Category: Thailand Notebook

Thailand is one of the most accessible diving destinations in Southeast Asia: centres everywhere, courses at every level, and two seas with very different characters.

Two seas, two seasons

The west coast, the Andaman Sea, dives from November to April. The east coast, the Gulf of Thailand, rather from May to September. This is the first decision: by month, you do not dive the same sea.

The Similans

The most famous site: granite islands, rich reefs, often excellent visibility and the chance of manta rays. Access from Khao Lak by day trip or liveaboard. The park closes during the monsoon, generally mid-May to mid-October.

Richelieu Rock

An isolated rock pinnacle, considered one of the country’s best sites, reached by liveaboard from Khao Lak or Ranong. Exposed: conditions can be harder.

Koh Lanta and Phi Phi

Accessible diving and courses, with varied sites: reefs, wrecks, walls. Many centres, competitive prices, good for beginners.

Koh Tao

In the Gulf, one of the world’s training capitals: hundreds of centres, low prices, warm water. The downside is crowds: choose a serious centre and dive early.

Pattaya and wrecks

Less known, with wrecks and practical sites for divers based in Bangkok. A useful option outside the west-coast season.

Training

Courses are offered everywhere. Choose a centre limiting students per instructor and never sacrificing safety for volume.

Liveaboard or day trip

A liveaboard reaches distant sites and dives several times a day. A day trip suits discovery, with two or three dives.

Prices

Affordable: a day trip costs less than in Europe. Beware of very low prices: they can hide thin supervision or tired gear.

#Thailand #Diving #MrSchaka

Gear

Most centres rent full equipment. If you dive regularly, bring at least your mask, computer and light wetsuit.

Wildlife

The Andaman offers turtles, reef sharks, rays and corals; the Gulf is more accessible. Encounters remain unpredictable: no serious operator guarantees an animal.

Safety

Check the instructor’s certification, oxygen on board, insurance cover and emergency procedures. Dive within your level.

FAQ

Do I need certification?

No: you can start with a supervised discovery dive.

Best season?

Andaman November to April, Gulf May to September.

Cost of a dive?

Less than in Europe.

Dive without swimming?

No, swimming is a basic safety condition.

Children?

Some programmes start at eight or ten.

Also read

• How to visit the Similan Islands
• What to do in Koh Chang

The Golden Triangle is where the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet, at the confluence of the Mekong and the Ruak river. A place loaded with history — that of opium growing — and a spectacular landscape, the river widening between the three countries.

Where it is

The main viewpoint is at Sop Ruak, Chiang Rai province, about sixty kilometres from the city. You see the Mekong divide, Thailand on one side, Laos opposite, Myanmar beyond. The name comes from geography and from the opium trade that marked the region for decades.

Getting there

From Chiang Rai, an hour to ninety minutes by road. Organised minibus tours leave in the morning and return late in the day, with stops on the way. A car with driver is more flexible and lets you combine nearby sites.

The viewpoint

The Sop Ruak belvedere gives the classic view: river, banks, the Golden Triangle sign. Tourist but worth it. Morning light is better and the crowd thinner.

The opium museum

Nearby, a museum covers the history of opium in the region: growing, trade, addiction and substitution policies. The essential complement to the landscape, because it explains what the name means. Allow an hour to ninety minutes.

Boat trips

Boats take visitors on the Mekong, sometimes to a Laotian islet for souvenirs and a drink. Short organised trips that give another view of the river. Check what is included and how the crossing works.

The three borders

The region is a crossroads, but not every crossing is open to travellers. Do not count on crossing a border without checking first: visas and border posts have their own rules.

Around

Chiang Saen, further south, is an ancient town with ramparts and a museum. Further north, Mae Sai marks the border with Myanmar. Both fit into a day or two.

Ethics

Part of the tourism rests on the memory of opium and on visits to minorities. Avoid attractions that stage populations as caricatures, and prefer places that explain the history.

When to go

November to February: dry season, clear sky, pleasant temperatures. The region is cooler than Bangkok, especially in the morning: bring an extra layer.

#Thailand #GoldenTriangle #MrSchaka

How long

A day covers the viewpoint, the museum and a boat trip. Two days add Chiang Saen.

Budget

A day tour from Chiang Rai costs the price of a classic excursion, transport included. Entries and the boat may be charged separately.

