Riverside

Everything in the Riverside neighborhood is centered around the Chao Phraya River, known as the “River of Kings”. Bangkok’s Riverside is home to some of Asia’s most desirable tourist attractions and plays host to a wide array of iconic five-star hotels and glitzy riverside condos. This neighborhood has also embraced the 21st century with open arms boasting cool art and lifestyle hubs, instagrammable cafés, and superb street eats attracting locals and tourists alike.
 

location

“Riverside” refers to the neighborhood on both banks of the Chao Phraya River, along Charoen Nakhon and Charoen Krung Roads south of BTS Krung Thonburi and Saphan Taksin Stations. This part of Bangkok was once the city center and is home to many historic buildings including Thailand's first embassy, commercial bank, hotel and mosque. Panoramic views of the Chao Phraya River from many hotels and condominiums have made it a desirable luxury residential location for wealthy Thais and foreigners.
 

public transport

The recently opened Gold Line monorail travels from BTS Krung Thonburi Station to the ICONSIAM complex on Charoen Nakhon Road and on to Khlong San Junction and will extend to Prajadhipok Road by 2023. A Gray Line Monorail (extension) is planned from Tha Phra to Phra Khanong, passing through the riverside area at Charoen Krung Station. Additionally, the BTS Krung Thonburi (Green Line) is nearby. Another popular way to get around the neighborhood is to travel by water with piers at Wat Suwan, Klong San and Iconsiam.
 

Recent Developments and Average Prices

Condominiums in the Riverside area average THB 200,000 – 350,000 per square meter, amongst the most expensive in the city. Notable recent projects include:
 

• The Residences at Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, developed by Magnolia Quality Development, units priced from THB 14 to 486 million (THB 435,000 per/sq. m.), completed in 2019.
• Banyan Tree Residences Riverside Bangkok, developed by Nirvana Daii, units priced from THB 24.1 to 342 million (THB 387,000 per/sq. m.), completed in 2019.
• Four Seasons Private Residences Bangkok, developed by Country Group Development PCL, units priced from THB 26.2 to 474.2 million (THB 381,000 per/sq. m.), completed in 2020.
• Magnolias Waterfront Residences at Icon Siam, developed by Magnolia Quality Development in a joint venture with Siam Piwat and CP Group, units priced from THB 4.59 to 447.3 million (THB 298,000 per/sq. m.), completed in 2017.
   

Hospitality and Retail Venues

Many of Bangkok's finest five-star as well as more affordable hotels are located along the Chao Phraya River catering to the many tourists that are drawn to the mystique surrounding the River of Kings, often considered as the main lifeblood of the Thai people. A selection of the most popular include:

Luxury:

• Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, 1.3 km from BTS Krung Thon Buri, rated 9.5 - the room rate is THB 13,417
• Shangri-La Bangkok, 1.3 km from BTS Krung Thon Buri, rated 8.9 - the room rate is THB 3,925
• Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok, 1.5 km from BTS Krung Thon Buri, rated 9.1 - the room rate is THB 2,307

Mid-Range:

• Riva Arun Bangkok, 3 km from BTS Krung Thon Buri, rated 9.1 - the room rate is THB 1,642
• Cascade Hotel Bangkok, 0.6 km from BTS Krung Thon Buri, rated 9.7- the room rate is THB 1,156

Budget:

• Ibis Bangkok Riverside, 0.8 km from BTS Krung Thon Buri, rated 8.1 - the room rate is THB 749
• Kowtha Rivertel, 102-108, 1.1 km from BTS Krung Thon Buri, rated 8.5 - the room rate is THB 1,575

The Riverside provides top-of-the-line residences, hotels and unrivalled cuisine and also boasts an enviable selection of retail establishments making it must-visit destination for tourists as well as Bangkokians. These include Sena Fest and Vue community malls near Thonburi with restaurants, shops and language schools. Another landmark project is ICONSIAM which opened in 2018 and has been dubbed Bangkok’s most luxurious mixed-use luxury mall. Besides these there are also opportunities for shopping at River City Bangkok Mall, Khlong San Market, O.P. Garden, Asiatique the Riverfront, Robinson and Bang Rak Bazaar to name a few.

