Tha Tien Pier is one of the busiest Chao Phraya River piers in Bangkok, frequently used by tourists and locals who come here to take public boats and cross-river ferries to Wat Arun. Discover everything you need to know about Tha Tien Pier, such as boat routes, timetables, tickets, how to get there, and the best things to do and places to stay nearby.
This Tha Tien Pier guide covers:
The Pier
Tha Tien Pier, in some sources spelled as Tha Tian Pier, is located at the end of Thai Wang Road on the eastern bank of the Chao Phraya River, opposite the iconic Wat Arun temple.
The pier consists of two docks:
The public boat dock, where you can board the public boats running on different routes of the Chao Phraya Express Boat and Thai Smile Boat.
The ferry dock, where you can board the cross-river ferry that takes you to the other side of the Chao Phraya River.
The public boat dock is located on the right side, while the ferry dock is on the left side of the pier. The cross-river ferry is a very popular service here, as it's a very affordable way to get to Wat Arun from the old town.
Boats to board at Tha Tien Pier
You can board different types of boats at Tha Tien 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 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.
Two of the public boat routes make a stop at Tha Tien Pier.
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, now the boats on this route operate only on weekdays and departures of the Orange Flag Boat are only scheduled in the morning and late afternoon.
The original route of the Yellow Flag Boat doesn't have a stop at Tha Tien Pier. However, after the latest schedule updates in April 2026, during the daytime and on weekends, the Yellow Flag boats are changing the Orange Flag boats, and therefore they also make a stop at Tha Tien.
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. Only one of them can be boarded at Tha Tien Pier.
The Urban Line (Purple Line) connects Sathorn Pier with Phra Nang Klao Bridge Pier in the suburbs and makes a stop at Tha Tien. Boats on this route operate in the morning and in the afternoon, with a different schedule on weekdays and on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.
Cross-river ferry at Tha Tien Pier
From the ferry dock, you can take a cross-river ferry Tha Tien Pier-Wat Arun. This ferry brings you to Wat Arun Pier, which is located next to the iconic Temple of Dawn on the other side of the Chao Phraya River. The ferry operates from 05:00 to 19:00 and costs 7 THB. The fee for taking a bicycle or stroller to the ferry is 15 THB.
Boat tickets at Tha Tien Pier
To take the boat from the 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 or Thai Smile Boat.
Unless you have a Rabbit Card, to board any of the public boats operated by Chao Phraya Express Boat, you need to purchase a ticket at the ticket desk.
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 desk just before the ferry dock. The ticket desk is easy to notice as it displays the price list of "Ferry crossing to Wat Arun".
Popular destinations from the Pier
The most popular destinations that can be reached by boat from Tha Tien:
- Wat Arun
- ICONSIAM
- Sathorn Pier
- Chinatown
- Asiatique
- Khao San Road
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.
However, the tourist boat no longer stops at this pier, so you need to take the ferry to Wat Arun first and board the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat there.
Tha Tien 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 Tien to Wat Arun, you need to take the river-crossing ferry.
Tha Tien 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 Tien Pier to ICONSIAM, you can normally take the Orange Flag Boat and the Yellow Flag Boat (during the daytime). However, it's not uncommon for the stop at ICONSIAM to be suspended for public boats. 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 Tien to Sathorn Pier
Sathorn Pier, located under the King Taksin the Great Bridge on the same side of the river, 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 Tien to Sathorn Pier, you can take any of the public boats offered by Chao Phraya Express Boat or Thai Smile Boat that are available at this stop.
Tha Tien 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 Tien to Chinatown, you can take the Orange Flag Boat, the daytime Yellow Flag Boat, or the Urban Line of Thai Smile Boat to Ratchawong Pier.
Tha Tien 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 Tien Pier to Asiatique, you can take any of the public boats to Sathorn Pier and transfer there to the free Asiatique shuttle boat, which is taking you directly to Asiatique Pier. However, this option is only available from 16:00.
If you want to get there earlier, you can take the Orange Flag Boat or the Yellow Flag Boat (during the daytime) from Tha Tien to Wat Rajsingkorn Pier and walk to Asiatique from there.
Tha Tien 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 Tien Pier to Khao San Road, you can take 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.
How to get to Tha Tien Pier
The simplest way to get to Tha Tien Pier is a trip by the Bangkok MRT to MRT Sanam Chai Station on the Blue Line. The MRT station is located about 750 meters away from the pier.
Some of the city's public boat services offered by Chao Phraya Express Boat and Thai Smile Boat can also be used for traveling to the pier from different riverside areas in Bangkok.
Several Bangkok bus routes also reach the pier, as there is a bus stop right at Tha Tien Market.
Things to do near Tha Tien 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 near Tha Tien Pier. 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 Tien Pier
The most popular accommodation options near the pier are:
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.