Joanna James
As some of the best ways to discover the Thai capital, river cruises and other water bound travel options are part and parcel of Bangkok's tour experience. Here are some of the city's top cruises.
Often regarded as one of the most intriguing and unique features of the Thai capital the floating markets of Bangkok are some of the top tourist attractions for a good reason. As floating commercial spaces the boat shops or water bound vendors crisscross one another in the kalongs or canals of the Chao Praya River as they have for centuries and there's no better way to discover this strange thoroughfare than on a river tour of Damnoen Saduak Floating Market or any other floating market of your choice. Available through several tour operators the floating market tours offer visitors not only a cultural encounter but also a retail experience like no other. Don't forget to purchase some fresh fruits or a bowl of noodles from the little old ladies selling wares from their boats.
Ideal for those who are looking for an engaging day time river cruise option along the Chao Praya River a cruise on board a converted rice barge is also one of the most romantic river tours available. The vessels that are used for this particular tour variety were once employed to transport rice along the River of Kings but have now been transformed to serve as luxurious sailing boats. Equipped with modern conveniences the rice barges still retain their old world charm and serve as a potent reminder of the city's river faring legacy.
Often regarded as the most popular cruise in Bangkok the Chao Praya Dinner Cruise comes in all shapes and sizes from a variety of tour operators including Anantara Cruises among countless others. Setting out in the veil of night the dinner cruises also include a scrumptious Thai buffet meal as the tour title suggests. Witnessing the city skyline by night the cruise allows visitors the chance to discover the many landmarks occupying the banks of the river illuminated in a myriad colors. Some dinner cruises also include champagne and traditional cultural showcases. Perfect for those who are in the Thai capital for a limited period of time the cruise provides an all encompassing view of the city in all its splendour.
This is a river cruise option for those with an interest in the intricate network of klongs or canals that are part of the Chao Praya River's Bangkok quarter and the communities that call it home. Having served the residence of many boat vendors and other communities for centuries the backwaters of the River of Kings is a complex eco system that is not only comprised of the floating markets but the multitudes that call the river their home and workplace. Occupying the river's fringes, nooks and crannies the river communities are more than the lifeblood of the river and its commercial potential and a tour among the klongs will give visitors a new found appreciation for the occupants of the channels.
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A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
