VIVA Alangka: Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise
Highlights
- Sail past Wat Arun, the Grand Palace, Wat Kalayanamit and the Memorial Bridge lit up after dark
- International, Thai and seafood buffet with river prawns, shellfish on ice and salmon
- Buffet beer for adults, plus a welcome drink, water, hot tea and coffee
- Live duo singers through dinner and a traditional Thai classical dance set
- Open-air rooftop deck with a 360 degree view, air-conditioned decks below
- Board at Terminal 21 Rama 3 (19:15) or Asiatique Pier (19:45) - you pick when you book
Description
The VIVA Alangka is a three-deck river boat that runs one dinner cruise a night on the Chao Phraya, and it is the rare one that lets you pick where you get on. Board at Asiatique The Riverfront and you are on the water from 19:45 to 21:45. Board at Terminal 21 Rama 3 and you get a longer run, 19:15 to 22:15, because the boat collects the Asiatique guests on the way. Either way you pay the same and eat from the same buffet.
Pricing
Adult
Age 11+
THB 990per person
Child
Age 4-10
THB 690per person
Infant
Age 0-3
Free
per person
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Check in at your pier
At Asiatique The Riverfront, check in between 18:30 and 19:30 at the VIVA Alangka desk by Warehouse 7 - the free shuttle boat from Sathorn Pier at Saphan Taksin BTS drops you a short walk away. At Terminal 21 Rama 3, check in between 18:00 and 19:00 on floor G beside the escalator, near Gate 4. Arriving at the start of the window gives you a better pick of table.
Boarding at Terminal 21 Rama 3 is 19:15 to 19:30; at Asiatique Pier 1 it is 19:45 to 20:00. You are shown to your table, and you can move freely between the two air-conditioned decks and the open-air rooftop once the boat is under way.
Service starts as the boat leaves Asiatique. Work through river prawns, shellfish on ice and salmon at the seafood counter, then Thai and international hot dishes, desserts and fresh fruit. A welcome drink, water, tea and coffee come with the ticket, and adults can help themselves to buffet beer.
The boat runs up the Chao Phraya past Wat Arun, the Grand Palace, Wat Kalayanamit and the Memorial Bridge, all floodlit against the water. The rooftop is the place to be for this stretch - the view is a clear 360 degrees with nothing between you and the river.
A duo sings through dinner, working through international pop and easy-listening sets, and partway through the cruise there is a performance of traditional Thai classical dance on the main deck.
The boat returns to Asiatique Pier 1 at about 21:45 and to Terminal 21 Rama 3 at about 22:15, dropping you where you got on. Asiatique stays open late if you want to keep the evening going.
Included
- Two-hour dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya
- International, Thai and seafood buffet dinner
- Buffet beer for adults
- Welcome drink, drinking water, hot coffee and hot tea
- Live music and a traditional Thai classical dance performance
- Free mini birthday cake on request
- 7% government tax
Not included
- Hotel transfers to and from the pier
- Soft drinks, wine and spirits
- Gratuities
- Gala programmes on Valentine’s Day, Loy Krathong, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, which are priced separately
- Smart casual clothing - no beachwear, shorts or flip-flops
- A light layer for the open-air rooftop deck
- Camera or phone for the temple views
- Booking confirmation, printed or on your phone
This tour starts at a fixed meeting point. Please make your own way there.
Asiatique Pier 1
This cruise boards at two different piers and you choose which one when you book, so check your confirmation before you set off. The map pin above is Asiatique Pier.
Asiatique Pier: check in between 18:30 and 19:30 at the VIVA Alangka desk by Warehouse 7 inside Asiatique The Riverfront on Charoen Krung Road, then board at Pier 1 for the 19:45 departure. The easiest way there is the free Asiatique shuttle boat from Sathorn Pier, next to Saphan Taksin BTS exit 2. You are back at Pier 1 by about 21:45.
