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Leave the busy streets behind and step into a world of wooden houses, smiling locals, and timeless traditions along Bangkok’s canals.
Hop aboard a traditional Thai long-tail boat and set off on a relaxing journey through Thonburi, the historic part of Bangkok. This area retains a slower pace of life, offering a fascinating contrast to the city’s modern skyscrapers and bustling streets.
During this (approx.) 2-hour canal adventure, you’ll catch glimpses of local life along the waterways.
Bangkok is a city of contrasts. Beyond its glittering temples and luxurious neighborhoods, the city also has areas of poverty and simple canal-side communities. On our tour, you’ll pass some older, more fragile houses that are at the mercy of floods during the rainy season. We want to show travelers a more authentic side of Bangkok, one that reflects local life beyond the postcard-perfect sights. It’s a perspective that many find eye-opening and enriching.
One of the highlights is Khlong Bang Luang, a riverside community dating back to the Ayutthaya period. Lined with old wooden houses and family-run shops, it offers a glimpse of traditional canal-side life. At its heart is Baan Silapin (The Artist’s House), a beautifully restored 200-year-old home serving as a creative space for local artists. A wooden walkway invites a quiet stroll along the canal, making this a true hidden gem.
As the boat continues, you’ll pass Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen, an important temple built during the mid-Ayutthaya period. Your boat will pause so you can admire and photograph the enormous golden Buddha from the water, soaring nearly 70 meters high (please note that we do not disembark at this temple).
This tour offers a unique way to explore Bangkok, combining the charm of its canals, the vibrancy of local life, and glimpses of iconic landmarks, all from the comfort of your boat. It’s perfect for travelers seeking a traditional, intimate, and photogenic side of the Thai capital.
Important notes:
Tha Tian Pier
Once you arrive at Tha Tien Pier, head toward the main covered pavilion near the riverbank. Our guide holding a WanderSiam sign will be waiting for you there.
Google Maps:
You will receive a manual confirmation by email with further instructions shortly after completing your booking. If you do not receive any email in your Inbox, please check your junk/spam folder.
Bangkok’s traffic is often notoriously congested, so we kindly ask all guests to arrive on time. We always recommend taking the BTS (skytrain) or MRT (metro) to a station near the meeting point.
As our tours run on a group basis, we can wait a maximum of 10 minutes after the scheduled meeting time. After this grace period, the guide will begin the tour. If you cannot make it on time, please let us know before the tour starts. If possible, we’ll do our best to reschedule you for the next available time slot or day, though a rescheduling fee will apply.
We understand plans can change. You’re welcome to reschedule your tour date or time up to 24 hours before the start at no extra cost.
If something comes up within 24 hours of the tour, please email us at tours@wandersiam.com and we’ll do our best to help. Please note that a change fee will apply.
Cancellations made at least 24 hours before the tour start time are eligible for a full refund.
For cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance or in case of no-show, no refund will be issued.
Our tours operate rain or shine, as tropical rain showers in Thailand usually don’t last long. If it rains heavily, we try to seek shelter and will continue as soon as the weather improves. During the rainy season, it’s a good idea to bring a raincoat or poncho. Please note cancellations due to weather are not eligible for a refund.
While changes to the itinerary are very rare, WanderSiam reserves the right to modify the published schedule whenever, in our judgment, circumstances require it or if we consider it necessary for the comfort, convenience, or safety of our guests.
You will receive a manual confirmation by email with further instructions shortly after completing your booking. If you do not receive any email in your Inbox, please check your junk/spam folder.
Bangkok’s traffic is often notoriously congested, so we kindly ask all guests to arrive on time. We always recommend taking the BTS (skytrain) or MRT (metro) to a station near the meeting point.
As our tours run on a group basis, we can wait a maximum of 10 minutes after the scheduled meeting time. After this grace period, the guide will begin the tour. If you cannot make it on time, please let us know before the tour starts. If possible, we’ll do our best to reschedule you for the next available time slot or day, though a rescheduling fee will apply.
We understand plans can change. You’re welcome to reschedule your tour date or time up to 24 hours before the start at no extra cost.
If something comes up within 24 hours of the tour, please email us at tours@wandersiam.com and we’ll do our best to help. Please note that a change fee will apply.
Cancellations made at least 24 hours before the tour start time are eligible for a full refund.
For cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance or in case of no-show, no refund will be issued.
