Can anyone suggest a nice trip on the river in Bangkok where we can have dinner and also see the passing sights?

The oriental hotel has a nice outside deck with good food!

The Marriott Resort and Spa has an evening dinner cruise.

Yes we do that terrace at the Oriental every time we are in Bangkok but this time we want to actually do it while sailing on the river. Will follow up the Marriot one. Any others? Thanks so much.

I've done three (at least) dinner cruises. I've done the Oriental rice boat (no longer operating???), a boat called Wanfah dinner cruise which we found at the River City mall, and lastly, the one from the Shangri-La. If I recall correctly, my favorite would be the Sh-La boat. Not sure why, but it stands out in my memory a little more. It's a more modern boat. I can't remember if there was any Thai entertainment on that one. There was some nice music and Thai dancing on the Wanfah boat, if that interests you at all. If memory is correct, all were of a buffet style sort of meal. Nothing to write home about but all were good meals. It's the SCENERY as BKK is lit up along the river at night that makes it such a peaceful option for dinner. Not to mention the lovely breeze if you dine outside on the boat!!

the sh-la boat is probably the most lux looking of the boats...sort of a nile river looking low sleek boat...

i am not sure it runs at all times of the year however...maybe only certain nites...

have not been on any of them but am told the food is only so so at best..

personally i would take a day time ride on any of the boats including the new tourist boat and go someplace nice for dinner...imo

There are several very good dinner cruises available the best in my opinion are the following in order of preference. The food preparation on these is of high standard and while the food may not be as good as some of the better restaurants it makes for an enjoyable evening out on the river.

Orient Hotel - boat leaves every evening, except Monday, from the hotel pier at 7.30pm. It serves a gourmet buffet dinner consisting of Thai and Western and costs 1600 baht.

Loy Nava - This is probably the oldest of the dinner cruises (operating for over 20 years) and can serve 50-60 guests in an open air environment on a rice barge. They have a choice of meals, Thai - 1200 baht, seafood - 1500 baht and also vegetarian. They will pick you up from your hotel. http://www.loynava.com/.

Pearl of Siam - Another good one which operates from the River City Pier and cost a little less at 1100 baht for a Thai and international buffet. It can accommodate up to 170 passengers.

The Marriott Riverside Hotel also offers dinning on two ancient but splendidly adapted Thai-style boats. Each can accommodate about 35-40 guests and serve a Thai set menu of 7-8 dishes, costing 1100 - 1200 baht per person.

Other hotels like the Shangri-la and Royal Orchid Sheraton also offer these dinner cruises.

For those who are more price-conscious, the Royal River Hotel offers cruising on a 2-storey modern-style boat on saturday nights. It charges a relatively reasonable price of 400 baht per person for a buffet dinner, excluding drinks and beverages. Good but nothing fancy with service like one would expect from a standard hotel banquet. The cruise takes two hours and can accommodate up to 100 guests.

Thanks everyone. It seems there is more choice than I realised.