Mistakes to avoid

Thinking you can cross into Laos without formalities. Coming for the sign and leaving without the museum. Booking a tour that does not state extra costs. And forgetting the region is a border area: carry your documents.

FAQ

Can you visit from Chiang Mai?

Possible but long: three hours each way. Better to sleep in Chiang Rai.

Do you need a guide?

Useful for history and borders, not essential.

Can you cross into Laos?

Some tours offer it, but conditions change: ask locally.

Is the region safe?

Yes in tourist areas, avoiding the immediate border surroundings.

With children?

Yes, but the day is long and the museum’s appeal limited for the youngest.

Also read

• Chiang Rai and the white temple
• Chiang Mai with children

Koh Chang is Thailand’s second largest island, in Trat province, in the eastern gulf. Covered in jungle, lined with beaches along the west coast, crossed by roads that climb and fall constantly. You come for the sea and stay for the forest.

Understanding the island

About thirty kilometres long. The west coast holds beaches and accommodation; the east is wilder, with fishing villages and mangroves. The interior is dense forest, much of it a national park.

The beaches

White Sand Beach, in the north, is the liveliest. Klong Prao, further south, is more family-friendly with a long beach. Kai Bae is a compromise: shops, restaurants, decent beach. Lonely Beach is the backpacker spot. To the south, Bailan and beyond are quietest.

Waterfalls

Klong Plu is the most accessible: a fall in the forest with a pool for swimming. Others are harder to reach and some need a guide. In the dry season the flow drops.

The mangrove

On the east side, preserved mangrove is visited by boat or on footbridges: birds, crabs, an ecosystem unlike the beaches.

Diving and snorkelling

Reefs around Koh Chang are not Thailand’s most spectacular but offer good dives, especially towards the southern islets. Several centres run day trips, including for beginners.

Getting there

Bangkok to Trat by road (five to six hours) or a flight, then ferry from Laem Ngop. Crossings take about forty minutes. Check times: last departures are late afternoon.

Getting around

Songthaews serve the main beaches. Scooters are possible but dangerous: narrow, winding, steep roads and frequent accidents. If you ride, wear a helmet and avoid night.

The season

November to February: calm sea, clear sky, best period. March to May: hotter, still pleasant. June to October: monsoon showers and rougher sea; some tours cancelled, waterfalls finer.

Where to stay

Very varied: simple bungalows, resorts with pools, boutique hotels. Prices stay below the southern islands.

#Thailand #KohChang #MrSchaka

What to budget

Cheaper than Phuket or Samui. The main cost is transport from Bangkok.

With children

Klong Prao and Kai Bae suit families: calm water in the dry season, restaurants nearby, pools. Waterfalls and mangrove are easy outings. Avoid scooters.

Mistakes to avoid

Arriving without checking the last ferry. Thinking the island can be crossed on foot. Underestimating distances and slopes. And coming in full monsoon hoping for a calm sea.

FAQ

How long to stay?

Four to five days for beaches and forest, a week for a slower stay.

Do you need a car?

No, songthaews suffice, but a car helps for excursions.

Can you swim all year?

Yes, but the sea is rougher in the monsoon.

Is there an airport?

In Trat, on the mainland, with a transfer to the ferry.

Good for families?

Yes, on the west coast.

Also read

• How to visit the Similan Islands
• What to do in Koh Samet for a weekend

The Similan Islands are an archipelago of eleven granite islands in the Andaman Sea, off Phang Nga province. Protected as a national park, known for clear water and rich reefs, they are not visited like an ordinary beach: you must choose your season, your transport and accept rules.

What the Similans are

Eleven islands, the largest giving its name to the group. The landscape is granite boulders, narrow beaches and forest down to the water. What sets them apart is what lies beneath: healthy coral, abundant fish, turtles, and at times manta rays or whale sharks.

The season

The park closes during the monsoon: generally opening mid-October and closing mid-May, with exact dates set each year by the authorities. Outside that window there is no tourist access.

How to get there

By boat from the coast: mainly Khao Lak, sometimes Phuket or Tap Lamu. From Khao Lak the speedboat takes an hour to ninety minutes; from Phuket, longer, with a road transfer. Many travellers sleep in Khao Lak the night before.

