If Egypt its Nile River, Thailand has the Chao Phraya. Both rivers had shaped each country's arts and culture. And, in the case of Thailand, even its own wellbeing.

Not surprisingly, Chao Phraya translates as the River of Kings in English. Ancient Thai monarchs largely depended on it for survival. A king's reign was defined by the kingdom's proximity to the river. The closer it was to the 370-kilometer-long waterway, the more stable the kingdom was.

The logic was simple. In terms of defense, the river provided easier and faster means of transport in mobilizing the army. Road networks then were almost non-existent and air transport was nothing more than a facilitated import and export of good, as the river links up with the Gulf of Thailand into the open sea.

Chao Phraya was in fact ancient Siam's only gateway to the outside world. Foreign diplomats and traders entered the capital city on boats through the river.

Because the river provided strategic advantage, the kingdom built on its banks buildings and temple such as the Grand Palace, Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), Wat Phra Keow, and the Wat Po. This proved providential. These historic buildings are now Bangkok's top attractions, giving Chao Phraya a new role in a modern world where river transport has become less popular than air and road travels.

Today, Chao Phraya is one of the country's top tourist destinations. Its banks are now home to the city's most glitzy hotels - Mandarin Oriental, Shangri - la, Marriott Royal Garden, Royal Orchid Sheraton, Peninsula, to name a few - with dinner cruise a major lure for tourists.

Indeed, a night cruise on Chao Phraya can be your most romantic experience in Bangkok. You can take a cruise on an ordinary passenger ferry or on a luxurious royal barge. The cruise gives you a breathtaking glimpse of the fascinating life - and historic landmarks - long the river. The trip takes you under the Memorial Bridge, Sapan Put, the first span to be built across the river, and under the new Rama 8 Bridge, whose cable stays look like a giant jewel against a moonless sky.

Of course, the cruise's major night attraction is the Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, At night, its glowing spire majestically rises above the city like a phoenix in full splendor.

Another fascinating sight is the sprawling Grand Palace where monarchs lived in the olden days. The current King now lives elsewhere, but the palace remains a reminder of the glorious days of the kingdom. In the same compound is the Royal Chapel, locally known as Prakeow, It houses the highly revered Emerald Buddha image which, of course, can't be seen from your boat.

A diner cruise is a journey in time, taking you back to the glory of Old Siam. As Pichit Kulkeadech, owner of the Pearl of Siam luxury yachts once said, "Bangkok is one of the world's most exotic ports of call and crossing along the lifeline of Bangkok at night lends a different dimension to one's holiday." If taken on a luxury barge, the cruise is usually capped with a royal Thai dinner, aesthetic in both taste and presentation.

Several companies operate such dreamy night river tours. The Grand Pearl is one of them.

Special thanks! for information from "What's on after dark" and "What's on this week"