New Year Party : Chao Phraya Princess Dinner Cruise at Bangkok Admission Ticket

The main attraction is simple: you watch Bangkok’s riverside temples and palaces slide past at night, then raise a glass as fireworks burst over the Chao Phraya at midnight. The boat leaves Asiatique The Riverfront at 10:00pm and returns around 12:30am, giving you a festive way to mark New Year 2020 without planning several separate stops.

I like the combination of river views and an open bar, which includes whisky, wine, beer, and soft drinks. I also like that dinner is served as a Thai, international, and seafood buffet, with Filipino singers and saxophonists covering pop, jazz, and dance songs. The main concern is logistics: the cruise is non-refundable, and one booking problem involved confusion over a changed departure location and slow hotline support.

Key points to know before booking

• Midnight fireworks on the Chao Phraya: The cruise is timed to be on the river for the New Year countdown.
• Asiatique check-in: Meet between Warehouses 7 and 8, next to the candy shop, and check in from 9:00pm to 9:45pm.
• Dinner and drinks included: The buffet covers Thai, international, and seafood dishes, while the open bar includes whisky, wine, beer, and soft drinks.
• Bangkok icons after dark: Look for Wat Arun, the Royal Palace, Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Kanlayanamit, Bangkhunphorm Palace, and Rama VIII Bridge.
• Live music onboard: Filipino singers and saxophonists perform soft pop, jazz, and dance music.
• No hotel transportation: You must reach Asiatique yourself and return there after the cruise.

Why this New Year cruise is appealing

Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River is at its best after sunset. The water reflects the lights of temples, bridges, hotels, and riverside buildings, while the city’s grand architecture takes on a softer look. You are not simply eating dinner in a restaurant. You are eating while the city moves around you.

The special draw is the timing. Boarding begins at 9:00pm, departure is set for 10:00pm, and the boat returns at approximately 12:30am. That schedule lets you spend the final hours of the old year on the river, with enough time for music, dinner, sightseeing, and the midnight celebration.

I would choose this kind of outing if you want one organized New Year evening rather than a complicated plan involving dinner reservations, transport, and a separate fireworks location. The cruise rolls those pieces together. It also gives you a fixed base, which can be useful on a night when central Bangkok may be crowded and local transport may be less predictable.

The experience is designed as a party, not a quiet sightseeing ride. The band plays soft pop, jazz, and dance songs, and the program includes upbeat local and international music. If you want a calm, intimate meal with no entertainment, this will probably feel too lively. If you want to eat, listen to music, take photos, and celebrate with a crowd, the format makes sense.

Getting to Asiatique before 10:00pm

Your meeting point is Asiatique The Riverfront, at 2194 Wat Phraya Krai, Bang Kho Laem, Bangkok 10120. The check-in counter is between Warehouses 7 and 8, next to the candy shop. The stated check-in period is 9:00pm to 9:45pm, so you should not treat 10:00pm as your arrival time.

The easiest transport option given for reaching Asiatique is the free boat from the Saphan Taksin dock. It takes about 10 minutes and runs every 15 minutes from 5:00pm to 11:30pm. That makes the river shuttle a practical choice, though you still need to allow time to find the correct pier, ride the boat, and walk to the cruise counter.

This is the part of the evening where careful planning matters most. A complaint connected to this experience described a departure-location change the day before, limited details, and an unresponsive hotline. The provider replied that the pier was clearly shown on the voucher and that the booking had gone to the wrong pier. The useful lesson is clear: check your final voucher carefully, confirm the exact meeting point before leaving your hotel, and do not rely on a last-minute phone call for basic directions.

Asiatique itself is a useful place to arrive early. You can get your bearings, locate the warehouse numbers, and wait without rushing. The supplied information does not promise a hotel pickup, so you are responsible for reaching the start point.

The 9:00pm check-in and 10:00pm departure

Boarding begins at 9:45pm according to the cruise schedule, while check-in runs from 9:00pm to 9:45pm. The crew welcomes you for the New Year celebration before the boat leaves the pier at 10:00pm.

