Asiatique The Riverfront : Shopping, Dining, Entertainment

Asiatique The Riverfront is a new shopping and dining venue located along the Chao Phraya river, at the location of a prior riverside trading post. The warehouses have been renovated, and new buildings erected in the style of the early 20th century.

View along the promenade at the Waterfront, Asiatique the Riverfront.

Part of the fun is getting to the location. Of course, you can go by car and there is ample parking space. More interesting, is a trip by boat for the Sathorn pier, which is located and easily accessed from the Saphan Taksin skytrain station. Shuttle boats are provided regularly, actually we did not have to wait either going there or getting back to the skytrain station. We reckon it takes about 10 minutes to get to Asiatique The Riverfront (a bit more than 1 kilometer away, we think).

You arrive at the Waterfront section of the development. A riverside wide promenade has been constructed, with flagpoles representing different countries, and many people sitting, hanging around, and taking pictures of themselves, their friends, and surroundings.

One of the two clocktowers at Asiatique The Riverfront.

There are three other sections in and around 10 warehouses. At the Charoenkrung section (from which you can enter when coming by car), you find Thai handicrafts, trinkets, art works, home decorative items and the like. The Calypso cabaret (formerly at Washington Square) and the Joe Louis Theatre are also located in this section, on the upper floors.

The Town Square section has a lot of local and international food to offer. There is a wide open food court area, besides quite a few more upmarket restaurants. While not all shops are occupied, we did notice Au Bon Pain (get your evening coffee there), Dunkin' Donuts for those needing their transfats, Pizza Company, and a traditional Irish pub. We noticed that an iStudio (Apple) will open soon also.

One of the many shops showing Thai local products, colorful lanterns.

The Factory District offers a lot of Thai fashion and clothing. This section may resemble a bit what is on offer at Terminal 21, and the Platinum Fashion Mall in Bangkok, with the difference that there is a lot more open space to walk and check things out.

Honestly,we kind of wandered around during our visit, getting in and out of the different sections. Maybe in the future, visitors will be able to receive a small map or booklet, which would be helpful if you are looking for something in particular.

View when arriving by shuttle boat from Saphan Taksin.

The location along the river is just splendid. Bangkok has an abundance of shopping malls. They are quite up to international standards, and often are better constructed and have more to offer than malls in most European cities. That said, they all look a bit the same. Terminal 21 has a different look, the recently opened Mega Bangna is a first mainly low-rise shopping development. But Asiatique the Riverfront clearly offers something unique in Bangkok. We reckon it will become quite popular for people to hang out, eating out, and do some window or real shopping on the side.

Asiatique The Riverfront is open from 5 P.M. till midnight. Makes sense, it is mostly in the open air. During our visit, we did not feel 'hot' at all. I guess, the wide open spaces, and the location along the river, are helpful. Don't despair, the upmarket restaurants surely have airconditioning.

Inside Asiatique The Riverside