Skip to main content

Chao Phraya River Cruise, Bangkok

Cruise on the Chao Phraya River, from the Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun) to the Avani Plus Riverside Bangkok Hotel.

The Chao Phraya is the major river in Thailand, with its low alluvial plain forming the centre of the country. It flows through Bangkok and then into the Gulf of Thailand.

In Bangkok, the Chao Phraya is a major transportation artery for a network of river buses, cross-river ferries, and water taxis ("longtails"). More than 15 boat lines operate on the rivers and canals of the city, including commuter lines.

The boat docking at Wat Arun Pier.

Climbing into the boat.

Sailing towards the southeast.

Wat Kanlayanamit (True Friend Temple).
We turn right onto the Bangkok Yai canal and see Wat Kanlayanamit on the left.

  • Wat Kalayanamitr Varamahavihara is a Buddhist temple (wat) located in Wat Kanlaya sub-district, on the Thonburi bank of the Chao Phraya River.
  • The temple was established in 1825 by Chaophraya Nikonbodin, a wealthy Thai Chinese trader, who donated the temple to Rama III.
  • The ordination hall, stands out on the riverbank. It houses a huge Buddha image, Phra Buddha Trai Rattananayok, or Luang Pho To (Big Buddha) in Thai, known among the ethnic Chinese as Sampokong. It is the largest Buddha image in Bangkok, in the same style as the Big Buddha at Wat Phanan Choeng in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya. Therefore making the ordination hall of this temple very large and clearly visible from the river.
  • See more at Wat Kanlayanamit - Wikipedia.

Passing under the Anuthin Sawad Bridge.

Wat Hong Rattanaram.
After passing the bridge, on the right side, we find the Wat Hong Rattanaram.

  • Wat Hong Rattanaram Ratchaworawihan, or just called Wat Hong Rattanaram is an ancient Thai Buddhist temple located in Bangkok rim the Khlong Bangkok Yai canal.
  • This temple built since late Ayutthaya period by wealthy Chinese named Hong, who was donated funds to build a temple on the banks of the Khlong Bangkok Yai.
  • See more at Wat Hong Rattanaram - Wikipedia.

Typical houses on the canal bank.

Small Chinese shrine.
Immediately before Charoen Phat Bridge, on the left side, we can see this small Chinese shrine.


Kuan U Shrine.
Immediately after the Charoen Phat Bridge, on the left side, we can see more of this Chinese shrine.


More typical houses on the canal bank.

Wang Khlong Bang Luang Company Limited.
A western-style building on the canal bank.


Wat Werurachin.
Wat Wayrurachin was built in the Rattanakosin period during the reign of King Rama III (1824-1851, B.E. 2367-2394) by Chao Phraya Phollathep.

  • The temple construction was completed during the reigh of King Rama IV (1851- 1868, B.E. 2394-2411) and renamed Wat Mai Thongkhung, due to its location at the bend of a water course.
  • Once granted royal temple status, it was named Wat Mai Werurachin.
  • The construction cost, it is said, came from taxes levied on bamboo forests to which Chao Phraya Phollathep had been granted the sole authority for collecting.
  • See more at Wat Werurachin - Wikimapia.

Wat Intharam.
Wat Intharam Worawihan, also commonly known in short as Wat Intharam is recognized as "the temple of King Taksin the Great" (1767–1782).

  • The temple, built during the Ayutthaya era, was restored by King Taksin, who afterwards granted it the status of a royal temple.
  • It was his favourite temple, where he came to stay overnight to meditate and observe religious precepts.
  • See more at Wat Intharam - Wikipedia.

Spirit house next to a house.

Wat Ratchakhrue.
Wat Ratchakhrue Worawiharn, also called Wat Ratchakreuh or Wat Rajkrueh is an ancient temple dating from the late Ayutthaya period.


Souvenir seller.
A souvenir seller approaches in his boat in the middle of the canal.


Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen.
Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen is a royal wat ('temple') part of the Maha Nikaya fraternity and is the origin of the Dhammakaya tradition. It is a large and popular temple, supported by prosperous community members.

  • Wat Paknam was established in 1610, during the Ayutthaya period, and received support from Thai kings until the late nineteenth century.
  • Wat Paknam is known for its charity and a nationwide project to propagate the five precepts in Thai society.
  • The temple is popular among mae chi (nuns).
  • In 2004, Somdet Chuang took the initiative to start building a huge stupa at the temple, named "Maharatchamongkhon". The name means 'a blessed, great land', and refers to Thailand under the reign of the Royal Family, to which the stupa has been dedicated.
  • On March 4, 2017, Wat Paknam began building a Buddha image in honor of Luang Pu Sodh and the Thai Royal Family. Called "Phra Buddha Dhammakāya Thepmongkhon", the image is 69 meters (226 ft) tall and 40 meters (130 ft) wide, and is located before the stupa.
  • See more at Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen - Wikipedia.

Wat Khun Chan.
Wat Waramartaya Punthasatharam, or popularly known as Wat Khun Chan, is an ancient temple in the Talat Phlu area. The highlight of Wat Khun Chan is the worship of Rahu.

  • Wat Khun Chan was built around 1827-1837 during the reign of King Rama III.
  • The architecture of Wat Khun Chan is a combination of Thai and Burmese arts.
  • It worships Luang Pho To, Luang Pho Yok Khao, Beautiful Goddess of Mercy, the image of the reclining Buddha, the Chinnarat Buddha.
  • But the highlight for people is Rahu with a prayer ceremony to Rahu every year to dispel or exorcise bad luck.
  • See more at Category:Wat Khun Chan - Wikimedia Commons.

