Bangkok/Thonburi

The easiest way to get into Thonburi is by boat. The Chao Phraya Express Boat goes up and down the river for flat 15 baht, aim for the "orange flag" boats since they stops at basically all piers of interest. The less frequent "blue flag" tourist boats operate on basically the same route but charge 30 baht, which gets you recorded commentary and slightly more comfortable seating. Both can be boarded at the Central (CEN) pier next to Skytrain Saphan Taksin station. See Bangkok#By ferry for the full flag decoder ring.

Sometimes cashiers want you to buy the ticket before embarking the boat, but it is allowed to buy tickets on board. If going north from Sathorn pier (from Silom), the first pier on the Thonburi side is Wang Lang. It's the easiest point of entry as all lines stop there and the Wang Lang area is one of the more interesting ones in Thonburi. If you're heading south from Phra Arthit pier (from Khao San Road), Wang Lang is the second pier on the Thonburi side. When you're heading for the Royal Barge National Museum, disembark at the Phra Pin Klao Bridge pier.

There are also numerous ferries crossing the river from the Rattanakosin and Silom sides. Many commuters make use of these ferries, as they quickly cross the river for only 4 baht. If you're visiting Wat Arun, head for Tha Tien pier at the Rattanakosin side and take the Wat Arun ferry service. Other notable ferry services are from Tha Chang to Wang Lang and from Tha Phra Chan to Wang Lang.

The easiest way to reach Thonburi from Siam Square, Sukhumvit or Silom is to hop on the Skytrain Silom line, which crosses the river at Saphan Taksin (for connections to the Chao Phraya Express Boat) and continues via Wongwian Yai, near the train station of the same name, to terminus Bang Wa. From there you can take a taxi to Khlong Lat Mayom and Taling Chan floating markets without going through the downtown traffic. Bang Wa also serves as the connection point to the circular MRT Blue Line, whose western half loops through Thonburi on its way to Bang Sue.

Getting into Thonburi by bus is very complicated, so only use city buses as a last resort. Bus travel is necessary to reach some destinations though, such as the Taling Chan Floating Market. If heading there, take ordinary and air-conditioned bus 79 from Ratchadamnoen Klang Road, which is near Khao San Road. Make sure you take the bus into the right direction (crossing the river) and ask local passengers when to get off or you might get lost.

🌍 Wat Arun (วัดอรุณ), also known as the Temple of Dawn, is an iconic temple at the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, right next to the Navy Base. This is a royal temple in the highest rank and it is by far the most visited tourist attraction in Thonburi. It is easily accessible with the 3 baht ferry boat from Wat Pho in Rattanakosin. Ferries take off about every 10 to 15 minutes and operate daily from 06:00 till about 22:00. Walking around the temple gardens and looking at it from a distance is free, but if you want to enter the temple compound and climb the steep stairs, it costs 100 baht (for foreigners at least). Entering the complex can be recommended, as otherwise you won't see the small porcelain pieces it is decorated with. The temple grounds are opened from 07:30 till 17:30. Thousands of foreign tourists visit the temple everyday, many of them by canal tour early in the morning.

A temple has occupied this site since the Ayutthaya Period. It was first named Wat Makok, which means "Olive Temple", named after the many olive orchards in the area. After the fall of Ayutthaya, General Taksin was at war trying to conquer Siam back from Burmese armies. When he arrived in Thonburi in the morning, he reputedly saw this magnificent temple during sunrise. Since then, the temple got the name Wat Chaeng or Wat Arun, which means the Temple of Dawn. Wat Arun served as King Taksin's royal temple and was inside the Wang Derm Palace grounds, his personal residence. In the Thonburi Period, Wat Arun housed the recaptured Emerald Buddha for several years, before it was moved to the Grand Palace in Rattanakosin in 1785. In the Rattanakosin-era, Wat Arun lost its special status to Wat Phra Kaeo in the Grand Palace, but it remained one of the most iconic temples of Thailand. It is featured prominently on 10 baht coins and as the logo of the Tourist Authority of Thailand (TAT).

The magnificent main prang is in Thai called the Phra Prang Wat Arun. Overlooking the Chao Phraya river, it is not only the symbol of Thonburi, but a world-famous landmark and one of the most photographed icons of Thailand. The first prang was built during the Ayutthaya Period and is in a classic Ayutthayan style. It was reconstructed and enlarged during the reign of King Rama II, and was completely finished in the reign of King Rama III. The height is reported by different sources to be between 66 and 86 metres. It was the tallest structure in Bangkok until the advent of the modern skyscraper. The main prang and its four satellite prangs are beautifully decorated with colourful broken Chinese porcelain pieces. It is believed that these broken porcelain pieces come from Chinese trade ships that were shipwrecked at sea.

