Rivers and canals referred to maenam and khlong in Thai have always been vital forms of communication. When the capital of Thailand was moved to Bangkok in 1782 (the beginning of the Rattanakosin period), the capital was laced with canals, so Bangkok was sometimes called the "VENICE OF THE EAST" by European visitors.

In the past, Bangkokians usually settled by the Chao Phraya River and gradually spread into the core of the country. As you will see traces of the Early Rattanakosin period such as architecture and traditional ways of life have been left by the river more than in the inland areas. Besides, waterways at that time were the most important means of transportation and trading as well.

Nowadays, even though Bangkok has become a modern city, the Chao Phraya River as well as the canals are still charming for whoever wishes to seek the peaceful atmosphere amidst bustling Bangkok.

Boat services on the Chao Phraya River which connect Bangkok with the northern neighboring province of Nonthaburi are operated by two companies: Laem Thong Co. Ltd., and Chao Phraya Express Boat Co.Ltd.

Chao Phya Express Boat's run daily from Wat Ratsingkhon (a riverside temple in the Yannawa area) to Nonthaburi during 5.30 a.m.-6-00 p.m., the fares range from 4 to 9 Baht. During rush hours (6.00-9.00 a.m. and 3.00-6.00 p.m.), the express boat with a red and orange striped flag runs along the same route and stops only at main piers.
The fare is 10 Baht throughout the route. For more information please call 222-5330.

Visitors wishing-to travel to Pak Kret are able to connect Laem Thong's boat at Nonthaburi Pier.
The service is operated daily during 5.45 a.m.-5.45 p.m.

On both sides of the Chao Phraya River, a tourist can see many magnificent temples and architectural buildings including the First Presbyterian Church, the Royal Thai Navy Dockyard, the Thai Maritime Navigation Company, the Old Customs House, Wat Prayunwong, Wat Arun, the Grand Palace, Wat Rakhang Kositaram, and the Royal Boat House.

When arriving at Pak Kret, tourists can travel further to Ko Kret, a small island in the Chao Phraya River. A river ferry leaves Wat Sanam Nua, which is located within a short walking distance from Pak Kret Pier during 6.00 a.m.-9.00 p.m. The fare is 2 Baht. Returning to Pak Kret, visitors are able to catch a small long-tail boat at any pier around the island for 5 Baht. The atmosphere surrounding the pier is very calm. Attractions on Ko Kret are as follows:

Pottery Village is located along the pathway around the island. There are some huts where visitors are able to see through the pottery making process. Villagers make various kinds of earthen products for daily use such as pots, mortars and flowerpots. This is the oldest and biggest source of earthenware in Nonthaburi province. In the village, there is the Ancient Mon Pottery Center where pottery in various styles are exhibited.

Wat Paramai Yikawat was constructed in Mon style over 200 years ago. King Rama V commanded to renovate the monastery dedicated to his grandmother and to construct Phra Maha Raman Chedi (a chedi in Mon style) to house Buddha relics. The principal Buddha of the monastery is carved with marble in Mon style, so it is also called "Wat Mon" (Mon Temple).

Wat Phai Lom is well-known for the magnificent bot (ordination hall) in the Ayutthaya style. Some parts have been changed due to renovation. Behind the bot, there is a chedi in Mon style.

Wat Sao Thong Thong houses an old Ayutthaya style chedi and was the first secondary school in Pak Kret.

Besides, there are many other interesting ancient monasteries most of which were constructed in the Mon and the Ayutthaya styles

A boat service is operated during 6.30 a.m.-11.00 p.m. The boats depart from Tha Chang every half an hour until 11.00 a.m. They leave the pier when there are enough passengers. The boat fare is 30 Baht per person. It takes 50 minutes to Bang Yai, a district in Nonthaburi.

Attractions along Khlong Bangkok Noi are as follows:

The Royal Barge National Museum exhibits royal barges and their ornaments used for waterborne state ceremonies which have been held occasionally since the Sukhothai period. During the Ayutthaya period, a procession was held for the royal Kathin ceremony at the end of the rainy season in order to carry the kings to their royal monasteries to offer robes and other monastic paraphernalia to the monks.

The museum is open everyday during 9.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m., closed on 31st December -1st January. Admission fee is 30 Baht. There is an extra of 100 baht to take pictures and 200 baht to use a video camera.

Wat Suwannaram is a big royal monastery constructed during the reign of King Rama I and was subsequently renovated during the reign of King Rama III. Inside the bot, there are murals depicting the Jataka, deities and the Buddha image in Subduing Mara Posture. These works of art of the early Rattanakosin period (19th century) are considered as the best surviving mural painting in Bangkok.

