Things to Do on the Thonburi Side of Bangkok
Thonburi is the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, opposite the Old Town. Most tourists only cross to see Wat Arun, but there’s more here if you have time. IconSiam is the big modern attraction. The floating markets (Khlong Lat Mayom, Taling Chan) are further out but worth the trip on weekends. Several rooftop bars have views back across to the Old Town. Getting around has improved with the Gold Line BTS extension to IconSiam, and free shuttle boats connect various piers along the river.
Wat Arun
Wat Arun is the most recognisable temple in Bangkok after the Grand Palace. The 82-metre central tower (prang) is covered in glazed porcelain tiles that catch the light. You can climb partway up the steep steps for views of the river and city.
Best times to visit are early morning or late afternoon when the light is good for photos. Sunrise and sunset both work. There’s a 50 Baht entry fee, and you’ll need to cover shoulders and knees or rent a sarong at the entrance.
Open: 8 am – 6 pm
Price: 50 Baht
Dress Code: No short skirts or shorts, no sleeveless tops
IconSiam
IconSiam is a large high-end shopping mall on the Thonburi riverfront. Luxury brands, local shops, restaurants, cafés, and a indoor floating market section with food stalls. The ground floor SookSiam area recreates a Thai market atmosphere with regional food from around the country.
The mall hosts events during Thai festivals like Loy Krathong and Songkran. Free shuttle boats run between IconSiam and Sathorn/Si Phraya piers. BTS Charoen Nakhon station connects directly to the mall.
Closest BTS/MRT Station: BTS Charoen Nakhon: 0 m
Open: 10 am – 10 pm
342 Bar
342 Bar is one of those rooftops you almost miss unless someone points it out. It’s on the fifth floor of Baan Wanglang Riverside Hotel, right on the Thonburi side. Not high up, but the view is hard to beat — directly across the water, you’re facing the Grand Palace and the golden spires of Rattanakosin. At sunset, the whole area glows.
Getting there is part of the experience. Take a ferry from Tha Chang Pier or walk from Wang Lang Market if you’re already on this side. The rooftop is small and simple, handful of tables, casual setup. Quiet, relaxed, and free of crowds.
Three Sixty Rooftop Bar at Millennium Hilton
Three Sixty at Millennium Hilton Bangkok is underrated. From a distance it looks like an enclosed glass dome, which puts some people off. The indoor bar does have good views over the Chao Phraya River, but there’s also an outdoor terrace that qualifies it as a proper rooftop.
Hotel: Millennium Hilton Bangkok
Closest BTS/MRT Station: BTS Charoen Nakhon: 100 m
Open: 5 pm – 1 am
Floor: 32nd floor
Dress Code: Smart Casual
Seen Rooftop
SEEN Restaurant & Bar is on the 26th and 27th floors of AVANI Riverside Bangkok Hotel. The restaurant serves Portuguese-Brazilian food, and the rooftop bar has cocktails from an award-winning team. Views of the river and city skyline.
DJs play from 6 pm. It’s more of a scene than 342 Bar or Three Sixty, busier and louder, if that’s what you’re after.
Closest BTS/MRT Station: BTS Pho Nimit: 1.60 km
Open: 5:30 pm – 1 am
Floor: 27th floor
Tasana Nakorn Terrace
Tasana Nakorn Terrace is a riverside bar and restaurant on the upper floor of IconSiam. Views of the Chao Phraya River and the Old Customs House across the water (currently being restored into a luxury hotel).
Nice at sunset. Many people come just for the view and order drinks rather than food. Opinions on the food and service vary, so keep expectations moderate, but the view alone makes it worth a stop if you’re at IconSiam.
Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market
Khlong Lat Mayom is a weekend floating market with a canal setting and lots of local food. A few boats serve freshly cooked meals to people sitting at low tables along the water. Grilled seafood, Thai grilled chicken, papaya salad.
The market extends inland with more food stalls plus clothing, handicrafts, and local products in six zones. Open weekends only, 8 am – 5 pm. Taling Chan market is about 4 km away if you want to visit both in one day.
Taling Chan Floating Market
Taling Chan is a small market about 14 km from central Bangkok. Built at the intersection of the river and a railway bridge. Boats serve as floating kitchens cooking fish, meat skewers, and prawns for diners at the waterside restaurants. Smaller and more modest than Khlong Lat Mayom.
The Artist’s House (Baan Silapin)
The Artist’s House is an old wooden house in Khlong Bang Luang, now used as a gallery and community space. The upper floor has paintings and photographs, the ground floor sells souvenirs and offers activities like bracelet making and mask painting.