Steep steps lead up to two terraces that surround the prang. From there, you have a nice view of the Chao Phraya River with the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and even downtown if you look far enough. Beside the famous central prang, be sure to take a look at the main chapel, the image hall, the Chinese style bell tower, and the open pavilions overlooking the river.

• 🌍 Santa Cruz Church (วัดซางตาครู้ส), 112 Tesaban 1 Rd (Memorial Bridge Pier), ☏ +66 2 466-0347. The Santa Cruz Church is an interesting Catholic church right at the banks of the Chao Phraya River. After the fall of Ayutthaya by a Burmese invasion, King Taksin commanded that the peoples who escaped had to settle down in Thonburi, the new capital of Siam. The King dictated that the Chinese group had to settle down around the area of Wat Kalayanamit, while the Portuguese people would have their houses built along the bank of the Chao Phraya River. The Portuguese had given military support to King Taksin to help him drive out the Burmese from Siam. In recognition of their support, King Taksin granted the Portuguese a plot of land for the building of a church. The first Santa Cruz Church was a wooden church built in 1770. When that church got into a state of decay, a new Chinese-style church was built here, as it was nearby the Chinese community that stayed at Wat Kalayanamit. That church was called "Kudichin church" (Chinese church), and the Portuguese who settled here were called "Farang Kudichin", which means "Westerners at the Chinese shrine". In 1916, the third and current Santa Cruz Church was built during the reign of King Rama IV. The church has a magnificent Italian-style architecture. The community around it still feels authentic, and is the birthplace of a famous kind of cupcake, the "Khanom Farang Kudichin". 
• 🌍 Wat Kanlayanamit (วัดกัลยาณมิตรวรมหาวิหาร), 656 Tesaban 1 Rd (Kanlayanamit Pier). Situated on the mouth of Bangkok Yai canal at the west bank of the Chao Phraya, this massive temple is popular among the Thai-Chinese community. It was founded in 1825 by a Chinese nobleman who donated his own residence and bought a piece of land to built a temple. This was during the reign of King Rama III, when trade with China was flourishing. The viharn is in a typical Thai style, but the two flanking buildings look Chinese. Inside the viharn is a large Buddha image named Phraputtatrirattananayok, which is 15.44 metres tall and 11.75 metres wide. It is so large that it almost entirely filled the interior of the hall. The image is called Sampokong by worshippers of Thai-Chinese descent. The inner courtyard is decorated with statues and gates imported from China. Every day during the Chinese New Year festival, this temple is crowded with thousands of Thai-Chinese visitors. 

• 🌍 Wat Prayoon (วัดประยุรวงศ์), 24 Prachathipok Rd (Memorial Bridge Pier), ☏ +66 2 465-5592. 09:00-16:30 daily. This temple is close to the banks of the Chao Phraya River. The first thing you see is its large white chedi in Ayutthayan style; it is the only chedi of this style in Bangkok. King Rama II tried to create a similar chedi at the Golden Mount, but the ground could not support it and it collapsed. If you want a nice nightly picture of the chedi, walk on the Memorial Bridge at dusk when it is beautifully illuminated. However, most visitors come for the Khao Mor Cemetery, a large mound at the entrance of the temple. The mound is covered with many different shrines, chedis, spirit houses and even a doll house. There's a lot to take in, but its certainly a fun walk. The shallow pool has some turtles swimming around, which you can feed with food bought from the stalls outside. Another attraction is the small two-room museum with Khon masks, papier-mache pigs and other cultural objects. 30 baht. 
• 🌍 Wat Rakhang (วัดระฆังโฆสิตารามวรมหาวิหาร), 250 Trok Wat Rakhang (Wat Rakung Pier), ☏ +66 2 418-1079. 06:00-18:00 daily. This temple was built during the Ayutthaya Period, later it was reconstructed and upgraded as a royal temple by King Taksin. The temple was named the "Temple of the Bells" due to the discovery of a huge bell at this temple in the reign of King Rama I. This significant temple was the residence of many supreme patriarchs of the Rattankosin Period, including Somdej Toah, a highly respected monk in the reign of King Rama V. Things of note are the beautiful mural paintings in the ordination hall, the image hall and the bell tower. Outside is a row of bells lined up. It is believed that ringing all of them in a row will bring good luck. The front of the building is right at the banks of the Chao Phraya River, and it is beautifully lit at nighttime. Free. 
• 🌍 Wat Suwannaram (วัดสุวรรณาราม), 33 Charan Sanitwong Soi 32. 08:00-18:00 daily. This is a big royal temple on the banks of the Bangkok Noi Canal. It was built during the reign of King Rama I and renovated during the reign of King Rama III. Inside are exceptional murals depicting the Jutaku, deities and the Buddha in subduing Mara posture. These works of art of the early Rattanakosin Period (early 19th century) are considered some the best survived mural paintings in Bangkok. One particularly interesting mural is a Dutch person holding a telescope. At that time, the Dutch were associated with modern inventions that were very popular in Siam. Free. 