Day trip or cruise

A day trip by speedboat covers two or three islands, snorkelling, and a return in the evening: simplest and cheapest. A liveaboard cruise reaches further sites, allows several dives a day and puts you there at sunrise — more expensive, more demanding, far more satisfying for divers.

Snorkelling

Even without diving, the Similans work with mask and snorkel. Shallow sites offer coral and fish, and visibility is often several metres. Do not touch coral or stand on reefs: it is a rule, and it is enforced.

Diving

For certified divers: Elephant Head Rock, Christmas Point, reefs around Ko Bon. Granite arches and swim-throughs make varied dives. Beginners can do supervised introductory dives, but the best sites need experience.

The main islands

Ko Similan, the largest, has a viewpoint reached by a trail and a beach where boats stop. Ko Miang, second, hosts the park administration and accommodation.

Sleeping there

Accommodation in the park is limited: a few bungalows and tents managed by the administration, to be booked ahead. Conditions are simple, electricity limited. You go for the evening calm and sunrise over the water, not for comfort.

Park fees

Entry is charged to foreign visitors, on top of the excursion price. Rates may change: agencies usually include them. Keep the receipt, it may be checked.

#Thailand #Similan #MrSchaka

The rules

No touching coral, no feeding fish, no collecting sand or shells, no leaving trails. Some beaches ban fins to protect shallow coral. These rules matter: the archipelago is fragile.

What to pack

Swimsuit, towel, reef-safe sunscreen, hat, water, mask and snorkel if you have them, a dry bag. Avoid ordinary sunscreens in coral areas. Bring cash and a dry change.

Mistakes to avoid

Coming in the monsoon and finding the park closed. Booking without checking departure time and real duration. Leaving from Phuket without accounting for the road transfer. Touching coral to ‘see better’. And forgetting the sea can be rough even in season.

FAQ

Can you visit all year?

No, the park closes during the monsoon, generally mid-May to mid-October.

Do you need to dive?

No, snorkelling is enough to enjoy, but diving opens the best sites.

How long?

A day for an overview, two to four days for a cruise.

With children?

Yes for snorkelling by speedboat, choosing a short day and calm sea.

Is there a signal?

Very little, sometimes none on some islands.

Also read

• Khao Lak and the Similans
• Where to dive in Thailand

Taking a tuk-tuk in Bangkok is something of a rite of passage for every traveller: the roar of the engine, the warm wind, the traffic it squeezes through. It is also the form of transport where you are most easily taken for a ride. Here is what I have learnt over my stays: indicative prices, how to negotiate, the classic traps and the moments when it is better to pull out your phone and book a Grab or hail a taxi.

The tuk-tuk: more an experience than a means of transport

Let’s be honest: the tuk-tuk is neither the cheapest nor the fastest way to get around Bangkok. It has no meter, no seatbelt, it is open at the sides and you breathe in exhaust fumes at red lights. But for a short hop between two temples, a ride back from a market in the evening or simply the pleasure of the trip, it remains a little moment of happiness. I take it for the experience, over short distances, and use something else for the rest.

For longer journeys, the Skytrain, metro and boat network is often more efficient. I cover it in detail in my article on getting around Bangkok by BTS, MRT and boat.

How much does a tuk-tuk cost in Bangkok?

There is no official fare: everything is negotiated. Prices vary with the neighbourhood, the time, the weather and how much of a tourist you look. As a rough guide, for a short trip of a few kilometres in tourist areas, expect around 100 to 200 baht. Thais generally pay less, and the price climbs quickly near major sights, luxury hotels or when it rains.

To get a benchmark, open the Grab app before negotiating and check the price of a car for the same journey. A tuk-tuk often costs as much as an air-conditioned taxi, or more: that is normal, you are paying for the experience. But if the driver asks double or triple, you know there is room to talk.

How to negotiate well

• Agree the price before you get in, always. Show the destination on a map and ask how much: “tâo rài?”.
• Confirm the price for the whole trip and for the group, not per person, to avoid misunderstandings on arrival.
• Make a counter-offer calmly, with a smile. The first price is often inflated; offering noticeably less and meeting in the middle is common.
• If it doesn’t suit you, walk away politely. Another tuk-tuk will come along, and sometimes the driver calls you back with a better price.
• Choose a tuk-tuk that is moving rather than those parked in a line outside tourist sights, which are often dearer.