The early check-in window may feel long, but it protects you from a bad start. New Year’s Eve is not the night to arrive at the last moment, especially when the meeting point is inside a large riverside complex. I would aim to reach Asiatique before 9:00pm, then use the extra time to find the counter and confirm that you are in the right queue.

The activity information gives a maximum group size of 15 people. That figure may refer to the booked activity arrangement rather than the full dining-boat capacity, so I would not assume the vessel itself will feel like a small private boat. The important point is that this is a pre-arranged cruise ticket with a defined meeting point, not a private charter.

Dinner begins around 10:20pm

The schedule places dinner at about 10:20pm, shortly after departure. You receive a buffet with Thai food, international dishes, and seafood. Drinks are included through an open bar offering whisky, red and white wine, beer, and soft drinks.

For a New Year cruise, the buffet format is practical. You can choose what you want and return for more without committing to a long set menu. It also suits a mixed group, since not everyone wants the same level of spice or the same type of food. The description does not provide a dish-by-dish menu, so you should treat the food selection as broad rather than expecting specific specialties.

The meal is part of the value of the $98 price. You are paying for dinner, drinks, a two-and-a-half-hour river cruise, live entertainment, and the New Year setting. The price is not especially low, but New Year’s Eve is a premium night for dining and entertainment. If you would otherwise pay separately for a festive dinner, drinks, and a place to see fireworks, the package can make financial sense.

The open bar is another important part of the calculation. It includes whisky, wine, beer, and soft drinks, but the information does not promise cocktails, premium labels, or unlimited service beyond the listed drinks. I would book it for the overall evening rather than for a particular brand or elaborate drink menu.

Because dinner begins late, plan your evening accordingly. You may want a light meal earlier if you normally eat before 10:20pm. The schedule is built around the countdown, so the late meal is part of the timing rather than an error.

Live Filipino music and the party mood

The entertainment comes from Filipino singers and saxophonists, with soft pop, jazz, and dance songs. The program then moves toward livelier local and international music, giving the evening a clear party feel.

I like this arrangement because the music supports the setting without making the whole cruise a sightseeing lecture. You can listen while eating, head outside for photos, or join the dance atmosphere later. The supplied details do not name the performers or a guide, so you should not expect a personal tour guide or a narrated history presentation.

This is also why the cruise suits couples, families with older children, and groups of friends better than people seeking a silent dinner. The mood is social and upbeat. You may find the music a welcome part of New Year’s Eve, but you should know that it can make conversation less easy than it would be in a standard restaurant.

Bangkok landmarks along the Chao Phraya

The cruise route gives you views of several important Bangkok landmarks and religious buildings. The named sights include the Royal Palace, Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Arun, Bangkhunphorm Palace, Wat Kanlayanamit, and Rama VIII Bridge.

Wat Arun, often called the Temple of Dawn, is especially photogenic from the river. Its distinctive profile becomes easier to appreciate from the water, where you can see the structure as part of the riverside setting rather than from a crowded entrance area. The Royal Palace and Wat Phra Kaew also gain a different character when lit at night.

You should keep your camera ready, but do not expect every landmark to be perfectly visible for a long time. A moving boat gives you changing angles, reflections, and brief photo opportunities. Lighting, other boats, and the position of your table may affect what you can capture.

The river also provides a useful sense of Bangkok’s layout. Instead of seeing each temple as an isolated attraction, you watch the city’s historic and religious buildings connect along the water. That is one of the strongest reasons to choose a cruise over a fixed New Year dinner venue.

Midnight fireworks from the water

The cruise’s centerpiece is the New Year countdown and fireworks along the Chao Phraya. The boat is scheduled to remain on the river until about 12:30am, so you should be onboard for the midnight celebration.

Fireworks viewed from the water can give you a wide sightline, with reflections spreading across the river. You may also see fireworks in more than one direction, depending on the route and the exact location of the boat at midnight. The information promises stunning fireworks, but it does not specify the launch point, duration, or the side of the boat with the best view.

