Manohra Cruises Revives Bangkok’s River Romance in Timeless Style

What is it about rivers that invites such intrigue? Despite their utility, these rivers inspire romance; they spark imagination. The Nile has been immortalised by the likes of Shakespeare in Antony and Cleopatra and by Agatha Christie in her whodunit, Death on the Nile.

Beyond named rivers, Jay Gatsby in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby would look across the river towards the elusive green light—constantly within sight but always out of reach. The vast length of the river, separating one bank from the other, is inherently sentimental.

It is no wonder then, that a river cruise is the perfect getaway for les affaires de coeur. Picture it: a barge with teakwood-finished interiors gently rocking against the waves as it slowly glissades along the river. The sun sets as you clink your glasses of sparkling and the city glitters a warm golden as night falls.

It is as if you are entranced, as though stepping onto the boat has pulled you into a different time, into a different dimension altogether.

Bangkok is home to a grand river itself: the majestic Chao Phraya. And yes, the popularity of the river cruise never seems to wane, even with the monsoon season thundering on the horizon.

But if you’re looking for something a little more grounded, slightly more traditional in its luxury, look no further than the Manohra Cruises docked at, and operated by, Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort.

Before you even step onto the vessel, pre-boarding takes place at the Manohra lounge right by the pier. Shaded by large trees and a swing entwined by vines, we were seated and offered welcome drinks and canapes.

The welcome drink, an iced Thai herbal tea, was offered to us in the traditional Thai aluminium cup known as the khan (ขัน). As we waited for our boarding time, we were treated to a performance.

As the klong yao (a traditional long drum) provided percussion, dancers wove through the tables of guests, encouraging them to join in either by clapping their hands to the beat or joining the performers in their dance.

Once the sun slowly began to set, we were guided towards the pier where our bateau awaited.

The Manohra Cruise vessels are all beautifully restored rice barges. These barges can hold up to sixty people.

There are several table configurations to choose from, but whichever table you are seated at, there is a view of the sights of the Chao Phraya.

The route of the Manohra Cruise took us through several sights like Wat Arun, the Grand Palace, and ICONSIAM. There was also a guide on board to point the sights out to those unfamiliar with them.

(Even as locals, it was exciting to point out the familiar landmarks, glittering in the night.)

Crowd: The river cruise is perfect for a night on the town with family, friends, and couples looking for a romantic outing. If you are entertaining friends or acquaintances from out of town and looking for a more classic and vintage experience, Manohra Cruises checks all the boxes and offers an unforgettable excursion.

Aboard the Manohra Cruise, there are two set menus to choose from. We were offered the Premium Set Menu with a free flow of soft drinks (THB 4,500 per person).

There is also the Dinner Set Menu (THB 3,500 per person) and options to upgrade to a free flow of wine, beer, and soft drinks at an added cost.

Both premium and dinner sets detail a seven-course menu of exquisite Thai cuisine. The premium menu itself takes liberties in offering up Thai classics with something of a twist.

Firmly on the water, it was time for our first course. The amuse bouche arrived in a Benjarong-style bowl.

Lifting the lid revealed, sitting on a layer of pebbles, the Satay tub han. This was a seared foie gras satay served with crushed turmeric, peanut sauce, and a mixed berry relish.

It was a light introduction to the dinner (and the definitive bite to tide our growling stomachs).

Next came the appetiser; the Saeng-wa hoi shell hotate. A scallop ceviche nestled on a pomelo salad base and topped with ikura and a chilli lime dressing, this appetiser was tart and tangy to the taste.

The mains were divided into two factions: “turf” for the “land” meat lovers, and “surf” for the seafood fanatics.

Starting with the latter, the Goong maenam pao cut an impressive figure from its very introduction. On a (proverbial) platter, the char-grilled Ayutthaya wild-caught river prawn took up the majority of the plate.

It was served with bamboo roasted rice, shaped into little cylindrical scrolls, and a chilli lime dressing. The prawn meat was tender in every bite and simply came apart under the knife.

Only the “turf”, the Gaeng rawang neua wagyu, could follow such a tough act. This Australian wagyu striploin was served with a thick southern curry and vermicelli.

The wagyu was tenderised and cooked to a degree any palate would enjoy, aptly complementing the creaminess of the curry.

The heartiness of both mains left us wondering how we would save room for dessert.

(I jest. Everyone knows there is a separate stomach for dessert.)

As we sailed back towards the Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort’s pier, dessert was served.

Would it be a celebration of Thai cuisine without the fan-favourite, Khao niew mamuang?

The mango sticky rice appeared with a refreshed twist using butterfly pea rice, giving it a striking purple colour. The coconut milk was reimagined as a coconut jelly, draping the mango cubes.

Combined with the traditional Thai desserts for petit fours, it was the perfect curtain call to the Manohra Cruises experience.

As the seven-course meal unfurled itself to us, each dish more impressive than the last, there was one dish that we could not help but return to.

The Tom kha neau pu, a take on the classic Tom kha gai which switched the chicken for blue swimming crab jumbo meat.

The galangal coconut broth was both wholesome and comforting. It was almost instinctive to continue sipping at the soup until we had drained the entire bowl.

Manohra Cruises

Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort
257/1-3 Charoennakorn Road
Thonburi, Bangkok 10600

Tel.: (+66) 2 476 0022

Instagram: @manohracruises