Although this is an old photo, probably from 2002, and the skyline might have changed a bit but the Chao Phraya River, the lifeblood of Bangkok, has not changed at all. For me the Chao Phraya is Bangkok, with along the banks of the Chao Phraya all its different typically way of life of Bangkok. High-rise buildings, the most famous hotels, old warehouses, the famous Wat Arun, boats transporting cargo, people on their way to their work, small soi's with shop-houses and at night the famous diner cruises. When in Bangkok I always try to see the Chao Phraya, make a ride on the express-boat are just sit somewhere along the Chao Phraya and overlook this mighty river that brings almost all the water from North Thailand to the Gulf of Thailand. The Chao Phraya is 372 km long and begins in Nakhon Sawan where the Ping River and the Nan River meet. If you like some help with organizing your holiday in Bangkok or anywhere in Thailand then send me an email at The Little Elephant Traveling in Thailand.