Our tours operate rain or shine, as tropical rain showers in Thailand usually don’t last long. If it rains heavily, we try to seek shelter and will continue as soon as the weather improves. During the rainy season, it’s a good idea to bring a raincoat or poncho. Please note cancellations due to weather are not eligible for a refund.
While changes to the itinerary are very rare, WanderSiam reserves the right to modify the published schedule whenever, in our judgment, circumstances require it or if we consider it necessary for the comfort, convenience, or safety of our guests.
We had an amazing time with our guide Peach. We learned a lot, found the best photo spots, and would definitely recommend the tour.
Originally published on Tripadvisor
Excellent guide and beautiful sights. I’m glad I decided to give this tour a try and had a great day.
Originally published on Tripadvisor
Our guide was energetic, passionate, and extremely knowledgeable. It was a great way to see Bangkok’s important landmarks.
Originally published on Tripadvisor
Ken was a wealth of knowledge and welcomed every question. A friendly and memorable way to discover Bangkok.
Originally published on Tripadvisor
Ken was knowledgeable and lovely. He took the time to explain the places and made the experience enjoyable.
Originally published on Tripadvisor
I had a fabulous time with Surin. The tour felt personal, welcoming, and full of local knowledge.
Originally published on Tripadvisor
A very sunny and enjoyable day trip. The guide was helpful and kept the experience relaxed and fun.
Originally published on Tripadvisor
Ken was a great guide—patient, professional, and happy to answer questions throughout the tour.
Originally published on Tripadvisor
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1,668 Comments
5
Lovely afternoon canal ride!
This canal tour and our lovely guide Joyce was such a wonderful few hours in the afternoon! Joyce was kind and informative, answered all our questions, pointed out small little interesting things we wouldn’t have noticed, and gave recommendations. Seeing the Big Buddha, the artists house, and especially just cruising along the canals was such a lovely experience.
4
Disappointing
A little disappointing. It’s interesting to see Thonburi from the canal, but the tour description says ‘At Baan Silapin (The Artist’s House), you’ll have enough time to walk around the historic and restored wooden house and learn more about Thai culture’. However, that did not happen. The boat stopped on the water outside the house and we fed the fish, but we did not get off and did not walk around the house.
5
Great service and experience!
Such a great tour! Joyce was an absolute charm. We only had a few hours in Bangkok and loved what we got to see from this tour.
5
Bangkok Longtail Boat Tour Feb 2024
Hi, we took the Longtail Boat Tour which meets outside of a specific Elefin Coffee shop. We walked down an alley and along a raised platform to the dock where the boat was. We went down canals and saw a variety of homes, empty land or businesses along the canals. We also stopped at a temple with the largest Buddha in Thailand and another stop where you could shop, get a snack or use the restroom, and feed the fish. Then back to the original starting point.
Notes: I would not recommend this if you are physically challenged since you will have to get on and off the boat 3 times. Also would not be good for small children unless you are helping/watching them constantly.
Stop 2: There are no rails to protect people from falling in the canal at the very small shops there. Basically it is wooden walkways then a fall into the water if you are not paying attention. If you walk farther down, there is a bridge that goes over the canal. You can get some nice photos from here. Be careful since motorized two wheeled vehicles zip up either side. You should be on the stairs side of this not very wide bridge. There are a lot of fish in the water and you can buy fish food from the vendors.
The tour itself is highly recommended since it is inexpensive, you get to ride a Longtail, see a side of life which can’t be seen from land and guided by friendly locals.
We sat very close to the front and the boat can bounce in the water when hitting bigger waves from other boats so you could get very lightly wet or sprayed but it’s Bangkok so it might feel good. When going down the canals and encountering other boats, the boats would slow down to minimize bouncing.
One other thing, after exiting the boat at the end, we had to leave the area by going over a gate. The gate is about the height of straddling a bike or a little less. I can understand having a gate to keep small children from the water but couldn’t it have been opened and people can walk out. This definitely would rule out people with disabilities or limitations. Also, why was there a raised walkway on the the way in/out towards the boat dock. On the way out, we just walked on the ground next to it.
Anyways, I really liked the tour and recommend it for capable people.
5
Great trip
A great day out for me and my family. A stunning ride along the river and a stop at a local market. Our guide was very friendly and helpful, giving us plenty of facts and information about bangkok and Thailand.