Sunset in Bangkok is hard to miss, but it takes the right place and atmosphere to cherish its full beauty. In this article, we have cultivated a list of spots in Bangkok where you can sit and enjoy the magical color show over our beloved city from free-entry parks to affordable restaurants on the river in Bangkok. Keep reading to discover places to enjoy a beautiful sunset in Bangkok at a low cost.
1. Lumphini park
Adorn by many, Lumphini Park is comparable to the Central Park of New York. Spreading over 57 hectares, Lumpini Park is a place of relaxation. Taking after the name of the forest in which Buddha was born, this park is full of faunas floras, and other living animals. One of the best city views of the sunset in Bangkok can be seen from Lumphini Park. Park-goers can take in the stillness of a vast man-made lake shadowed by thick-leafed trees, and a fantastic view of the city skyscape silhouetted by a colorful sunset. The best part is it is completely free to visit. If you love sitting in parks and taking in the slow movements of nature, make sure to give Lumphini Park a visit.
- Price: Free
- Best hour to visit: 17:00-19:00
- How to reach: MRT to Lumpini station
2. Mahanakhon Skywalk: the go-to for sunset in Bangkok
The tallest skyscraper Mahanakhon Building is the most cited place to spot a sunset in Bangkok. On the top floor, floor 75th, you will get a 360-degree view of the metropolitan city. On a good day, visitors can catch a glimpse of the Bangkok skyline below the cotton candy corally sky. There are various activities you can do on the top floors. If you are a daredevil who is not afraid of a little height, you can even walk on a glass floor overlooking the streets below.
For visitors interested, we recommend booking and making a payment before visiting through Ticket2Attraction.
- Price: Starts at 880 THB
- Best hour to visit: 17:00-19:00
- How to reach: BTS Silom Line to Chong Nonsri
3. Baiyoke Sky Observation Deck
Located at the top of the Baiyoke Tower is an observation deck with revolving floors that offers a breathtaking view of Bangkok. Visitors to the Baiyoke Sky Observation Deck also have access to the bar and 1 complimentary drink of choice. It is right by Central World and is the easiest to get to.
- Price: 430 THB
- Best hour to visit: 17:30 hrs.
- How to reach: Take BTS green line to Chidlom and continue to Baiyoke Sky Observation Deck by foot or motorcycle taxi.
4. Chao Phraya Sky Garden
The next sunset viewing spot in Bangkok that is underrated is none other than the Chao Phraya Sky Garden. Nestled on the Phra Pok Klao bridge, the public park offers a relaxing use of space for the community
Now this area has turned into a beautiful garden with long lines of fresh green trees along the walkway. where we can see a panoramic view of the Chao Phraya River especially if you are visiting in the evening, going for a walk, sitting and chilling. Many people would visit the Pak Klong Talat on the way to the Sky Garden. The Pak Klong Talat is a flower market with vibrant colors and scent.
- Best time to visit: from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
- How to reach: 14-minute walk from MRT Sanam Chai.
5. Naam1608
Photos credit Naam 1608
For those looking to wine and dine and catch a sunset in Bangkok, restaurants on the river of Chao Phraya can guarantee you just that. Serving Thai and Asian cuisines, Naam 1608 gives an aesthetically calming atmosphere at golden hour. Because of its location, customers can enjoy their favorite drink and the jaw-dropping sunset reflecting on the wavy water.
Naam 1608 is open from 10 AM and is perfect for whether you’re a daytime or a nighttime outer. The best seat for an unblocked view is the pub table. Since these seats are the most popular, they can only be sat at for an hour per customer and reservations must be made prior. If you want a front-row seat to the majestic color show, we recommend giving them a call to see availability. On the weekends, there will also be a live band playing Thai and International songs.
The restaurant serves a range of Asian and Thai cuisines with alcoholic drinks like cocktails and beer. For non-alcoholic drinkers, the restaurant also serves coffee, tea, sodas, and mocktails.
- Price: 248 THB per dish average, 140 THB per drink average
- Best hour to visit: 17:00-18:00
- How to reach: MRT Hua Lamphong and another 13 minutes walk
6. 342bar
Photos credit 342 bar
One of the cool hidden restaurants on the river is the 343 bar situated along the Chao Phraya. This bar is open from 4 pm so the tables might be filled up very quickly on the weekends. The drinks are slightly a bit pricier and there is an array of food options to choose from. Customers will get a view of both the Chao Phraya River, the light-decorated Phraram 8 bridge, and the sun oversetting the body of water to the West. The seats at the terrace are the best spot, where you can feel the gentle cooling breeze against your skin as you sip on your drink of choice.
