Cruising in Thailand - Tailor-Made Tours, Luxury Holidays & Tours | My Way Travel USA

If you are looking for a Thailand travel guide that offers more than just the usual tourist attractions, consider cruising in Thailand. While floating along Thailand's stunning coastline is a great way to experience the country from a new angle, it's not the only one. A river trip west of Bangkok on the River Kwai will give you a glimpse of Thailand's role in World War II and is the ideal antidote to a hectic few days in the metropolis. Whether you choose a luxury yacht or a traditional wooden boat, you can enjoy the beauty and diversity of Thailand's waters with My Way Travel, a leading provider of tailor-made tours in Southeast Asia.

Bangkok to Ayutthaya cruises

Once the capital of Thailand, Ayutthaya was devastated in the 18th century by the Burmese but is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The monument is located about 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of Bangkok and is accessible by road, although a trip down the Chao Phraya River by boat is considerably more relaxing. It's a nice change of pace after spending several days racing around the city's crowded streets and marketplaces.

Along the river, people stick closely to their roots. Children splash in the ocean, and teak cottages dot the coastline while local fishermen scour up and down the coast selling their wares.

The boat passes the glittering Grand Palace and the Arun Wat temple on the way to Ayutthaya; you can explore the latter on land. The team may make a pit stop at Pathum Thani market to stock up on dinner essentials, giving you an hour or so to wander around and check out the more exotic fruits and seafood, as well as the wide selection of Thai desserts, such as little pancakes stuffed with spicy cream.

The Bang Pa-In Royal Palace, or Summer Palace, on the outskirts of Ayutthaya, will be your first sight of the city. The Summer Palace, a former palace of the Thai royal family, provides a beautiful entrance to this once-grand city.

Boat options for cruises along the Chao Phraya River

My latest trip down the Chao Phraya on the Mekhala Rice Barge of the Asian Oasis fleet lasted for two days.

In addition to the skipper and cook, the crew of this long teak sailboat consists of just five other people. The ship's amenities are simple but pleasant, including air-conditioned staterooms with private bathrooms and a clean, wooden observation deck.

Having dinner while sailing creates a unique ambiance. We anchored close to the shimmering glass-decorated Wat Kai Tia Temple, where we feasted on spicily spiced Thai curries and fried rice while watching the sunset. After spending the night at the temple, we got up early to see the sunrise before continuing.

Taking a cruise down the Mekhala as part of a larger tour is also a fantastic idea. You may take a train from Ayutthaya to Sukhothai, the first capital of Thailand, and another UNESCO monument located in the north of the country. Chiang Mai, the country's second biggest city, is dotted with beautiful temples and is home to a bustling night market, so let's keep going there.

Cruise the Chao Phraya River in style on the Anantara Song. The yacht is also a repurposed rice barge, and its lacquered wood and polished brass furnishings are stunning.

With just four cabins and a maximum of eight people, the Anantara's three-day voyage from Bangkok to Ayutthaya and back is intimate. Each stateroom has a private bathroom, air conditioning, and amenities like bathrobes and slippers.

The first excursion of many on this cruise is a visit to Wat Arun (the Temple of the Dawn). Even if you've been to this temple during your stay in Bangkok, you'll get a new perspective from across the river. One of the boat's guides will show you around while explaining the site's history and architecture. It is unlike any other temple in Bangkok, with its central prang (tower) designed in the Khmer style and its shattered porcelain decorations.

You'll also visit a tiny island in the middle of the river, home to a Mon village and the Royal Barge Museum, where you can see elaborately adorned royal boats. These people are from Myanmar and earn their income by crafting clay utensils.

When you get to Ayutthaya, you and your guide may spend a whole day wandering about the ruins, including the surviving reliquary towers and Buddhist temples.

You will spend your third and final day in Bangkok, from where you can fly to the southern beaches. You might also visit Chiang Mai, known for its marketplaces and excellent hiking trails. Cooking classes focused on local food are very popular here.

Best time to cruise along the Chao Phraya River

While a river cruise is enjoyable at any time of year, June through August are the warmest and muggiest.

A cruise along the River Kwai

The River Kwai winds through a breathtaking landscape of limestone gorges, jungle-lined riverbanks, natural hot springs, and cascading waterfalls. You can depart and return to Bangkok on the cruise, but you can also stop at Kanchanaburi, a provincial town famous for its World War II sights, including the Bridge on the River Kwai, Hellfire Pass, and the Death Railway. You can explore these places during your time ashore.

The Japanese army forced POWs to dig the passage through solid rock with only hand tools, and Hellfire Pass memorializes their sacrifice.

Boat options for cruises along the River Kwai

New to the river cruise fleet is the RV River Kwai. It may sleep up to 20 people in its ten cabins with private bathrooms and typical colonial styling. The 11-person staff on board is known for their impeccable service and delicious cuisine.

You can combine this three-night cruise with a trip to the beach since it departs and returns to Bangkok. You can reach the country's most famous islands, like Phuket and Koh Phi Phi, with their world-class beaches by taking a short flight from Bangkok to the Andaman Coast, where limestone cliffs jut out of the water.

Best time to cruise along the River Kwai

During May and June, the RV River Kwai is in dry dock. When the river levels are optimal in March and April, and the temperatures are mild in December, these are the best months for travel.

Sea cruises around the Andaman Coast

The Andaman Coast in southwest Thailand is a popular location for filming and creative inspiration. Limestone karsts that rise from the water close offshore surround some of the most stunning islands in the nation, making for a picturesque cruise destination.

By navigating these seas, you may get to islands inaccessible by land. Travel to the marine park of Similan Islands, known for its excellent snorkeling and diving, where vibrant coral and fish bring the water to life and dazzling white dunes border a jungle-covered interior.

You might visit James Bond Island in Phang Nga Bay, which was made famous in the film The Man with the Golden Gun. It is also the site of a Malaysian fishing town, whose residents have built shacks on the cliff of a karstic outcrop of limestone that juts into the sea. You'll get to know the locals who make a living off the waterways around their houses, and you may ask them questions about their way of life.

There are two pools, a sun deck with loungers, and a bowsprit net for lounging on the deck. You can find seven distinct types of cabins within, along with a spacious, open-concept eating area and a library decorated in the Edwardian style. Category 2, 3, and 4 staterooms are higher up the ship and have either a window or porthole. The lower-level cabins are submerged.

The ship's catering is top-notch. You can order dinners à la carte, while you can enjoy a buffet lunch including a variety of delicious fresh seafood, grilled meats, and salads. A piano bar hosts occasional performances by island artists for evening entertainment.

The cruise departs and returns to Phuket; thus, it's a round-trip vacation. It is a great alternative to relaxing on the beach after a cultural tour of Thailand.

From Singapore, cruises may take you to Phuket. Compared to the Eastern Oriental Express train, which links Singapore and Bangkok, this is a far better option.