Sunset on Chao Phraya River (Bangkok)
written by vstephanie
on March 21st, 2009
, 2 comments
(3 votes)
After many hours exploring the city of Bangkok by foot, what better idea than going on a boat ride to chill out and enjoy a sunset view from the Chao Phraya River?
It sure sounded heavenly for our aching soles. So we said goodbye to China town and embarked on the Chao Phraya River Express Boat. The good idea wasn’t so good after all. It was after work hours and sweating bodies smothered the boat. Thank god the sunset made up for that!
The Chao Phraya is the main river in the country and plays an important role in transportation, irrigation and trade. Flowing through and along major cities such as Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Samut Prakan, Ang Thong, Nonthaburi and more, makes it no doubt the most prominent waterway in the country. Imagine… it is 372 kilometers long!
When you want to experience sunset on this river, be prepared to have no personal space as it is then peak hour! That’s the downside of it. If not, wait for a boat that is not so crowded. There are many boat lines to choose from. But hey, I didn’t mind!
As people rushed in and out at every drop off point, the colors of the setting sun transfixed our eyes. We witnessed some passing long tail boats and crossing bridges as we continued further down the river. The most memorable sight was seeing Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn – a landmark perfectly located on the west bank of the Chao Praya River. The combination of this stunning temple and its Khmer-style towers with the multicolored sunset made me forget that I was feeling suffocated by the crowded boat. It sure beats walking back to the hotel…
Please login or register to use this feature.