Start daily at: 8:00 & 9:30 & 11:00 & 12:30 & 14:00 & 15:30 & 16:30 hrs.
Leave the busy streets behind and step into a world of wooden houses, smiling locals, and timeless traditions along Bangkok’s canals.
Hop aboard a traditional Thai long-tail boat and set off on a relaxing journey through Thonburi, the historic part of Bangkok. This area retains a slower pace of life, offering a fascinating contrast to the city’s modern skyscrapers and bustling streets.
During this (approx.) 2-hour canal adventure, you’ll catch glimpses of local life along the waterways.
Bangkok is a city of contrasts. Beyond its glittering temples and luxurious neighborhoods, the city also has areas of poverty and simple canal-side communities. On our tour, you’ll pass some older, more fragile houses that are at the mercy of floods during the rainy season. We want to show travelers a more authentic side of Bangkok, one that reflects local life beyond the postcard-perfect sights. It’s a perspective that many find eye-opening and enriching.
One of the highlights is Khlong Bang Luang, a riverside community dating back to the Ayutthaya period. Lined with old wooden houses and family-run shops, it offers a glimpse of traditional canal-side life. At its heart is Baan Silapin (The Artist’s House), a beautifully restored 200-year-old home serving as a creative space for local artists. A wooden walkway invites a quiet stroll along the canal, making this a true hidden gem.
As the boat continues, you’ll pass Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen, an important temple built during the mid-Ayutthaya period. Your boat will pause so you can admire and photograph the enormous golden Buddha from the water, soaring nearly 70 meters high (please note that we do not disembark at this temple).
This tour offers a unique way to explore Bangkok, combining the charm of its canals, the vibrancy of local life, and glimpses of iconic landmarks, all from the comfort of your boat. It’s perfect for travelers seeking a traditional, intimate, and photogenic side of the Thai capital.
Important notes:
- Please note that during the tour, we may experience a wait at one of the water locks, which regulate canal levels. These operate on no fixed schedule and are beyond our control, but they are part of the authentic canal experience.
Meeting point:
The meeting point is at the bus stop directly opposite Elefin Coffee and Bangkok Bank on Maha Rat Road, just south of Wat Pho.
The easiest way to reach the meeting point (and to avoid Bangkok’s heavy road traffic) is by taking the MRT (metro) to Sanam Chai Station. From there, use the 'Museum Siam' exit. The meeting point is just a short 5-minute walk away.
For the location on Google Maps, please click HERE.
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1,668 Comments
5
Great way to see the traditional sights of Bangkok
Great way to see the traditional side of Bangkok in a short window. Loved the floating market, feeding the fish and the giant golden buda
5
Great experience
Joyce was a great guide! Friendly and knowledgeable. Fun way to see the city. You get to see big Buddha and stop by a local artist house.
5
Interesting two hours with informed friendly guide Soiyan
Soiyan was extremely professional as well as warm and friendly
The trip was interesting, just the right amount of time to get a taste of the canals
Unhurried and no pressure to buy at the market
Well organised and good efficient people
Thank you
4.5
Some views were truly breathtaking.
We had a wonderful time on the boat trip, and saw some beautiful and amazing places that we may have missed otherwise!
The only negatives were that we didn’t get a bottle of water each, this may have been through a miss communication, but you really do need a bottle of water on you.
Also, because the boat is loud due to the engine, it can be hard to hear the tour guide. However, I think this would be the same on any of these boat trips, as they’re all loud.
The tour guide was very funny, and we’re really glad that we went.
3
DON’T GO!!!
We were a group of three, two ladies and a man.
I feel awful saying this but the ladies managed to get on the boat, which you had to jump onto from the pontoon. The boat was rocking, bobbing up and down, with no ladder or safe way of getting on the boat, I was too scared to get on and stayed ashore!!!
The ladies stayed on the boat, after waiting 20 minutes in a que of other boats trying to leave, bumping into each other, everybody breathing in diesel fumes, electrical wires arcing into the water from bridges. I went from a bit of a joke on the boat to everybody calling me the smartest guy on the tour. Everybody on that boat wished they had not got on it!!! All 10-12 people on that boat regretted getting on!!!!
Then there was a problem with the boat!
So another boat came along side, they had to change boat, so two members of staff stood one foot in one boat, one foot in the other and everyone had to jump from one boat to the other!!! They did not tie the boats together for stability or anything!!!
At the first and only stop the guide harassed my wife and friend about why I would not get on the boat. Then repeatedly harassed them to take a private tour with him and when they refused many times he then DEMANDED a tip.
He started to get aggressive with the ladies demanding money, saying how rich they were and how poor Thailand is and they should give him their money.
His aggressive manner scared one of the ladies very badly, but my wife is strong but repeatedly told him no.
They did not feel comfortable getting back on the boat for the return journey and took a taxi back to the hotel.
So my only advice is DON’T GO!!!