Complete guide to Bangkok Asiatique Riverfront

My top recommendation for first timers to Bangkok is a trip to Asiatique, an excellent East meets West open air shopping centre and entertainment complex. It’s a great place for your first night as it is home to some excellent restaurants and a semi traditional night market. It is located at the old docks of the East Asiatic Company on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. Being next to the river with many outdoor eateries it feels like a real holiday destination away from the sometimes claustrophobic feel of the inner city. We only discovered it on our most recent visit to Bangkok but will definitely be going back. So here’s everything you need to know about visiting Bangkok Asiatique Riverfront.

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Disney 100 Village – A temporary Exhibition

Currently Asiatique is celebrating 100 years of Disney. It has launched the Disney 100 pop up village with heaps of themed entertainment for all ages.

There’s the Enchanted Garden which is home to all the princess statues little ones will recognise. The Frozen Exhibition which has all the scenes from the movie you can explore from Arendelle Castle to the Snow Forest. Pixar Putt is a super fun mini golf course inspired by all your favourite Pixar films.

The Marvel Universe takes you deep into the world of Marvel with immersive installations and all your favourite superheroes. And finally the Star Wars exhibition where you can pilot your very own star wars ship in the flight simulator zone.

There’s also the Disney merchandise area with pretty expensive toys and memorabilia and the super fun photo zone which will make you feel like you’re in the actual movies. At the entrance you’ll find a three meter tall statue of Minnie and Mickey dressed in traditional Thai clothing. It all really feels pretty marvellous.

Whilst this is absolutely not a Thai Disneyland, more an interactive Disney exhibition it still does have that special Disney magic

You can buy tickets separately for each exhibit and they range between 239 Baht for the enchanted garden to 769 Baht for Pixar Putt. A bundle for 4 of the most popular is just over 2,000 Baht. But you can wander round the informational boards and photo props for free. The Disney 100 village is open every day until July 31st 2023 between 10am and 10pm. Children under 3 do not need a ticket.

Asiatique the Riverfront food

One of the best reasons to visit Bangkok Asiatique Riverfront is the food. You’ll find pretty much anything you could want from high quality steak to cheap and cheerful Thai street food.

We absolutely loved the newly opened Crystal Grillhouse which serves the most amazing high quality Australian steaks in stunning glass domes overlooking the river. They also offer an excellent selection of local and imported seafood. This is Bangkok fine dining at it’s best!

For something a little more laid back, we also loved the food at Sail To The Moon By Nakorn, a small informal restaurant serving good quality Thai food at reasonable prices. They have live music in the evenings which makes it a fun place to enjoy a beer during your visit to Asiatique. Just be warned, it can be quite loud!

Another relatively new addition to Asiatique is the Sirimahannop Tall Ship. It’s a replica of a Thai Royal Navy Ship from the late 1800’s. This is a really unique place for dinner in Bangkok and the food and service is incredibly high quality. It’s a great mix of Thai And European with imaginative fusion dishes and excellent cocktails. The top deck is a great place for people watching and to take in the sun setting into the river.

If you don’t fancy a sit down meal then there are various street food trucks near the entrance you can grab a snack like Pad Thai or pancakes from.

If you’re visiting Asiatique with kids craving their Western favourites there’s a KFC, also a great Italian then a Swensens for dessert.

We finished our evening with a drink at Wine I Love You near the pier. It was pretty expensive but the Asian fusion food looked good.

Bangkok Asiatique night market

The night market at Asiatique isn’t quite like other night markets in Bangkok. It does have some really interesting, high quality stalls. If you cringe at the thought of negotiating with stall holders you’re in luck, most things here are one price only although some of the stalls will have a little haggle.

The prices do tend to be a bit more pricey than other night markets in Bangkok but that’s to be expected in such a modern setting. It’s very touristy but don’t let that put you off, it’s a lovely place for a mooch. There are plenty of actual stores in Asiatique with lots of little independent sellers and things to entertain the kids. Just be warned, if you’re travelling onwards you may not have enough space in your case!

Asiatique is a great place for shopping for kids in Bangkok as it has heaps of toy and kids clothing shops.

What to do in Asiatique

Asiatique isn’t all about the shopping, there are plenty of other things to keep you entertained during your visit.

Ferris Wheel Bangkok

One of the biggest attractions at Asiatique is the ferris wheel. Asiatique Sky is one of Bangkok’s most modern landmarks and towers above the river. It’s particularly pretty at night when it’s all lit up. Adult tickets for the Bangkok ferris wheel are 500 baht and kids (under 120cm) are 200 Baht.

See a show at Asiatique

Asiatique has been home to a variety of shows over the years. Currently you can watch the Calypso Cabaret Show which is a Thailand transgender show. You can watch 16 different artists lip synch through some of the classic all in fabulous costumes and Parisian style set designs. This is Thai dinner theatre at its absolute best!

Prebook your tickets for the Calypso Cabaret to secure your spot and enjoy a free drink through this link.

