jaspertl

We have a day planned to visit Vimanmek Palace, Marble Temple have lunch and then we are interested in doing a klong tour (the ride to thornburi rkk suggested), stopping at the Royal Barge Museum and ending up at our hotel (ROS)

From the Dusit Place/Marble temple area what would be the best way to catch a boat for a private tour of the canals stopping at the barges for 15 minutes or so?

There looks like there are several pier on my Nancy Chandler map but I have no idea how far away they are from where we'll be.
Tha Thewet N-15 and Tha Rama 8 bridge N-14, Phra Arthit N-13 etc.

MichaelBKK

Tewet Pier is indeed walking distance from the Vimanmek, although it is a long walk. If you're tired you may try a tuk-tuk.

BUT, there is no canal tour desk at the Tewet pier, that I know of. The only boat you can take from here is the regular express boat, which you can take down to Chang pier (Grand Palace) where there is a booking desk for canal tours.

Alternatively, from the marble temple, you can take a taxi to the Phaya Thai Skytrain station, and take the train down to the Taksin Bridge station (change at Siam) where there is also a booking desk.

I believe the Treasures of the Kingdom exhibit is still on at the Ananta Sarakom Throne Hall, so don't miss that while you're in the area.

rhkkmk

personally i would go back to the hotel and have them hail you a boat or go next door and arrange one at the kiosk at the river side of river city shopping center.....alternatively you can get one at taskin pier below the taskin skytrain station---end of the road at the river....they have a desk there.....i would do it at the hotel and have them give the guy directions of exactly what you want to do....price is not per person but per boat....i would not pay more than 600 B per hour with a 2 hour trip standard....the dock hand at the hotel will get one for you....don't wait too late in the afternoon or they will all be gone....2PM+

MichaelBKK

Actually, the kiosk at the River City mall next to ROS was my preferred place to get a boat for years. I think of them as 'more professional' although they use the same boat drivers as all the rest.

I was thinking after my previous reply that Vimanmek + marble temple + the Treasures exhibit would add up to a VERY long day, even if you get an early start. Vimanmek is huge - much more than just the one building. There are nearly a dozen buildings that are really worth seeing, and nearly double that in all. You can easily spend most of a day there.

rhkkmk

but the main palace bldg, michael, is quick to tour in like one hour i think...unless you have to wait for the english tour for a long time...

maybe the klong tour should be done another day....but do it in the PM as some (craig) have reported that in the AM there is not much local life along side the river...

jaspertl

rhkkmk:
I'm confused...(it's not difficult)

you said that the boats are all in service in the afternoon and hard to find but then you mentioned not to do the klong tour in the a.m. because there is not much activity???

I think I misunderstood?