Wat Apson Sawan.
Wat Apson Sawan Worawihan, also simply known as Wat Apson Sawan, is an ancient Thai Buddhist temple more than 200 years old.

  • What is interesting about this temple include an ubosot (ordination hall) and a vihara (sanctuary) built in Chinese style like neighbouring Wat Nang Chi.
  • Enshrined inside the ubosot are, similar in shape and size, 28 principal Buddha images in Maravijaya posture created by order of King Nangklao, as well as a ho trai (Tripitaka hall), a whole wooden library built with Ayutthaya period art in the middle of a pond.
  • See more at Wat Apson Sawan - Wikipedia.

Monks on the Khlong Dan canal bank.

Wat Mai Yai Nui.
Wat Mai Yai Nui is a monastery built around 1891.

  • The builders, Grandma Nui and Nun Chan, who were relatives, donated the land and proceeded to build the temple.
  • The temple was named Grandma Nui Temple in honor of Grandma Nui.
  • Later, Mr. Naga, Mr. Champa and the people jointly asked Visunghamsima for his blessing. It was granted the Royal Charter on July 4, 1902 and given the new name Wat Mai Bang Nang Nong. The name was later changed to "Wat Mai Yai Nui", its current name.
  • See more at Category:Wat Mai Yai Nui - Wikimedia Commons.

Spirit house next to a house.

Wat Nang Ratchaworawihan.
Wat Nang Ratchaworawihan, usually shortened to Wat Nang, is an ancient monastery built by unknown local resident in the Ayutthaya period during the reign of King Thai Sa of Ban Phlu Luang house.

  • Wat Nang is also known as a temple where a famous monk, Luang Pu Iam, also known as Chao Khun Thao, who was once an abbot, lived.
  • He was a monk famous for his magical spells and the creation of several sacred objects during the reign of King Chulalongkorn.
  • See more at Wat Nang Ratchaworawihan - Wikipedia.

Wat Nang Nong.
Wat Nang Nong Worawihan, often shortened to Wat Nang Nong, dates back to the Ayutthaya period.

  • A large-scale restroration work was carried out during the King Rama III of early Rattanakosin period after which time it was consecrated a royal temple.
  • The king himself came to the temple by boat in 1841, to perform a ritual over the bai sena (temple boundary stone) in the ubosot (ordination hall).
  • See more at Wat Nang Nong - Wikipedia.

Wat Ratchaorasaram.
Wat Ratchaorasaram Ratchaworawihan, often called shortened to Wat Ratchaorot, is known as the most beautiful and outstanding temple in the vicinity and also the various buildings were laid out perfectly and beautifully as well.

  • It is a small but historically important temple built in the Ayutthaya period and later appointed as the royal temple of King Nangklao (Rama III).
  • The king favored the Chinese style, and this distinguishes its buildings and interiors. This is the first temple without such traditional decorations as cho fah ("Thai gable apex"), bai raka ("toothlike ridges on the sloping edges of a gable") or hang hong ("the tip of the gable looks like a mythical swan's tail"). However the Thai and Chinese styles harmonize well.
  • See more at Wat Ratchaorasaram - Wikipedia.

Wat Bang Khun Thian Nok.
Wat Bang Khun Thian Nok, usually shortened to Wat Nok, was built around the year 1703 by two devout Buddhists.

  • The ordination hall, built in the third reign, is in the Chinese architectural style. The gable ends are decorated with porcelain made in floral designs.
  • Luang Pu Thuat (1582-1628 CE, 2125-2225 BE) was a Buddhist monk, born in Dee Luang sub-district, Sathing Phra district, Songkhla, Thailand. He is a revered Buddhist monk who lived in Siam and is said to have performed miracles.
  • Many people in Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia believe that amulets depicting Luang Pu Thuat hold great protective powers granting safety in times of distress, especially saving the lives of believers from seemingly fatal automobile accidents. Older, sacred amulets of Pu Thuat are considered priceless and very powerful.
  • See more at Wat Bang Khun Thian Nok - Wikipedia and Luang Pu Thuat - Wikipedia.

Wat Bang Khun Thian Nai.
Wat Bang Khun Thian Nai was built during the Ayutthaya period around 1757.

  • It was originally called Wat Khanun.
  • It was probably renovated during the reigns of King Rama III and King Rama IV.
  • There are two bell towers in the temple area, one made from wood. and built another tower from cement.
  • See more at Category:Wat Bang Khun Thian Nai - Wikimedia Commons.

Abandoned western-style house on the bank of Bang Khun Thian canal.

Bukkhalo Temple.
Wat Bukkhalo is a temple on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. It was a temple built during the Ayutthaya period around the year 1767. The name of the temple's creator is unknown. It received the Royal Wisungkhamsima in the year 1777.

  • It received a major restoration during the reign of King Rama IV by "Princess Ubonwanna" who, sailing by boat, saw that Wat Bukkhalo was very dilapidated. Therefore, she renovated the temple and even the monks' quarters. Then the name of the temple was changed to “Ubon Wan Temple”, but locals still affectionately call it “Bukkhalo Temple”.
  • The most impressive thing about this temple is the mandap located on the roof of a tall building which is called the “Floating Tetramukha Room”. Inside the mandap there is a replica of Buddha's footprint.
  • From this point, you can clearly see the view of Bangkok with the Chao Phraya River running through it.

Avani Plus Riverside Bangkok Hotel.
Offering views of the Chao Phraya River, Avani Plus Riverside Bangkok Hotel features rooms with a blend of contemporary and modern styles.


See also

Source

Location

Location: Chao Phraya River, Thailand