Wat Si Sudaram or Wat Chi Pakhao was built during the Ayutthaya period and was renovated by King Rama I. The temple houses some interesting buildings including Tarn Nak Daeng (a pavilion), Sala Kan Parian (a sermon hall), and the residence of Sunthon Phu (the greatest poet of the Rattanakosin period). Moreover, visitors can enjoy feeding a number of freshwater fish here.

Wat Chalo is assumed to have been constructed during the Sukhothai period as some Buddha images in Sukhothai style were found in front of the bot.

Wat Pho Bang O is a monastery constructed during the reign of King Rama III. The top of the bot was made of wood; mural painting inside the bot was made during the existence of the Nonthaburi school of painting.

Wat Bang Oi Chang houses a 200-year-old Buddha sole, which was found by Phra Khru Nawa Kam Koson (the first abbot of this monastery) while traveling in Phitsanuloke province during 1986 A.D.

Wat Kaeo Fa is an ancient temple located in an open area next to Khlong Bangkok Noi. According to archaeologists, many buildings and art objects here were constructed in the Ayutthaya style; for example: the Ubosot, the Buddha image, the boundary stones, the boundary wall, the chedi behind the bot and the chedi with 12 cornered indented pillars. The monastery later was renovated during the Rattanakosin period.

Wat Prasat was built during the late Ayutthaya period. The monastery is well-known for its well-preserved mural painting made by artisans of the Nonthaburi school and the gable made of carved timber. Visitors who come along by boat have to walk about 2 kilometers through orchards from the pier.

Wat Amphawan was constructed during the late Ayutthaya period. This temple houses Ho Trai (a hall for keeping scriptures) which is situated in the middle of a pond. The building was made of wood in magnificent Thai style.

After arriving at Bang Yai (a district in Nonthaburi), travelers who expect to continue the trip to Nonthaburi can catch another taxi boat at Wat Sao Thong Hin pier which is situated within a walking distance from Bang Yai pier. The boat service is operated between 4.00 a.m. - 8.00 p.m. It takes 15-20 minutes. The fare is 12 Baht/person. Next to Wat Sao Thong Hin, Wat Rat Prakhong Tham has a three-top building which houses a huge reclining Buddha image.

Along the route, visitors are able to enjoy the peaceful scenery and waterway life along Khlong Om. Houses along both sides of the canal look very tidy. Almost every house is made of wood in the same style. Colourful flowers are also planted along verandahs by the river.

Mit Chao Phraya Express Boat operates another boat trip on Saturdays between 8.30 a.m. - 12.30 p.m. through Khlong Bangkok Noi, Bang Kruai, Khlong Om, and stops for sightseeing at the Royal Barge Museum. The trip costs 100 Baht/person. For more information, tel: 225-6179, 623-6169

TRIP ALONG KHLONG DAO KHANONG - KHLONG BANGKOK YAI - KHLONG BANG CHUAK NANG - KHLONG MON - KHLONG CHAK PHRA - KHLONG BANGKOK NOI

Visitors willing to take a private trip along this route are able to rent a boat from Tha Chang at the rate of approximately 400 Baht per hour. For advance reservations contact Mit Chao Phraya Co. Ltd. at Tha Chang, Tel: 225-6179, 623-6169 and Si Phraya Trip and Boat Co. Ltd. at the River City Shopping Complex, Tel: 412-0207, 412-7644.

Wat Sai Floating Market should be visited in the late morning when many boats assemble for selling souvenirs to tourists.

Snake Farm, 35 minutes from Wat Sai Floating Market, is another stop for sightseeing and watching a snake show. The farm is open daily from 8.30 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.

Wat Pak Nam is famous for amulets and is always crowded with a number of people who come to make merit at the weekend.

ATTRACTIONS ALONG KHLONG BANG CHUAK NANG

Wat Ko houses an old wihan (chapel) which was registered as an archaeological site.

Orchid Farms grow orchids for sale as cut-flowers.

Taling Chan Floating Market is held every weekend. Boats and stalls gather here for selling a variety of food.

Chao Phraya Chartered Co. Ltd. operates a daily tour along Khlong Mon - Khlong Bangkok Noi between 2.30 - 4.30 p.m., leaving the River City Shopping Complex on Charoen Krung Road. The fare is 360 baht per person including fruit and drinks. For more information, tel: 622-7657-61 ext. 111

Copyright information: Information used with permission from: Tourism Authority of Thailand. Additional information by Nattawud Daoruang and Richard Barrow. All photographs by Nattawud Daoruang.

RELATED LINKS: Learn about the Thailand that most tourists don't get to visit at ThailandLife.com. Coming to Thailand on holiday or to work? Learn some Thai today for free at LearningThai.com and ThaiPhrasebook.com. A list of quality web sites about Thailand can be found at SrinaiWeb.com.