Enjoyable Dinner Cruise on the Chao Phraya River

If there's one thing, among many others, that you shouldn't miss to do during your trip in Thailand is experience a dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya River.

Don't you think that everything becomes much more romantic and different when you sail on the water with your loved one(s)?

You can feel a certain kind of freedom, you can also feel that every thing is an experience.

Experiencing a dinner on the Chao Phraya River will make you sail on the waters of time on which you'll have the priviledge to admire Thailand's finest architecture dating from Rattanakosin's era:

the Grand Palace, Wat Arun (or the Temple of Dawn) and a few other stunning temples and homes.

At night, Your amazement will even be greater for the main places of attractions are lit up.

Another reason to give a try to a dinner cruise is that, on board, you'll be served very traditional Thai dishes accompanied by the show of just as traditional music players and dancers.

It definitely is a very unique experience to live, that's why I recommend it to everybody.

Tips

-  If you're ready to dine aboard a ship that proposes this service (dinner cruise), make sure that the company has a website you can rely on to check if tables are available, to compare the prices...

-   For Bangkok residents, I advise you to directly go to Queen Sirikit National Convention Center because it is the place where you can find tickets at the most reasonable price (in most cases).

-   Aboard, the lunch buffet is almost always cheaper than the dinner buffet.

-   Some companies sell packages. For example : Bangkok-Ayutthaya cruise (get more details from the company)

Price

Price varies according to the number of customers but you can reasonably count on a ticket price costing from 600 to over 1000 bht  per person.

More information about the cruise offers

- http://www.cruise-thailand.com/bangkok_cruise/

- http://www.chaophrayacruise.com/index.html

- http://thaicruise.com/home_en.php

- http://www.grandpearlcruise.com/en/

- http://www.whiteorchidrivercruise.com/

-  You must ask the company if you want to have a table for two.

-  Inform the hotel where you stay that you bought a ticket for a cruise. In most cases, the hotel will manage to find you a company that organises the transport to the ship.

-  Cruising time : in most companies, the cruise will normally last from 6.30 – 7 p.m.(make sure not to be late) until 9 - 9.30 p.m.

Amphawa Floating Market : a charming town crossed by the river

Amphawa Floating Market

Amphawa is a charming little town crossed by the river Mae Klong, in Samut Songkhram province.
If you like to travel and experience a very traditional lifestyle, much more different from the one you could experience in Bangkok or any other major Thai cities, Amphawa is, then, the town for you.
Considered, in the past, as a major fluvial transportation hub due to its proximity to Bangkok (exactly 71 km), Amphawa has successfully kept all its charms and attraction despite the evolution of means of transportation in surrounding cities.Surrounded by ancient wooden houses by the river, you'll be astonished to see people rowing their small boats not only to travel but also to sell their products, mainly food.

Amphawa floating market in the past

Amphawa today

The principal attraction of Amphawa, as you will probably have realised, resides in its fluvial activities and, in particular, its floating market. The very fact that this market takes place on boats makes it very special and attractive, but it becomes all the more attractive when you know that it is only open three days per week.
You will definitely not want to miss it, won't you ?

  Amphawa floating market is held on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 4 p.m. until late at night.
While visiting Amphawa, I really felt that I was in a unique place where nothing had changed, as if I was attending to actions of another time.

 activities in Amphawa 

So far, nothing, or practically nothing has changed there. People still row their small boats on the river and sell all different kinds of products : local fruits, vegetables, desserts...to the amazed eye of the tourist.

Here's a list of diverse activities I recommend that you do :

• Taste local food :

desserts, fruits and whatever you like to. Personally, my preference goes to seafoods that are freshly caught. You can eat them grilled with spicy sauce, it's absolutely delicious !
By the way, give Kuay Tiao Ruea a try, it's the best place to try it (Check my article about Kuay Tiao Ruea to learn more about it).

• Visit small shops : 

Fancy a postcard or more? Souvenirs can be bought almost anywhere in Amphawa. If you like painting, you can buy paintings or have your portrait painted for a very reasonable price.

• Take part in a cruise, at night, that will lead you to unseen places of Amphawa. As a bonus, you'll probably have the privilege to observe hundreds of fireflies living in trees. It is definitely an enjoyable experience you won't forget.

Discover the place and meet the locals. It is often one the best ways to make your trip much more fun and meaningful.

How to get to Amphawa :

• By Bus

From Southern Bus Terminal (in Bangkok), you can either take the direct bus 996 (Bangkok-Damnoen Saduak-Samut Songkhram-Amphawa market), the direct bus 76 ( Bangkok-Damnoen Saduak-Amphawa) or the bus 976 (Bangkok – Samut Songkhram-Samut Songkhram) followed by bus 333 (Maeklong-Amphawa-Bang Nok Kwaek- Amphawa market).

• By Van

Take a van at the Victory Monument (Phaholyothin side, under the motorway) or close to Century Movie Plaza (close to the Victory Monument) : Bangkok-Maeklong, one way 70 bht, daily trips from 6.30 a.m to 8 p.m. Once arrived at Maeklong market, take one of the many buses there that go to Amphawa Floating Market (one way 10 bht, from 5.30 a.m to 7 p.m).