River
and Canal Trips
 Rivers
(mae naam) and canals (klong) have been Bangkok's principal
mode of transportation since the city was founded in 1782.
The interlinked network of man-made and natural canals earned
the city the informal title 'Venice of the East'.
Although
far from being a Venice these days, Bangkok's river and canals
are still used to get around, and offer the visitor a first-hand
view of life along the waterfront, as it might once have been.
Chao Phraya Express Boat: One of the cheapest boat
trips is the Chao Phraya Express Boat service, which runs
between the pier at Wat Ratsingkhon, near Krungthep Bridge
in Yannawa District, and Nonthaburi clock tower, north of
Bangkok. The full trip takes about 40 minutes and offers a
glimpse of river-side temples, churches, palaces and the royal
boat house. Boat services run daily from 5.30 am to 6.00 pm
and cost between 4 and 9 baht, depending on the distance traveled.
During rush hours, express boats with red and orange striped
flags only stop at the main piers and cost 10 baht. See
Chao Phraya Express Boat map.
 Klong
Mon: Boats for the trip to Klong Mon leave every 30 minutes
between 6.30 am and 6.00 pm from the River City pier on Charoen
Krung Road. The route passes by waterside temples and through
orchards and orchid farms, presenting a fascinating peek of
rural life. The regular public service costs just 4 baht.
A private operation run by Chao Phraya Chartered offers services
for 300 baht per person, including drinks and snacks. For
more information, call (662) 433-5453, 435-7699.
Klong
Bang Waek: Klong Bang Waek is situated to the west of
the looping Klong Bangkok Yai in Thonburi. Scenic attractions
along this picturesque canal include temples, orchid farms
and fruit orchards. Boats leave from the pier at the Memorial
Bridge (Phra Phut Yot Fa) in Chinatown every 15 minutes between
6.00 am and 9.30 pm. The single fare costs only 10 baht.
Bangkhu
Wiang Floating Market and Klong Bang Yai: Boats leave
the Tha Chang Pier near the Grand Palace every 30 minutes
between 6.15 am and 10.00 pm. This scenic route passes by
Thai-style houses, waterside temples, the Royal Barge Museum
and Khu Wiang Floating Market, which operates only in the
early morning between 4.00 am and 7.00 am.
Klong
Om: The trip to Klong Om passes through some of Nonthaburi's
famous durian plantations and by some classic Thai-style houses.
Boats leave every 15 minutes from the Phibul Songkhram Pier
in Nonthaburi province, just to the north of Bangkok.
Mit
Chao Phraya Express Boat offers a boat trip on Saturdays between
8.30 am and 12.30 pm passing Klong Bangkok Noi, Bang Kruai
and Klong Om with stops for sightseeing at the Royal Barge
Museum. The trip costs 100 baht per person. For more information,
call (662) 225-6179, 623-6169.
Klong
Saen Saeb: Klong Saen Saeb is one of the main city routes
for commuters and shoppers. The inky black canal stretches
from the Phan Fa Bridge, through the main shopping districts
of Bo Bae, Ratchathewi, Ratchadamri, Pratunam, Chitlom and
Ramkhamhaeng. Boats run from 6.00 am to 7.00 pm but watch
out during rush hours; many a hapless commuter has ended up
in the murky water. The fare is 15 baht.
Ayutthaya
and Bang Pa-in: No public boat services make the trip
to Ayutthaya or Bang Pa-in but several private companies organize
excursions to both places. The trips take in several sites
along the river, including the palace complex at bang Pa-in,
the Royal Folk Arts and Crafts Center and many of the ruins
in Ayutthaya itself.
Prices
for the excursions start at 250 baht per person for transportation
only and go up to 5,000 baht for a two-day tour including
meals, accommodation and tour. Contact the following cruise
operators for further information:
Chao
Phraya Express Boat: leaves the Maharat Pier every Sunday
at 8.00 am.
Tel (66 2) 222-5330
Oriental
Queen & Ayutthaya Princess: leaves the Oriental Hotel
everyday at 8.00 am returning by air-conditioned coach, or
vice versa.
Tel (66 2) 236-0400
River
Sun Cruise: leaves River City everyday by air-conditioned
coach, returning by cruiser.
Tel (66 2) 266-9125
Mekhala:
two-day excursion leaving from Charoen Nakhon Pier and returning
by coach.
Tel (66 2) 256-7168
Ayutthaya
River Cruise
Tel (035) 234-211, 234-488
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