Keeping calm is essential. In Thailand, raising your voice never works. A bit of humour and a few words of Thai open far more doors; my short Thai glossary will give you the basics.

The classic traps to avoid

The cut-price city tour

A driver offers to show you several temples for 20 or 50 baht? It is too good to be true. The tour almost always includes “quick” stops at a jeweller’s, a tailor’s or a souvenir shop where the driver earns a commission. You can lose half a day and a lot of money.

“The temple is closed today”

A very friendly stranger, sometimes near the Grand Palace, explains that the site is closed for a ceremony and just happens to find you a tuk-tuk for another visit. Check for yourself at the official entrance or on the site’s website. This scenario is one of the best-known scams in Bangkok.

The price that changes on arrival

You said 100 baht, now he wants 100 baht per person, or claims he understood 300. Hence the point of being very clear at the start, repeating the figure and, if need be, typing it on your phone.

#Thailand #Bangkok #ThailandTravel #TravelTips #Asia #MrSchaka

No change

With a 1,000-baht note, the driver often “has no change”. Keep small notes (20, 50 and 100 baht) in a separate pocket.

When to choose Grab or a taxi instead

The tuk-tuk has its moments, but other options are often more comfortable:

• Grab (or Bolt): the price is shown before you book, the journey is tracked in the app and there is nothing to negotiate. Ideal for medium or long trips, in the evening, or when you are tired.
• Metered taxis: air-conditioned and often cheap if the meter is running. In Bangkok it starts at around 35 baht. Ask for the “meter” before getting in; if the driver refuses and quotes a flat fare, take the next one.
• MuvMi electric tuk-tuks: in some neighbourhoods these small electric tuk-tuks are booked through an app, with a price set in advance. A good way to enjoy the experience without haggling.
• In heavy rain or at rush hour, the tuk-tuk quickly becomes a chore: you get wet, stuck in traffic jams and at the level of the exhaust pipes. The metro or an air-conditioned car is then far more pleasant.

Safety and comfort on board

A tuk-tuk has no doors and no seatbelts. Hold on to the bar, especially on bends, and keep your bags inside, on your lap or between your feet: bag snatching by motorbike passengers has been reported. If the driver goes too fast, ask him to slow down: “cháa cháa nòi”. And if you are travelling with children, choose an enclosed vehicle for trips along the main roads.

My practical tips

• Check the Grab price for the trip before negotiating: it is your best benchmark.
• Always keep small notes, and check whether the driver accepts QR code payment.
• Show your destination on a map or written in Thai, as many drivers do not read the Latin alphabet.
• Politely refuse any detour to a shop, even “just five minutes”.
• Keep the tuk-tuk for short trips and for fun, preferably in the evening when it is cooler.
• Avoid it in a heavy downpour and during the morning and late-afternoon rush hours.

Frequently asked questions

Is a tuk-tuk cheaper than a taxi in Bangkok?

Rarely. A metered taxi or a Grab car often costs as much, or less, for an equivalent trip. People take a tuk-tuk mainly for the experience.

Can you pay for a tuk-tuk by card?

Generally not. Bring cash in small notes; some drivers also accept Thai QR code payment, but it is not guaranteed.

Should you tip?

It is not compulsory. Rounding up the agreed price is an appreciated gesture if the driver has been fair and careful.

Do tuk-tuks run at night?

Yes, you can find them late around busy areas, but prices often rise in the evening. To get home late, Grab or a metered taxi is simpler.

The Rap Bua festival, literally ‘receiving the lotus’, is one of the most singular traditions around Bangkok. It takes place in Bang Phli, Samut Prakan province, the day after Ok Phansa, the end of Buddhist Lent. The faithful throw lotus flowers onto boats carrying monks.

What the festival is

Offering lotus to monks passing in procession on the river, in decorated boats. The faithful throw flowers from the banks: a rain of lotus over the water, boats filling with flowers.

Origin

Linked to a Buddhist legend: the Buddha’s return to earth after teaching his mother, welcomed by the faithful with flower offerings. The festival developed locally around Bang Phli temple.

The temple

Wat Bang Phli Yai Nai, an important temple of the province, on the river. The faithful gather there and the boat processions pass.

How it unfolds

The morning is devoted to offerings and the boat procession. Monks receive alms and lotus while the faithful line the banks. Traditional boat races are sometimes held, with events around the temple.

