Let’s make a little detour on our way to the Grand Palace.  There are vendors along the river who sell loaves of bread for mere pennies. We can glide up in our boat, purchase a few and then circle back out to feed the fish.

Break off a small chunk of bread and dangle it over the surface of the water. Soon, hungry fat fish resembling catfish will leap up to snatch the morsel from your fingers. There’s quite a bit of frenzied thrashing about and churning up of murky water as they compete for their snack.

rice barge

In terms of people feeding, there are a variety of restaurants dotted along the river for relaxed meals al fresco. It can also be interesting to sail on a restored Thai rice barge. These are available for day and evening excursions. The dinner cruise is a leisurely event with a delicious multi-course Thai meal and entertainment.

But now, we are on our way over to the most visited site in Thailand before it gets too hot and too crowded. I’m sure a convoy of large motor coaches have already arrived and spilled forth hundreds of other visitors this morning.

 Turning 180 degrees, we get a panoramic view of the s-shaped Chao Phraya River that runs through the bustling city of Bangkok. There is activity at all times of the day and night on this aquatic artery: commuter ferries, commercial transport, tourist boats, dinner cruises.

A long tail boat whisks you up the river at high speed past the ancient and the modern juxtaposed in this sprawling metropolis. High rises exist next to temples. The ride is fast and noisy but fun. Be prepared – you may also get a little backsplash regardless of the protective tarp. We will slow down to enter the network of side canals or klongs where people carry on their daily lives.