On weekends there are workshops (sketching, flower arranging) and traditional Thai puppet shows. Open 10 am – 6 pm daily. Accessible by MRT and a short walk, or by longtail boat along the canal.
Khlong Bang Luang
Khlong Bang Luang is the canal community where the Artist’s House is located. Traditional wooden homes line the water, with galleries, small shops, and cafés along wooden walkways. Longtail boats pass by with vendors selling food.
You can buy guay jab moo (pork noodle soup) and other dishes right off the boats. Feed the catfish in the canal. It’s quieter than the big floating markets and feels less touristy.
Wang Lang Market
Wang Lang Market is near Siriraj Hospital on the Thonburi side. Street food stalls line Phran Nok Road and the surrounding alleys. Meat skewers, fried teriyaki pork, and a good selection of Southern Thai food (spicy). Also clothing, accessories, books, cosmetics, and second-hand items.
Easy to reach by ferry from Wang Lang Pier. Good for cheap food and browsing.
Opening hours: 9 am – 6 pm
Closest BTS/MRT Station: MRT Itsaraphap: 1.8 km
Pier: Prannok or Wang Lang Pier
Wat Prayoon
Wat Prayoon (also called Wat Rua Lek) was built in the 1830s during the reign of Rama III. It has a distinctive red iron fence that gives it its other name. The Phra Mahathat Chedi is 60 metres tall, one of Bangkok’s largest pagodas, and you can walk around and inside it.
The Khao Mo garden has turtles and monitor lizards. Not much signage, but it’s a quiet place to walk around. Few tourists come here.
Wat Kanlayanamit
Wat Kanlayanamit was founded in 1825 on the riverbank. It houses the largest seated Buddha statue in Bangkok (called Sampokong in Chinese). Also has Thailand’s largest bell, which is said to bring good luck if you ring it three times.
Murals inside depict Buddha’s life and King Rama III’s era. Not on the typical tourist route, so it’s usually quiet. Dress respectfully.
Che Chin Khor Temple
Che Chin Khor is a small Chinese-Thai temple on the Thonburi riverfront. Easy to spot because of the colourful 8-storey pagoda (Phra Phothisat Kuan Im Chedi) rising over the water. Red, gold, and green tiles in traditional Chinese style. Dedicated to Guan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy.
You usually can’t climb the pagoda, but you can walk around the quiet temple grounds. Not many tourists.
Address: 247/1 Chiang Mai Rd, Khlong San, Bangkok 10600
Hours: 8 am – 5 pm
Entry Fee: Free (donations welcome)
Guan Yu Shrine
The Guan Yu Shrine in Khlong San is considered Thailand’s oldest Guan Yu shrine, built over 280 years ago during the late Ayutthaya era. Guan Yu is a Chinese deity symbolising loyalty and morality.
Legend says King Taksin visited here before battles to seek good luck. Small but historically significant.
Hours: 7:30 am – 5:30 pm
Price: Free
Closest MRT Station: MRT Itsaraphap: 1.5 km
Closest BTS Station: BTS Khlong San: 1.1 km
Royal Barges Museum
The Royal Barges Museum houses ceremonial boats dating back to the Ayutthaya era. The main attraction is the Suphannahong (Golden Swan), the largest dugout barge in the world with intricate carvings. Other barges feature mythological figures like naga and garuda.
Royal barge processions are rare these days, but historic photos in the museum show what they looked like. Located near Phra Pin Klao Bridge pier. You can take a motorcycle taxi or walk from the pier.
Bangkok Forensic Museum
The Forensics Museum at Siriraj Hospital is for those with strong stomachs. Part of the Siriraj Medical Museum, it covers anatomy, pathology, and forensic sciences. Displays include skulls, preserved organs, crime scene evidence, and the mummified remains of serial killer Si Ouey Sae Urng.
Other exhibits cover congenital disorders, toxicology, and Thai traditional medicine. Not for everyone, but interesting if you’re into medical history.
Princess Mother Memorial Park
A small park dedicated to Princess Srinagarindra, the mother of King Rama IX. Gardens and a few small museum buildings about her life. Near Guan Yu Shrine on the Thonburi side. Quiet and rarely visited by tourists.
Thonburi Locomotive Garage
Thonburi Locomotive Garage (also called Thonburi Rail Yard) is a historic railway facility near Thonburi Train Station and Siriraj Hospital. Old steam engines are stored here. For train enthusiasts.
Koh Kret
Koh Kret is a small island created about 300 years ago when a canal was dug as a shortcut to Ayutthaya. The Mon people settled here in the 1750s after fleeing Burmese invaders, and their community still exists today. Known for pottery and weekend markets.
Map of Thonburi
Things to Do in Thonburi
