I have no idea, how many piers available along the Chao Phraya River, in my estimation, there are not less than 20 piers in the left and right side of the Chao Phraya River. (NOTE: a pier is a place where speed boat can load and unload the boat passenger). However, by using Google Map on my Mobile Phone I found that Wat Rajsingkorn Pier is the southern-most one in Chao Phraya River. Thus, Wat Rajsingkorn was the target of starting pier to ride speed boat. Now, the problem is how to get there from my home in Ratchathewi. Again, through consultation with Google Maps (thanks to Google for providing such an amazing technology for free for mankind), I got the bus number to reach there.

Google Maps shows me there were some alternative ways to reach Wat Rajsingkorn. Since this was my first time to go there, I discussed it with my parents, and unanimously agreed that we would take Bus Number 15 to go there from Rajprasong. A 2-km walk must be done to reach the nearest bus stop in Rajprasong.

On the following day, in a one fine Saturday at around 7:30 we left home from Pathumwan Resort with the destination Wat Rajsingkorn. We wore a comfort sport shoes to avoid having an unpleasant walk. I realized that this would be a lot of walking to do. Walking is the best way to find the right way, when we have no idea what kind of transportation to take. Remember, taking a taxi is not necessarily comfort and pleasant, because most of the time the taxi driver was complaining about many things particularly traffic jam. Even though we did not really know what he was complaining, but to me it sounds spiteful to hear. Go down by using an elevator from floor 18 was not always enjoyable as sometimes the elevator was crowded with people, particularly during peak hour, which is around 7:00, as many people leaving his/her home for working or studying or any other purposes. Fortunately, that day was Saturday. Saturday is holiday in Bangkok. So, leaving home at 7:30 morning was good as not many people starting their activities.

We walk for about 2,000 meter or around 4500 steps, which consists of 150 meter walk to the west (heading to Phayathai Road) then turn left towards Petchburi Road for about 400 meters, passed through Indonesian Embassy, where Sekolah Indonesia Bangkok is located, and continue to walk for about 700 meters heading to the junction of Pratunam, and go-up for convenient to walk on R-walkway through Gaysorn. Up until this point, my walking has reached around 1,800 meters. Then continue to walk to the closest Bus Stop in front of Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok at around 8:15. We stop here to wait Bus Number 15. While we were waiting the bus, I just looked at Google Maps, how far we walked. I found it 3.1 km. Oh boy, my estimation was wrong. The true distance according to Google Maps is 3.1 km instead of 2.0 km my estimate.

It was relatively not too long to wait for Bus 15. After around 20 minutes waiting, then a red bus number 15 came, we stop it and go aboard. Luckily the bus was not too crowded, three of us had seats. The bus was a non-air-conditioned bus, and we paid for THB 19.5 for three people, means THB 6.5 per person. This is quite cheap and affordable public transportation. After around thirty minutes, we reach Asiatique, a famous night market in this area. We cross the road through available crossing bridge to reach Wat Rajsingkorn. We walked through a soi for around 300 meters and reach the river bank of Chao Praya River and Rajsingkorn Pier. When my Dad asked the information counter over there a fierce lady told us that the scheduled speed boat was on the left. We went through a series of boat to reach the outermost boat. We found only 5 people onboard at that time, while the numbers of allowed passengers were 120 people, according to a notice there.

We seat in two rows in the left side of the boat. We chose left side because our direction was to the north, then on the right side there will be spotted by sun. I hate sunlight spots directly on my skin, some people said, it creates skin cancer in long time. After few minutes seating on the boat, a lady with blue short approached us and collecting the money from us. We paid THB 45 for three people, with unsure destination, whether Sri Phraya, where Bus Number 36, which goes directly to home, terminated there, or Thap Chan, where Golden Palace located there. I went to Golden Palace long time ago when I was 2 years old. Or, goes as far as the boat goes to the north, probably Koh Kret in Nonthaburi or even Pathumthani, we did not decide yet.

Along the Chao Phraya River, I saw many tall buildings, hotels, condominium, malls. It seems to me that river front development is very precious and can be sold for handsome amount of money. In the meantime, I estimated the width of Chao Phraya River is about 150-250 meters.

Boat starting to move by making a u-turn on the river was heading north. My parents were still discussing where to go, and finally decided to go to Thewet, where one of my Mom’s favorite traditional markets is located. During the course of travelling, the boat’s crew was shouting where will be next stop, just to remind the passengers. In each piers I observed that more passengers come aboard then the number of passenger disembarked.

From their faces I noticed that more number of foreigners than local on the boat. I have no idea where do they come from, how many days in average do they spend in Thailand for vacation. When the boat reached Thap Chan, most foreigners disembarked in this pier. I realized that they would visit Golden Palace there. Some other tourists stay on board and some other people get on board as well. However, the boat is less crowded now.

I did not really count how many piers have passed, but I have been told by the boat crew that next stop will be Thewet. We left the boat to go for Thewet Area, after about 1 hour travel from Wat Rajsingkorn. Although this is a new area for me, the area was a little bit quiet in comparison to Thap Chan pier. On the way out, I saw many fishes fed by somebody by using a crumb of bread. I do not know the name of the fish, but I guess, the fish is a kind of Patin. The size of fish is perhaps about 20-50 cm long with about 2-5 kilogram in weight.

We went out the Thewet Pier, and drop-by to a 7-11 shop to buy drink over there, I found three farangs were also there to buy drink. I have no idea where to go, but Google Maps again very useful to guide us to find the right way home. Google Maps also show the direction and bus number heading to Pantip Plaza. From Thewet we took Bus Number 23 to go to Pantip Plaza. The clock in my phone shows 10:20 am. After walking for about 15 minutes we found the terminal of Bus Number 23 in Thewet, we ride this bus to Pantip. We have a lunch in Platinum at round 11:30am.