Hotels Guide Thailand
Staying on the Chao Phraya riverside, Bangkok
Grendelkhan, CC BY-SA 3.0
Bangkok, Central Thailand

Staying on the Chao Phraya riverside, Bangkok

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Riverside hotels on Charoen Krung and the Thonburi bank. Why the river is a good base for temples and the old town, and how the boats work.

The Chao Phraya River is where Bangkok began, and some of the city’s best-known hotels stand on its banks. Staying here means river views, boat transport and easy access to the old town, rather than malls and nightlife.

Two banks

  • The east bank (Charoen Krung and Bang Rak) has historic hotels, the old customs house, antique shops and the creative quarter around the Warehouse 30 complex and the Thailand Creative and Design Center. Saphan Taksin BTS station is nearby.
  • The west bank (Thonburi and Khlong San) has newer luxury hotels and the ICONSIAM shopping centre. Many hotels on this side run free shuttle boats to Saphan Taksin pier.
  • Further north, near the old town, smaller boutique hotels look across the river to Wat Arun.

Getting around

The Chao Phraya Express Boat stops at piers along the river, including Sathorn (for the BTS), Tha Tien (for Wat Pho), Tha Chang (for the Grand Palace) and Phra Arthit (for Banglamphu). Boats with different coloured flags stop at different piers, and there is also a tourist boat with commentary. Cross-river ferries connect the two banks for a few baht.

Who it suits

The riverside suits couples, families and anyone focused on sightseeing. It is a relaxing base after a hot day in the city. It is less convenient if you plan to spend a lot of time shopping in Siam or eating out on Sukhumvit, though the BTS from Saphan Taksin gets you there in 15–20 minutes.

Hotel tips

Ask whether your hotel has its own boat shuttle and how late it runs. River-view rooms usually cost more but are often worth it, especially in the evening when the temples and bridges are lit up.

Hotels

  • Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok

    Bangkok's historic riverside hotel, first opened as The Oriental in the 1870s. Location, history and what is nearby.

  • The Peninsula Bangkok

    A riverside tower hotel on the Thonburi bank with views across the Chao Phraya. Location, boat shuttle and what is nearby.

Things to do

  • Wat Arun

    How to visit Wat Arun on the Thonburi bank of the Chao Phraya, the best time for photos and how to get there by ferry.