- Price: 240 THB per drink on average
- Best hour to visit: 16:00-18:00
- How to reach: Taking a boat to Prannok pier
7. Sunset in Bangkok at Eagle Nest Bar
Photos credit The Eagle Nest Bar
The Eagle Nest Bar on the Chao Phraya is directly situated across from Wat Arun and is a very popular sunset-watching spot. This is one of the few restaurants on the river in Bangkok that visitors often flock to on days when the sun sets directly behind Wat Arun temple. Customers can also see two other famous temples of the Thai capital such as Wat Pho and Wat Phra Keo.
- Price: 240 THB per drink on average
- Best hour to visit: 16:00-18:00
- How to reach: MRT Sanam Chai and a 7 minutes walk or a boat ride to Tha Tien pier
8. Dinner cruises along the Chao Phraya
Taking restaurants on the river one step further, we are taking you on a cruise. Chao Phraya river cruises at golden hour are a highly recommended activity to do. Not only are you gonna see all of Chao Phraya’s river attractions in their glorious colors, but you will also be enjoying multinational buffets at reasonable prices.
There are generally 3 types of cruises: private yachts, sunset cruises, and dinner cruises. Sunset cruises travel down the river at the perfect time the sun descends to Earth. Ticket2Attraction offers the most sought-after sunset cruises with exclusive offers and special discounts.
- Price: Starts from 599 THB
- Boarding piers: Icon Siam, Asiatique, or River City
- Duration: 2 hours
- Menus: International and seafood buffet
The cruising time, prices, and boarding points of each ship vary. Below is a table displaying the differences between each of the popular sunset cruises.
We recommend booking your spot one week beforehand to have the best view of the sunset in Bangkok because tables are sold quickly. Some of those sunset cruises, we would highly recommend are:
- Meridian Sunset Cruise
- Viva Alangka sunset Cruise
- White Orchid Sunset Cruise
- Royal Princess Sunset cruise
9. Bangkok Bustaurant
Last but not least, Bangkok Bustaurant is a rendition of the often-seen bus-restaurant in Paris and London. The Bangkok Bustaurant offers a unique fine dining experience on a double-decker bus that makes its way through the famous sights of Bangkok. Customers can relax in a cool air-conditioned dining environment with big clear windows as the bus takes them through famous attractions like the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew, and Chinatown. The tour will be accompanied by a tour guide and begins around the time the sun is in its glorious beauty.
It is designed to give you the best of Bangkok with the sights and the dishes. The menu is of Thai and international taste that is prepared freshly by the Chefs on board.
- Price: 1450 THB per adult
- Boarding point: Holiday Inn Bangkok Silom
- Boarding time: 2 hours tour from 18:00-20:00
- Menus: Thai and International 8-course set menu
- Route: See route map below
To secure your table on the high-end bus, book the Bangkok Bustaurant ticket.
10. Asiatique
Many people probably already know Asiatique. But does everyone know that the view from the Asiatique Ferris wheel is this great?! The Ferris wheel along the Chao Phraya River allows you to see the sun slowly setting over the Chao Praya River. It's an opportunity to watch the sunset with someone you love most privately.
And if you are a foodie, there are many delicious restaurants and good atmospheres to choose from. Grab your sweetheart, friends, or family and take a quick walk at Asiatique.
- Ferris wheel price: Adults 500 baht/person, Children 200 baht/person, Seniors 300 baht/person
- Best time to visit: 5:00 PM onwards
- Transportation: BTS Saphan Taksin, then take the Asiatique ferry.
11. Rooftop Cinema Amidst the Sunset in Bangkok
An extra special activity to do during a sunset is catching a movie at River City on the rooftop. If you're a hopeless romantic who has a soft spot for old movies from the 90's and 2000s, you are gonna love this activity. Expect classics like (500) Days of Summer, Breakfast At Tiffany, Fight Club, The Grand Budapest and Notting Hill showing on weekends only. Showing time ranges, therefore, if you want to bask in the sunset display while watching your favorite comfort movie, book the ones showing at 18:30 hrs. or earlier.
Planning on going? We recommend booking in advance on Ticketmelon.com
- Ticket Price: Adults 500 baht/person
- Best time to visit: 5:00 PM onwards
- Transportation: MRT Hua Lamphong and continue by foot for 15 minutes.
Written by Ponhsetha Chamroeun