2 Best Sights in Thonburi, Bangkok

This riverside Buddhist monastery is inspiring at sunrise, but it's even more marvelous toward dusk, when the setting sun throws amber tones over the entire area. In front of the monastery facing the river is a square courtyard containing an impressive 270-foot-tall prang (Khmer-style tower) surrounded by four smaller ones. All five prangs are covered in mosaics assembled from broken Chinese porcelain originally used as ballast on ships coming from China. Away from the river, among the monastic residences, is a respected meditation center open to the public and overseen by English-speaking instructor Hartanto Gunawan.

Splendid ceremonial barges are berthed on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya River. The boats, carved in the early part of the 19th century, take the form of mythical creatures from the Ramakien. The most impressive is the red-and-gold royal vessel called Suphannahongse (Golden Swan), used by the king on special occasions. Carved from a single piece of teak, it measures about 150 feet and weighs more than 15 tons. Fifty oarsmen propel it along the river, accompanied by flag wavers, two coxswains, and a rhythm-keeper. The museum is challenging to find, so you may want to join a tour or find a taxi driver who knows the area.

Steer clear of scam artists offering tours or claiming that the museum is closed.