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Numerous
opportunities for boat travel along Thailand's major rivers
and canals are available but so far only lower Chao Phraya
River and a few rivers in northern Thailand have been introduced
to regular leisure boating. A variety of watercraft are available,
from air-conditioned along the Chao Phraya River around Bangkok
to rustic bamboo rafts on the Kok river.
Chao Phraya River "The River of Kings"
Be part of the timeless bustle and activity of the
river-picturesque old rice barges laden to the gunnels with rice,
sand or gravel; the buzzing "long-tail" boats; tugs pulling
huge steel barges in long "trains", ferries, water-taxis
and every type of small craft imaginable-all form an unforgettable
panorama that makes up the lifeline of "The Land of Smiles"
and its people.
Enjoy the endless variety of river life passing the famous Wat Arun
(The temple of Dawn), the magnificent Grand Palace, the Royal Barges
boat-house, and numerous other Wats (Temples) and points of interest.
The cruises
being offered are:
Canal
Cruises
Usually
by using long-tailed boats to visit a vast network of canals. In
these areas many homes, trading houses and temples remain oriented
towards water life and provide a fascinating glimpse into the past,
when Thais considered themselves "Jao Naam" or "Water
Lords".
Longer
Cruises
Several operators
offer these cruises on luxurious all air-conditioned boats passing
taking you up-river to Bang Pa-In Summer Palace and the ruins of
Ayutthaya with lunch included. The return is by air-conditioned
bus.
Dinner
Cruises
Nightly cruises
are available. It's a fine way to dine outdoors when the weather
is hot, away from city traffic and cooled by river breezes. Several
of the dinner boats cruise under the illuminated Rama IX Bridge,
the longest single-span cable-suspension bridge in the world.
Overnight
Cruises
Leaving Bangkok in the
afternoon and heads up-river towards Ayutthaya or down-river
towards Bangkok). In the evening it anchors at Wat Praket
, where a candle-lit dinner is served. The next morning passengers
offer food to the monks from the wat, and then the barge move
on to Bang Pa-In. After a tour of the Summer Palace, a long-tail
boat takes passengers on for a tour of the ruins of Ayutthaya
(declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO) . The return is
also by air-conditioned bus.
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Thailand
River Cruises in
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