soi 27. The temple and Center are in the next road. vibrant street food scene. time cruising tours. UFO-like crown. The luxury hotel offers amazing Don’t miss one of most river views from the 32nd-floor ThreeSixty Lounge, The walk is around 30 minutes. Save some time by famous shops in town, To get there: Turn left from as well as traditional and contemporary Thai dance jumping in a taxi or tuk-tuk. Open daily 8am-5pm. Bua Loy Khai Khem the pier and walk past the (Block E 5/2 081-697- and theater at their Thai restaurant, Maya. 5971, open daily Royal Orchid Sheraton 1pm-7pm.) Prices for Hotel. Open daily To get there: Take a cross-river ferry or use the their delicious desserts 10am-10pm.