Welcome
on the Chaophraya River
This cruise is both a great culinary experience and while comfortably seated on board,
a perfect opportunity to learn more about the Chaophraya River, its wildlife and its
various landscapes. This might help to better understand Thailand’s history and the
growth of its amazing capital Bangkok, city of angels.
A greek philosopher once said that when you put your foot into a river, the river changes.
The adage certainly applies to the Chaophraya River. The river changes, at times
drastically, with every annual flooding and with every monsoon rain. Alluvial deposits
constantly push the delta at the river mouth and further into the gulf. At the beginning
of the Millennium, in 1050, the mouth of the Chaophraya was located at Phra Pradaeng,
23 kilometers upriver from its present location.
The Chaophraya River system drains more than a hundred thousand square kilometers
within a region representing 35 percent of Thailand’s total land area. 365 kilometers
long, the Chaophraya River is known as well under the name of “Maenam” - “nam”
translates as “water” or “small river”, while the combination indicates a slightly
larger river, or “Mother of waters”. The name Chaophraya first appeared in 1687
during the reign of King Narai. Most Thai’s, however, simply call the river “Maenam”.
The river of Kings is truly a magnificent waterway, one of the great rivers in Asia. For
Thailand, it’s the nation’s life and soul. The river has been a principal factor in the
development of Thai heritage, culture and economics. It has moulded the nation into
what it is today and provides essential nourishment for Thailand’s rich agriculture.
Finally, the river has served as a highway for commerce, linking the nation’s cities,
and served as a protective barrier against its rival.
As you will be cruising on the river, the changing panorama reveals fantastic
treasures from the rich past of the country and new fascinating modern architectural
creations.
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Your journey
along the Chaophraya River
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1
Within 15 minutes from Manohra Cruises Pier, we approach King Taksin Bridge.
Also known as Sathorn Bridge, this two-span bridge was completed in 1976. The bridge
marks the beginning of the Chaophraya’s fabulous Golden League, three kilometers of
architectural miracles, the presence of which would have been unimaginable only a few
decades ago.
2
A handsome building with the date 1901 inscribed on the front facade. It’s the
home of the famous East Asiatic Company
Company, founded by Dutch investors in 1987, and is one
of Bangkok’s original trading firms. A Dutch flag still flies over the central cupola.
3
Behind this building stands Bangkok’s principal Catholic Church,
Assumption Cathedral. Constructed back in 1910, it has been settled on a past church
site built in 1822.
4
As we push up the river, we come to famous Oriental Hotel
Hotel, the oldest (built in
1884) and until 1983, the only hotel on the river. Home to famous guests such as Joseph
Conrad and Somerset Maugham.
5
The French Embassy
Embassy, located a few meters upriver from the Oriental Hotel, is
almost hidden from view among the trees. Built in the mid-19th century, this lovely
European-style residence evokes the grand atmosphere of old Bangkok with its louvred
shutters and spacious verandahs.
6
Upriver stands Bangkok’s principle place of worship for muslims. Located here
is the small but important Haroon Mosque
Mosque. Behind a high protective wall, partly visible
from the river, is the Portuguese Embassy
Embassy, an interesting riverside landmark. Built in
1820, it is the only other remaining embassy on the river.
7
Connected to the Royal Orchid Sheraton by a bridge is the River City Shopping
Complex
Complex. Special art exhibitions often take place here and the different levels feature
Asian antiques.
8
Further on is the Holy Rossary Church whose yellow walls and pointed steeple
poking up at the sky are prominent on the river skyline. Recently restored, it was
constructed in 1787 by Portuguese Catholics who moved from Thonburi side of the river
after the destruction of Ayutthaya by Burmese invaders.
9
On the opposite bank is Wat Tong Noppakhun and Wat Thammachat
Thammachat.
Between the two wats stands the Wang Lee House
House, a reminder of the hard-working Chinese
who came to Bangkok as laborers and amassed fortunes through their relentless
determination. Next on, Tha Ratchawong is the door to a famous and old part of Bangkok,
Chinatown
Chinatown.
10
The next bridge we see is perhaps the most famous, and certainly the oldest in
Bangkok, the Phra Buddha Yot Fa Bridge
Bridge, better known as Memorial Bridge
Bridge. Built to
commemorate the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Chakri Dynasty by King Rama
I, it was opened on April 6, 1932. There is a monument to King Rama I at the foot of the
bridge.
11
Under the shadow of the bridge stands the unmistakable Santa Cruz Church
that was constructed by Portuguese Catholics after the fall of Ayutthaya in 1913. It is
popularly known as Wat Kudi Jeen.
12
We arrive now at the Tha Saphan Phut landing; Open in 1932, this pier leads to
the colorful Park Klong Market and Little India
India.
13
One of the few remaining royal residences that once graced the riverbanks is
the Chaloabongse House constructed by an Italian architect in 1909 for a favorite son of
King Rama V.
14
A statue of King Taksin stands on the river bank, and the fortress Vichai Prasit
is now used to serve the Royal Thai Naval headquarters
headquarters. Its crenellated wall and replicas
of canons remind us that this was a strategic place to stop invaders. In 1688
a war with the French took place at the fortress. The eastern part was ravaged and later
replaced by a palace.
15
Probably the most photographed Temple is right in front of you: Wat Arun, the
Temple of Dawn
Dawn. Built at the height of the Ayutthaya period, the temple features a crown
roofed porch and a prang, a Cambodian style tower. The prang is 82 meters high and is
covered with a multicolored array of Chinese porcelain.
16
Across the river, Wat Po
Po, the temple of the Reclining Buddha, the oldest in
Bangkok and the largest in the country (46 meters long). It is as well known for its
Traditional Massage School. Built in the 16th century during the Ayutthaya period, it was
almost completely rebuilt in 1781 by King Rama I.
17
Later on the west side of the river stands the majestic Grand Palace
Palace, built in 3
years and commemorated in 1785. Wat Phra Kaew, The Royal Chapel, is located in the
grounds of the Grand Palace. Built in 1782, it contains a Buddha image carved from a
single gemstone.
18
Further up the river, the distinctive red Maharaj Pier leads to Wat Mahathat
Mahathat,
the National Museum and Thammasart University. This university captured world attention
in 1973 when a student-led revolution began here.
19
Across the river, on the west bank, we come to Wat Rakang Kositharam
Kositharam. One
of the original temples remaining from the Ayutthaya period. King Rama I lived there
before he was installed on the throne. A melodious bell was found in the temple compound
- the King ordered it to be moved to the Emerald Buddha temple and had five new bells
sent back.
20
As we continue, the Siriraj Hospital
Hospital, the oldest hospital in Bangkok, built by
King Rama V after one of his sons died from an unknown illness. Originally called Wang
Laung hospital, it was built to serve general members of the public when the era of modern
medicine made its way to Thailand.
21
Our upriver cruise is now crowned by a famous boat shed and museum where
the Royal Barges are housed. Thailand’s most magnificent and colorful celebration is the
Royal Barge Procession that takes place on the River of Kings. Royal barges date back to
Ayutthaya time. Each October, the King would travel in his fleet of royal barges to present
robes to the monks to mark the end of the three-month Buddhist Rains Retreat. The first
one in half a century was held in 1968, followed by another in 1982 to mark the bicentennial of the establishment of Bangkok as the nation’s capital. The latest procession was
held in 2006 to celebrate 60th Anniversary of King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s accession to the
throne.
We hope you enjoyed your journey
on the Chaophraya River.