Forget about the classic places every tourist must visit like Chatuchak weekend market. River City is now a new shiny beacon of arts and antiques, located at the river front opposite to IconSiam, very convenient location.
I really like the concept of this place where they have many exhibition halls and spaces for the ‘new face’ artists to showcase their artwork in various kinds as well as shops for arts and antiques in the air-conditioned hall and decent restroom (Really important!). Here are arts and antiques you can find as well as other activities you can do at the River City:
What Kind of Arts and Antiques I Will Find Here?
Inside the River City, there are numerous galleries with ranges of art from on the 1st and 2nd floor. Mostly, you will find paintings in the contemporary style from local artists. Feel free to shop for any art pieces you like. There is also a shop on the 1st floor which offers small everyday items with designs like tote bags with nice screens, well-designed bookmarks, cute notebooks, etc.
Wide ranges of antiques ranging from statues, Chinese porcelains, Benjarong – Thai style of porcelain, carpets, silk, and Thai handicrafts can be found on the 3rd and 4th floor. Some antique shops here not always sell the ‘old’ stuff, but also offer a custom made which looks antique such as imitation of the Buddha statue or statue of Chinese deities for decorations purposes.
Other Activities: Enjoy Yourself in Various Temporary Art Exhibitions and Events
The area on the 1st and 2nd floor not only consists of the independent art galleries mentioned earlier, but also filled with temporary exhibitions which change every time you visit the River City. The exhibition mostly showcases a contemporary style of art, which comes in many forms, varying from paintings, sculptures, and multimedia. Artists, who display their work in this kind of exhibition, are mostly known from their social media before exhibiting their work here.
If you know some of them from social media, feel free to visit here. The exhibition here is mostly free, you can just walk inside. Some of them may require a ticket which you can buy right at the counter in front of the exhibition.
Not just the individual artist’s exhibition, the River City also regularly hosts international exhibitions, artist talks, film screenings, and live music performances. You can find the latest exhibitions and events here.
Are You a Collector? Join Auction Event and Get Your Favourite Piece
I personally never join any auction event. But as far as I can find the information, as well as what I heard from many of my friends, the biggest antique auction event is always held here at the River City. Antiques in the auction mostly are Asian antiques such as pottery and porcelain from many ancient civilizations around Asia, collections of rare Thai Benjarong, exquisite furniture pieces from the old time, etc. If you are a collector who is looking for this kind of antiques, then the auction event at River City is the right place for you.
There is not a fixed schedule for the auction, but you can always find the news about the event and the catalog here or visit the RBC center on the 4th floor to see the actual pieces.
In case you could not attend the event by yourself, you can participate via an online channel. Visit the website for more information.
Opening Hours and Entrance Fee
The River City open daily from 10:00 – 20:00
Entrance fee: No entrance fee to the River City Bangkok building. However, some exhibitions might charge entrance fees separately. For the latest information about the exhibition and event, please visit the website here.
How to get there?
By Boat
The Chaophraya Express Boat to Si Phraya Pier. Walk to Charoenkrung 30 street and turn left. The River City Bangkok building is adjacent to the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel.
By BTS
Go to Saphan Taksin Station. Get down to Sathorn Pier and take the Chaophraya Express Boat to Si Phraya Pier. Walk to Charoenkrung 30 street and turn left. The River City Bangkok building is adjacent to the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel.
The other option is to walk from BTS station to the River City. From exit no. 3-4, turn left and walk along Charoenkrung road for about 1.3 km. Turn left to Charoenkrung 30 and walk along the street. The River City Bangkok building is adjacent to the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel.
