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Tours Overview
Many of Bangkok's landmarks and attractions can be visited independently
if you have the time and the energy to deal with the heat. Alternatively,
if you you only have a few days, a tour provides a easy, hassle
free way to see the sights and learn a little about Thailand from
a local guide.
River and Canal Trips
 For
a different perspective, take a trip along the main Chao Phraya
river, passing magnificent temples and buildings like Wat Arun,
the Grand Palace, Wat Rakhang Kositaram, the Royal Boat House,
the Royal Thai Navy Dockyard, the Old Customs House and Wat Prayunwong.
You can take a basic river taxi, or, if you want a guide to point
out the sights and give a little more insight, take a tour.
To explore some of the smaller "Klongs" or canals which
criss-cross the city, you can hire a boat, or take a tour. The
Chao Phraya Chartered Co. Ltd. operates a daily tour along Khlong
Mon - Khlong Bangkok Noi between 2.30 - 4.30 p.m., leaving the
River City Shopping Complex on Charoen Krung Road. Price: 360
Baht per person including fruit and soft drinks. For more information,
Tel: 622-7657-61 ext. 111
Bangkok's Floating Markets
 At
one time it was relatively easy to visit picturesque floating
markets where fruits and vegetables were sold from small boats
by colorfully clad women. The urbanization of Bangkok, however,
and the arrival of the automobile have eliminated authentic markets
within the city itself. The real thing, however, still exists
on klongs (canals) outside of the city. The closest market is
a small affair on Klong Bang Khu Wiang in Thonburi. Boats to this
market leave from Tha (pier) Chang near Wat Pra Kaeo every morning
between 06:15 and 08:00.
The market, however, is pretty much over by 07:00 so it is probably
best to charter a longtail boat in order to get an earlier start.
Klong Damnoen Saduak in Ratchaburi Province, about 100 kilometers
outside of Bangkok, is another popular floating market option.
The most common way to visit one of the three markets on or near
Klong Damnoen Saduak is to go on a package tour. It is also possible
to rent a boat for about 350 baht an hour to tour the area, but
this can be expensive as it takes a considerable time to reach
the market. Although the floating market at Wat Sai is popular
with some tour companies, most people agree it isn’t worth
the effort as tourists far outnumber the vendors in the market.
 For
the locals who live along the banks of 'klongs' or canals, the
floating markets are still important commercial points. For the
visitor, they offer a glimpse of a once traditional way of life.
Small wooden boats filled with fruit, vegetables and fresh produce
are paddled by local Thai women who meet daily to trade. It's
colourful and bustling and you may see more tourists than locals
at some markets, but fascinating anyway.
The largest and most popular floating market among tourists is
Damnoen Saduak, 80 km southwest of Bangkok. A morning market,
from 6.00am to 11.00am, it gets very busy, so go early if you
want to take photos without hordes of tourists. Tours leave daily
or you can take a bus, and hire a boat by yourself, not recommended
if it's your first time in Bangkok.
Several smaller and quieter floating markets are located in
Ratchaburi and nearby Samut Songkhram province. The best way to
explore these markets is to hire a long-tailed boat for around
300 Baht an hour, or take a "klong" tour.
Beyond Damnoen Saduak is the Tha Kha Floating Market
which can easily be reached from Samut Songkhram by minibus which
leaves every 20 minutes. From 6.00 am to 12.00 am - weekends only.
Visiting the Weekend Market
 Everyone
seems to love a bargain and there are plenty to be had at Chatuchak
Weekend Market, a happening that occurs in Bangkok every Saturday
and Sunday from 09:00 to 18:00. Items sold include everything
imaginable and much that is unimaginable, including clothing (new
and used), flowers, plants, massive goldfish, rare tropical fish,
handmade candles, modern paintings, ceramics and kitchen ware,
used magazines and books and virtually every kind of handicraft
produced in Thailand. To get the best prices, you have to bargain.
At one time the Weekend Market was difficult to reach, but it
is now easily accessed by getting off the Skytrain at the Mo Chit
station and walking the short distance to the market. It can get
very hot at Chatuchak so be sure to drink lots of water and to
occasionally stop for a rest. A useful map of the market’s
layout, produced by Nancy Chandler, is now available at the market
and in Bangkok bookstores. It is indispensable for finding things
in the maze produced by Chatuchak’s 15,000 stalls.
River and Klong Tours
 Bangkok’s
numerous waterways provide a fascinating way to get around and
to view the city. The Chao Phraya River Express is a river “bus”
that goes up and down the river between the Tha Wat Ratchasingkhon
pier (just north of the Krungthep Bridge) and Nonthaburi, a Bangkok
suburb near the airport. The 1½ hour trip costs less than
20 baht and offers a fascinating view of life along the river
and of some of Bangkok’s most famous landmarks. The best
way to familiarize yourself with the river buses is to go to the
Central Pier located at the foot Saphan Taksin Skytrain Station.
There is a large sign that explains where the different types
of boats stop. The trip is much more enjoyable if you avoid traveling
at commute time. If you are interested in seeing Thonburi’s
numerous canals, you can rent a longtailed boat for about 300
baht an hour, a price that is very reasonable when spread among
several people. Be sure, however, that you have established your
price before getting aboard the boat. The Boat Tour Centre, near
the River City Shopping Complex is recommended by many and charges
competitive prices. Tha Chang, the pier near the Grand Palace
is another good place to charter a boat.
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