 |
By Boat |
 Bangkok’s
canals have traditionally been used for transportation of
people and produce. These days, the river and a few of the
canals are still used by commuters and travelers to get around
the city. The long-tailed boat taxis are fast and a good way
of avoiding the traffic jams. Scheduled boat taxi services
ply the Chao Phraya River, Saen Saeb Canal and Lard Prao Canal.
Many river taxis are just cross-river ferries, while others
serve the many landing stages on both banks and cover routes
that go upriver as far as the northern suburb of Nonthaburi.
Getting about
by boat taxi can be dangerous and inconvenient in the rainy
season. Many a hapless commuter or traveler has fallen into
the ink-black klongs. At rush hour, avoid standing at the
edge of the crowded dock. Outside of peak hours, traveling
the canals and river by boat gives a nice snapshot of the
traditional Thai way of life.
On the Chao Phraya River
Chao Phraya River
boats run between Ratchasingkhorn Temple and Pak Kred in Nonthaburi
province. The route starts from Ratchasingkhorn Temple, with
stops at Warrajanyawart Temple, Sathorn, Oriental, Muang Khare,
Si Praya, Harbor Department, Ratchawong, Bhussdhayodfah Bridge,
Wisutkasart, Yok Yor, Dhaewet, Krungthon Bridge, Payap, Kaewfah
Chulamanee Temple, Bang Pho, Soi Thong Temple, Rama VII Bridge,
Khemaphirataram Temple, Tuek Temple, Kien Temple, Nonthaburi
town hall, Sai Ma Tai Temple, Pranangklao Bridge and Pak Kred.
The total traveling time is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.
We suggest you check your destination before getting in the
boat as they don’t stop at every port and some boats don’t
go beyond Nonthaburi town.
Boat taxis
are classified by a flag system. Daily standard express boats
(without flags) depart every 20 minutes from 6.00 a.m. to
6.40 p.m. During rush hours on Monday to Friday, special express
boats stop at certain docks on the Nonthaburi to Ratburana
Route (yellow flags), Nonthaburi to Sathorn (red/orange flags),
and the Pak Kred to Ratchasingkorn Temple Route (green flags).
On Saen
Saeb Canal
Boats depart daily
every 15 minutes from 5.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. The fare is 5
to15 baht depending on the distance. Boats start from Sriboonruang
Temple, then dock at Bangkapi Market, The Mall Department
Store, Klang Temple, Ramkhamhaeng University, Thep Lila Temple,
The Mall III, Klong Ton Bridge, Chan Issara II, Thong Lor,
Soi Soon Wijai, Mai Chonglom Temple, Prasanmit University,
Asoke Bridge, Nana Nua, Withayu Bridge, Chid Lom, Pratunam,
Huka Chang Bridge, Baan Krua, Charoen Phol, Bo Bae and Panfah
Leelard Bridge. Boats return along the same route. The total
traveling time is about 1 hour. Passengers with onward tickets
need to change boats at Pratunam.
On Lard
Prao Canal
Boats depart daily
from 5.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. with a fare of 7 to 15 baht per
person depending on the distance. They start from Saphan Mai
near Ying Charoen Market, then dock at Chaengwattana, Bang
Bua, Senanikom, Arpapirom, Lard Phrao Temple, Pracha Uthit,
Thai-Japan, Klong Ton, Sukhumvit 71, Mahaboot, Prakanong and
return along the same route. The total travel time is about
1 hour and 30 minutes.
Feeder buses,
depart from the Royal Thai Air Force to Ying Charoen Market,
with a fare of 3 baht per person. The daily service runs from
5.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m.
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