When

The day after Ok Phansa, whose date follows the Thai lunar calendar: it varies each year, generally in October. Check the official calendar for the exact date. Arrive early: it starts early and the crowd is dense.

Getting there

Bang Phli is in Samut Prakan, south-east of Bangkok. By car, taxi or ride apps, with variable travel time. No direct rail link to the temple.

Etiquette

It is a religious ceremony: proper dress, shoulders and knees covered, calm behaviour. Do not push to throw your lotus, and do not climb onto unstable banks. Avoid close-up portraits without consent.

#Thailand #RapBua #MrSchaka

Photography

Photogenic but crowded. A telephoto helps, and you must accept not getting the best spot. Protect your gear: water and flowers everywhere.

The meaning

Beyond the spectacle, it is a moment of merit and devotion. Thai people come to offer, not to watch a show. A visitor who understands this is better received.

FAQ

Open to tourists?

Yes, publicly, respecting its religious character.

Should I book?

No, but arrive early and plan transport.

How long?

The morning is enough.

Can you buy lotus there?

Yes, vendors sell them near the site.

With children?

Yes, carefully in the crowd and near the water.

Sources and references

• Thailand.go.th — Rap Bua Festival 2026

23 October is a national holiday in Thailand: the memorial day of King Chulalongkorn, Rama V, who died in 1910. For a traveller, it means two things: some offices are closed, and the country marks official ceremonies.

Who Chulalongkorn was

He reigned from 1868 to 1910, associated with modernisation: administrative reforms, railways, the gradual abolition of slavery and debt bondage, and diplomacy that kept Siam uncolonised. He remains one of the most venerated figures in Thai history.

What the day marks

It commemorates his memory, with wreath-laying across the country, notably at the equestrian statue in Bangkok. Cultural events are sometimes organised around the date.

What closes

Public offices, banks and schools. Consular services and administrative procedures are suspended. If you need immigration, a visa extension or a document, choose another day.

What stays open

Tourist sites, department stores, restaurants, cafés and hotels operate normally. Public transport runs, often with adapted timetables.

Transport

Metro and skytrain run normally. Buses may be less frequent in some districts, and roads are often freer than on weekdays. Streets may close temporarily near ceremonies.

Alcohol

On religious or memorial days, alcohol sales may be restricted in some establishments, especially near places of worship. Rules vary by province and shop.

Ceremonies

Keep your distance, do not disturb officials, do not photograph insistently. Sober dress is appreciated and silence is expected during speeches. These are official commemorations, not shows.

#Thailand #Chulalongkorn #MrSchaka

For travellers

The day is rather favourable: less traffic and a particular atmosphere. But administrative tasks are impossible. If your stay is short, check that the places you want are open.

The equestrian statue

In Dusit district, it is the focus of commemorations, decorated with flowers and wreaths. Worth seeing to understand the place of the sovereign in Thai society.

FAQ

Are banks open?

No, banks and offices are closed.

Are temples open?

Yes, and some host ceremonies.

Can you drink alcohol?

Sales may be restricted depending on place and province.

Does transport run?

Yes, sometimes with adapted timetables.

Should you avoid travelling?

No, but check openings and administrative services.

Sources and references

• Thairath English (23 October 2026)

Koh Kret is one of those outings that make me fall back in love with Bangkok when the city gets too noisy. This small car-free island, sitting on the Chao Phraya north of the capital, has been home for more than two centuries to Mon families who still work the clay there. Here is how to get there by boat, what to see and which day to choose.

An island born from a canal

Koh Kret has not always been an island. In 1722, during the reign of King Thai Sa in the Ayutthaya period, a canal was dug to cut off a large bend in the river and shorten the voyage to what was then the capital. The work is said to have taken around ten thousand men for more than a month. Over time, the current widened the canal, which is now part of the river, and the cut-off bend became an island.

Later, under King Taksin, Mon people, who came from what is now Myanmar, were allowed to settle there. Their descendants still live there, and the island has a few thousand inhabitants. You feel it in the architecture of the temples, in certain dishes and above all in the pottery, which remains the island’s best-known activity. It lies in Nonthaburi province, about an hour from central Bangkok depending on traffic.

