| Rivers and canals have traditionally been the lifeline | | | | Many boat services along the Chao Phrya connect |
| of Thai people since ancient times. Today, they | | | | various ports in Bangkok with northern provinces |
| present a fun and exciting way of seeing Bangkok | | | | as well. River cruises are ample, with some of |
| rather than usual traffic-congested, chaotic | | | | the best offering sumptuous lunches – look |
| channels normally presented to tourists. | | | | out for some of the more traditional barges such |
| Rivers (mae nam) and canals (klongs) were the | | | | as those operated by the Peninsula and |
| main pathways for trade and travel in most of | | | | Shangri-La. Canal tours are also widely available |
| the country for centuries. The Thai way of life is | | | | around the busy pier of Ta Chang. |
| serene by the banks of the Chao Phrya, which is | | | | Once you’re in a long-tail boat (kind of like a |
| dotted with beautiful architecture and temples. | | | | Thai style racing boat for passengers that is |
| When Bangkok became the Kingdom’s Capital | | | | popular for touring) or a classic, gracefully moving |
| in 1782 (which marks the beginning of the | | | | barge, you will witness magnificent temples and |
| Rattanakosin era), canals crosscut and converged | | | | other historic buildings of interest. You will see |
| at various points across the city. Thus, the main | | | | the Royal Thai Navy Dockyard, the Thai Maritime |
| reason why early Western merchants and | | | | Navigation Company, the Old Customs House, |
| diplomats dubbed Bangkok the “Venice of the | | | | Wat Prayunrawong temple, Wat Arun (Temple of |
| East.” | | | | Dawn), the Grand Palace, Wat Rakhang |
| Early Bangkok residents lived life by the banks of | | | | Kositaram, and the Royal Boat House. |
| the Chao Phraya River or close to it as Chao | | | | If you have got more time, a visit to the river |
| Phrya literally means ‘Great King.’ Today, | | | | island of Koh Kret is also a good choice. A |
| many foreigners opt to stay in apartments and | | | | shuttle boat leaves Wat Sanam Nua temple, which |
| hotels on the river, because of its calming force | | | | is a brisk walk from the Pak Kret Pier and runs |
| and interesting views. Touring the waterways will | | | | from 6 am to 9 pm. Basically, within the island, a |
| give you a glimpse of the city’s glorious past, | | | | community of traditional potters lives and peddle |
| especially if you take a peak at the Royal Barge | | | | their wares for over a century. Descendants of |
| Museum – where you can imagine how | | | | Mon ancestry, their forefathers who arrived in |
| wonderful a royal entourage of more than 70 | | | | Bangkok from Burma. Spending their lives |
| barges down the river would look like. | | | | perfecting the art of terracotta ceramics, tourists |
| While Bangkok may be fast-flying towards | | | | are very welcome to purchase their products. |
| technological development, the genuine charm of | | | | However, try to stay off the river during the |
| the waterways seem to provide an unruffled | | | | evening rush hour as the waterways remain a |
| source of temperance. Perhaps the nature of | | | | popular method of travel for much of the |
| the river is best reflected by the famous Thai | | | | city’s population, a clever way to avoid the |
| smile and hospitable disposition. | | | | infamous Bangkok traffic. |