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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
Great way to see the traditional sights of Bangkok
Great way to see the traditional side of Bangkok in a short window. Loved the floating market, feeding the fish and the giant golden buda
5
Great experience
Joyce was a great guide! Friendly and knowledgeable. Fun way to see the city. You get to see big Buddha and stop by a local artist house.
5
Interesting two hours with informed friendly guide Soiyan
Soiyan was extremely professional as well as warm and friendly
The trip was interesting, just the right amount of time to get a taste of the canals
Unhurried and no pressure to buy at the market
Well organised and good efficient people
Thank you
4.5
Some views were truly breathtaking.
We had a wonderful time on the boat trip, and saw some beautiful and amazing places that we may have missed otherwise!
The only negatives were that we didn’t get a bottle of water each, this may have been through a miss communication, but you really do need a bottle of water on you.
Also, because the boat is loud due to the engine, it can be hard to hear the tour guide. However, I think this would be the same on any of these boat trips, as they’re all loud.
The tour guide was very funny, and we’re really glad that we went.
3
DON’T GO!!!
We were a group of three, two ladies and a man.
I feel awful saying this but the ladies managed to get on the boat, which you had to jump onto from the pontoon. The boat was rocking, bobbing up and down, with no ladder or safe way of getting on the boat, I was too scared to get on and stayed ashore!!!
The ladies stayed on the boat, after waiting 20 minutes in a que of other boats trying to leave, bumping into each other, everybody breathing in diesel fumes, electrical wires arcing into the water from bridges. I went from a bit of a joke on the boat to everybody calling me the smartest guy on the tour. Everybody on that boat wished they had not got on it!!! All 10-12 people on that boat regretted getting on!!!!
Then there was a problem with the boat!
So another boat came along side, they had to change boat, so two members of staff stood one foot in one boat, one foot in the other and everyone had to jump from one boat to the other!!! They did not tie the boats together for stability or anything!!!
At the first and only stop the guide harassed my wife and friend about why I would not get on the boat. Then repeatedly harassed them to take a private tour with him and when they refused many times he then DEMANDED a tip.
He started to get aggressive with the ladies demanding money, saying how rich they were and how poor Thailand is and they should give him their money.
His aggressive manner scared one of the ladies very badly, but my wife is strong but repeatedly told him no.
They did not feel comfortable getting back on the boat for the return journey and took a taxi back to the hotel.
So my only advice is DON’T GO!!!