Tha Chang Pier is one of the busiest Chao Phraya River piers in Bangkok, frequently used by tourists and locals who come here to visit the Grand Palace or to take public boats and cross-river ferries. Discover everything you need to know about Tha Chang Pier, such as boat routes, timetables, tickets, how to get there, and the best things to do and places to stay nearby.
This Tha Chang Pier guide covers:
The Pier
Tha Chang Pier is located on the eastern bank of the Chao Phraya River and is the nearest pier to the Grand Palace in Bangkok.
The pier consists of two piers:
The public boat pier, where you can board the public boats running on different routes of the Chao Phraya Express Boat and Thai Smile Boat, as well as the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat.
The ferry pier, where you can board cross-river ferries that take you to the other side of the Chao Phraya River.
The public boat pier and the ferry pier are two separate buildings, located about 30 meters apart. The public boat pier is the one nearest to Na Phra Lan Road. To get to the ferry pier, you need to walk to the right, to the building next to the very well-signed toilet.
Boats to board at Tha Chang Pier
You can board different types of boats at Tha Chang Pier, as it's one of the most popular Chao Phraya River piers in Bangkok. Discover the public boat and ferry services that can be boarded at the pier.
Chao Phraya Tourist Boat
Chao Phraya Tourist Boat, also known as Blue Flag Boat, is the most popular boat option for tourists, as this boat route connects Bangkok Old Town with all the main tourist attractions along the river. By boarding the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat at Tha Chang Pier, you can visit the most famous tourist attractions in Bangkok, such as Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Chinatown, the Flower Market, Khao San Road, ICONSIAM, and Asiatique the Riverfront.
The best thing about this Bangkok boat service is that it can be used for single trips as well as like the hop-on hop-off boat by purchasing a one-day pass.
The Chao Phraya Tourist Boat departs from Tha Chang Pier to Phra Arthit daily from 09:23 to 19:38 with a 30-minute frequency. You should board the boat going in this direction to get from the Grand Palace to Khao San Road.
Boats going in the opposite direction (to Sathorn Pier) also run every 30 minutes, with departures from Tha Chang scheduled from 08:37 to 19:07. When taking the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat this way, you can reach Wat Arun, Chinatown, the Flower Market, ICONSIAM, and the BTS Skytrain station. During afternoon hours (11:37–19:07), the boat route is extended to Asiatique The Riverfront.
Chao Phraya Express Boat
The Chao Phraya Express Boat is the main public boat service operating along the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. The company operates several boat routes with a different number of stops and varied timetables, as some of them operate on weekdays and during rush hour only. The routes are recognized by the color of the flag the boat flies.
Most of the public boat routes make a stop at the pier.
Orange Flag Boat
Orange Flag Boat was the most frequent Bangkok public boat service on the Chao Phraya River, which runs from Nonthaburi Pier, located north of the city, to Wat Rajsingkorn Pier, which is found just before Asiatique. However, the boats on this route now only operate on weekdays, with departures of the Orange Flag Boat scheduled in the morning and late afternoon.
Yellow Flag Boat
The original route of the Yellow Flag Boat connects Sathorn Pier with Nonthaburi Pier during rush hour on weekdays. After the latest schedule update in April 2026, during the daytime and on weekends, the Yellow Flag boats are changing the Orange Flag boats and operating daily, with additional stops and the terminal stop at Wat Rajsingkorn Pier during these hours. All Yellow Flag boats make a stop at Tha Chang Pier.
Green-Yellow Flag Boat
Green Yellow Flag boats operate between Pakkret Pier (N33) and Sathorn Pier, with departures scheduled Monday–Friday and during rush hour only.
If you are planning to use public boats and the BTS Skytrain frequently, save time and make traveling easier by purchasing a Rabbit Card ticket online and conveniently picking it up at the airport.
Thai Smile Boat
Thai Smile Boat, previously known as MINE Smart Ferry, is an electric public boat service operating on the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. It's a more environmentally friendly alternative to the Chao Phraya Express Boat.
Thai Smile Boat is currently operating three electric boat routes along the river. One of them can be boarded at Tha Chang Pier.
The City Line (Green Line) makes a stop at Tha Chang on the way between Siam Charoen Nakhon Pier and Phra Pinklao Bridge Pier. The electric boats run throughout the day, with boat departures scheduled every 30 minutes and additional boats offered during the daytime on weekends and public holidays.