For the best chance at photos, keep your phone or camera ready before midnight rather than searching for it when the first fireworks appear. The experience includes time for snapshots of the river scenery, but it does not promise reserved outdoor viewing space or a particular table location.

The return at 12:30am is useful because you are not left to arrange a river transfer after the countdown. You return to the same general meeting point at Asiatique. Hotel drop-off is not included, so you still need a plan for the final part of the night.

How the $98 price works out

At $98, this is a special-event package rather than an everyday Bangkok dinner. The fee includes the admission ticket, cruise, buffet, open bar, live-band entertainment, and midnight celebration.

I would judge the price against what you value most. If fireworks, drinks, and a festive setting are your main goals, the package offers a convenient single purchase. If you mainly want to see temples, a regular evening river cruise or a visit to a riverside restaurant could cost less, though it would not provide the same New Year program.

The price also buys convenience. You do not need to find a separate restaurant, move to another viewing point, or arrange a new activity at midnight. That convenience has real value on a holiday night, but it depends on the cruise running smoothly and the meeting instructions being clear.

The activity is non-refundable and cannot be changed after booking. That is a serious condition for a $98 purchase. I would not book until your date, transport plan, and meeting point are settled.

Practical strengths and limits

The experience has several clear strengths:

• You get a full evening program in one place.
• The Chao Phraya provides moving views of Bangkok’s illuminated landmarks.
• Dinner includes Thai, international, and seafood options.
• The open bar includes several standard alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
• Live music keeps the evening festive.
• The boat returns to Asiatique after the countdown.

The limits are just as important:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.
• The meeting point requires careful attention.
• The food menu is not specified in detail.
• The cruise is not presented as a guided historical tour.
• The non-refundable rule leaves little room for changed plans.
• The published rating is 3 from two reviews, and one detailed account describes a serious communication problem.

The provider, Sightseeingbangkok.com, says the experience is SHA Plus certified, with approved health and prevention procedures and at least 70 percent of employees fully vaccinated. That certification is part of the supplied information, but it does not remove the need to check current arrangements for a dated event.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want a ready-made New Year night with dinner, drinks, music, landmarks, and fireworks. It is especially suitable if you like social entertainment and do not want to build your own midnight plan in Bangkok.

I would be more cautious if you need a quiet meal, a private atmosphere, exact food details, a named guide, or flexible cancellation. The departure instructions deserve extra attention, too. Save the voucher, verify the counter between Warehouses 7 and 8, and plan to arrive well before the 9:45pm check-in cutoff.

Final decision

Book this cruise if the fireworks and all-in-one party format are worth $98 to you, and if you can commit firmly because the ticket cannot be refunded or amended. The river views, buffet, open bar, and live music create a strong New Year setting.

Skip it if your priority is a calm dinner, detailed guided sightseeing, or complete flexibility. The outing’s value rests on the celebration itself, not on luxury service or a carefully narrated tour. Get the meeting point right, arrive early, and you will give yourself the best chance of enjoying Bangkok’s most memorable night from the water.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start?

The cruise starts at Asiatique The Riverfront, 2194 Wat Phraya Krai, Bang Kho Laem, Bangkok 10120, Thailand.

Where is the check-in counter?

The counter is between Warehouses 7 and 8 at Asiatique The Riverfront, next to the candy shop.

What time should I check in?

Check-in is scheduled from 9:00pm to 9:45pm.

What time does the boat depart?

The boat departs from the pier at 10:00pm.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise runs from approximately 10:00pm until 12:30am, for about two and a half hours.

Is dinner included?

Yes. The ticket includes a Thai, international, and seafood buffet dinner.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The open bar includes whisky, red and white wine, beer, and soft drinks.

Is live entertainment included?

Yes. Filipino singers and saxophonists perform soft pop, jazz, and dance music, along with local and international songs.

Is hotel pickup or drop-off included?

No. Hotel transportation is not included. The activity begins and ends at Asiatique The Riverfront.