dkerr99

This has probably been asked many times before - but need advice on logistics for a long boat tour. I want to take about a 2 hour tour in late afternoon when we arrive in Bangkok in early August. I THINK that it costs 500-600 B per hour for a boat - but some questions :

1) I'm staying at Grande Majestic on Sukhumvit so I think we will take the skytrain to the river - but where do we go from there? (i think there is one station right at the river in the south end). I've heard that Tha Chang is one of the better piers to get a boat but that seems difficult to get to from where we are.
2) I'd like to see a variety of things - like Wat Arun on the main river, but also (maybe even more) to travel on the small canals to get a better taste of "real Bangkok". Are there any recommendations for a route I could ask for?
3) Can we assume that we can get on and off and have the boat captain wait for us?

thanks

Craig

Others will chime in on this but here's my two cents:

You can take the skytrain to the river and arrange a klong tour at the pier to the left as you face the river. I don't think it really matters where you arrange your tour - you will most likely get the "standard" tour, although it doesn't hurt to make special requests i.e. you would rather not visit the Royal Barges. You will get a good taste for the "real" Bangkok once you leave the Chao Phraya and pass through the locks. I don't think it is particularly realistic to get on and off as the boat drivers don't speak English. You can get off at Wat Arun however as they are used to that - I believe there is a set amount of time that they give you to visit. You will see more activity on an afternoon trip than you will in the early morning from my experience.

Gpanda

Craig is correct. The best thing is to arrange the Klong Tour at the Taskin Pier at the end of the Skytrain. 1200 Baht for 2 hours is about right. It will be much cooler on the water, so you can do this in the heat of the afternoon.

lcuy

You might even consider touring the river and smaller klongs for two hours, then having them leave you at Wat Arun. You can stay as long as you like, then take the very cheap regular water taxi back to the pier at the skytrain.

As with all things in Thailand that involve money and negotiations (taxis, tuk tuks, guides, tailoring) make sure you arrange this before you start your tour!

rhkkmk

i ahve always rented my boat either through the riverfront hotel i have stayed at or at a small pier next to the shangrila hotel (other side of the hotel from the taskim pier)...

in any case your easiest way is to take the skytrain to taskim....walk to the exit nearest to the river (same direction as the train had been moving)...go down the stairs on the left, by the ticket office...at the bottom walk forward towards the river along the sidewalk....in front of you will be the pier for the river boats...you will find a small table there selling klong tours....they have a simple map showing you where you will go....its a simple traditional route....they will assist you to a boat..

the driver will speak little or no english....he will ask in english if you want to stop here or there during the trip and you can say yes or no...wat arun is a usual stop as is the barge museum shed and sometimes an orchid farm and a restaurant, etc....of course the more you stop the more money he makes....

personally i would end my tour at wat arun and take a cab to where i needed to go from there....that way you can have some quality time there...but you have to make sure he understands that....have correct change for him or you will have trouble....know the cost in advance plus tip...he will drop you off any place you want...

another boat rental place is the kisok on the river in back of river city shopping center, next to the sheraton orchid...less desirable however and not that near the skytrain...

400-500 B per hour per boat is the usual, but gas prices are up and so is tourism...

Fraggle20

A friend and I visited Thailand last August and took a private tour. We were picked up and dropped off direct from our hotel and proceeded to a long tail boat tour. We had a wonderful time. I do not remember the exact price but I know it wasn't too expensive. I recommend this company for any and all tours that you might like. We used them for at least 3 different tours that vacation. There website is www.orientalescape.com, the other tour company that was also good for us that you may want to try can be found through www.viator.com, hope this helps a little bit.