Rating: 3.2/5 (6 votes)

Open Days: Open daily (boat schedules and service availability depend on local operators)

Opening Hours: Generally 08.00 – 17.00 (it is recommended to call and confirm boat schedules before departure)

 

Koh Lad is a mid-river island on the Bang Pakong River in the Bang Khla area of Chachoengsao, best known for its “island-circling boat trip” that lets you experience riverside life, beautiful homes, and community gardens on the island. Many routes also pass key landmarks such as the “Chedi Stupa of King Taksin the Great” and connect well with a visit to “Wat Pho Bang Khla,” famous for its large colony of flying foxes (fruit bats). The boat trip usually takes about 1 – 1.5 hours. Morning and late afternoon are ideal for cooler weather and softer light for photography.

 

Koh Lad is one of Chachoengsao’s most relaxing destinations, the kind of place that makes people fall in love with the Bang Pakong River without having to rush. This isn’t a sea island, a sandy beach, or a quick photo stop you tick off in minutes. It’s a living river island with real communities: waterfront homes, gardens, local fishing traditions, and a boat route that gently carries you along the river’s natural rhythm—as if you’re reading Bang Khla’s story through water, shoreline, and everyday life on both sides.

 

If you enjoy old riverside towns, historic temples, and floating raft restaurants in Chachoengsao, Koh Lad offers a softer, slower perspective. The heart of the trip is the boat ride around a large mid-river island, with the flexibility to stop at points of interest along the way. You can choose to step ashore at key spots or simply stay on the boat and soak in the views of riverside homes and the river’s sweeping bends that naturally encourage you to slow down and unwind.

 

The image people often share of Koh Lad is a “wide mid-river island on the Bang Pakong River,” a place that clearly shows why rivers mattered so much to settlement and community life. Many houses face the water, with piers, boats, and waterfront spaces designed around a riverside lifestyle. As you cruise past, you’ll notice details you rarely see from the road: small washing areas by the pier, tree shadows laying across the water’s surface, or garden scenery stretching along the island’s edge. This is why the “island-circling boat trip” feels like more than sightseeing—it’s a window into a way of life shaped by the river.

 

Another standout quality of Koh Lad is how it weaves together “nature + history + faith” in a single route. Many boat trips pass the Chedi Stupa of King Taksin the Great, adding meaningful storytelling rather than just views. The route also connects easily to Wat Pho Bang Khla, a well-known flying fox viewing spot. In one trip, you get the calm of the river, the option to visit sacred sites, and the chance to observe wildlife that coexists with local communities.

 

If you’re wondering who Koh Lad is for, it’s ideal for travelers looking for a near-Bangkok getaway that doesn’t require much effort. It suits families who want to take elders out for a breezy boat ride, photographers who love river scenes and local life, and friend groups who want a half-day trip followed by a great riverside meal on a raft restaurant—a signature experience in the Bang Khla area and along the Bang Pakong River.

 

The “Koh Lad island-circling boat trip” typically begins at a local pier/service point in Bang Khla, where you choose a package or boat style that fits your group size. For larger groups, chartering a boat is often better value because you can set your own pace and decide where to stop. Once on board, you immediately feel the river’s openness and the cool breeze along the route—especially in the morning or late afternoon, when the light is softer and the riverside scenery looks particularly beautiful.

 

The charm of boating here is that the scenery keeps changing. As you cruise along the island, you’ll pass denser residential sections, greener garden areas, wide river bends that feel like the river is opening up a photo stage, and simple everyday riverside scenes—small local boats, working piers, and lived-in waterfront spaces. This simplicity is exactly why many people describe Koh Lad as a place where you “don’t have to do much, yet you truly feel rested.”

 

Another enjoyable option is choosing to “order food on the boat” so you can eat while sightseeing. It turns an ordinary activity into a memorable meal, with the Bang Pakong River as your backdrop and the sounds of water and wind naturally slowing the conversation and easing everyone into a relaxed mood. Dining on the boat is also convenient for larger groups because it’s an easy shared experience that doesn’t require long walks—both adults and children can enjoy the trip together.

 

One of the most popular stopovers is the Wat Pho Bang Khla area, where a large colony of flying foxes (fruit bats) roosts in the trees within the temple grounds. Seeing them clustered together in huge groups is a distinctive sight and adds another dimension to Bang Khla travel beyond markets and cafes. If you’ve never seen flying foxes up close, this is a place that helps you understand how nature can coexist with community and religious spaces—as long as visitors follow respectful etiquette and do not disturb the animals.

 

To enjoy the flying fox viewing experience, focus on “observing with respect.” Avoid loud noise, do not stand directly under the trees just to get close-up shots, and avoid aiming flash at the animals. Disturbance can stress the bats and reduces the quality of the visit for everyone. Morning and late afternoon are usually more comfortable because the sun is less intense, and you can walk around the temple and river area without feeling overheated.

 

For a truly efficient day plan, Koh Lad is often paired with the “Bang Khla Floating Market,” which opens only on Saturdays and Sundays. That’s why weekends are especially popular: you can visit the market in the morning, sample snacks and buy local items, then take the Koh Lad boat trip in late morning or afternoon, and finish with dinner at a riverside/raft restaurant in the same area. This itinerary gives you food, sightseeing, photography, and relaxation in one day without driving across multiple districts.

 

From a photography perspective, Koh Lad is best for “local life + river scenery” rather than landmark-style shots. The beauty is in the details: light hitting the water, tree shadows falling across riverside homes, and the balance of a boat moving with the current. For softer colors and more flattering light, go in the morning for gentle brightness or late afternoon for warm tones. It also helps to allow time for the boat to slow down in certain stretches so you can shoot without rushing.

 

Safety should always come first, especially if you’re traveling with children or older family members. Wear life jackets as advised by the operator and remain seated in appropriate positions—avoid standing to take photos during turns or when the water is choppy. If anyone is prone to motion sickness, bring seasickness medication and take it before boarding. Also prepare drinking water, a hat, and sunscreen, since sunlight reflecting off the water can feel stronger than expected.

 

Getting There From Bangkok, take the Bang Na–Trat Expressway toward Chachoengsao, then continue to Bang Khla District. Head to the pier/boat service point you contacted in advance. Calling to confirm boat schedules before departure helps you plan accurately—especially if you want to combine your trip with the Bang Khla Floating Market (Saturday–Sunday) or time your ride for morning/late-afternoon light for photography.

 

 

A: Koh Lad is a mid-river island on the Bang Pakong River in Bang Khla District, Chachoengsao. The most popular way to visit is by taking an island-circling boat trip from a local boat service point in Bang Khla.

 

A: The island-circling boat trip generally takes about 1 – 1.5 hours, depending on the boat type and how often you stop at points of interest along the route.

 

A: Morning and late afternoon are best because the weather is cooler and the light is more flattering for photography, especially if you want river views and local-life scenes.

 

A: Highlights include riverside community views and homes on the island, passing the Chedi Stupa of King Taksin the Great, and easily connecting to Wat Pho Bang Khla, known for its large flying fox (fruit bat) colony.

 

A: Start with the Bang Khla Floating Market in the morning, then take the Koh Lad boat trip in late morning or afternoon, and finish with a meal at a riverside or raft restaurant in the Bang Khla area.

 

A: Bring a hat, sunglasses, drinking water, and sunscreen. If you’re prone to motion sickness, take medication beforehand. Follow operator safety guidance such as wearing a life jacket and staying seated in appropriate areas of the boat.