To those wondering how and when Bangkok was christened the ‘Venice of the East’, one visit to the Chao Phraya River is all it is going to take to be sure that no other name would do the location any justice. The river itself trips over rocks and twirls its way for over three hundred kilometers before emptying into the ocean. The banks border some peaceful, laid-back villages most of the time, but some stretches bustle with activity and there are plenty of ferry sharks and eager merchants awaiting gullible customers who will purchase their goods.
The cruise along the river could easily involve visits to Buddhist temples as approximately ten of them flank either side of the Chao Phraya in the fraction of the river that is directly accessible from the Bangkok piers. The Wat Arun, Wat Prasat and Wat Paknam are some of the temples, where ‘Wat’ translates to temple or shrine. In addition, the stream also receives the blessings of the first Presbyterian Church formed in Bangkok.
The canals and the main stream both take you to the Orchid Farm, Snake Farm, Floating Market and the Royal Barge Museum. All of which are hallowed national icons that have helped Bangkok gain international fame among people of all walks of life. These floating market vendors draw up to cruising liners and vend the fresh fruits and vegetables, along with the local handicraft items they keep strapped onto the canoe-like boats they use. The age-old grandeur of the Royal Palace and the pride of the Royal Thai Navy Dockyard can be witnessed from the sun deck of a ferry or the dodgy seats of a motor boat.
This is an ideal spot for a Bangkok Cruise Tour as it is not only about the sights and views, but also a cross section of Thai life that is seen along the shores of the river. The rivers of Thailand are famous for floating markets that are best enjoyed through a range of Bangkok Cruises. Even the most elite of hotels organise boat rides across the river, and Anantara Cruises Thailand offers excursions that are enjoyed by all who experience Thailand’s most exciting waterway through the company.
Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and hopes to visit them all someday. Google+