Food & Beverage

Foodies will discover an almost unlimited variety of dining options in the Riverside area. Some of the city's most iconic restaurants can be found in the fine hotels along the waterfront: 
 

• Mandarin Oriental: Lord Jim's and Le Normandie, boasting gorgeous views of the river, offering seafood and prime cut grill with an extensive wine list.
• Royal Orchid Sheraton: Thara Thong and Riverside Grill Bar, authentic Thai restaurants featuring live performances from Monday through to Saturday.
• Millennium Hilton: Flow, the one-of-a-kind restaurant that caters to the most varied gastronomic tastes with Southeast Asian favorites to the best of Mediterranean cuisines.
• Shangri-la: The Chocolate Boutique, visitors can indulge in a range of chocolates from dark and bittersweet to the creamiest of milk.
• The Peninsula Bangkok: Thiptara, surrounded by majestic banyan trees, this venue brings back the legendary Thai lifestyle from long ago through both its elegant décor and acclaimed Thai food offerings.
• Anantara Riverside Bangkok: Trader Vic's and Riverside Terrace, bringing world-renowned cuisine to their tropical riverfront setting with dishes drawing inspiration from Asian, Polynesian and Hawaiian cultures.

Some more affordable delicious Thai street food options found in the area include:
 

• Hung Heng Ped Yang Ped Palo, duck noodles.
• Hoi Tod Chaw Lae, crispy hoi tod. 
• Kao Lao Siang Jee, rich-flavored kao lao (brased beef stew) and guay jub (rice noodle soup with pork belly).
• Jaruwan Khao Mun Gai. 

NightLife
 

Nightlife at Riverside revolves around the various luxury waterfront hotels with some fantastic rooftop bars, underground watering holes and top-of-the-line river cruises.
With panoramic 360-degree views of Bangkok, some of the finest rooftop bars found here include:
 

• Three Sixty Lounge at the Millennium Hilton.
• Sky Bar at Lebua Bangkok.
• Attitude at Avani Riverside.
• 342 Rooftop bar at Baan Wanglang Hotel.
• Other recommended venues include:
• Save Our Souls.
• Apsara River Cruise.
• The Bamboo Bar at Mandarin Oriental featuring live jazz and Blues.
• The Long Bar at The Shangri-La Hotel. 

Sports, Culture and Arts

The Riverside is dynamic and vibrant, boasting both a range of exciting modern venues and activities as well as a wealth of intriguing historic temples and rich culture. 

Those interested in History and impressive landmarks are offered a range of choices, most notably The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, Bangkok’s most famous and visited attractions with the Grand Palace the official residence of the Kings of Siam since 1782. Wat Pho features a giant reclining Buddha 46 meters long covered in gold leaf. Other popular attractions include Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn dating back to the Ayutthaya Kingdom and Wat Prayoon, a beautiful Buddhist Temple.

Asiatique is a popular night market and mall complex with over 1,500 boutique street food vendors alongside posh restaurants, beer gardens and wine bars. Activities found here include two live shows, “Calypso Cabaret”, featuring some of Thailand's most beautiful “women”, and “Muay Thai Live”, combining theatrical performances with Thai kick-boxing.

Art lovers will also feel at home at Riverside with several art galleries in the area. 333 Bababa at River City Bangkok features paintings and sculptures by Thai and Vietnamese artists. ATTA Gallery at O.P. Garden is a platform for local and international jewelry artists and designers. Serindia Gallery, also at O.P. Garden, displays fine arts and photography. Other notable spaces are Speedy Grandma Gallery at Charoen Krung Soi 28, and Soy Sauce Factory at Charoen Krung Soi 24.

In addition to top-of-the-line gyms and sporting facilities found at the various hotels and high-end condominiums, there are also several stand-alone fitness venues like Anytime Fitness Riverside Plaza. Other areas perfect for leisure activities and family trips are Suan Pa Chaloem Phrakiat Park located under Taksin Bridge, featuring an outdoor exercise park as well as the nearby public park in commemoration of H.M. King Rama IX's 6th Cycle birthday at the foot of Rama IX Bridge.
 

Education and Healthcare
 

Local schools include Assumption Convent School, Assumption Suksa School, Shrewsbury International School, Wat Suthiwanaram High School, Wat Ratchasingkhorn School, Assumption College and the Rajamangala University of Technology Krungthep.
The primary medical facilities in the neighborhood are Charoenkrung Pracharak Hospital, Taksin Hospital, Lerdsin Hospital and Somdet Chaopraya Institute of Psychiatry.