The Chao Phraya River is a very important river that runs through Thailand and the capital city of Bangkok.  It begins from the junction of the Ping and Nan Rivers in Nakhon Sawan Province and flows down and empties into the Gulf of Thailand.

The Chao Phraya River is called Mae Nam Chao Phraya in Thai, with Mae meaning mother, Nam meaning water and Chao Phraya, being a feudal title usually meaning General.  English language media often translates the name as River of Kings.  The river is 372 kilometers long and passes through some of Thailand’s major cities and towns including Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Bangkok and Samut Prakan.  The cities and towns that the river runs through are also some of the most historically significant and densely populated settlements in Thailand.

The Chao Phraya Watershed is the largest and most important watershed in Thailand.  It covers around 30% of Thailand’s area, 40% of the country’s population live there, 78% of the country’s people work there and the area generates 66% of Thailand’s GDP.  The area includes the Chao Phraya River and its nearby systems and tributaries (which include the Ping and Nan river systems which stretch all the way up to Northern Thailand).  It drains an area of 157,924 square kilometers and is split into six basins, including the Chao Phraya Basin.

The Chao Phraya River and its basin offer some very scenic sights.  The Grand Palace complex as well as Wat Arun (also known as the Temple of Dawn) is located along the banks of the river and can been seen on a boat.  When cruising north from Bangkok, visitors can see the city’s skyline slowly disappear and replaced with scenes of quiet and rustic villages.

Enjoy a peaceful and scenic upriver trip with Exotissimo’s Manohra Song Overnight Cruise tour.  Visit various temples such as Wat Arun and Wat Bang Na with opportunities for merit making before arriving at Thailand’s historic capital, Ayuthaya.  An extended trip into the central regions of Thailand is also available with our Bangkok and Central Thailand tour.  Enjoy a visit to the beautiful Grand Palace and experience the traditional Thai way of life at the bustling Damnoen Saduak floating market.  Take an upriver cruise to Ayuthaya while also stopping at Kanchanaburi with its beautiful countryside surroundings and wealth of World War 2 monuments and museums.  There are other interesting trips in Thailand which can be seen at Exo Travel’s Thailand tours page.