My first stop for Bangkok visit was to The Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha. After referred to the tourist booklet and reviews, looked like the common and preferred way was through Chao Praya Express Boat. Since this famous river is one of the Bangkok landmark, we decided to take this water transport to The Grand Palace.
As mentioned in earlier post, we stayed in The Manhattan Bangkok Hotel. So early in the morning, after took the hotel breakfast, we start our journey by taking BTS from Asok station to Saphan Taksin station. Since Saphan Taksin is in Silom line while Asok is in Sukhumvit line, hence we need to transit at Siam station. By using the Rabbit card, the trip only cost us 40 Baht and the duration is around 20 minutes.
When arrived the Saphan Taksin station, follow the signboard to leave the station through Exit 2.
When walked down the staircase, we turn left and follow the way. If fact we would see the river when exit the station.
From far we could see the Sathorn Pier, it is a 'blue colour' station.
We read from the tourist review where we could take the Orange Flag Express Boat to The Grand Palace instead of the Chaophraya Tourist Boat. When we reached the pier, we saw many people was queueing and we did noticed that the signboard was stating Chao Phraya Express Boat Service. However there was a lady stand beside the ticketing counter, promoting the Chaophraya Tourist Boat, either the Blue Flag at 40 Baht/way or 150 Baht for unlimited trip per day.
Initially we sticked to our original plan to take the Orange Flag Express Boat but we didn't know where to wait for it. After checked with an officer in uniform, he asked us to queue together with the crowd. Without second thought, we followed the instruction. After queue for sometimes, the boat was coming but not to our turn. However, we noticed that everyone was getting a ticket in hand but we did not have it. So we got out from the queue and went back to the ticketing counter. The lady who could speak English (and Mandarin, I think) asked us whether plan to The Grand Palace, we replied yes and she offered us the Blue Flag or whole day Chaophraya Tourist Boat. Since, we only plan for 2 ways trip, hence we bought the Blue Flag ticket at 40 Baht. Luckily the lady understand we were not aware to buy the ticket before boarding, hence she let us cut the queue when the boat was arrived.
The Blue Flag Chaophraya Tourist Boat was fixed with individual seat. The life jacket was below each seat.
In fact, on the boat we found out that there was also another lady that came for ticket checking. For those on board without ticket, don't worry, just pay the same rate at 40 Baht and you still entitle for the trip. When the boat was filled with the passengers, then a so-called tour guide was joining in and using the microphone system to introduce the trip. Sorry to say that the sound system was not really good for the boat I took, so I not really caught every word that the guide suppose to share. Anyway, the guide was paying the effort to introduce the special attractions along the Chao Phraya River. Those who sit at along the boat side could take a good photo but do prepare to get little wet by the water splash. The river is in muddy colour but really wide. Although there was river wave, but the boat still travelling in smooth and stable way.
Since we were in the tourist boat, so most of us remained in boat whenever it parked at the pier for few minutes. But when it reached Pier No.8 : Tha Tien Pier, most of the passengers were left the boat. For those who would like to visit Wat Pho (Sleeping Buddha) or Wat Arun, here is the pier you suppose to stop.
Those who prefer to visit The Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha like us, please remain in the boat and wait for the next stop which is Pier No.9 : Tha Chang Pier. Once get up to the pier, we walked straight follow the way and noticed that the food stalls at both of our side.
We continue walked until to the road side, and notice there was long white colour wall from far at our right hand side. We cross the road and got close to the white colour wall, it is the outer wall of The Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha. We move towards the crowd and finally found the entrance of palace later on. For travel tips, please apply sunblock even on your hand and legs that expose to the hot sun, or bring along a small umbrella, it is very hot!!!
I will share my experience in The Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha in following post. After visit the palace, we walked to Wat Pho followed the white wall. After the visit, it was lunch time. We noticed that opposite the road (river side), there were food stalls. We took a tasty fried rice there and being informed by the lady boss that the No.8 Tha Tien Pier was just few steps from us. Hence, after our meal, we walked to the Tha Tien Pier and took the transfer boat to Wat Arun which is opposite the pier. Single trip only cost us 3 Baht, isn't it cheap?
During our return trip, we got back to Tha Tien Pier and checked with the officer with uniform. The uncle was very nice and asked us to wait for boat that move towards Sathorn Pier. The ticket could only be purchased in boat. When the boat was come, he was calling us to on board. And this round, we were in a boat that full with passengers, not much seat and almost everyone was stand. Then a lady came and collect the fares from us. At that point we only knew that we were in the Orange Flag Boat because it cost us 15 Baht per person and the ticket was in orange color.
Not like the tourist boat, this express boat was full with locals. It was bit shaky but within our tolerance limit, not sure whether it was due to too many passengers. If not mistaken, there was no announcement on the pier whenever the boat stopped. Hence, as tourist, make sure you look at the signboard of pier when boat stopped. If you notice the signboard with Oriental Pier, then the next boat stop would be the Sathorn Pier, where BTS Saphan Taksin located.
