All Aboard! Fun, friendly, family dining, where guests are made to feel like part of the crew.
Words by Robin Westley Martin
The iconic Wat Arun or “Temple of the Dawn” is as symbolic of Bangkok as Big Ben is of London, or the Eiffel Tower is of Paris. But not all visitors make a trip to Wat Arun or take a voyage upon the Chao Phraya River. Big mistake. The mighty river is Bangkok—the heart of the city; the long, wide, winding highway that has connected and transported locals for hundreds of years.
A journey on the Chao Phraya is reason enough to visit Bangkok, and once upon the water you are granted spectacular views of Wat Arun. Then, of course, there’s Thai cuisine, yet another reason why Bangkok was recently voted as “The Most-Visited City in the World” by Condé Nast Traveler, with an estimated 20.05 million visitors a year.
A journey on the Chao Phraya is reason enough to visit Bangkok, and once upon the water you are granted spectacular views of Wat Arun. Then, of course, there’s Thai cuisine, yet another reason why Bangkok was recently voted as “The Most-Visited City in the World” by Condé Nast Traveler, with an estimated 20.05 million visitors a year.
Imagine combining all three spectacles—water, food, river—into one package. Well, Supanniga Cruise does just that. Designed by owner and restaurateur, Thanaruek Laoraowirodge, Supanniga originally opened in order to pay homage to his late grandmother’s home recipes, which feature many dishes from Trat province—on Thailand’s Eastern seaboard—not easily found in most Bangkok establishments.
It will make your visit just that little bit more memorable, as you board the Supanniga boat, for either a one-hour Evening Champagne Taittinger Cruise (B1,550), or the two-hour and 15-minute Dinner Champagne Taittinger Cruise (B3,250)—partnering with the famed champagne house ensures something extra special for your voyage.
Cruises can be booked at River City or Riva Arun Hotel, which are also the pick-up and drop off points. The Dinner Cruise will leave you with a never-to-be-forgotten memory of the sparkling riverside, sipping a glass of champagne or a cocktail. This month also sees the launch of an Afternoon Tea offering, where guests can choose from rare and specialty teas. This operates daily, 11:30am-10:30 pm. The idea is to elevate the tea drinking experience, paired with enchanting views of Bangkok from the Chao Phraya.
The Evening Champagne Taittinger Cruise is followed by a sunset dinner at the Supanniga Eating Room, Boarding the vessel, Thanaruek told me that although you are treated like royalty, he wants passengers to feel unencumbered by the protocol. Guests are encouraged to dress as they wish—no dress code in this heat is undoubtedly a good thing—as long as they are comfortable. This casual attire rule goes for his restaurants, too.
This was followed by a sharing plate that included enormous king prawns (Choo Chi Goong) in a sweet-spicy Thai chilli sauce; tender chunks of pork stewed with Thai herbs (Moo Cha Muang); and salted fish from Trat mixed with shrimp, pork, beef jerky, fresh vegetables, and lotus stems (
Thanaruek informed me that he feels immense pride when his guests tell him how much they have enjoyed his home-style cooking and the presentation of the traditional family dishes, passed on by his beloved grandmother, Khun Yai.
The Supanniga Appetizer Platter (B295), features rice crackers with Khun Yai’s chili pork crackling dip (Khao Tung Nam Prik Pao Kak Moo), and Gaeng Ki Lek Moo Yang (B220)—a spicy curry of grilled pork with creamy coconut milk and aromatic herbs—was the best I have ever tasted.
Combine this wallet-friendly repast with the family-style Thai cooking, quality champagne, cocktails from mixologist stalwarts Vesper, the warm and friendly ambiance, and the stunning views over the Chao Phraya, and this is an experience that will long remain in the memory.
This really is Bangkok at its very best, the perfect way to see this historic, bustling, and ever-evolving city. It’s time to take to the waters people; let your friends in on the secret too, this is just too special to keep all to yourself.
Supanniga Cruise Head Office: 160/11 Sukhumvit 55 (Thonglor), Klongton Nuea, Wattana, Bangkok, Thailand 10110 Tel. 0 2 714 7608, 097 238 8284
