The banks of the Chao Phraya River are home to some of Bangkok’s most unexpected event venues. The tranquil and spacious facilities often come with views of the surrounding temples and palaces. Each offers indoor and outdoor areas for events and has previously catered to international groups to ensure smoothly executed programmes.
Historic villas
Praya Palazzo is a 17-room mansion built in the early 20th century, a time when Italian artists flooded the city under the commission of King Rama V. Its 300 sqm Riverview Garden can host cocktail functions for 150 people or banquets for 50 (buffet for 60) with views of the well-lit Grand Palace. The kitchen serves authentic Thai and western dishes. Smaller sit-down dinners can also be held in the Praya Dining room for 30 guests, and in the upstairs Rom Pho room for 20. This room can also be set up for classroom (30 delegates) and theatre style (50) meetings. Take over the whole venue for cocktail events of 250 people with live musicians and roving performers for entertainment.
www.prayapalazzo.com
Arun Residence is an historic Sino-Portuguese river house that has recently been renovated. The restaurant, terraces and balconies all offer an unfolding panorama of the Ratanakosin skyline. The Deck is a perfect venue for sunset cocktails overlooking the Temple of Dawn, known locally as Wat Arun. For sit-down dinners, there are three options. The upper deck seats 40 people and the lower deck, Amorosa, seats 50. There is also a private dining room for VIP groups that seats 25. Groups of up to 160 people can book out the venue for cocktail receptions.
www.arunresidence.com
Chakrabongse House is a former residence set on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. The Royal villa complex gets its name from its builder and first resident, Prince Chakrabongse Bhuvanath, the 40th son of King Rama V, who used it as a second home. The Riverside Sala Dining Room is a traditional wooden Thai pavilion that can seat up to 60 people for meetings or authentic Thai banquets. The gardens are also available for receptions of 80 people.
www.chakrabongsevillas.com
Big groups
The Royal Thai Navy Convention Hall can host groups for conventions and large-scale dinners. The venue is located on the western bank of the river overlooking the Grand Palace and offers more than 14,000 sqm of wellequipped function space. Its 1,600 sqm Chaopraya Room on the second floor can seat 2,000 people theatre style or 1,100 for buffet or 800 for banquets. Its 10 metre ceilings give great flexibility for theming and performances. There are several other venues inside including the ground-floor Arun-Amarin Room (800 for banquets), the Chomcholathee Room on the third floor (380) and the Chomwang Room (300). For pre-function riverside cocktails, the 900 sqm Dhassanaphirom courtyard can host 500 people.