• 🌍 Bangkok Noi Museum (พิพิธภัณฑ์เขตบางกอกน้อย), Charan Sanitwong Soi 32 (inside Suwannaram Witthayakom School, next to Wat Suwannaram), ☏ +66 2 424 6873. W-Su 09:00-16:00. This museum is about the history of Bangkok Noi and of the village of "Bangkok" that used to be located here. Bangkok Noi was an important trading centre in the Ayutthaya Period, and briefly the capital of Siam in the Thonburi Period. The Rattanakosin Period has also been covered, when most of Bangkok Noi consisted of fruit orchards. Many people worked as craftsmen, including those making bronze bowls. These fruits and bowls are on display in the museum. Over time, Thonburi became more urbanised, but here you can still see what it used to be like. Free. 
• 🌍 House of Museums (บ้านพิพิธภัณฑ์), Khlong Pho Land, 170/17 Moo 17, Khlong Pho Soi 2, Sala Thammasop Rd (drive along Phutthamonthon Sai 2 Road toward the railway track or Khlong Maha Sawat; at the end of the road, turn left onto Sala Thammasop Road and follow the sign to the museum), ☏ +66 8 9666-2008. Sa-Su 10:00-17:00. The exhibition features a collection of old and modern items that were used every day by both townspeople and villagers. Items such as toys, books, stationery and kitchen and household utensils throughout the years are on display, forming a legacy of the past to be inherited by the present. The modern 3½-storey building of 3 chambers covers an area of 232 m². The first floor shows an old atmosphere of shop houses that date from before 1957, including a cafe, pharmacy, barber shop, and others. There are also rooms with changing exhibitions and various topics. 30 baht. 
• 🌍 Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre (ศูนย์มานุษยวิทยาสิรินธร), 20 Borommarachachonnani Rd (close to the Taling Chan Floating Market), ☏ +66 2 880-9429. M-Sa 09:00-16:00. This centre gathers anthropological data scattered throughout the country and brings the information together. More interesting for visitors are the variety of exhibitions taking place here, such as on social and cultural development in Thailand, ethno-archaeology and Thai ceramic collections. Also the biography of Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn can be viewed. Free. 

• 🌍 Royal Barge National Museum (พิพิธภัณฑสถานแห่งชาติเรือพระราชพิธี), Arun-Amarin Rd (Phra Arthit Pier, then walk over the Phra Pin Klao Bridge, take a left into Wat Dusitaram Road, passing the Wat Dusitaram School, then walk through an alley that snakes through a residential neighbourhood; follow the signs until you reach the museum.), ☏ +66 2 424-0004. 09:00-17:00 daily. On the mouth of the Bangkok Noi canal, this museum displays several Royal Barges used for state ceremonies on the Chao Phraya River. The ornately carved barges take the form of famous mythical creatures from the Ramayana epic. The most impressive is the Suphannahongse (or Golden Swan), which was built in 1911 during the reign of King Rama IV. This 46-metre craft was carved from a single piece of teakwood. The bow resembles a mythical swan and is adorned with gold lacquer and glass jewels. Most visit this museum as part of a canal tour, but it can also be visited on foot. 
• 🌍 Siriraj Museums, Phran Nok Rd (Wang Lang Pier), ☏ +66 2 419-7000(-6363). M-Sa 09:00-16:00. These museums are old and dusty with many of them missing English signs. Most of the visitors are Thai students, who have to visit them for their studies, but some foreigners like to see them as well. The Forensic Medicine Museum is the most popular one for its collection of medical oddities similar to the Mütter Museum in Philadelphia. There are many other museums inside the complex, including the Congdon Anatomical Museum, Sood Sangvichien Prehistoric Museum, Songkran Niyomsane Forensic Medicine Museum, Parasitology Museum, Ellis Pathological Museum and the Veekit Veeranuvati Museum on traditional Thai medicine. 40 baht. 
• 🌍 Sunthorn Museum (พิพิธภัณฑ์สุนทร), 82, 40 Sukhaphiban 1 Road (off Phetkasem Road near Lotus Supermarket), ☏ +66 2 802-0863(-4). Sa 11:00-17:00. This is a private museum operated by Mr Sunthorn Chunothaisawat. It houses antiques such as BMW Motorcycles from the interwar period, clocks, lamps, children toys made out of zinc, radios, irons, typewriters, fans and sewing machines. All are well-maintained and in a good condition. 200 baht. (updated May 2022)

