Sunset Photoshoot at the Wat Arun Viewpoint
A private Chao Phraya river photoshoot from the deck across from the Temple of Dawn. Short, well-timed, and always paired with another spot in the area.
Our riverside portfolio
A short, well-timed shoot across from Wat Arun
A sunset photoshoot at this spot is short, focused, and built around the postcard view of Wat Arun. We meet on the public deck right next to The Deck by Arun Residence, on the eastern bank of the Chao Phraya, and shoot straight across at the temple silhouetted against the sky.
The deck is one fixed spot, so we cover around 5 poses in up to 10 minutes. We work in the left corner rather than the centre, where most tourists stop, so the background stays cleaner. Because it's so short, this spot is never booked on its own. It's always the second half of a session.
After the sunset, wait a few extra minutes. As it gets darker the temple lights come on and start glowing, which gives you a second very different background in the same session, and makes a Chao Phraya river photoshoot feel like two shoots in one.
- From 11k THB / $335 for a one-hour session
- 1 to 2 locations per booking
- Up to 200 edited images delivered
- Delivered in 3 days, or 24 hours for an extra 2,000 THB
- Private, no group limit
The 11k THB / $335 tier covers one hour. Because the deck is only 10 minutes of shooting, the second location is where the rest of your session goes.
The Deck by Arun Residence
Eastern bank of the Chao Phraya, right beside Wat Pho. Public access, no entrance fee for the deck itself.
Add 15 minutes to your expected arrival time, more if it has just rained. Sunset won't wait.
No dress code, all poses are fine
The deck sits outside any temple grounds, so there is no dress code here and we can do all poses, including kissing, hugs and proposal-style moments. We also shoot marriage proposals at this spot. The river backdrop makes it a strong choice.
If you want a different angle, you can also climb up to The Deck by Arun, the rooftop bar above. It's stairs only, and quite a few of them. To enter the bar we need to order drinks, around 350 THB / $11 per person including the photographer. The spot at the top fits 1 to 2 people, so it doesn't work for families or groups, and in the high season there can be a small queue for it.
- Couples and proposals. Kissing, hugs, the moment of asking, all fine here.
- Solo portraits. Wide and tight crops with the temple as backdrop.
- Family and small group photos. The corner spot on the deck fits a small group comfortably, though the rooftop above does not.
- Children and pets. Plenty of space, no entry rules to worry about.
The best months for a Chao Phraya river photoshoot
How the sunset looks on the photos depends a lot on the weather, so the month you pick matters.
Timing on the day: we aim to arrive about 30 to 45 minutes before sunset so we have time to set up, shoot the golden light, and stay for the after-sunset glow on the temple.
Add 15 minutes to your expected arrival time, more if it has just rained.
The peak month. Sun aligns centrally behind Wat Arun, dry weather, clean sky. If you can, book this one.
Strong runners-up. Dry season weather, sun is further right of the temple but still gives a great shot. Crowds are heavier (see below).
Off season. Often cloudy with showers around 5pm. From August to mid November especially, clear sunsets are rare, so we plan to shoot just after sunset when Wat Arun lights up instead of relying on the sky.
Pair the deck with another Bangkok location
Because the deck shoot is only about 10 minutes, it's always combined with a second location. Most clients pick one of the three options below.
A few minutes on foot from the deck. We usually start at Wat Pho in the late afternoon, walk over to the riverside in time for sunset, then end at the deck.
About 12 minutes by taxi from the deck. After the sunset shoot we head over for the neon lights, street food and the lively night atmosphere.
The riverside view makes this a strong proposal spot. We work with you on timing and signals so the moment is captured naturally.
For proposals we arrive 30 to 45 minutes before sunset so the moment lands in the best light, then keep shooting as the temple lights come on.
Other nearby spots worth pairing
If you want a different vibe than Wat Pho or Chinatown, the deck also pairs well with Saranrom Palace Park, the Pak Khlong Talat flower market and Talat Noi. Each gives a different feel: calm palace gardens, dense flower stalls, or quiet old shophouse streets and street art alleys.
Two with conditions: Wat Ratchabophit is a 15-minute stop only, with no costumes and no commercial sessions. Song Wat Road is best avoided on weekends and isn't suitable for families.
All packages include 1 to 2 locations, a one-hour session and up to 200 edited images.
What to expect around the deck
For dinner after the shoot, our pick is Rongros. The food quality stands out and we usually go there at night. Many riverside restaurants fill up in season, so book ahead.
The area can be very crowded, especially on weekends and around holidays. Restaurants and the rooftop bar can have queues.
This is the busiest stretch. Expect a small queue for the rooftop bar shot. Plan ahead and we are fine.
Quieter on the deck and easier to walk in to most restaurants. The trade-off is the weather, often cloudy with showers around 5pm.
Before your sunset photoshoot
Ready to book your sunset photoshoot?
Send us your dates and we'll check availability. Every session is private, never shared with other clients.