Bangkok Chao Phraya Dinner Cruises: Thai Cuisine & Live Music

Eat Thai dinner on the water while the city lights up around you

A dinner cruise on Bangkok's Chao Phraya River pairs a buffet of Thai and international dishes with live music and dance, all while the boat drifts past illuminated temples, palaces and bridges. You pick from six options (traditional rice barges or modern vessels) each with its own style and menu. The cruise lasts between two and thirteen hours depending on which one you book.

Step-by-step itinerary

Dinner cruise on Chao Phraya River

• Board the dinner cruise boat
• Enjoy buffet or set dinner
• Watch live Thai entertainment
• View illuminated Bangkok landmarks
• Relax and cruise the river

The experience

The boat leaves from near Siam Paragon and carries you onto the river as the sun sets. You board a vessel (either a quaint Thai rice barge or a modern cruise ship with a dining room), and settle in to eat. The buffet spreads Thai and international dishes across the table. Beverages are available to purchase and charged to your bill at the end. While you eat, live performers play traditional Thai music and dance, and the city's landmarks pass by lit up against the night sky: the Grand Palace, Wat Arun Temple, the Rama VIII Bridge and others. The gentle motion of the water and the breeze off the river are part of the evening itself.

Which cruise you choose shapes the night. The Manohra is a traditional wooden rice barge, slower and quieter, built for couples and anyone wanting a moonlit ride without crowds. The White Orchid, Wonderful Pearl, Grand Pearl and Saffron are modern boats with spacious dining areas and panoramic windows, better for families and groups. The Chaophraya Cruise and Luxury White Dinner Cruise round out the fleet. All include the dinner and entertainment. None include alcohol, though you can order drinks as you go. A guide speaks English and Thai on board. Tides and water levels sometimes prevent the boat from passing certain landmarks. The operator notes this is beyond their control and no refund applies if it happens.

Night photography works well from the deck or dining area, so bring a camera if you want to capture the illuminated temples and bridges. The experience suits all fitness levels, and infants can come along in a pram or stroller. Public transport stops are nearby if you need to reach the pier on your own.

What’s included

• Buffet dinner with Thai and international cuisine.
• live traditional Thai music and dance performances.
• views of illuminated landmarks including temples and bridges.
• a guide speaking English and Thai.

Options for this experience

4 options

Chaophraya CruiseGuide in English or Thai · 19:15Duration: 2 hours. Food and drink: Thai and international buffet, plus coffee and tea. Entertainment: live music with professional singers and a traditional Thai greeting dance. Starting point: Asiatique The Riverfront, 2194 ถ. เจริญกรุง Khwaeng Wat Phraya Krai, Khet Bang Kho Laem, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10120, Thailand.

Dinner Cruise on the White OrchidGuide in English or Thai · 19:45Dinner cruise including a buffet dinner and live entertainment. The meeting point is Asiatique Warehouse 9. Duration: 2 hours.

Luxury Dinner Cruise on the WhiteGuide in English or Thai · 20:15New dinner cruise from White Orchid, starting 1 December 2024. Duration: 2 hours. Check-in at Pier #4 at 18:30; cruise time 20:15 to 22:15. Food and drink: Thai, international and seafood buffet, including wine, draft beer, soft drinks, water, tea and coffee. Entertainment: live music, a cabaret show and Thai classical dance. Starting point: ICONSIAM, 299 Charoen Nakhon Rd, Khwaeng Khlong Ton Sai, Khet Khlong San, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10600, Thailand.

Dinner Cruise on the Wonderful PearlGuide in English or Thai · 19:30Lasts 2 hours. Serves a Thai and international buffet, with live entertainment. Departs from River City Bangkok, 23 Soi Charoen Krung 24, Khwaeng Talat Noi, Khet Samphanthawong, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10100, Thailand.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 19:15, 19:30, 19:45 and 20:15

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (2 to 11 years) · Infant (under 2): free

GroupUp to 80

Live guideEnglish and Thai

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by I Asia Thailand

Is this one for you?Pick the Manohra if you want a romantic, intimate evening on a traditional wooden barge. Choose one of the modern cruise boats if you're traveling with family or a larger group and prefer more dining space and panoramic windows. The six options let you match the boat style to your group size and the kind of evening you're after.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Thai.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 11 years); Infant (under 2): free.

How long does a Bangkok dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya River last?

Duration varies by which cruise you choose, ranging from two hours to thirteen hours. Check the individual option details to see the exact length of the one you're interested in.

What kind of food is served on these dinner cruises?

All cruises include a buffet with Thai and international dishes. Beverages are not included in the meal but can be purchased on board and added to your final bill.

Is there live entertainment on the Chao Phraya dinner cruises?

Yes, live traditional Thai music and dance performances are part of the evening on all cruises. The performances play while you dine and the boat moves along the river.

What landmarks will I see on a Chao Phraya dinner cruise?

The cruise passes illuminated landmarks including the Grand Palace, Wat Arun Temple, and the Rama VIII Bridge. Water levels and tides can sometimes prevent the boat from passing certain sites, which is noted as beyond the operator's control.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to the pier?

Public transportation options are available near the departure point. You can use these to reach the pier, or arrange your own transport to get there.

What is the difference between the traditional rice barge and the modern cruise boats?

The Manohra is a traditional wooden Thai rice barge, designed for a quieter, more intimate moonlit experience. The other options (White Orchid, Wonderful Pearl, Grand Pearl, Saffron, Chaophraya and Luxury White) are modern vessels with spacious dining areas and panoramic views, better suited for larger groups and families.