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

The main attraction is the midnight fireworks on the Chao Phraya River, with Wat Arun, the Grand Palace area, Wat Phra Kaew, and Rama VIII Bridge lit up along the banks. The cruise is built around welcoming 2020 from the water, with dinner, drinks, dancing, and live music filling the hours before midnight.

I like the convenient all-in-one format: your ticket covers the buffet and open bar, including whisky, wine, beer, and soft drinks. I also like the view-based route, since the river gives you a chance to see Bangkok landmarks from a different angle while a Filipino band plays pop, jazz, and dance songs.

The main concern is coordination. Check-in is at Asiatique, but one booking problem involved a departure-location misunderstanding and an unresponsive hotline. Since the ticket is non-refundable, you need to confirm the pier and arrive early.

Key points to know before booking

• Fireworks at midnight: The cruise is timed around the New Year countdown and fireworks along the Chao Phraya.
• Asiatique check-in: Find the counter between warehouses 7 and 8, next to the candy shop.
• 10:00pm to 12:30am cruise: Check-in runs from 9:00pm to 9:45pm, with boarding and departure at night.
• Buffet and open bar included: Food includes Thai, international, and seafood dishes, with whisky, wine, beer, and soft drinks.
• Live Filipino band: Expect soft pop, jazz, and dance music rather than a quiet sightseeing cruise.
• No hotel transfer: You must arrange your own way to and from Asiatique, and the ticket cannot be refunded or amended.

A New Year countdown from the Chao Phraya

Bangkok’s river is at its most theatrical on New Year’s Eve. The Chao Phraya carries the boat past temples, royal sites, bridges, and bright riverside buildings while the city prepares for midnight. From the deck, the lights reflect on the water and the usual road traffic feels far away.

This is not a small, silent boat ride. It is a party cruise with dinner and entertainment, designed for people who want their sightseeing mixed with music and a celebration. The Filipino band is scheduled to play soft pop, jazz, and dance songs, with livelier local and international numbers later in the evening.

The advertised event welcomed the year 2020. That date matters, since this is a specific New Year event rather than a general cruise available on any evening. If you are comparing it with a regular Chao Phraya dinner cruise, the midnight fireworks and New Year timing are the key reasons to choose this one.

Getting to Asiatique before 9:45pm

Your meeting point is Asiatique The Riverfront at 2194 Wat Phraya Krai, Bang Kho Laem. Check-in is listed from 9:00pm to 9:45pm, with the boat departing at 10:00pm.

The check-in counter is between warehouses 7 and 8, next to the candy shop. That small landmark is worth saving on your phone. Asiatique is a large riverside complex, and searching for a general entrance without the warehouse numbers could cost you useful time.

The easiest stated route is the free boat from the Saphan Taksin dock. It takes about 10 minutes, runs every 15 minutes, and operates from 5:00pm to 11:30pm. For this event, I would not cut it close with the final boat. Give yourself enough time to locate the counter, deal with crowds around the riverfront, and complete check-in before the 9:45pm deadline.

The booking information specifically notes a departure-location problem involving a customer who went to the wrong pier. The operator said the pier was shown on the voucher, but the practical lesson is simple: read your voucher carefully and confirm the exact meeting point before New Year’s Eve. The hotline was also described as unresponsive during that incident, so do not depend on last-minute help by phone.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You arrange your own transport to Asiatique and your own return after the boat comes back around 12:30am. That return timing is important because late-night transport plans can be less straightforward than daytime sightseeing.

Boarding the Chao Phraya Princess at 10:00pm

The schedule lists boarding at 9:45pm, followed by departure from the pier at 10:00pm. The crew welcomes you aboard, and the evening quickly shifts from check-in to dinner-cruise mode.

The cruise lasts about two and a half hours, from 10:00pm to 12:30am. That gives you roughly two hours before or around midnight for food, drinks, music, and views, with the boat returning after the celebration.

The stated maximum is 15 participants for the activity. That is a relatively small booking cap compared with the size of the cruise setting, although the information does not explain how seating is arranged on board. I would treat the cap as a booking limit rather than assume you will have a private boat or a private dining area.

A mobile ticket is provided, and confirmation is received when you book. Keep the ticket easy to open on your phone, especially while standing at the Asiatique counter.

Dinner includes Thai, international, and seafood dishes

Dinner begins around 10:20pm, according to the schedule. The meal is a buffet with Thai, international, and seafood selections.

That range makes the cruise practical for a mixed group. You can sample Thai dishes, choose more familiar international food, or focus on seafood. The available information does not list individual menu items, so you should not book expecting a particular dish or a formal multi-course meal.

The buffet format also suits the party atmosphere. You can eat at your own pace, return for another plate, and keep your evening flexible while the music continues. It is less suited to someone seeking a quiet, carefully paced dinner with personal table service.

Drinks are included in the open bar: whisky, red and white wine, beer, and soft drinks. This adds real value to the $98 price, especially for anyone who plans to have several drinks during a long New Year evening. It also means the ticket is more than a basic boat ride with one meal.

Still, do not assume every possible drink is included. The listed options are whisky, wine, beer, and soft drinks. The information does not promise cocktails, spirits beyond whisky, or unlimited access to any particular brand.

