10 Things to Do on the Western Bank of Bangkok

This darling, dark, teak, 100-year-old river house gives one a glimpse of everyday Thai life along the western canals. The traditional architecture includes open doorways that offer vignettes of the longtail boats puttering along the waterways, artist-crafted suites (no two alike), local pottery, and woven textiles. This is the epitome of slow travel, whether you visit the local outdoor market nearby for bites of authentic street food, borrow a bicycle for pedaling the canal communities, or simply enjoy your balcony perch, befriending the owner’s gregarious house cats, who also reside here.

Bangkok is often called The Venice of the East, and back in the 1800s and early 1900s, the city depended largely on canals and boats as a means of movement. Of course, these days, you’ll find ribbons of highway and plenty of concrete, but those old-world moments of transport still exist. The Taling Chan is a rural floating market where vegetables, bowls of soup, small trinkets, beers, and household items are still bought and sold from boat to boat. You can hop off the boat at a small dock market for food and drinks, too. It gets very touristy later in the day, so it’s advisable to head here early if you seek a more authentic feel.

From the 31st floor, Bangkok unfurls in every direction, shimmering against the night sky. Start with a glass of Champagne on the outdoor terrace, where sofas allow you to kick back and watch the river traffic far, far below. Then, pop up to the helicopter pad for a dizzying selfie before finding a barstool and a great cocktail in the swanky glass cupola. Inside this covered section, they host live Jazz bands nightly.

No scene is quite as “postcard-Bangkok” as Wat Arun. The ancient, white temple dates nearly three centuries, rising off the river, bathed in pink tones at sunrise. It’s one of the city’s most photographed places, lovingly monikered Temple of the Dawn, and it is about five minutes on a ferry from the Tha Tien pier. If you prefer, you can also get there by taxi.

The complex is quite large, so give yourself at least a half-hour to explore. Visit the marble courtyard pavilion, full of stone statues of lions, warriors, and dragons, as well as the 200-foot-high pagoda tower and surrounding stupas, decorated in floral, intricate tilework.

It is crucial to dress appropriately for this holy, respected place. Wear conservative clothing, including pants for men and long skirts or pants for women, with shirts that cover your shoulders and upper arms.

The Royal Barge Procession has taken place in the river for seven centuries in Bangkok, beginning in the 13th century, when King Maha Thammaracha I performed a boat ceremony on a lake. Now, it is orchestrated at different times, in various years, to mark grand, special occasions. You can visit the museum any time, where a handful of the 52 royal boats are stored and displayed. Elaborate figureheads, gilded snakes, bright red hulls, and places for the dozens of oarsmen may be observed on each vessel.

Bangkok locals love to shop. You’d struggle to find a city with as many markets and malls, and one of the glitziest is on the Thonburi side of the city. IconSiam opened in 2018, and over 750,000 square meters, you’ll delight in a range of wares, experiences, and culinary enclaves, from Prada Pop-up events outside to a floor of Thai handicrafts and home décor to independent Thai fashion designers. There are multiple spas, an outdoor water show, an IMAX cinema, and entertaining educational opportunities for the youngsters.

You can also arrive by boat, using the express boat and shuttle boat services. These depart all day and evening from the Si Phraya Pier and the Sathorn Pier, stopping right in front of the mall complex.

Plants, antiques, pets, pottery, vintage clothing, leather goods, and furniture are all for sale at this market, which is also a huge draw for seafood lovers. Rows and rows of hawker stalls sell fresh fish, shrimp and crab, cooked over open-fire grills. Spanning 500,000 square feet, give yourself plenty of time and an open agenda to wander this behemoth.

The Anantara brand has long been globally synonymous with unstoppable luxury. This flagship property stretches right along the river, occupying 11 acres of palm and bayan trees, fragrant orchids, and a massive, multi-part swimming pool. Book a spa treatment from their lofty menu of restorative treatments, from massages to facials and vitamin IV infusions to local-plant steams and wraps. Our vote goes to the property’s Himalayan Thermal Therapy, where carved salt stones and 84 minerals are used to increase circulation while helping the body detox impurities.

Bang Krachao had a quirky nickname. It’s called Bangkok’s Green Lung, partly because of its oblong shape but also because this protected, vast area of jungle helps clean the city’s famously polluted air. The best way to experience it is to join a bike tour. There are multiple great operators online, or you can rent your own at the Bang Krachao Pier. Cycling routes include paved and gravel paths, winding you past traditional homes, small markets, a weekend floating market, parks and through palm and mangrove thickets.