Cross-river ferries at Tha Chang Pier
From the ferry pier, you can take ferries to two destinations on the other side of the Chao Phraya River:
The ferry Tha Chang-Tha Wang Lang brings you to Tha Wang Lang Pier, also known as Prannok Pier, which is located next to Wang Lang Market.
The ferry Tha Chang-Tha Wat Rakhang brings you to Tha Wat Rakhang Pier, which is located next to Wat Rakhang Khositaram Woramahawihan, also known as the Temple of the Bells.
Both cross-river ferries operate from 06:00 to 19:00 and cost 5.50 THB one way (price updated from 21 April 2026).
Canal Tour by Boat
At the entrance to Tha Chang Pier, you will notice a tour desk that is offering to go on a boat tour. Avoid them! This tour desk is strongly overcharging tourists by offering a 1-hour boat tour for 1,500 THB, a 1.5-hour boat tour for 2,000 THB, and a 2-hour boat tour for 2,500 THB per person. Many tourists who use their services feel scammed, as despite the inflated price, the tours are even shorter than the promised duration.
In general, taking one of the Bangkok canal tours is not a bad idea, as they are offering a glimpse into the city's history and the role its canals played in shaping its identity. Such tours normally take you to Thonburi, a district on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, where you navigate the narrow canals, known as khlongs, and discover hidden gems off the beaten path. On the boat tour you can see skyscrapers standing tall alongside ancient temples, lush greenery lining the waterways, and the traditional stilted houses that give the canals their distinctive character.
To avoid being scammed and overcharged, don't buy your boat tour at Tha Chang. There are plenty of boat tours departing from other Bangkok Old Town piers, and the best of them can be conveniently booked online. Compare several boat tour offers to choose the most suitable one, as the tour duration, visited places, inclusions, and meeting points vary.
Boat tickets at Tha Chang Pier
To take the boat from Tha Chang Pier, you normally need to buy a ticket before boarding the boat.
At the pier, you will find desks selling public boat tickets that need to be purchased at the ticket desk of the selected boat company, Chao Phraya Express Boat (red ticket desk) or Thai Smile Boat (blue ticket desk).
Unless you have a Rabbit Card, to board any of the boats operated by Chao Phraya Express Boat, you need to purchase a ticket at the ticket counter.
To board the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat, you need to purchase either a single-journey ticket or a one-day pass. Single-journey tickets are only available at the ticket counter, but day passes can be conveniently booked online without waiting in the line at the ticket office.
Thai Smile Boat tickets can also be purchased at the pier. Otherwise, you can use the Thai Go Day Pass, covering the three electric boat routes and all Thai Smile Bus routes.
To board the cross-river ferry, you need to buy tickets at the ticket counter found just before the ferry dock.
Popular destinations from Tha Chang Pier
The most popular destinations that can be reached by boat from Tha Chang:
- Wat Arun
- Chinatown
- Khao San Road
- ICONSIAM
- Sathorn Pier
- Asiatique
All these popular spots along the Chao Phraya River, as well as several other destinations, can be conveniently visited by purchasing a Chao Phraya Tourist Boat one-day pass.
Tha Chang Pier to Wat Arun
Wat Arun, known as the Temple of Dawn, is a Buddhist temple situated on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. Thanks to its riverside location, Wat Arun is one of the most stunning temples and one of the best-known landmarks in Bangkok.
To get from Tha Chang to Wat Arun directly, you need to take the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat or the City Line boat of Thai Smile Boat to Wat Arun Pier.
The Orange Flag Boat and the Yellow Flag Boat don't stop at Wat Arun, so to get there by Chao Phraya Express Boat, you would need to drop off at Tha Tien Pier and use the river-crossing ferry service.
Tha Chang to Chinatown
Bangkok Chinatown, locally known as Yaowarat, is one of the oldest and most unique cultural areas of Bangkok, which was established by Chinese merchants in the 1780s. The streets of Chinatown are full of colorful buildings and decorations as well as Chinese-style attractions, restaurants, and markets.
To get from Tha Chang to Chinatown, you can take the Blue Flag Boat, the Orange Flag Boat, the Yellow Flag Boat, the Green-Yellow Flag Boat, or the City Line of Thai Smile Boat to Ratchawong Pier.
Tha Chang to Khao San Road
Khao San Road is the most popular location in Bangkok among backpackers and solo travelers who like to connect. The area is located just north of Bangkok Old Town, with the city's most important attractions within walking distance.
To get from Tha Chang to Khao San Road, you can take the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat or one of the Chao Phraya Express boats (Orange Flag or daytime Yellow Flag) to Phra Arthit Pier (N13), which is the pier nearest to the backpacker street.