In overall, we still enjoy the experience with the boats and scenery along the Chao Phraya River. Although I heard that taxi could be another option to bring you to The Grand Palace, but I would still prefer boat service as it is a chance for us to experience like locals in taking such water transport in their daily life.
Related Post:
Bangkok 2013-The Grand Palace & Emerald Buddha Part II
Bangkok 2013-The Grand Palace & Emerald Buddha Part I
Bangkok-Don Mueang Airport to City by BTS and Bus
Bangkok-The Manhattan Bangkok Hotel reachable by BTS
When arrived the Saphan Taksin station, follow the signboard to leave the station through Exit 2.
When walked down the staircase, we turn left and follow the way. If fact we would see the river when exit the station.
From far we could see the Sathorn Pier, it is a 'blue colour' station.
We read from the tourist review where we could take the Orange Flag Express Boat to The Grand Palace instead of the Chaophraya Tourist Boat. When we reached the pier, we saw many people was queueing and we did noticed that the signboard was stating Chao Phraya Express Boat Service. However there was a lady stand beside the ticketing counter, promoting the Chaophraya Tourist Boat, either the Blue Flag at 40 Baht/way or 150 Baht for unlimited trip per day.
Initially we sticked to our original plan to take the Orange Flag Express Boat but we didn't know where to wait for it. After checked with an officer in uniform, he asked us to queue together with the crowd. Without second thought, we followed the instruction. After queue for sometimes, the boat was coming but not to our turn. However, we noticed that everyone was getting a ticket in hand but we did not have it. So we got out from the queue and went back to the ticketing counter. The lady who could speak English (and Mandarin, I think) asked us whether plan to The Grand Palace, we replied yes and she offered us the Blue Flag or whole day Chaophraya Tourist Boat. Since, we only plan for 2 ways trip, hence we bought the Blue Flag ticket at 40 Baht. Luckily the lady understand we were not aware to buy the ticket before boarding, hence she let us cut the queue when the boat was arrived.
 |
| Blue Flag Chaophraya Tourist Boat |
In fact, on the boat we found out that there was also another lady that came for ticket checking. For those on board without ticket, don't worry, just pay the same rate at 40 Baht and you still entitle for the trip. When the boat was filled with the passengers, then a so-called tour guide was joining in and using the microphone system to introduce the trip. Sorry to say that the sound system was not really good for the boat I took, so I not really caught every word that the guide suppose to share. Anyway, the guide was paying the effort to introduce the special attractions along the Chao Phraya River. Those who sit at along the boat side could take a good photo but do prepare to get little wet by the water splash. The river is in muddy colour but really wide. Although there was river wave, but the boat still travelling in smooth and stable way.
 |
| View from the boat |
 |
| View from the boat (Wat Arun) |
Since we were in the tourist boat, so most of us remained in boat whenever it parked at the pier for few minutes. But when it reached Pier No.8 : Tha Tien Pier, most of the passengers were left the boat. For those who would like to visit Wat Pho (Sleeping Buddha) or Wat Arun, here is the pier you suppose to stop.
Those who prefer to visit The Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha like us, please remain in the boat and wait for the next stop which is Pier No.9 : Tha Chang Pier. Once get up to the pier, we walked straight follow the way and noticed that the food stalls at both of our side.
We continue walked until to the road side, and notice there was long white colour wall from far at our right hand side. We cross the road and got close to the white colour wall, it is the outer wall of The Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha. We move towards the crowd and finally found the entrance of palace later on. For travel tips, please apply sunblock even on your hand and legs that expose to the hot sun, or bring along a small umbrella, it is very hot!!!
I will share my experience in The Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha in following post. After visit the palace, we walked to Wat Pho followed the white wall. After the visit, it was lunch time. We noticed that opposite the road (river side), there were food stalls. We took a tasty fried rice there and being informed by the lady boss that the No.8 Tha Tien Pier was just few steps from us. Hence, after our meal, we walked to the Tha Tien Pier and took the transfer boat to Wat Arun which is opposite the pier. Single trip only cost us 3 Baht, isn't it cheap?
During our return trip, we got back to Tha Tien Pier and checked with the officer with uniform. The uncle was very nice and asked us to wait for boat that move towards Sathorn Pier. The ticket could only be purchased in boat. When the boat was come, he was calling us to on board. And this round, we were in a boat that full with passengers, not much seat and almost everyone was stand. Then a lady came and collect the fares from us. At that point we only knew that we were in the Orange Flag Boat because it cost us 15 Baht per person and the ticket was in orange color.
 |
| Each ticket at 15 Baht |
In overall, we still enjoy the experience with the boats and scenery along the Chao Phraya River. Although I heard that taxi could be another option to bring you to The Grand Palace, but I would still prefer boat service as it is a chance for us to experience like locals in taking such water transport in their daily life.
Related Post:
Bangkok 2013-The Grand Palace & Emerald Buddha Part II
Bangkok 2013-The Grand Palace & Emerald Buddha Part I
Bangkok-Don Mueang Airport to City by BTS and Bus
Bangkok-The Manhattan Bangkok Hotel reachable by BTS
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