• 🌍 King Taksin the Great Monument (พระบรมราชานุสาวรีย์พระเจ้าตากสินมหาราช), Prajadhipok Rd (BTS Wongwian Yai). This is an equestrian statue situated at the Wongwian Yai Circle near the railway station of the same name. The king is portrayed with his right hand holding a sword, measuring approximately 9 metres in height from his horse's feet to the spire of his hat. The statue rests on a reinforced concrete pedestal of about 9 by 2 metres with 3.90 metres in height. There are four frames of stucco relief on the two sides of the pedestal. The opening ceremony of this monument was held on April 17, 1954 and a homage-paying fair takes place annually at December 28. Free. 
• 🌍 Princess Mother Memorial Park (อุทยานเฉลิมพระเกียรติสมเด็จพระศรีนครินทราบรมราชชนนี), Somdet Chao Phraya Soi 3 (Memorial Bridge Pier), ☏ +66 2 437-7799. garden 06:00-18:00 daily, museum 08:30-16:30 daily, hols closed. This beautiful park is built near the Wat Anongkharam community where Somdej Phra Srinagarindra Boromarajajonani, HRH the Princess Mother (the mother of King Rama IX) had resided during her childhood. The park comprises a full scale model of the Princess Mother's house. The old buildings were renovated as exhibition halls, displaying the life story of HRH the Princess Mother and the history of the Wat Anongkharam community that lives here. 

Nineteenth-century Bangkok was laced with canals, giving the capital the designation "Venice of the East". As Bangkok turned into a bustling metropolis, Thonburi's surviving canals and the Chao Phraya River provide memorable vignettes of the traditional waterborne way-of-life that once was. No wonder then that most travellers visit the district by boat. Many of the tours and floating markets feel pretty set-up though, but in mornings you might still encounter an authentic floating vendor, paddling from house to house trying to sell some just-prepared food.

The most convenient option is to take a fixed-price trip, which is a package deal that usually includes a visit to Wat Arun, the Royal Barge Museum and a floating market. Such a tour can be booked through a travel agency, but it's easier to go to the pier yourself. There are two tour companies, one operating from Tha Chang pier in Rattanakosin, the other operating from Si Phraya pier in Silom (near River City shopping centre).

• Mitchaophraya Travel Service (Tha Chang Pier), ☏ +66 2 225-6179. Operating from Tha Chang pier, there offers plenty of tours on offer. All of them include Wat Arun, the Royal Barge National Museum and a floating market. At weekdays it will pass by the "Thonburi Floating Market", which is set-up for tourists and not worth it. Better take the tour at weekends, when it goes by the Taling Chan Floating Market (which is also not authentic, but at least feels more genuine and is a lot more lively). The one-hour tour goes through the Bangkok Noi and Mon canals for 800 baht. The 90-minute tour also takes in the Bangkok Yai canal for 1,000 baht. The complete tour takes two hours, costs 1,200 baht, and goes deeper into Thonburi, where you'll visit an orchid farm. 
• Pandan Tour Company, 780/488 Charoen Krung Rd, Bang Kho Laem, ☏ +66 8 7109-8873. 08:00-16:00 daily. This company offers whole-day tours, which are slightly different whether you're taking them on weekdays or weekends. The weekday tour starts at the Wat Sai Morning Market and then takes you to an exotic orchid nursery, the Wat Pa Chang Lane or the "Jungle Temple", then onto a traditional wooden house of a local miniature boat making family and the "Artists' House" for a traditional Thai puppet show. The weekend tour takes you to the Artists House first and then brings you to the Lat Mayom Floating Market. The weekend tour is recommended as the Lat Mayom Floating Market is more authentic and more fun than the Wat Sai market. These tours use a Thai traditional teak boat, and life-vests are offered. Unlike other tours, you can ask the staff to stop anywhere along the canals. Call ahead for inquiries (ask for Tom, the Thai-American owner). 1,000+ baht. 
• The Boat Tour Centre (Si Phraya Pier). Operating from Si Phraya pier, they offer a one-hour tour for 800 baht and a two-hour for 1,500 baht. The one-hour tour is a quick tour of the Chao Phraya River. At the two-hour tour, you will either visit the Wat Sai Floating Market (if arriving around 08:00 on weekdays) or go up north to Wat Arun and the Royal Barge National Museum (at any other time). 

