Waterfront shop houses, gilded temples, and a traditional lunch await along the capital’s canals.
Tucked away from the neon lights and frenetic buzz of central Bangkok, the Thonburi khlongs reflect a more traditional way of life in Thailand’s capital, and the best way to explore them is by boat. On this guided small-group tour, you’ll cruise along the canal network in a solar-powered longtail boat, passing by wooden shop houses, tiled temples, and a huge golden statue as your local guide reveals the history and culture of the region.
The tour will start just after breakfast at your hotel, where you’ll be picked up by your guide and driven to Bangkok’s bakery-lined Portuguese quarter, Kudichin. You’ll spend a while strolling its maze-like streets to the chimes of church bells, before sampling local delicacies, like khanom farang, a golden raisin-topped cake.
Then, you’ll head to the nearby pier to begin your khlong cruise. As you move gently through the narrow waterways — once major trading routes — you’ll be surrounded by stilted teak houses and overhanging palm trees. You might pass locals selling food from rowboats as you go, an aquatic twist on Thai street food. Many smaller temples also line the route, but it’s the giant golden Buddha statue at Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen that often steals the show, towering over 60 m (197 ft) above the temple.
Finally, you’ll step off the boat and sit down at a sustainable family-run restaurant set within a 100-year-old lychee garden to enjoy a traditional Thai lunch overlooking the canal.
The entire experience lasts around six hours.
Start planning your tailor-made trip by contacting one of our Thailand specialists
These activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences around where you're staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident's eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can suggest tours and activities that will introduce you to the local ways of life.
Bangkok city safari
Travelling by tuk-tuk, Skytrain, or water taxi, you鈥檒l see Bangkok through local eyes. Along the way, you鈥檒l take in the city鈥檚 landmark sites and experiences, from golden Buddha statues and royal palaces to chanting monks and lively markets.
Experience the secret garden of Bang Kra Jao by bicycle
Just across the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok lies the city's secret garden 鈥� Bang Kra Jao. Only accessible by boat, you must cross the river on a small ferry to reach this beautiful area full of small villages, temples and tropical flora.
Experience the Songkran Festival
The Songkran Festival celebrates the New Year. They are colourful and lively celebrations, with music, traditional dance and, of course, water, which symbolically cleanses the body from the sins of the previous year.
Sizzling food tour of Bangkok by tuk-tuk
Sweet, sour, salty, and spicy 鈥� Thailand鈥檚 cuisine is known for its expert balance of all four flavours, and one of the best ways to taste them is on a privately guided tuk-tuk tour of Bangkok.
Street food walking tour of old Bangkok
You and your guide will walk you through the narrow streets to experience many local sights with various food tastings along the way. Try things like 鈥榢afae boran鈥�, a classic Thai coffee, or the popular Thai dessert, 'Khanom Thua Paep' (mung bean rice crepe).
The Silk Route of Jim Thompson
Jim Thompson's house is a real highlight of any trip to Bangkok. The house itself is beautifully decorated and preserved and provides a fascinating insight into the life of this mysterious man, who set up a huge empire trading in Thai silk before disappearing whilst walking in the Malaysian highlands in 1967.
Wat Pho & The Grand Palace
An early start will get you to Wat Pho in time to experience the monks' early morning chanting ritual and avoid the crowds who arrive later.
Witness chanting at Wat Pho
An early start will get you to Wat Pho in time to experience the monks' early morning chanting ritual. Later you will visit the temple grounds and the famous 45-metre Reclining Buddha, and The Grand Palace, Thailand's most important landmark.
You can enjoy this activity as part of the suggested tours below, or we can weave it into a trip shaped entirely around you.