Live music changes the mood after dinner

The entertainment comes from saxophonists, singers, and Filipino bands. The scheduled musical range includes soft pop, jazz, and dance songs, followed by lively local and international music.

This is one of the experience’s clearest dividing lines. If you enjoy a social evening with a band and room to dance, the music supports the New Year mood. If you prefer to hear the river and quietly study the temples, the soundtrack may feel like a distraction.

The cruise is designed to keep the energy moving toward midnight. You might spend part of the evening at the table, then head outside for photographs, return for music, and watch the countdown from the river. The exact seating and deck arrangements are not provided, so your best views may depend on where you can move safely on board.

Landmarks appear from a different angle

Around 10:45pm, the schedule highlights the chance to photograph famous structures along both sides of the Chao Phraya. The listed sights include the Royal Palace, Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Arun, Bangkhunphorm Palace, Wat Kanlayanamit, and Rama VIII Bridge.

These sights matter because a river cruise changes the usual Bangkok viewpoint. Wat Arun is especially striking at night, when its illuminated outline contrasts with the dark river. The Royal Palace and Wat Phra Kaew are part of Bangkok’s royal and religious center, while the bridges add a more modern scale to the route.

The boat does not replace a daytime temple visit. You will see illuminated exteriors from the water, not detailed carvings or interior rooms. The nighttime setting is best for broad views, photographs, and atmosphere. If you want to understand each site in detail, you will need a separate visit with more time.

The scenery also competes with the party. Music, dinner, conversation, and other people may make it difficult to photograph every landmark at the perfect moment. Bring your phone or camera fully charged and be ready when the boat passes the sights rather than waiting for a long stop.

Fireworks are the reason to choose this date

The cruise is timed for fireworks at midnight along the Chao Phraya. That is the experience’s strongest feature and the main reason the price can make sense compared with a standard dinner cruise.

Watching fireworks from the water gives you a wide view rather than a single street-level angle. You can also see Bangkok’s illuminated riverfront at the same time, which makes the countdown feel connected to the city rather than confined to one venue.

Fireworks are never the part of an event you can control. The supplied information promises the display, but it does not specify the exact viewing deck, anchoring position, or how long the show lasts. Expect the boat to be busy around midnight and plan to position yourself for the view before the countdown begins.

The return is scheduled for 12:30am. That is late enough that you should decide in advance how you will get back from Asiatique. Since hotel transfers are excluded, the cruise price does not cover the full door-to-door New Year outing.

Is $98 good value?

At $98, this is not a cheap Bangkok dinner. You are paying for a special-date event, a river cruise, buffet dinner, open bar, live music, and the chance to see fireworks from the Chao Phraya.

I see the value most clearly if you would otherwise pay separately for a New Year dinner and drinks. The included whisky, wine, beer, and soft drinks can make a meaningful difference, and the entertainment keeps you occupied for the full evening.

The value is weaker if your priority is simply seeing Bangkok’s temples. A regular sightseeing boat or daytime visit would cost less and give you better conditions for studying architecture. You are also paying for the party atmosphere, not only the route.

The ticket is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. That is a serious consideration for a fixed-date event. Confirm the date, meeting point, and transport plan before you pay, since a change of mind or a missed departure does not qualify for a refund.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it to you if you want a ready-made New Year celebration with food, drinks, music, city views, and fireworks in one booking. It suits couples, friends, and small groups who prefer an organized evening to planning several separate venues.

It may also work well for a mixed group with different food preferences. The buffet includes Thai, international, and seafood dishes, while the open bar covers alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

I would be more cautious if you want a calm, intimate dinner, detailed temple sightseeing, or a flexible evening. The live band and New Year crowd create a party setting, and the fixed schedule leaves little room for changing plans.

The transport details also favor organized planners. You need to reach Asiatique before 9:45pm, locate the correct counter, board on time, and arrange your own return after 12:30am.

Should you book the Chao Phraya Princess New Year cruise?

Book it if fireworks from the river are your priority and you value having dinner, drinks, music, and sightseeing handled in one evening. The route includes some of Bangkok’s most recognizable riverside landmarks, and the open bar adds substance to the $98 price.

Think twice if you are uncomfortable with a non-refundable ticket or uncertain meeting arrangements. The reported location confusion and poor hotline response are practical warnings, even though the operator said the pier was clearly shown on the voucher.

My advice is to book only after checking the voucher for the exact pier, saving the Asiatique warehouse location, and arranging your late-night transport. With those details settled, this is a lively way to welcome 2020, but it is a party cruise first and a sightseeing tour second.

FAQ

Where does the New Year dinner cruise depart?

The meeting point is Asiatique The Riverfront, 2194 Wat Phraya Krai, Bang Kho Laem, Bangkok. Check-in is at the counter between warehouses 7 and 8, next to the candy shop.

What time should I check in?

Check-in is scheduled from 9:00pm to 9:45pm. The cruise departs at 10:00pm, so arrive early enough to find the counter and complete boarding.

How long does the cruise last?

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

What food is included?

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 hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No. You must arrange your own transportation to Asiatique and your return after the cruise.

Can I cancel or change the booking?

No. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason.