An alternative way to celebrate the festive holidays this year is to enjoy the company of family and friends and relive the magic that lies in the history and cultural landmarks located along the Chao Phraya River aboard Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok's Horizon Cruise which departs from Shangri-La pier every evening at 19.30 hrs.
It was after the fall of Ayutthaya that King Taksin located his new capital on the western banks of the Chao Phraya River in what is now known as Thonburi. After his death, King Rama I found the eastern banks more favourable. He then founded modern Bangkok there and celebrated the occasion by building some of the world's most beguiling temples, such as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the Temple of the Reclining Buddha.
The nightly cruise is an exciting way to discover Bangkok's history along the river, including the Temple of the Reclining Buddha or Wat Pho, which is regarded as Thailand's first university and the centre of traditional Thai massage; the Grand Palace – one of the most visited landmarks in Bangkok, which houses the world-renowned Emerald Buddha; the Temple of Dawn or Wat Arun featuring the 82-metre-high Khmer-style pagoda that attracts the first light of the morning with a pearly iridescence; and the Temple of the Golden Bell or Wat Rakhang Kositaram built during the great Ayutthaya period.
Historical and famous attractions include the Royal Thai Navy Convention Hall; Tha Phra Athit, which is well-known to many foreigners because it leads to Kao San Road; Santi Chai Prakarn Pavillion, which commemorates the auspicious occasion of the sixth cycle birthday of His Majesty the King; Rama VIII Bridge; Santa Cruz Church built in 1770 after the fall of Ayutthaya; and Kiang Au Keng Shrine and Guan Yu Shrine, which is dedicated to the ancient Chinese God of War. Both shrines were rebuilt during the reign of King Rama III.
As you glide along aboard the Horizon, the nautical restaurant offers a fine international buffet in a spacious air-conditioned dining cabin or open-air seating on comfortable fore and aft decks.
Three lavish buffet menus are offered on different rotations, each priced THB2,300 Nett. Horizon Cruise Sojourn Dinner Menu for instance visits chilled Seafood on Ice with Tiger Prawn, Mussels and Blue River Lobsters alongside sushi and sashimi including nigiri, uramaki, hosomaki, kani, ebi, saba, tako, tamago, suzuki maguro, and shake. Plus antipastis, house smoked salmon and whipped chicken liver parfait dried fruit compote. There are extensive western and Thai salads and roast pumpkin bisque with cinnamon basil crostini. There are also both Thai and western main courses counting eight or so varieties of each, ranging from green curry sea bass with coconut milk to grilled red snapper/ fennel confit/oven dried tomatoes/asparagus and Beef lasagne. The carving station offers Indonesian spiced banana leaf wrapped whole sea bass and slow-roasted leg of lamb and more. Desserts are equally sumptuous, from mango cheese cake and sacher cake to double espresso éclair with crunch chocolate pearls, mini pavlovas and on.
While the attentive staff shake cocktails and pour wine and beer to complement the cuisine, the boat continues the gentle drift upstream past what becomes a checklist of sights to visit during your time in Bangkok.
Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok also offers private cruising and special VIP parties aboard the Horizon Cruise for groups of up to 150 people. A selection of dining and cocktail menus is available for all types of private charter events.
Though Bangkok has become a modern city, the Chao Phraya River is still charming and peaceful and the Horizon Cruise is one of the best ways to drink it all in.
HORIZON CRUISE Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok reservations desk. Tel. 02 236 9952, 02 236 7777 Email restaurants.slbk@shangri-la.com or visit www.BangkokRiversideDining.com.