Terminal 21 Rama 3 Pier: a different pier about 3 km south of Asiatique, at Terminal 21 Rama 3, 356 Rama III Road, Bang Khlo. Check in between 18:00 and 19:00 on floor G beside the escalator, near the Guss Damn Good store by Gate 4, then board at 19:15. You are back by about 22:15. There is no BTS or MRT at the door, so allow time for a taxi or Grab.
Please allow extra time for Bangkok traffic - the boat does not wait.
This is a full-size river boat and a sociable night out rather than a quiet dinner for two. Tables are shared-room style across three decks, the buffet is served from a central line, and there is live music the whole way. If you want the open-air rooftop, ask for it at least two days before you sail, because those seats are limited and go first. The buffet opens once the boat leaves Asiatique, so if you board at Terminal 21 Rama 3 you have about half an hour on the water before food is served. Dress is smart casual: no beachwear, shorts or flip-flops.
FAQs
You choose your pier by picking a departure time. The 19:45 departure is Asiatique Pier and the 19:15 departure is Terminal 21 Rama 3 Pier. Both board the same boat and cost the same. Asiatique The Riverfront is the easier one for most visitors: take the free shuttle boat from Sathorn Pier next to Saphan Taksin BTS, check in between 18:30 and 19:30 and sail 19:45 to 21:45. Terminal 21 Rama 3 suits you if you are staying south of the centre. Check-in there is 18:00 to 19:00 and you sail 19:15 to 22:15, so you get a longer time on board because the boat calls at Asiatique on the way.
The buffet is a mix of Thai, international and seafood dishes - river prawns, shellfish on ice, salmon, hot dishes, desserts and fresh fruit. There is no pork on the line. Vegetarian dishes are available, and you can ask for other dietary requirements when you book so the kitchen can prepare for it. The buffet opens once the boat leaves Asiatique Pier.
A welcome drink, drinking water, hot coffee and hot tea are included, and adults get buffet beer during the cruise. Soft drinks, wine and spirits are sold separately at the bar.
Yes, the top deck is open air with a 360 degree view, and it is the best spot for photos of Wat Arun and the Grand Palace. Rooftop seats are limited, so request one at least two days before you sail. It cannot be guaranteed. The two decks below are air-conditioned with large windows if you would rather stay cool.
Smart casual. Beachwear, shorts and flip-flops are not accepted. Bring a light layer if you plan to sit on the open-air rooftop, as it gets breezy once the boat is moving.
Yes. Cancelling or moving your booking to another date is free up to 24 hours before the tour starts, and anything you have paid is refunded in full. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded. If we have to cancel, for example for weather or safety, you can move to another date or take a full refund.
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Reviews
Based on 81 reviews
- Itamar GolanAugust 14, 20265.0
The boat looked festive from the moment it reached the pier. Night views from the river were much calmer than sightseeing by road. Fresh fruit and small desserts were a pleasant finish. The children loved the lights.
- Étienne FontaineAugust 12, 20265.0
The two-hour sailing passed much faster than I thought it would. The open roof gave us a clear view in both directions. The buffet line moved better after the first busy ten minutes. We could still talk comfortably from our table while the singers performed. Staff cleared used plates efficiently and kept our water topped up.
- GwynethAugust 11, 20265.0
We booked for the skyline and ended up enjoying the whole atmosphere. We moved upstairs for the landmarks and found plenty of good photo angles. We liked being able to sample several dishes instead of choosing one set meal. A few familiar songs had the whole room singing along. The crew handled a short rain shower calmly and moved guests under cover. The children loved the lights.
- Avital DayanAugust 8, 20265.0
Our family wanted a relaxed final evening and this cruise suited us perfectly. Staff pointed toward the main sights before they passed. Hot dishes were refilled regularly during the sailing.
- Madina SarsembayAugust 7, 20265.0
Viva Alangka gave us a bright, cheerful evening on the river. The Grand Palace area shimmered across the dark water. I enjoyed the Thai curries more than the western dishes. The live duo handled a good mix of international songs. The crew remained friendly even during the busiest part of dinner. We moved upstairs after dinner.