Trips can also be arranged by chartering a boat along the canals at the east side of the river. The most convenient place to do this is Tha Chang pier or Tha Tien pier at the Rattanakosin side of the river. But it's also possible at Oriental pier in Silom and at the Bangkok Information Centre under Phra Pinklao Bridge (near Khao San Road). Major canals in Thonburi which tourists can take a boat trip through are the Bangkok Noi canal, Bangkok Yai canal, Daan canal and Chakphra canal. Be prepared to bargain, but don't pay more than around 1,000-1,500 baht for a two-hour trip (without any stops).

Another option is the boat service from Tha Chang pier. It operates every morning from 06:30 till 11:00 and departs every half hour (or when it has enough passengers). Boat fare is only 30 baht per person and you'll visit an orchard and a floating market.

• 🌍 Anantara Cruises, 257/1-3 Charoennakorn Road, ☏ +66 2 476 0022, bangkokcruises@anantara.com. Chao Phraya River cruise . They offer Private/shared cruises, two staterooms with private ensuite bathrooms , Departs on Mondays and Thursdays Starting from 32,000 baht. (updated Feb 2017)

• 🌍 Major Cineplex Pinklao (เมเจอร์ ปิ่นเกล้า), 554-554/12 Borommaratchachonnani Rd (Wang Lang Pier, then taxi), ☏ +66 2 433-8341. 10:30-22:00 daily. A large and luxurious cinema, and compared to Western standards, an absolute bargain to watch a film here. All the newest Hollywood releases are on show, as are Thai films (most of which are subtitled in English). If you have to wait about one or two hours before the film starts, you can do some shopping or have some food in the attached shopping mall. 150 baht. 

For a thoroughly artificial but sanitized, air-conditioned and easy to reach indoor "floating market", see Sooksiam under #Eat.

• 🌍 Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market (ตลาดน้ำคลองลัดมะยม), 30/15 Moo 11, Bang Ramat Rd (bus 146 to Kanchanaphisek Road and get off at the offices of Samakom Chao Pak Tai, then take a 15-minute songthaew (Rod Fai-Wat Pu Theun route) to Bang Ramat Rd). Sa Su hols 09:30-16:00. This is a major attraction, with a pleasant and shaded atmosphere. The floating market corresponds to both sides of the Lat Mayom canal on Bang Ramat Road. This floating market dates from 2004, and is not frequently visited by boats. However, it does have many shop stalls, a small boat museum, several walking paths around the market, small toilet, a few outdoor restaurants and a variety of foods and merchandise for sale. Occasionally, it does feature live outdoor performances by local children or organisations. It is only open on weekends and easily accessible (and used as a prolonged stopover) on some tourist tour boats from Taling Chan Floating Market. 

• 🌍 Taling Chan Floating Market (ตลาดน้ำตลิ่งชัน), Chak Phra Rd (bus 79 from Ratchadamnoen Klang Road or Siam Square), ☏ +66 2 424-1742. Sa-Su 07:00-17:00. This major attraction along Chak Phra canal is held every weekend. It is more convenient than taking a canal trip to Wat Sai and also feels more authentic and fun. It blends a rural market with the canal side way of life. The vendors, who are local farmers, take their products including plants, vegetables, fruits, fish and various kinds of food to this market. There are also floating food shops and a private-run canal tour service for visitors who enjoy the district's canal side way of life. It is accessible by car and bus, not too far from Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal. Free. 
• 🌍 Wat Sai Floating Market (ตลาดน้ำวัดไทร), 11 Moo 2, Ekkachai Rd (bus 43 or 120 from Wongwien Yai). 06:00-09:00 daily. This floating market along Sanam Chai Canal used to be a popular tourist site for visitors to admire the traditional canal side way of life. Unfortunately, construction of new roads within the area left the floating market abandoned in 1977. It has been revived, though it does not feel as authentic as it used to. It is still interesting to book a canal tour along this historic waterway, and enjoy the floating market that is crowded with boats that have farm produced products for sale. Free. 

