🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
If you want to understand Nonthaburi as something more than malls and condos, start at Tha Nam Nont. This is the northern terminus of the Chao Phraya Express Boat line, the spot where people from Pak Kret, downtown Nonthaburi, and Bangkok have crossed paths for decades. The area around the pier still holds onto its old riverside feel: a fresh market, a row of food stalls, government buildings from the reign of King Rama V, and a wide, pretty stretch of river. It's a place you actually walk around, not just pass through.
Where Tha Nam Nont is and how to get there
Tha Nam Nonthaburi (pier code N30) sits on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River on Pracharat Road, near the old City Hall and the town clock tower. It's a transit link between Pak Kret, downtown Nonthaburi, and Bangkok, and you can get here several ways — pick whatever's easiest for you.
- MRT Purple Line — get off at a station in downtown Nonthaburi, then take a bus, motorbike taxi, or regular taxi to the pier. It's not far.
- Chao Phraya Express Boat — coming from the Bangkok side, take a boat bound for Nonthaburi and ride it straight to Pier N30, with river views the whole way.
- Bus — several lines pass Tha Nam Nont, including routes 32, 63, 65, 97, 114, 117, and 543, plus shared vans.
- Driving — there's parking around the market and along Pracharat Road. It gets busy on weekends, so arriving a bit early makes finding a spot easier.
Want more out of Nonthaburi? Book tours & activities
Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.
The old City Hall — the standout building of the area
The highlight of Tha Nam Nont is the old Nonthaburi Provincial City Hall, standing tall right on the riverbank. It's a two-storey brick-and-plaster building in a Western-meets-Thai style, built in 1910 during the reign of King Rama V. The building was first a royal college before becoming the provincial City Hall from 1928 to 1992. It was registered as a historic monument in 1981, and part of it now opens as the Nonthaburi Provincial Museum, which you can visit.
Best time for photos
The building faces the river, so the soft light of early morning and late afternoon works well — you can frame the building together with the Chao Phraya. Inside, flash photography of the artefacts isn't allowed.
Nonthaburi Provincial Museum — free to enter
The Nonthaburi Provincial Museum is housed inside that same old City Hall building. It has two sections: the ground floor tells the story of Nonthaburi and the history of the old City Hall, while the upper floor is a pottery room showcasing the province's signature craft. It doesn't take long to walk through, but it gives you the backstory of the area before you head out to the market.
- Opening hours — Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00–18:00 (closed Mondays).
- Admission — free.
- Highlights — the Nonthaburi pottery room, old tools and household items, and the story of this riverside town.
- Walking distance — right next to Tha Nam Nont; just a few minutes' walk from the pier.
Tha Nam Nont market — eat your way along the river
The real charm of Tha Nam Nont is the food. This is an old market with great stalls scattered everywhere, from inside the fresh market out along the riverside walkways. There's savoury food, sweets, bakery items, and deep-fried snacks — you can graze your way through happily. We've picked out a few spots that locals mention often to give you a sense of it.
Pa Uan Old-Style Fried Rice
An old-recipe fried rice that's a local favourite, served with fried fish cakes, a fried egg, and Chinese sausage. Homey, well-balanced flavours at an easy price. It opens in the evening, and there's usually a queue.
Nont Bakery
A long-running bakery at Tha Nam Nont, known for its éclairs, minced-pork-and-salted-egg buns, and black sesame cookies. Grab a few as a gift to take home before you leave. It stays open late.
Mae Nai Khanom Farang
Old-recipe baked egg cakes — crisp on the outside, soft inside, and just the right sweetness. It's an old-school sweet that's getting harder to find. If you love traditional Thai desserts, don't skip it.
Talay Thot Seafood
A riverside fried-snack stall with fried shrimp, fried roe fish, and fried squid, all hot and fresh. Buy a skewer and snack as you walk — prices start at just a few baht per stick. It opens in the late afternoon.
Cook and Coff Bang Khwang Prison
A coffee and dessert shop run in the area near Bang Khwang Prison, with fried bananas and steamed coconut cups as standouts. A good spot to sit, rest, and sip a coffee while you're out exploring.
Best time to walk the market
Tha Nam Nont market is liveliest on Saturdays and Sundays, when more stalls are open than on weekdays. But some food stalls are evening-only, opening in the late afternoon. If you're planning to come for dinner with the river breeze, around 16:00–18:00 is the sweet spot.
Chao Phraya Express Boat Pier N30 — hop on and keep exploring
Tha Nam Nont is the northern terminus of the Chao Phraya Express Boat, and every line stops here, which makes it an easy pier to find with boats coming through often. Whether you want to cruise into Bangkok and watch both riverbanks go by, or take a cross-river ferry to carry on elsewhere, it's all convenient from here.
- Orange Flag boat — Nonthaburi to Wat Rajsingkorn, a flat 16 THB for the whole route. Boats come frequently and it's good for getting into Bangkok.
- Yellow Flag boat — Nonthaburi to Sathorn, a flat 21 THB, with fewer stops and a faster ride.
- Red Flag boat (air-conditioned) — Nonthaburi to Sathorn, a flat 30 THB, a comfortable air-conditioned ride.
- Cross-river ferry — 4 THB per person to cross to the opposite bank, handy for continuing to other riverside spots.
- Long-tail boat — boats run to the surrounding canals and spots like Ko Kret, ideal if you want to extend your trip into a package.
Check the schedule before you go
Fares and schedules for the Chao Phraya Express Boat change from time to time, so it's worth checking the latest details on the Chao Phraya Express Boat website before you set out — especially the flag boats that only run Monday to Friday, so you don't miss your ride.
More to explore nearby
The nice thing about Tha Nam Nont is that it's a central base — everything's close by. Once you've wandered the old town, you can extend your trip in a few directions, so pick based on your energy and the time you have.
Ko Kret
A car-free river island and Mon community where you can walk the market, sample Mon sweets, and pay respects at Wat Poramaiyikawas. You can take a boat there from Tha Nam Nont.
Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat Worawihan
A riverside temple in Chinese-influenced style from the reign of King Rama III. It's quiet and uncrowded — a good stop to pay respects and admire the craftsmanship.
Somdet Phra Srinagarindra Park, Nonthaburi
A riverside park in town with a pond, Thai pavilions, and shaded walkways — a good place for an evening stroll to catch the breeze.
How to plan your time at Tha Nam Nont
There's no need to rush here — half a day covers the area. If you want to add Ko Kret, set aside a full day. Here's a starting plan.
- Half day, afternoon to evening — visit the provincial museum, see the old City Hall, take riverside photos, then walk the market for dinner with the river breeze.
- Full day — take a morning boat to Ko Kret, pay respects at Wat Poramaiyikawas and sample Mon sweets, head back to the Tha Nam Nont side in the afternoon to walk the market and visit the museum, then stroll Somdet Park in the evening.
- By boat — take the Chao Phraya Express Boat from Pier N30 into Bangkok and watch the temples and riverside houses on both banks slide by — views you'd never catch from the road.
Plan a full Nonthaburi trip — where to stay, eat, and explore
See the Nonthaburi guide →