Memorial Bridge Pier – A starting point for riverside walks and local markets

Memorial Bridge and its riverside setting

Memorial Bridge Pier lies beneath the green iron bridge that gives it its name. Built in the 1930s to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Bangkok’s founding, the bridge remains a distinctive landmark on many Chao Phraya boat routes. The pier itself serves as a convenient stop for travellers heading to the Flower Market, Little India, and the riverside walk across to the opposite bank.

Exploring the Flower Market and Little India

Leaving the pier, a short walk leads to Bangkok’s Flower Market, where stalls display orchids, roses, and garlands. The area becomes especially lively during the frequent Buddhist holidays celebrated in Bangkok, when demand rises sharply. The market also includes wholesale fruit and vegetable trade that stretches several hundred metres inland and alongside the river. The Floral Café, on the upper floor of a flower shop, offers a calm setting with distinctive floral décor. Further inland, a main road leads towards Little India and one of the largest Sikh temples outside India. Canal-side cafés and Indian shops here reflect the district’s long-established community.

Cross-river walk

Across from the pier, steps lead up to Memorial Bridge, which crosses to Wat Prayun on the opposite bank. Visitors can climb inside its white stupa and stop at the pond below to feed the turtles. The nearby riverside path continues past Santa Cruz Church, Kian An Keng Chinese Shrine, and Wat Kalayanamit.

The pier’s continuing role on the river

Memorial Bridge Pier shows how older piers continue to serve both commuters and visitors. The surrounding districts—mainly Indian and Thai—illustrate the mix of influences that shaped the city’s development. For route details and current service information, see the Chao Phraya Express Boat Company website.