Boat Stops and Piers

All piers (tha) along the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok are clearly marked in English as well as Thai. The Central Pier is called Tha Sathorn and is conveniently located close to the Saphan Taksin skytrain station. Piers to the north of Central Pier are marked ‘N’ followed by a number and piers to the south of Central Pier are marked ‘S’ followed by a number. The most popular tourist attractions and sights are located between Central Pier and stop number N13 to the north. The ride from Central Pier to N13 (Tha Phra Arthit/Banglamphu) takes approximately 30 minutes.

• Central Pier (Tha Sathorn) – for Saphan Taksin Skytrain station
• N1 (Tha Oriental) – for Oriental Hotel and O.P. Place shopping
• N2 (Tha Wat Muang Kae) – for Old Customs House and GPO building
• N3 (Tha Si Phraya) – for Portuguese Embassy
• N4 (Tha Harbour Department) – for River city shopping, Holy Rosary Church and Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel
• N5 (Tha Rachavongse) – for Chinatown
• N6 (Tha Memorial Bridge) – for Phra Poklao Bridge and Chinatown
• N7 (Tha Rajinee) – for Chinatown vegetable market and cross-river ferry to Santa Cruz Church and the old Portuguese Quarter
• N8 (Tha Tien) – for Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha) and cross-river ferry to Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn)
• N9 (Tha Chang) – for Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo (Temple of the Emerald Buddha)
• N10 (Tha Wang Lang) – for Siriraj Hospital
• N11 (Tha Railway Station) – for Bangkok Noi (Thonburi) train station
• N12 (Tha Phra Pinklao) – for Klong Bangkok Noi and National Museum of Royal Barges
• N13 (Tha Phra Athit/Banglamphu) – for Ratanakosin Island (old Bangkok) and popular backpacker areas including Khao San Road
• N14 (Tha Rama 8 Bridge) – for Rama VIII Bridge
• N15 (Tha Thewes) – for Thewes plant and flower market

Express Boat Services

The main express boat (reua duan) passenger services in Bangkok are operated by the Chao Phraya Express Boat company. They have a number of different types of boats which are differentiated by the colour of the flags they fly. They also run a very useful tourist boat service which is ideal for first time visitors to Bangkok and gives you a chance to acquaint yourself with the river stops before trying out the other local boat services. Tickets for the tourist boat can be purchased at the Central Pier or Phra Arthit Pier (Banglamphu) N13. They can also be bought at Saphan Taksin and Siam (interchange) Skytrain stations. Tickets for the other river passenger services can be purchased on the boat itself.

Boat Routes (click on image for full-size)

Chao Phraya Tourist Boat

The tourist boat service is more expensive than the other boats, but it is less crowded so you should have no problems getting a seat and there is also an on-board commentary in English to point out landmarks and points of interest. A one-day unlimited ticket is available for 150 Baht and includes a handy map of the river and the various boat stops. Tickets for the tourist boat service can be bought at Central Pier (Tha Sathorn), pier N13 (Tha Phra Arthit/Banglamphu) or the skytrain stations at Saphan Taksin or Siam.
Fare: 150 Baht for unlimited day use or 30 Baht for single journey
Hours: Daily 09.30-16.00
Frequency: approximately every 30 minutes
Route: Sathorn Pier (Central) – Phra Arthit Pier (N13)

Orange flag boats

Fare: 15 Baht (pay on boat)
Hours: Daily 06.00-19.00
Frequency: approximately every 15 minutes
Route: Nonthaburi (N30) – Wat Rajsingkorn (S3)

Local or Standard boats (no flag)

Fare: 10/12/14 Baht (pay on boat – charged according to distance of travel)
Hours: Monday-Friday 06.20-08.05 and 15.00-17.30
Frequency: approximately every 20 minutes.
Route: Nonthaburi (N30) – Wat Rajsingkorn (S3)

Green flag boats

Fare: 13/20/32 Baht (pay on boat – charged according to distance of travel)
Hours: Monday-Friday 06.15-08.10 and 15.30-18.05
Frequency: approximately every 15-20 minutes
Route: Pakkred (N33) – Nonthaburi (N30) – Sathorn (Central Pier)

Yellow flag boats

Fare: 20/29 Baht (pay on boat – charged according to distance of travel)
Hours: Monday-Friday 06.15-08.30 and 15.30-20.00
Frequency: approximately every 30 minutes
Route: Nonthaburi (N30) – Sathorn (Central Pier) – Ratburana (S4)

Hotel shuttle boats

These boats shuttle across the river between the major riverside hotels including The Oriental, The Peninsula and the Bangkok Marriott & Spa. Most boats run to and from the Central Pier (Tha Sathorn).
Fare: Free
Hours: continuous

Cross river ferries

These small ferries are available at most piers for crossings to the opposite river bank. There is limited seating on these boats so expect to stand for the short journey across the river.
Fare: varies from 2-4 Baht (usually paid at entrance to pier before boarding the boat)

More details on boat timetables from the Chao Phraya Express Boat company.

Rooms

The Heart Inn is a low-rise four-storey hotel with 28 rooms. I opted for the Rose Room which was the cheapest available (800 Baht per night). The air-conditioned room was spacious and the bed was clean and very comfortable. The room included a big desk and chair as well as ample storage space for bags and clothes. The inclusion in the room of a small refrigerator was another handy feature and the in-room Wi-Fi (complimentary) was fast and efficient so was another added bonus. On the negative side, there was a problem with the sliding door which led to the small outdoor balcony. Opening and closing the door was difficult and it would not open fully. I was only there for a few nights so it didn’t bother me, but the bathroom was more of a disappointment and in need of a proper clean. I think that some of the rooms are rented out on a monthly basis and I would guess that my room had recently been vacated by a long-stay visitor. Reading other reviews, the hotel is often commended for the cleanliness of the rooms so I may just have been unlucky with the bathroom. Either way, for a 2 night stay and the price I paid the overall standard was certainly reasonable.

Food

The price of my room included vouchers for breakfast in the small café/restaurant adjoining the hotel, but the food was nothing to write home about with a very limited selection for guests. That said, when you pay 800 Baht a night for a room, breakfast isn’t usually included so I wasn’t complaining. For the record, I had scrambled egg, a bit of toast, a small glass of fruit juice and coffee.

Facilities and Staff

From the cleaning ladies through to the receptionists, the staff at the hotel were all very friendly and helpful. Facilities at the Heart Inn are limited, but there is an internet/computer service in the lobby, a laundry service and the hotel can also arrange tours and transfers.

Location

The Heart Inn is located in Sala Dan very close to the main market area and just over 5 minutes’ walk away from the port where most ferries and boats dock. It’s easy to catch a motorbike taxi or songthaew to other areas of Ko Lanta and there is no reason why Sala Dan can’t be used as a base to explore the island. There is a beach a few minutes’ walk away from the hotel, although it isn’t a very attractive beach by Ko Lanta standards. Everything you are likely to need you will find in Sala Dan with some good restaurants and pleasant low-key bars as well as the usual roadside stalls and convenience stores.

Summary

The Heart Inn is a decent Ko Lanta hotel which I’d certainly consider staying at again. For the price paid, the facilities were generally good and the location was ideal for me. If you want to be right on the beach this isn’t the hotel for you, but if you are looking for a base to explore the island or are just in Ko Lanta for a few nights, then the Sala Dan area and the Heart Inn is an option. I booked online one week in advance of my trip using Agoda and paid 800 Baht per night for a twin room including breakfast.
Marks (out of 10): 7
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