How to get to Koh Kret

Everything revolves around Pak Kret, the town opposite the island, and the Wat Sanam Nuea pier, where the ferry leaves from.

By taxi or bus to Pak Kret

The simplest option is a taxi or a car booked through an app to Wat Sanam Nuea in Pak Kret; allow just under an hour depending on traffic jams. Several bus lines also run to Pak Kret market, including the 166 from Victory Monument. From the market, the pier is a few hundred metres on foot, or two minutes by motorbike taxi.

By boat on the Chao Phraya

Chao Phraya express boats serve Pak Kret pier, but only on certain lines and at peak hours on weekdays: in the morning towards the centre, in the late afternoon towards Pak Kret. In June 2026, the Pak Kret–Sathorn journey cost 35 baht. So it is not practical for a there-and-back day visit. One solution is to take the orange-flag boat to Nonthaburi, then a taxi to finish. To understand the boat system, see my article on getting around Bangkok. Some companies also offer weekend boat trips from the centre; check the days and times before relying on them.

The Wat Sanam Nuea ferry

Behind Wat Sanam Nuea, a small ferry crosses the river continuously during the day. The crossing takes only a few minutes and costs a few baht. You land right next to Wat Poramai Yikawat.

What to see on Koh Kret

Wat Poramai Yikawat and the leaning pagoda

This is the main temple, in Mon style, right next to the landing stage. At the corner of the island, by the water, stands a leaning white chedi, the symbol of Koh Kret. The temple also houses a small museum and a beautiful marble Buddha statue. As in all temples, dress respectfully and take your shoes off before entering the buildings.

The potters’ villages

The workshops are mainly in the villages on the east and north of the island. You can watch potters throwing pieces, see old kilns and buy small objects in red terracotta. Some workshops let you try the wheel; ask on the spot. A small private museum of Mon pottery, Kwan Aman, also displays old pieces.

#Thailand #Bangkok #ThailandTravel #TravelTips #Asia #MrSchaka

Around the island

A path goes all the way round the island. On foot, allow between an hour and a half and two hours at a stroll. You can also rent a bicycle for the day for a few dozen baht. The path passes other temples, such as Wat Chimpli Suttawat or Wat Phai Lom, gardens, stilt houses and little piers. Part of it is narrow, so share the space with pedestrians and scooters.

What to eat

The best-known speciality is thot man no kala, crispy fritters of flowers and leaves served with a sweet-and-sour sauce. You will also find khao chae, rice served in scented water, mainly in the hot season, khanom chin noodles with curries and lots of sweets made with palm sugar. For more ideas, read my article on street food in Bangkok.

When to go to Koh Kret

At the weekend the island comes alive: food and pottery stalls multiply along the main path, and Thai families come in large numbers. It is lively, but crowded, especially in the afternoon. On weekdays the island is much calmer, with fewer stalls open. I like to go on a Saturday morning, early, to get the market atmosphere without the crush.

As for the season, temperatures are milder from November to February. During the rainy season the island is perfectly fine to visit, with an umbrella and a shower at the end of the day. Around mid-April, the Mon community also celebrates its own Songkran, about a week after Thai New Year, with a procession.

My practical tips

• Arrive before 10 am at weekends to avoid the crowds and the worst of the heat.
• Bring small notes: the ferry, snacks and small pottery are paid for in cash.
• Wear comfortable shoes and a hat: the walk round the island is largely in the sun.
• The water taxis that circle the island do not always provide life jackets; it is your call.
• To take a piece of pottery home, ask for it to be well wrapped, or choose small items.
• Combine it with a visit to Nonthaburi or another excursion around Bangkok if you have the whole day.
• Be discreet with your camera in the workshops and ask before photographing the potters.

Frequently asked questions

How much time should I allow for Koh Kret?

Half a day is enough for the temple, the leaning pagoda, a pottery workshop and a meal. With the full loop of the island, allow the whole day.

Can I visit Koh Kret on a weekday?

Yes, the island is calmer, but fewer stalls are open. It is ideal for a quiet stroll.

Do I need to book the ferry?

No. The Wat Sanam Nuea ferry crosses continuously during the day and you pay on the spot.

Is Koh Kret suitable for children?

Yes: no cars, pottery workshops and snacks everywhere. Just keep an eye on children along the water’s edge.

A two-deck cruise boat struck a floating pontoon on Bangkok’s Chao Phraya river in the night of 22 to 23 October 2026. Twelve people were injured, including five foreign tourists.

The incident happened near Sathon pier, close to Saphan Taksin skytrain station, an area busy with tourist cruises and river shuttles.

The facts

Twelve injured. Five with minor bruises were treated on site; the others were taken to hospital. The information was reported by Thai media and picked up internationally on the morning of 23 October.

The stated cause

The captain attributes the collision to a technical failure: the steering mechanism stopped working. This has not been confirmed by an official investigation. Early reports suggest the injuries concerned passengers not holding the handrails at impact.

The location

Sathon pier is on the west bank, facing Saphan Taksin station: one of Bangkok’s busiest boarding points. Traffic density is high, especially at dusk when dinner cruises all leave at the same time.

The context

Chao Phraya cruises are one of Bangkok’s most popular attractions. The market is large, with boats of very variable quality. Safety depends on the operator, maintenance and boarding rules. This is real navigation, not a ride.

What it changes for travellers

Not a reason to cancel, but to choose with more care. Three questions: is the operator identified, does the boat have visible safety equipment, does the staff give a briefing? A total absence of briefing is a bad sign.

Life jackets

They must be accessible and visible. On some cruises they are locked away, which makes them useless in an emergency. Ask where they are and check there are enough.

Handholds

On a boat, you hold on. Passengers standing near the rail at impact are the most exposed. With children, sit inside, away from the edges.

Risky hours

Traffic peaks at sunset and early evening. An earlier or later departure reduces exposure.

#Thailand #Bangkok #MrSchaka

After an incident

Have injuries recorded the same day. Ask the operator for a report and keep all medical documents. Notify your insurance within the deadlines.

Insurance

Water activities are sometimes excluded. Check the clauses before booking. Medical and repatriation cover matters more than baggage.

Alternatives

Public shuttle boats offer a different experience: shorter, cheaper, regular transport. Dinner cruises remain a fine way to see Bangkok at night, with a serious operator.

FAQ

Is the river dangerous?

Not especially, but it is a navigable waterway.

Should I avoid cruises?

No, but choose an identified operator.

Are boats inspected?

They must follow safety rules.

What if injured?

Record it the same day and notify insurance.

Children?

Yes, staying inside and supervised.

Sources and references

• OSN (23 October 2026, citing Bangkok Post)
• AiF

Doing Lopburi from Bangkok in a day is one of my favourite outings when I want to leave the concrete behind without taking a plane. Three hours on a slow train, Khmer towers more than eight centuries old, a 17th-century royal palace and macaques that look at you as if you were their next meal. Here is how I go about it, what to see and how to behave around the monkeys.

Lopburi, a city older than Bangkok

Lopburi is not just a “monkey town”. Under the name Lavo, it was an important centre long before Ayutthaya was founded, and later a stronghold of the Khmer empire. The monuments you see today tell that story in successive layers: laterite towers in Khmer style, temples reworked in the Ayutthaya period, then the palace built in the 1660s by King Narai, who made Lopburi his second capital.

It is this mix that I love. In one morning you move from the age of Jayavarman VII to the time of the French embassies sent to the court of Siam. And everything can be done on foot, as the old town is compact.

How to get to Lopburi by train

Be careful: things changed at the end of 2025, and many online guides are out of date.

The slow train from Hua Lamphong: my choice

Since 5 December 2025, only local and commuter trains (ordinary and commuter) still stop at the old Lopburi station, right in the historic centre. That is the one you want: as you walk out, Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat is directly opposite and Phra Prang Sam Yot is a few minutes’ walk away. These trains leave from Bangkok’s old station, Hua Lamphong, which is served by the MRT (see my article on getting around Bangkok). Allow about three hours for the journey, in third class on bench seats with the windows open. The ticket costs only a few dozen baht; check the timetable at the counter or on the SRT website the day before, as it changes.

Fast trains: watch out for Lopburi 2

Rapid, express and special express trains leave from the new Krung Thep Aphiwat station. Since December 2025 they no longer stop in town but at Lopburi 2, an elevated station at Tha Wung, about ten kilometres from the centre. A free shuttle was introduced when it opened; ask on the spot whether it is still running, otherwise you will need a taxi or a songthaew. The time saving is real (from 1 hour 30 to just over 2 hours of travel), but for a day trip, the slow train that drops you in front of the ruins is still simpler.

The train passes through Ayutthaya. If you have two days, you can easily combine the two cities: I have written an article on Ayutthaya from Bangkok.

Phra Prang Sam Yot, the symbol of Lopburi

Phra Prang Sam Yot is three linked towers, built of laterite in the Bayon style between the late 12th and early 13th century, when Lavo was under the Khmer empire. Each tower was dedicated to a deity, and the sanctuary seems to have passed from Hindu worship to Buddhist use. Inside, you will now find Buddha statues from later periods.

It is also the great playground of the long-tailed macaques. Entry is charged for foreigners, generally between 50 and 100 baht depending on the source, and a combined ticket for several sites in town exists; prices change, so check at the counter. Staff sometimes lend you a stick to keep the monkeys at a distance. A few steps away, the San Phra Kan shrine is home to its own troop too.

The other temples and King Narai’s palace

Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat

Opposite the station, this large ruined complex has a Khmer-style prang surrounded by chedis and remains reworked in the Ayutthaya period. It is often calmer: the ideal place to start early in the morning, when the light is soft.

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Phra Narai Ratchaniwet

King Narai’s palace, built in the 1660s, is a vast enclosure with white walls, ruined audience halls, old elephant stables and reservoirs. This is where the king received the French embassy of the Chevalier de Chaumont in 1685. The national museum housed in the palace displays objects from that period and archaeological finds from the region. It is normally closed on Mondays and Tuesdays; entry costs around 150 to 200 baht for foreigners. Allow an hour and a half.

Ban Wichayen

The ruins of this residence, linked to European visitors in King Narai’s time, can be seen quickly. They mix Siamese architecture with European influences, which is quite rare in Thailand.

Lopburi’s monkeys today

For years, thousands of macaques overran the centre, to the point of driving away residents and shopkeepers. From 2024, the authorities and the national parks department launched a large campaign: more than one and a half thousand monkeys were captured, placed in enclosures and sterilised. The town centre is therefore much calmer than before, but there are still monkeys around Phra Prang Sam Yot and San Phra Kan. They are wild animals, fast and sometimes aggressive.

Every year, on the last Sunday of November, the town holds the famous monkey buffet: mountains of fruit and vegetables are laid out around the temples. It is spectacular and very busy. In 2026 it should fall on 29 November; confirm the date before you go.

My practical tips

• Nothing dangling, nothing shiny: put sunglasses, cap, earrings and phone away in a closed bag. Macaques grab anything that sticks out.
• No visible food, and no plastic bags: to a monkey, a rustling bag means food.
• Do not feed the monkeys and do not stare them in the eye, as it can be taken as a threat. Showing your teeth when you smile too.
• If a monkey jumps on you, stay calm, do not pull, do not hit. Move away slowly.
• If you are bitten or scratched, wash the wound for a long time with soap and water and go to hospital the same day: rabies exists in Thailand. Ask your doctor before the trip whether vaccination is useful for you.
• Arrive early: the heat builds quickly and the ruins offer little shade. November to February is the most pleasant period (see when to go to Thailand).
• Wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees for the temples and the palace.
• Keep small notes for entry fees, drinks and the songthaew.

My typical day in Lopburi

I take a morning train from Hua Lamphong, arrive around midday and start with Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat, opposite the station. Then I head to Phra Prang Sam Yot and San Phra Kan, bag firmly closed. I have lunch in town, then finish with King Narai’s palace if it is neither Monday nor Tuesday. I return in the late afternoon on a slow train or, to go faster, via Lopburi 2. If you want to see the monuments without rushing, spending a night there is a good idea.

Frequently asked questions

Can you do Lopburi as a day trip from Bangkok?

Yes, it is doable if you leave early. With about three hours of slow train each way, you will have five to six hours on site, enough for the main sights.

Which station should I use in Lopburi?

The old Lopburi station in the centre, served by slow trains from Hua Lamphong. Fast trains now stop at Lopburi 2, far from the temples.

Are the monkeys dangerous?

There are fewer of them since 2024, but they are still wild. If you follow the simple rules (nothing visible, no food, stay calm), the visit goes well.

Should I go to the monkey buffet?

If you like the atmosphere and the crowds, yes. To visit the temples in peace, choose another day instead.