A trip on Bangkok's exciting and smelly Chao Phya River is essential. Go to one of the piers near the grand palace with a couple of friends and ask for a trip across the river and along the canals. Be sure to tell them you don't want stop anywhere until Wat Arun. Don't be afraid to haggle and get a trip on one of the long boats which speed up and down the river. The canals are amazing, with wonderful little riverside houses covered in flowers and waving kids diving in the dirty water. Do it late in the afternoon and you get to see beautiful Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn) at sunset.
Piers are near to the Grand Palace, look at a map.
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