Tomorrow is Bangkok’s biggest day for weed lovers, but Bangkok Island’s 4/20 Cruise on the Chao Phraya—complete with live music, DJs, and a weed market—will be taking off from Wat Worachanyawas rather than their spot at Yodpiman, where the boat is experiencing licensing difficulties.

 

On Apr 8, Bangkok Island announced on social media that the dock was having trouble getting a license from the authorities and that they would have to cancel docked events “for the foreseeable future.”

 

“We aren't exactly closed but we are not operating normally either,” a representative from Bangkok Island tells BK Magazine. 

 

On Apr 2 the party boat was asked to leave the dock at Yodpiman river walk on Apr 10, despite claims from Bangkok Island that they had a valid contract. According to the representative from Bangkok Island, the landlord claims the Marine Department authorities did not agree to renting the dock at Yodpiman river walk. 

 

“Apparently Yodpiman couldn't get an extension of its pier license and that meant it was not legal for us to be there anymore,” the representative claims, stating that this means they will have to use a pier at Rama 3 in the meantime and that this limits the boat to one cruise a week rather than its usual five. 

 

For years, the 320-person capacity Bangkok Island, converted from sand barge, has hosted some of the city’s best on- and off-river parties—including live music acts and themed events for Pride, Songkran, 4/20, and more. 

 

Bangkok Island tells BK that they have been told they will be able to dock pending licensing issues in a month or two but have been given no assurances, adding that if the situation continues, they may adapt to a “pop-up” model at different piers on the Chao Phraya River. Find more information about the 4/20 party tomorrow on the Bangkok Island website.