Here's How You Can Kayak a Boat With Cats in Thailand

If you’re an adventurous cat lover who doesn’t have a Japan visa yet to visit the famous cat island in Aoshima, maybe try kayaking with cats in Bangkok first. Yes, actual cats, on a boat, in Thailand!

In a sleepy riverside neighbourhood called Hua Takhe, these furry locals aren’t just café mascots. They’re your kayaking companions. They’ll sit beside you, climb on your shoulders, or sprawl across the boat as you drift through the canal like it’s their runway.

It’s cute, fun, and a one-of-a-kind experience only cats can provide.

Also read: Remember Japan’s Viral Cat Island? You Might Not Get to See It Anymore

Image credit: 6940257302 | Xiahongshu

This cat-boat experience began with one man: Pao-Chavalit Sutthamsakul, owner of Si Yaek Hua Takhe Café and Guesthouse in Bangkok’s Lat Krabang district.

Over ten years ago, Hua Takhe was a quiet area filled with wooden houses and too many rats. To solve the problem, Chavalit adopted two stray cats, Thongdam and Thongdaeng.

Image credit: 42117831344 | Xiahongshu

One day, while rowing his boat, Thongdaeng jumped in and surprisingly loved it. That moment sparked the idea that would one day turn Hua Takhe into one of Bangkok’s quirkiest travel spots.

Soon, Chavalit started bringing his cats along every day. Locals began taking photos, travellers got curious, and he eventually created a Facebook page called Cats by the Canal. What started as a simple life hack turned into a travel favourite for cat lovers.

Image credit: 2855635946 | Xiaohongshu

Last 2020 (during the pandemic), a Thai YouTuber named Ploy Pigkaploy stayed at the guesthouse and filmed her cat-boat ride. The video caught the attention of travellers from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Singapore, especially through Xiaohongshu (Rednote).

Today, cat kayaking in Hua Takhe has become a must-try activity for tourists who love both animals and offbeat experiences.

Each tour lasts around 50 minutes, with four boats running daily at 4:30 PM and 5:30 PM. Each kayak or rowboat fits two guests and a rower, and at least one cat.

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• Hua Takhe Intersection Café and Guesthouse – Riverside café with Thai comfort food and a laid-back vintage vibe.

• Sam Kru Café – Quiet canal-side café perfect for coffee and a slow afternoon.

• Hua Hong Kayak Club Noodles – Local noodle shop with vintage décor and canal views.

• Chalawan Hua Takhe Art Café – Artsy spot where you can paint while enjoying drinks and snacks.

• Smell Dream Café – Eco-friendly coffee shop serving Thai beans and light bites.

• At Lat Krabang Café – Small, chill café by the canal, best during sunset.

Also read: Thailand to Charge Tourists 300 Baht Per Entry: What Filipinos Should Know

Image credit: wfuturew | Xiahongshu

The cat boating isn’t just about the photos or the fun. It’s also helping clean up Bangkok’s waterways.

Originally, Chavalit offered free boat rides to anyone who brought back a bag of trash from the canal. Now, he hosts monthly clean-up events, often joined by the cats, who curiously hop between boats as volunteers paddle by.

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• From Bangkok Train Station, take the ordinary train to Hua Takhe Railway Station (less than an hour).

• From there, it’s a 10-minute walk to the café.

• Or take a 20-minute drive from Suvarnabhumi Airport, perfect if you’ve got a layover.

For Filipino travellers craving a fun and unique activity in Bangkok, kayaking with cats in Hua Takhe is the next best thing to Japan’s cat island. It’s wholesome, quirky, and perfectly Thai, a cute detour that proves the best travel memories sometimes come with fur and whiskers.

Featured image credit: 2855635946 | Xiaohongshu