The Grand Carousel

This is one for kids of all ages, what better way to bring back the excitement of youth than to hop on a carousel. It’s calm and peaceful and only 100 baht per ride. Ideal if you’re visiting Asiatique with kids.

Street Art at Asiatique

I’m a sucker for street art wherever we are in the world and whilst the artwork at Asiatique isn’t quite as original as what we’ve seen in places like Penang, it’s still pretty cool. The art is painted along the walls of the old warehouses and tells stories of Thailands past and how the locals lived.

The Mystery House

For horror lovers and scream freaks a visit to the mystery house is a must. You’ll travel slowly around the house in little cars sometimes pretty high above the ground. It has all the usual house of horrors jump scares, lights and screams. The ride only takes 3 minutes so you wont get too scared and tickets are just 200 Baht. Kids need to be over 12 and over 110 cm to ride the mystery house.

Take in the statues

Whilst not an organised activity, a wander along the riverfront is a great way to take in the atmosphere. You’ll see plenty of statues depicting various Thai workers going about their business.

Lighting and floral displays all over Asiatique are pretty spectacular, everywhere you look there’s something to take a snap of!

You can find heaps of other great attractions in my post on things to do with kids in Bangkok.

Asiatique with kids

Asiatique is a really easy night market for kids in Bangkok. It’s clean, there are plenty of toilets, places to sit and kid friendly food options. It’s all pedestrianised so no worries about cars, scooters or tuktuks.

It feels more spacious than Chatuchack or the Khao San Road. And there’s obviously loads to keep them entertained. Kids are bound to love the ferris wheel and carousel and the Disney village will be most kids dream. Also at the Disney 100 village are face painting stalls and photo booths, yet more ways to keep the kids entertained.

If you’re in the planning phase of your visit check out my ultimate guide to visiting Bangkok with kids.

Hotels near Asiatique the Riverfront

The Riverfront area is one of the best areas to stay in Bangkok. It’s super easy to access all the best parts of the city via river taxi and most of the hotels are fantastic!

We stayed at the Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Menam Riverside which was a great value choice for our family of three. It has an excellent pool area and a free river shuttle to the BTS station to get into the city. Plus it’s only a ten minute walk to Asiatique.

Book your stay at the Ramada Wyndham Menam Riverside on Booking.

Another great choice would be the Riverside Chatrium Hotel which is an easy 15 minute walk to Asiatique. This is a gorgeous 5 star hotel with epic views over the river. It has a great pool and spa and heaps of restaurants to choose from. The rooms are massive with balconies and small kitchenettes and again, the hotel offers a free shuttle to the nearest BTS station.

Book your stay at Chatrium Riverside on Booking.

If you fancy having your own space then an apartment rental might be a good choice. It’s a good way to keep the cost down and lovely to have that extra space and facilities, especially if your traveling as a family. VRBO has heaps of great options in Bangkok. I found this gorgeous two bed penthouse apartment in Bangkok near the river. It has a fully stocked kitchen, rooftop swimming pool, amazing views of the Lebua State Tower and is around 20 minutes walk to Asiatique or 5 minutes to the BTS.

It doesn’t really matter where you stay in Bangkok, using the BTS and free shuttle boat makes it easy to get to from all over the city.

How to get to Asiatique Riverfront Bangkok

The best way to arrive at Asiatique is by boat. It’s super simple, free and you beat the Bangkok traffic. You’ll want to get to Central Pier next to Saphan Taksin BTS station (leave the station at exit 2). The boat only takes 10-15 minutes and really is all part of the adventure. The boat runs every fifteen minutes between 4pm and 11.30pm. If you miss the free Asiatique boat, there is another one which only costs 20 Baht. I don’t recommend you get a taxi as the traffic through Bangkok and around Asiatique can be awful plus. Also the taxis and tuk tuks stationed outside Asiatique will try to rip you off.

Asiatique the Riverfront BTS

The nearest BTS station to Asiatique is Saphan Taksin (you’ll need to be on the Silom line). This is where you can hop on the free shuttle boat. It’s easy to find at Sathorn pier just outside the station, there are signs everywhere. The walk from Saphan Taksin station to Asiatique will take over half an hour so probably best avoided in the Bangkok heat.

Asiatique the Riverfront Bangkok address

Asiatique the Riverfront opening hours

Bangkok Asiatique Riverfront is open daily between 5pm and midnight.

Bangkok Asiatique conclusion

Whilst I wouldn’t call Asiatique a traditional Thai market, it’s still worth a visit. If you’re looking for the hustle and bustle of other Bangkok night markets, this isn’t the place for you. Many call it an overpriced tourist trap. But…… if you prefer somewhere more organised, regimented and just easy then I think you’ll enjoy it. The atmosphere is fun and there is plenty to keep you entertained for a few hours. It feels a bit calmer than other night markets and I love all the outdoor restaurants and family feel of the place.

Read next: Ultimate guide to Koh Samui with kids.

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