• 🌍 Bang Ramat Market, Bang Ramat Rd (from the Southern Bus Terminal, go south along Phutthamonthon Sai 1 Road for 2 km; the market is at the corner of Phutthamonthon Sai 1 Road and Bang Ramat Rd). afternoon-evening daily. A local outdoor marketplace filled with food, refreshments, clothing, souvenirs and miscellaneous items by various independent local vendors. The market has a variety of clothes for sale, including new, used, Western and Eastern style clothes. Also for sale are CDs/DVDs/VCDs, children's toys, phone accessories, purses, weapons (handguns, hunting knives, ammunition), toiletries, ceremonial gifts, souvenirs and other small accessories. Children can go to the large inflatable playpen. It is popular and well-known by locals, but barely-known or visited by tourists. It is best to visit the market in the middle of the afternoon when it is most lively. 
• Bang Phrom Market (near the intersection of Wat Kaeo-Phutthamonthon Sai 1 and Kaeo Ngoen Thong Rd in the Bang Phrom subdistrict). Another local outdoor marketplace, similar to the one in Bang Ramat, but slightly larger, busier and more crowded. 
• 🌍 Khlong San Market (ท่าเรือคลองสาน) (express boat to Si Phraya, then take the cross-river ferry to Klongsan pier). 08:30-18:30 daily. Located in a soi off Charoen Nakhon Road, the area offers items like ready-to-wear clothes for teenagers and shoes at relatively low prices. Best visited from lunch to dinner. 
• 🌍 Thonburi Railway Market (ตลาดรถไฟธนบุรี), Soi Nikhom Banphak Rotfai (take taxi to Thonburi Railway Station). 03:00-18:00. This mostly fresh market spans 350 m following the tracks at the railway station. It opens before sunrise and many fresh items are sold out by noon although the stalls selling other goods remain open. Worth checking out also for food if you arrive early for your train from Thonburi station. (updated Jan 2017)
• 🌍 Wang Lang Market (ตลาดวังหลัง), Soi Wang Lang, Phran Nok Rd (Wang Lang Pier). 10:00-19:00 daily. Wang Lang is a small street filled with shops and carts. It is often called the Ladies Market, because the many stores cater to women's clothes, shoes, bags and accessories. It becomes very crowded around 12:00, when the locals come in to have lunch. At that time it might be difficult to find your way around. Wednesdays is the best day to go, as the new second-hand products arrive that day, but the market is busy every day of the week. 

• 🌍 Central Plaza Pinklao (เซ็นทรัลพลาซา - ปิ่นเกล้า), 7/222 Borommaratchachonnani Rd (Wang Lang Pier and taxi), ☏ +66 2 877-5000. M-Th 10:30-21:30, F-Su 10:30-22:00. The largest shopping mall and office tower complex of Thonburi, it includes six floors (with a basement floor) with stores, stalls, restaurants, banks and a karaoke lounge. The Central Department Store is inside and takes up many floors. The other usual chain stores are present as well, as are stores selling books, electronics and clothes. The easiest way to get there is by taxi, but there are also buses and songthaews available. 
• 🌍 The Mall Bang Khae (เดอะมอลล์ บางแค), 275 Phetkasem Rd (at the intersection of Phetkasem Road and Kanchanaphisek Road), ☏ +66 2 487-1000. M-F 10:30-22:00, Sa-Su 10:00-22:00. A large shopping mall complex that has many floors of stores, stalls, restaurants and a cinema. It is located down the street from Kasemrad Hospital. 
• 🌍 The Mall Tha Phra (เดอะมอลล์ท่าพระ), 99 Ratchadapisek Rd (BTS Talat Plu exit 4 and walk south), ☏ +66 2 469-1000. M-F 11:00-21:30,Sa-Su 10:00-21:30. The easiest The Mall shopping mall to reach with Skytrain. Six floors with shops, a supermarket, outlets of all mobile operators, restaurants and a cinema. (updated Jan 2017)
• 🌍 Iconsiam (BTS Charoen Nakhon (Gold Line), or take ferry to Iconsiam pier). By far Thonburi's largest and glitziest shopping mall, parked on a prime riverside location with Vegas-style fountain light shows at night. Divided into themed zones: Takashimaya brings the Japanese department store to Bangkok, Iconluxe caters to all your branded shopping needs, while the Sooksiam indoor floating market is a destination in itself, offering a vast array of street food (see #Eat) as well as handicrafts and more from all around the country. (updated Mar 2022)

