Bangkok Hotels in

Shangri-La Bangkok is planning to carve a slice out of the Chao Phya cruise market by introducing a lunch cruise aboard its Horizon I from next month.

Gerard Sintes, the general manager of Shangri-La Bangkok, says he's confident that the lunch cruise will prove popular, providing visitors with an alternative to the many dinner cruises now available. He points out that the afternoon trip on the Horizon will be the only one on the market this summer.

Though the official launch is scheduled for April 25, 2006, the hotel held a sneak preview for members of the media and travel agents last week.

As you board the boat, the crew greets you and escorts you to your table. You can choose to sit in one of the two air-conditioned buffet cabins or opt for a table in the open air on the aft deck. Once seated, you can enjoy a cocktail, explore the boat or appreciate the scenery before getting down to sampling the fare on offer.

"We have discerned a demand for this sort of river trip in recent years. At the Shangri-La, we have received many requests from guests," says Sintes. "The lunch cruise makes sense enough because tourists can see the major attractions along the river while they are having lunch. For those who don't want to spend the whole day on a boat, this two-hour trip, from noon to 2pm, should be ideal."

From the Shangri-La pier, the Horizon goes along the river towards the Rama VIII Bridge before returning to the hotel, with a few optional stops en route. Though sunny, an afternoon on the river is quite pleasant and the boat ride provides passengers with a great view of all that's going on on both sides of the river.

"Visitors can choose to drop off either at the Grand Palace or the Temple of Dawn on the way back to the hotel. Or they just return with the boat to the Shangri-La, approximately at 2.30pm," says Sintes.

The Horizon can seat up to 120 guests. It has two spacious buffet cabins, each on a separate deck, which should prevent anyone from feeling he or she is in the midst of a crowd. Each of the cabins has its own buffet counters and cocktail bar.

The cruise can be seen as an alternative venue for lunch - but much more attractive and laidback. There are a dizzying variety of dishes in the international buffet. Sushi puts in an appearance, together with Thai and French dishes and more. There is an excellent wine list as well, which includes many a creative frozen drink and cocktail.

The boat has a sleek design with large picture windows that allow you to take in the view. All the chairs can also be moved around and you can position yourself to get a good look at the old temples, churches and stunning riverside residences.

"The dinner cruise at Shangri-La Bangkok mainly draws in-house guests. But this lunch cruise is perfect for those who want to enjoy themselves in Bangkok during the daytime," says Sintes.

Reservations have to be made for the cruise. For more details, call (02) 236 7777 ext 6205-6