Tha Chang Pier to ICONSIAM
ICONSIAM shopping mall is the main attraction in the area, as it's a famous shopping complex with hundreds of high-end shops and restaurants and even an indoor floating market, which is perfect for those who want to taste a variety of Thai dishes at affordable prices. If you are heading there, don't forget to book your free ONESIAM Global Visitor Card that will let you enjoy exclusive discounts and services at a variety of stores inside the ICONSIAM and 5 other shopping complexes of the group.
ICONSIAM Pier is also a popular spot for boarding Bangkok river cruises, as many of them depart from there daily.
To get from Tha Chang to ICONSIAM, you can take the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat or the City Line of Thai Smile Boat to ICONSIAM Pier.
Normally, the Orange Flag Boat and the Yellow Flag Boat (during the daytime) can also be used for getting to ICONSIAM, but it's not uncommon for this stop to be suspended. In such a case, you would need to get off at Si Phraya Pier and use the ICONSIAM shuttle boat to cross the river.
Tha Chang to Sathorn Pier
Sathorn Pier, located under the King Taksin the Great Bridge, is the central pier of the Chao Phraya River public boats. At Sathorn Pier, you can transfer to the BTS Skytrain at the nearby BTS Saphan Taksin Station and then extend your trip to other Bangkok areas, like Silom, Siam, Sukhumvit, Chatuchak, and others.
To get from Tha Chang to Sathorn Pier, you can take the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat or any of the public boats offered by Chao Phraya Express Boat or Thai Smile Boat.
Tha Chang Pier to Asiatique
Asiatique The Riverfront Destination, occupying a large complex of old warehouses on the bank of the Chao Phraya River, feels more like an open-air shopping mall than a night market. Here you can shop for souvenirs, dine at numerous restaurants, enjoy the views from the highest Ferris wheel in Bangkok, Asiatique Sky, or spend an evening watching the most popular ladyboy show in the city, Calypso Cabaret. The newly-opened trending Bangkok attractions Jurassic World The Experience and SkyFlyers - Wings of Garudapterus are also located at Asiatique.
Asiatique Pier is another popular spot for boarding Bangkok river cruises.
To get from Tha Chang to Asiatique, you can take the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat or the City Line of Thai Smile Boat directly to Asiatique Pier.
Otherwise, you can take any of the public boats to Sathorn Pier and transfer there to the free Asiatique shuttle boat. However, this option is only available from 16:00.
If you want to get there cheaper, take the Orange Flag Boat or the Yellow Flag Boat (during the daytime) from Tha Chang to Wat Rajsingkorn Pier and walk to Asiatique from there.
How to get to Tha Chang Pier
The simplest way to get to Tha Chang Pier is a trip by the Bangkok MRT to MRT Sanam Chai Station on the Blue Line. The MRT station is located about 1.4 km away from the pier. To cover this distance, you can walk, take a tuk-tuk, bus, or public boat from Rajinee Pier, which is located near MRT Sanam Chai Station.
Most of the city's public boat services offered by Chao Phraya Express Boat and Thai Smile Boat can also be used for traveling to Tha Chang from different riverside areas in Bangkok.
Several Bangkok bus routes pass the road next to the pier.
Things to do near Tha Chang Pier
The Grand Palace is an impressive complex of buildings that was an official residence of the Thai kings for 150 years. The complex also houses Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, which is regarded as the most important and sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand.
Wat Pho, also known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, is a Buddhist temple located south of the Grand Palace. The temple is famous for its 46-meter-long gold-plated reclining Buddha image and the biggest collection of Buddha images in Thailand. Wat Pho is also known as the birthplace of traditional Thai massage, which is still taught and practiced at the temple.
There are several riverside viewpoints for admiring the views of the Chao Phraya River and Wat Arun on the other side of the river. You can choose a public viewpoint or one of the rooftop bars and terraces found nearby.
Hotels near Tha Chang Pier
Tha Chang Pier is located next to the Grand Palace complex, and there are no hotels right next to it. In case you want to stay as close as possible, try some of the most popular accommodation options near Tha Tien Pier:
Sala Rattanakosin Bangkok (also check the special offer for the hotel on Agoda).
ARUN Riverside Bangkok (also check the special offer for the hotel on Agoda).
Arun Residence (also check the special offer for the hotel on Agoda).
Other Bangkok Chao Phraya River Piers
The Chao Phraya River pier map can be found here: Bangkok River Pier Map.