Thonburi is the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, opposite the Old Town. Most visitors only cross to see Wat Arun, but there’s more here. Other temples worth a stop include Wat Prayoon with its 60-metre pagoda and turtles in the garden, Wat Kanlayanamit with the largest seated Buddha in Bangkok, and Che Chin Khor with its colourful Chinese pagoda on the riverfront. IconSiam is the big modern attraction, a large riverside mall. Wang Lang Market near Siriraj Hospital has street food and cheap shopping. The floating markets at Khlong Lat Mayom and Taling Chan are further out but good on weekends.
Several rooftop bars have views back across to the Old Town. 342 Bar at Baan Wanglang faces the Grand Palace directly. Three Sixty at Millennium Hilton and SEEN at Avani Riverside are higher up. Tasana Nakorn Terrace at IconSiam works for sunset drinks. For quieter spots, Khlong Bang Luang is a canal community with the Artist’s House and food boats, and Princess Mother Memorial Park is a shaded garden with small museum buildings. The Royal Barges Museum houses ceremonial boats from the Ayutthaya era. Getting around: the Gold Line BTS connects to IconSiam, free shuttle boats run to Sathorn pier, and ferries cover the rest.
Koo Lib Heng is one of those stalls you’d walk right past if you didn’t know better. It sits deep inside Wang Lang Market, a small open kitchen with a white-tiled wall covered in handwritten menu signs.
Wat Hong is a peaceful temple on the Thonburi side of Bangkok that gives visitors a close look at everyday Buddhist life in Thailand. It is not as widely known as the major royal temples, which is part of its charm. The place feels quiet, local, and genuine.
The Space and Time Cube at Seacon Bangkae is one of those immersive art installations that seamlessly blends art, light, and reflection, making it truly unique. Hidden in the basement floor of Seacon Bangkae, you will find a series of rooms with its own unique style of immersive art or creative photpraphy.
Right opposite Wat Arun, Sai Saard is one of those local noodle spots that quietly earns a reputation among tourists. It’s clean, fast, and perfect for a casual lunch stop
Somsak Pu Ob is a legendary street food restaurant in Thonburi, Bangkok. It’s known for its signature Pu and Goong Ob Woon Sen, which is glass noodles with either prawn or crab. They have 2 branches, walking distance apart, so if one’s busy, you can just take a 5-minute walk to the other branch
Tasana Nakorn Terrace is a riverside bar and restaurant located on the upper floor of IconSiam in Thonburi, Bangkok. It’s popular for its panoramic views of the Chao Phraya River and landmarks across the water, including the historic Old Customs House, which is being restored into a luxury hotel.
342 Bar is a hidden rooftop bar on the fifth floor of Baan Wanglang Riverside Hotel, right at the edge of Wang Lang Market, on the Thonburi side of Bangkok.
Never Ending Summer is one of the most stylish restaurants along the Chao Phraya River (Thonburi side), set inside a beautifully repurposed warehouse just next to Millennium Hilton, and not far from IconSiam.
The Princess Mother Memorial Park is a peaceful spot dedicated to the late Princess Srinagarindra, the mother of King Rama IX. Hidden on the Thonburi side of Bangkok, the park is a blend of serene gardens and small museum buildings.
Wat Prayoon, also referred to as Wat Prayurawongsawat Worawihan, is a 19th-century Buddhist temple placed near the Memorial Bridge in Bangkok’s Thonburi district
The Artist House(Baan Silapin), tucked away in the quaint neighbourhood of Khlong Bang Luang in Thonburi, offers a serene escape from the city’s hustle and bustle
Thonburi Locomotive Garage (also known as the Thonburi Rail Yard) is a historic railway facility in Bangkok. Located near the Thonburi Train Station and next to the famous Sriraj Hospital, it has been a part of Thailand’s railway heritage for decades.
The Royal Barges National Museum in Bangkok offers a captivating glimpse into Thailand’s rich ceremonial traditions. These ornate vessels, dating back to the Ayuthaya era, are showcased when not in use for regal processions.
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Khlong Bang Luang Floating Market is a small local gem hidden along the canals on the Thonburi side of Bangkok. The market is filled with delicious food and many handmade products that show the locals’ craftsmanship.
Thonburi is the historic less hectic area in Bangkok, known for its cultural charm and traditional way of life. It was once the capital of Thailand and is home to many temples, including Wat Arun, famous for its stunning spires.
On the Thonburi side of Bangkok, most travellers will visit the iconic Wat Arun temple, known for its stunning architecture and riverside location, but to the surprise of many travellers, there are a lot of hidden gems on this understated side of Bangkok.
Guan Yu Shrine is an ancient shrine dedicated to Lord Guan, the god of loyalty and morality according to Chinese beliefs. The shrine is located on the western bank of the Chao Phraya River, in Thonburi. It is another go-to place in Thonburi and is easily accessible as it is only 1.5 km away from Iconsiam.
Wat Kanlayanamit is a magnificent temple in the Thonburi side of Chao Phraya River. It was constructed in 1825 during the reign of King Rama III on the bank of the Chao Phraya River.
Hotels in the Thonburi side of Bangkok offer affordability and proximity to local markets and iconic landmarks. Situated near the impressive IconSiam Shopping Mall and the majestic Wat Arun, Thonburi provides a vibrant yet more affordable alternative to the city centre.
Wang Lang Market is the perfect choice if you like to try authentic Thai street food and see the real Thai market. It is located on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok which is opposite The National Museum and the Grand Palace of Bangkok.
Taling Chan Floating Market is a small and modest market just 14 kilometres outside Bangkok. Built on the riverside at the intersection of the river and the railway’s bridge, it used to feature more than a dozen boats used as floating kitchens to cook fish, meat skewers and prawns for the guests of their restaurants.
Wat Arun, also known as the temple of Dawn, is a significant landmark of Bangkok, built before 1656. It’s much more modest than Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace or Wat Pho and the Giant Reclining Buddha, but its iconic shape is better known in many ways.
The Three Sixty Rooftop Bar at Millennium Hilton Bangkok is superb but under-appreciated. This might be because, seen for far, the bar seems to be inside an indoor panoramic cupola.
Bangkok Forensic Museum is not on people’s top 10 list of things to see in Bangkok, at least not on a first trip, but it seems to rank high on people’s ‘Off the beaten track travel guide’.
Seen Rooftop Bar at Avani Hotel has an interesting location on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya River, just opposite the famous Asiatique night market. In case you are not familiar with the Thonburi side of Bangkok, most people only visit when they go to Wat Arun.