A fun thing to do if you are with your spouse and want to be a bit romantic is to take a dinner cruise. I believe there are several outfits that operate a dinner cruise in Bangkok, but the one that was recommended to us was the Loy Nava dinner cruise.
We were told that this was the oldest of the river cruises and that it would be great for couples. Well, since we were on an anniversary trip, we figured what the heck. The cost was around $30 per person, plus the cost of a cash bar; this may seem high for something in Southeast Asia, but it was really worth it.
You arrive at the Si Phraya Express Boat Landing, and the first thing you notice is the boat. It is really beautiful. It’s a converted rice barge, but it’s almost impossible to believe something this beautiful started with such a mundane past. It is made from what looks like teak or something similar and is decorated quite beautifully. The staff is all dressed in the most beautiful traditional Thai outfits and are all very pleasant. Their English skills were also very good, as was their knowledge of the menu.
The menu itself has something for everyone. We started out with the satay, which was good, but I prefer Malaysian satay to the Thai variety. Then we had some tom yum soup, which was excellent. For an entrée I had an excellent grilled chicken, and my wife had some prawns and squid. For dessert we had some wonderful fresh fruits. We avoided the coffee and went for some drinks instead. I love a good Tom Collins, and they did not disappoint. The bartender was excellent and made one of the best Collins I have had in Asia. The cost was under $4, so the drinks are pretty affordable. There was also a wide variety of wines and champagne, available so there should be something to suit just about anyone.
The trip takes around 2 hours, and you get to cruise by some major sites. It is a classy affair, so dress properly (no shorts), but also take into consideration that it isn’t air-conditioned and Thailand is hot. You do get a nice breeze and it is at night, so you do stay comfortable while on the boat.