Standing on the balcony of a corner unit at The River, watching long-tail boats cut through the Chao Phraya at sunset, you get why people pay a premium to live here. This is not just another high-rise condo along Charoen Krung. The River by Raimon Land is one of those rare Bangkok developments that actually delivers on its promise of riverside living. But is it worth the rent? Let me break it down based on real experience, real numbers, and the kind of details that actually matter when you are signing a lease.

What Makes The River Different from Other Riverside Condos

The River sits on Charoen Nakhon Road, right on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya. Developed by Raimon Land, one of Thailand's more established luxury developers, this project was completed in 2012 and still holds up remarkably well. The two towers rise 36 and 37 floors, and almost every unit faces the river. That is not always the case with riverside developments where half the units end up staring at another building.

The project has around 840 units total, with sizes ranging from one-bedroom layouts at roughly 60 sqm all the way up to massive penthouses exceeding 400 sqm. Common facilities include an infinity pool that directly overlooks the river, a well-equipped gym, a library, and landscaped gardens that feel genuinely maintained, not just thrown together for the brochure.

A friend of mine, a French architect working in Bangkok, moved here after spending two years in a Sukhumvit high-rise. He told me the commute takes a bit longer, but coming home to that river view every evening made him stop thinking about moving back to Paris. That kind of effect on quality of life is hard to put a price on, but let me try anyway.

Rental Prices and What You Actually Get for the Money

Let us talk numbers. Based on current market listings from DDproperty and what tenants are actually paying, here is a realistic breakdown of rents at The River. Average rent for a one-bedroom unit (approximately 60 to 70 sqm) at The River ranges from 30,000 to 45,000 THB per month, depending on floor level and river view orientation. Two-bedroom units in the 100 to 130 sqm range typically go for 50,000 to 80,000 THB per month.

Three-bedroom units and larger layouts can hit 90,000 to 150,000 THB per month, sometimes higher for fully renovated penthouses. These prices are competitive when you consider what you are getting. A comparable riverside unit at The Residences at Mandarin Oriental or Four Seasons Private Residences would cost significantly more, sometimes double.

One thing to watch out for: units at The River vary wildly in terms of interior condition. Some owners have invested in high-end renovations, while others still have the original 2012 finishes. Always visit the specific unit before committing. A "two-bedroom at The River" can mean two very different experiences depending on the owner.

Location, Transport, and the Riverside Lifestyle Reality Check

Here is where you need to be honest with yourself. The River is not on the BTS line. It is not next to an MRT station. The nearest BTS station is Saphan Taksin, and getting there involves either a short drive or the free shuttle boat that the building operates to Sathorn Pier. That boat ride takes about five minutes and runs on a schedule, so you need to plan around it.

If you work in Silom or Sathorn, this is actually manageable. Take the shuttle boat to Sathorn Pier, hop on the BTS, and you are at Chong Nonsi or Sala Daeng within 15 minutes. But if your office is in Asoke, Phrom Phong, or anywhere deep into Sukhumvit, be prepared for a commute that can stretch past 45 minutes during rush hour.

For daily errands, ICONSIAM is just a few minutes downriver and has everything from a gourmet supermarket to international retail. There is also a small commercial area around Charoen Nakhon with local restaurants and convenience stores. A colleague who lives here does her weekly grocery run at the ICONSIAM Siam Takashimaya food hall and says she has never felt isolated despite being on the Thonburi side.

One practical tip: keep a motorbike taxi contact saved in your phone. On rainy days when the shuttle boat feels inconvenient, a quick motorbike ride to Krung Thonburi BTS station takes about seven minutes and costs 30 to 40 THB.

How The River Compares to Other Riverside Options

You are probably weighing The River against other riverside condos. Here is a side-by-side comparison of the main contenders, focusing on what renters actually care about.

• The River by Raimon Land: 2012 | 30,000 to 45,000 | 50,000 to 80,000 | Saphan Taksin (boat + walk) | Yes
• Watermark Chaophraya: 2011 | 25,000 to 38,000 | 45,000 to 65,000 | Saphan Taksin (boat + walk) | Yes
• Baan Sathorn Chaophraya: 2010 | 20,000 to 30,000 | 35,000 to 55,000 | Krung Thonburi (taxi/walk) | No
• Banyan Tree Residences: 2019 | 55,000 to 80,000 | 90,000 to 150,000 | Saphan Taksin (walk) | Yes
• Supalai River Resort: 2008 | 15,000 to 22,000 | 25,000 to 40,000 | Krung Thonburi (taxi) | No

The River occupies a sweet spot. It is significantly cheaper than the ultra-luxury options like Banyan Tree Residences but offers a noticeably better product than older developments like Supalai River Resort. For renters who want genuine riverside luxury without paying hotel-branded prices, The River is hard to beat.

Building Management, Common Areas, and Day-to-Day Living

A condo is only as good as its management, and this is where The River earns solid marks. The lobby is clean and staffed 24/7. Security uses key card access for floors, and there is CCTV coverage throughout the common areas. The juristic office is responsive to maintenance requests, which is not something you can say about every 10-plus year old building in Bangkok.

The pool area is the highlight. An infinity-edge pool overlooking the river, surrounded by sun loungers that do not feel like they were last replaced in 2015. The gym is decent, stocked with Life Fitness equipment, though serious gym-goers might still want a separate membership. There is also a sauna, a kids' play area, and meeting rooms that residents can book.

A couple I know with a toddler moved here from a Thong Lo condo specifically because the riverside walkway gives their kid space to run around, something almost impossible to find in central Sukhumvit. They pay around 65,000 THB per month for a two-bedroom on the 25th floor and say the quality of life improvement was immediate.

Common area fees run approximately 55 to 65 THB per sqm per month, which is standard for this tier of development. Electricity is billed at the MEA rate, not inflated like some condo projects.

Who Should (and Should Not) Rent at The River

The River is ideal for a specific type of renter. If you work in Silom, Sathorn, or anywhere along the BTS Silom Line, and you value space, views, and a calmer living environment over nightlife proximity, this place makes a lot of sense. Families, couples, and remote workers tend to thrive here.

It is less ideal if you need to be in the Sukhumvit corridor every day, if you go out in Thong Lo or Ekkamai regularly, or if you do not own a car and rely entirely on the BTS for everything. The shuttle boat is convenient but it is not 24-hour, and late nights out will mean Grab rides that add up.

Expats on relocation packages tend to love The River because it offers large, well-finished units at prices that fit within most company housing allowances. According to Knight Frank Thailand, riverside condos in this segment have seen steady demand from international tenants who prioritize living space over being steps from the Skytrain.

If you are seriously considering The River or any other riverside condo in Bangkok, start by browsing verified listings on superagent.co. Superagent uses AI to match you with units that fit your actual requirements, including budget, commute time, and lifestyle. It saves you from scrolling through hundreds of outdated listings and gets you into the right unit faster.