• 🌍 Baan Tipa Prannok, 225/1-2 Soi Itsaraphap 45 (750 m south of Thonburi Railway Station). Private rooms with a/c, TV and Wi-Fi. Breakfast included. 800-1,000 baht. 
• 🌍 Bangkok Station, 20 Soi Krungthonburi 4 (BTS Wongwian Yai exit 4, past the lift and turn left). Hostel with a/c rooms with shared bathrooms and free Wi-Fi about 200 m from BTS station. 800-1,000 baht. 

• 🌍 River Side Bangkok, 195 Ratchawithi Rd (Krung Thon Bridge Pier), ☏ +66 2 883-1588(-20). This two-star hotel has 262 "superior" and "deluxe" rooms. Rooms are fully equipped with modern facilities and some include a room-service breakfast. Many of the rooms have a nice view over the Chao Phraya River. 800-2,500 baht. 
• 🌍 The Royal City Hotel, 800 Borommaratchachonnani Rd (about 500 m further down the road from Central Plaza Pinklao), ☏ +66 2 435-8888. This is a decent hotel near Central Plaza Pinklao. Rooms are spacious, comfortable and clean, but also quite old, dark and uninspiring. Facilities are plentiful, including a pool, fitness and massage. The staff are really nice and helpful. There is not that much to do in the area, except for the nearby 7-Eleven. 2,200-2,600 baht. 
• 🌍 The Royal River Hotel, 219 Charan Sanitwong Soi 66/1 (Krung Thon Bridge Pier), ☏ +66 2 422-9222. This is a good hotel near the Krung Thon Bridge. Rooms are large, comfortable and clean. The deluxe rooms of this hotel have a big balcony with a nice view over the river. It is relaxed to splash into the pool after a hot day of temple tramping. 2,200-2,700 baht. 
• 🌍 Sivalai Place, 168 Itsaraphap Soi 33, ☏ +66 2 412-4000. This boutique hotel offers spacious and clean rooms in a cozy environment. It has lots of services available, including a swimming pool, tennis courts, a restaurant, a pool table, karaoke room and a fitness room. 999-2,900 baht. 

• 🌍 Anantara Riverside Spa & Resort, 257/1-3 Charoen Nakhon Rd (shuttle boat from Sathorn Pier), ☏ +66 2 476-0022. This former Marriott is one of the best hotels in Bangkok. Its off-central location is a bit of a downer, but it does bring a relaxed ambiance that makes it feel like a resort hotel. Also, there are shuttle boats to BTS Saphan Taksin station, so you still get to the city centre relatively quickly. Rooms are magnificent, there's a tranquil pool and a good breakfast. 3,300-29,000 baht. 
• 🌍 Avani Riverside Bangkok Hotel, 257 Charoennakorn Road, ☏ +66 2431 9100, riverside.bangkok@avanihotels.com. Breathtaking views and an infinity pool. 4,000-9,000 baht. (updated Jan 2017)
• 🌍 Millennium Hilton, 123 Charoen Nakhon Rd (shuttle boat from River City Pier and Sathorn Pier), ☏ +66 2 442-2000. A luxury hotel at the Chao Phraya river, offering a working desk, living room, high-speed internet, two LCD televisions, jacuzzi, rain shower and pool. There's a shuttle boat to River City pier and BTS Saphan Taksin station. 5,000-10,000 baht. 
• 🌍 The Peninsula, 333 Charoen Nakhon Rd (shuttle boat from Sathorn Pier and River City Pier), ☏ +66 2 861-2888. Check-in: 12:00, check-out: 12:0]. Just across the river from the Oriental hotel, this is a worthy competitor for being one of the world's best hotels. Prices are a little cheaper than the Oriental, but still usually above 13,000 baht. Features 3 restaurants, 2 bars, a spa, an outdoor pool. There's a free shuttle service to BTS Saphan Taksin station and River City pier. 9,200-120,000 baht. (updated May 2022)