Start daily at: 8:00 & 9:30 & 11:00 & 12:30 & 14:00 & 15:30 & 16:30 hrs.
Hop aboard a traditional Thai long-tail boat and set off on a relaxing journey through Thonburi, the former capital of Thailand. This area of Bangkok still holds on to its charm and slower pace of life, offering a fascinating contrast to the city's modern skyscrapers and bustling roads.
During our (approx.) 2-hour canal adventure, you’ll get a rare glimpse into the daily life of the locals who live along these waterways. As we cruise through the ‘klongs’ (canals), you might see elderly residents relaxing on wooden porches, women carefully hanging out laundry to dry in the sun, and children laughing as they dive into the water, moments that bring the rhythm of local life into view. It's a side of Bangkok that many visitors never get to see, and one that feels both peaceful and authentic.
One of the highlights of the tour is a visit to Khlong Bang Luang, a riverside community that dates back to the Ayutthaya period. This historic neighborhood is lined with old wooden houses and family-run shops, offering a glimpse of traditional life along Bangkok’s canals.
At the heart of the community is Baan Silapin (The Artist’s House), a beautifully preserved home over 200 years old. Lovingly restored, it now serves as a creative space for local artists, with colorful artworks. The wooden walkway along the canal invites a quiet stroll through this timeless corner of the city, a true hidden gem.
As we continue the boat ride, we’ll pass Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen, an important temple built in the mid-Ayutthaya period. Your boat driver will pause so you can take in the view and snap a few photos of the enormous golden Buddha statue that towers over the temple grounds.
This impressive figure rises nearly 70 meters into the sky, roughly the height of a 20-story building, and spans 40 meters wide in a serene cross-legged meditation pose. It's the largest Buddha statue in Bangkok and a striking sight from the water.
This tour is perfect for those looking to discover a more traditional and intimate side of the Thai capital.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
- Our Bangkok canal tour operates rain or shine. Therefore, cancellations due to weather are not eligible for a refund.
- Bangkok’s traffic is notorious, so we kindly ask all participants to arrive at the meeting point on time. As our tours operate on a group basis, we cannot delay departure. If you’re unable to make it on time, please inform us before the tour starts. If possible, we’ll do our best to reschedule you for the next available time slot or day. Please note that a rescheduling fee will apply.
- The guide can only wait for a MAXIMUM of 10 minutes after the set meeting time. After the 10 minutes grace period, the guide will start with the tour.
- The most convenient way to reach the meeting point, and avoid Bangkok’s often congested road traffic, is by taking the MRT (metro) to Sanam Chai Station. From there, take the 'Museum Siam' exit. The meeting point is just a short 5-minute walk from the station.
- Please note that during the tour, we may experience a wait at one of the water locks, which regulate canal levels. These operate on no fixed schedule and are beyond our control, but they are part of the authentic canal experience.
Meeting point:
The meeting point is at the bus stop directly opposite Elefin Coffee and Bangkok Bank on Maha Rat Road, just a short walk south of Wat Pho.
Meeting point location on Google Maps:
Highlights:
- Hop on a typical Thai long-tail boat
- Get an impression of local life along the canal
- Visit Baan Silapin (The Artist's House), a traditional 200-year old Thai house
- Pass Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen and take a photo of the largest Buddha in Bangkok
Places of interest:
- Chao Phraya River and Bangkok Yai Canal
- Baan Silapin (The Artist's House)
- Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen (photo stop from the boat)
+6
1,668 Comments
3.5
Total RIP OFF
The description said “tour”. All we did was ride around in a boat and get sprayed with river water. It wasn’t even 2 hours. The driver and tour guide also conviently made us stop to be haggled twice about purchasing trinkets and offering kids beer at 9:30am. The “tour” for 6 people through trip advisor was 200usd. I could have paid 10 baht to a local per person 60 baht total 1.64usd for the same expierence. Total RIP OFF!
3
Disappointing Bangkok Canal Tour: Too Little Boat Time, Too Many Temples, and Poor Organization
I recently participated in a Bangkok Canal Tour, hoping for a unique perspective on the city from its historic waterways. Unfortunately, the experience fell significantly short of expectations for several reasons.
Firstly, there was not enough time spent on the boat itself. The allure of a canal tour is to explore the intricate network of waterways that define Bangkok’s charm and history. However, the actual time on the boat was disappointingly brief, giving us only a fleeting glimpse of life along the canals. The majority of the tour was spent on land, which was not what I had anticipated.
Additionally, an excessive amount of time was allocated to visiting temples. While the temples are undoubtedly beautiful and culturally significant, the tour’s itinerary included too many of them. This imbalance meant that we spent long periods walking through temple grounds instead of enjoying the scenic and serene canal views from the boat. The experience felt more like a temple tour with a brief boat ride rather than a true canal tour.
Moreover, the tour was marred by poor time management, particularly due to other customers not adhering to the set meeting times and places. This caused unnecessary delays and extended waiting periods, significantly cutting into our already limited time on the water. The lack of punctuality and coordination was frustrating and detracted from the overall experience.
Given these issues—insufficient boat time, an overemphasis on temples, and excessive waiting due to poor organization—I cannot recommend this canal tour.
5
Canal tour
Our family of 5, (including 13, 17 & 20 y/o boys) all enjoyed this ~2hr boat trip on the canals, allowing a foray into less commonly seen parts of Bangkok by water, including artist area on the water and the awe-in spiring Golden Buddha and internal artistry in the Wat Paknam Temple.
5
Monitor those lizards
Joyce was great and very informative. He tried to make the experience as easy as possible, allowing me to leave backpack in long boat and even requesting to take a few pictures. The monitor lizards were everywhere, crazy they are so huge. Fun overall experience
5
A boat trip and temple sight seeing
Tour guide Joyce was very friendly and boarding on a boat was fun. He has a great skills in taking photos. Made my legs look a way longer than they are haha.