Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River has always fascinated me—from its historic temples to the modern skyline rising along its banks. It is not only the main river in Bangkok, but also one of the most important waterways in all of Thailand. Stretching 372 kilometers, it originates from the confluence of two rivers—the Ping River in Chiang Mai Province and the Nan River in Nan Province—at Nakhon Sawan. From there, it flows southward through at least ten provinces, including Bangkok, before emptying into the Gulf of Thailand in Samut Sakhon Province. Once known as the "Venice of the East," the Chao Phraya has played a vital role since the Ayutthaya era and was instrumental in the rise of Bangkok as a capital city. Even today, the river remains central to the city's life, serving as a major route for waterway transportation. Many iconic landmarks, such as the Grand Palace and Wat Arun, are located along its banks. One of the best ways for tourists to experience the river is by joining a dinner cruise. Although I had known about these cruises during my many previous visits to Bangkok, I finally decided to experience the city from the water by joining a sunset dinner cruise on my recent trip.
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| After several visits to Bangkok, I finally experienced my first sunset cruise on the Chao Phraya River |
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| The Meridien Cruise 1 pulled into IconSiam’s Pier 2 just in time for our sunset cruise experience |
There are numerous operators offering dinner cruise experiences along the Chao Phraya River. For this trip, I chose the Sunset Cruise by Meridien Cruise, which departs from IconSiam—conveniently located near my hotel for the second leg of my stay in Bangkok. I secured my tickets in advance through an online travel booking platform to ensure availability. The sunset cruise normally begins around 4:30 PM, right during the golden hour, while the dinner cruise starts later, around 7:30 PM, when the sky has darkened and the riverside lights begin to sparkle. Arriving at IconSiam for the first time by BTS Golden Line, I was instantly impressed by its stylish and luxurious atmosphere, even though many of the upscale boutiques were clearly beyond my usual shopping range. The check-in counter for the cruise is at Pier 1 which is located right by the river, just behind the gleaming mall, and it opens about an hour before departure. Since a queue had already started forming, I decided to confirm my booking first and save the mall exploration for after the cruise.
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| Meridien Cruise 1 departs the piers of IconSiam for a two-hour river journey with buffet on board |
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| Spacious interior of Meridien Cruise 1 all set for a relaxing sunset buffet and live music |
When the vessel arrived at Pier 2, my first impression was that Meridian 1 is quite spacious and modern—though not the newest cruise boat on the river. It can accommodate around 350 guests across two levels with an air-conditioned indoor cabin, open-air decks, and a bow area at the front of the ship offering panoramic views. I chose to sit in the bow area to make the most of the sightseeing experience along the Chao Phraya while enjoying my meal. The international seafood buffet offered a wide variety of dishes. Starters and salads included items like papaya salad, spring rolls, mussels, and prawns, while the soup selection featured tom yum and creamy mushroom soup. The main course options ranged from green curry chicken, spicy stir-fried squid, beef stew, spaghetti, and roasted pork, among many others. There was also a vegetarian section and an Indian corner with dishes like chicken tikka and paneer masala. For dessert, guests could enjoy an assortment of traditional Thai sweets, crème brûlée, and various cakes and pastries.
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| Large yellow royal standard flying high, signaling the King’s presence in the Grand Palace |
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| This riverside gem was once the heart of Catholicism in Siam before Assumption Cathedral took over |
The sunset cruise was a delightful blend of flavors and views. Sitting at the bow area, I enjoyed unobstructed panoramas of the river and its surrounding landmarks. The live music played inside was loud enough to be heard clearly from the bow, adding a lively backdrop to the scenic journey. The late afternoon river breeze offered a welcome relief from Bangkok’s sweltering heat as the boat sailed upstream, passing beneath several iconic bridges that cross the Chao Phraya, enhancing the charm of the ride. The views along the way were equally memorable—we passed the majestic Wat Arun, caught a glimpse of the Grand Palace, and noticed that the waters around it were heavily guarded at the time, most likely because the King was in residence. The route also took us past the Thai Royal Navy base and the charming Santa Cruz Church, a historic riverside 18th-century catholic church that once served as the seat of the Apostolic Vicariate of Siam until 1821, when Assumption Cathedral was completed. After the cruise boat passed beneath the majestic Rama VIII Bridge, it began its return journey down the river, giving us a second chance to admire the landmarks we had just seen—this time with the sun sinking lower, casting a warm hue over the riverside scenery.
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| The striking cable-stayed Rama VIII Bridge is known for its elegant asymmetrical design |
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| Wat Arun stands gracefully in silhouette, its spires forming Bangkok’s most recognizable landmark |
But the cruise didn’t end immediately upon reaching IconSiam. Instead, the boat continued further down the Chao Phraya River, offering more views of Bangkok’s glittering riverside skyline. By this time, I was already full from the delicious buffet dinner, so I spent the second half of the cruise simply relaxing and enjoying the gentle breeze and nightfall atmosphere while savoring some dessert. As we sailed on, more guests who had been dining at the tables inside came out to the bow, eager to take photos of the beautiful riverfront views. This stretch of the river is particularly scenic in the evening, lined with an elegant mix of high-rise condominiums and luxurious hotels like the Mandarin Oriental, Shangri-La, and Banyan Tree. Their lights slowly came to life as dusk settled in, reflecting softly on the water’s surface. One of the most eye-catching landmarks along the way is the Asiatique Sky, a 60-meter-tall Ferris wheel that dominates the skyline of Asiatique The Riverfront—an open-air mall and popular tourist destination known for its food, shopping, and live entertainment. Unfortunately, I had to skip visiting it this time due to a sudden torrential downpour the day before.
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| The Asiatique comes into view, featuring the iconic Ferris wheel and the elegant three-masted Sirimahannop ship |
The cruise ended just in time for the city lights to take over the skyline. As I stepped back onto the pier at IconSiam, I wasn’t quite ready to call it a night. Thankfully, the riverside mall itself holds another spectacle worth sticking around for. In my next post, I’ll share more about my visit to IconSiam—Bangkok’s most luxurious shopping and lifestyle complex, including its stunning multimedia fountain show.
Meridien Cruise
Sunset Cruise with Buffet on Chao Phraya River
Check In Location IconSiam Pier 1, 299 Charoen Nakhon Rd, Khlong Ton Sai, Khlong San, Bangkok 10600, Thailand
Cruise Schedule
Sunset Cruise – 04.30 PM - 06.45 PM
Dinner Cruise – 07.30 PM - 09.45 PM
* Schedule is in boarding time and proximate return time, please note that Check In time may start an hour earlier
Ticket Prices
Sunset Cruise – from 599 Baht
Dinner Cruise – from 899 Baht
* Prices may vary depending on the day (weekday or weekend) and the selected boat (Meridian 1 or Meridian 2)
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