Bangkok is affectionately referred to as the Venice of the East. The metropolis has a network of canals (klongs) and piers that you should definitely see.
Bangkok, the Venice of the East
Whoever visits Bangkok should definitely get acquainted with the 'river of kings', the Chao Phraya, which meanders through the city like a snake.
Floating Market in Damnoen Saduak
The Floating Market in Damnoen Saduak is located just over 100 kilometers outside of Bangkok and is on the agenda of many tourists and visitors to the Thai capital.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Bangkok City Administration invite you to a unique, eco-friendly experience along the historic Phadung Krung Kasem Canal. Board an electric boat and discover authentic markets, ancient temples and the Thai Railway Museum. These low-carbon tours are not only good for the planet, but also provide an in-depth look at Bangkok's rich culture and history.
Who has tips for a boat trip through the canals of Bangkok? I am looking for a trip through the neighborhoods / villages around Bangkok and especially not a tourist trip. I want to show my children the real life on and along the water.
Discover Bangkok on the water
A nice way to discover Bangkok is by boat. The Thai capital has an extensive network of canals (klongs). There are ferry services, a kind of bus boat or water taxi, that take you from A to B quickly and cheaply. It is an experience in itself.
The municipality of Bangkok will invest 150 million baht in the development of a 15 km long network of canals in Thonburi. This tourist attraction can also be used as an alternative transport network in the capital.
The city of Bangkok wants to restore two old canals
The city of Bangkok has far-reaching plans to restore two old canals: Khu Muang Doem and Klong Lot, which run past Wat Ratchanatda and Wat Rachabophit. The canals are constructed as a moat around Rattanakosin Island, the oldest part of Bangkok.
Bangkok's canals become clogged with tons of garbage
The City of Bangkok (BMA) has fished 400.000 tons of waste from the capital's 948 canals over the past five years, the Department of Drainage and Sewerage reports. Chief Sansern of the Hydrology Division says it comes from two sources: bulging bins from which waste falls into the water and from factories and residents throwing their waste into the water.
Bangkok: Life on the klongs in 1970 (video)
The images from more than 40 years ago show that a lot of trade was conducted on the canals in Bangkok. The Thai capital was called the Venice of the East at the time, the city was world famous for its many waterways.
The municipality of Bangkok has serious plans to build new canals in the capital so that Bangkok can once again be called the Venice of the East.
Five canals in Bangkok, with a total length of 15 km, have been selected to be developed for tourism and recreational use.
Hotels biggest polluters of Saen Saep canal in Bangkok
Wastewater is discharged at 412 locations in the Saen Saep canal in Bangkok. The largest polluters are hotels (38,6%), followed by condominiums (25%), hospitals (20,4%) and the other illegal discharges come from restaurants and offices. No research has been done into households, according to the Pollution Control Department.
Thai and tourists have to pay wastewater charges
The environment ministry wants Thais and tourists to pay a wastewater levy and use the proceeds to finance the cleaning of rivers and canals, including the Saen Saep Canal in Bangkok.
Monday 14 November is the time when the annual Loy Krathong festival will be celebrated. A reason for the municipality of Bangkok to take extra safety measures because some jetties along the water are in poor condition.
Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand seems to be covering for possible flooding in advance. According to him, it is not possible for the municipality of Bangkok to dredge all sewers and canals in time for the rainy season so that the rainwater is drained faster.
Water taxi in Bangkok: fun and cheap (video)
Bangkok is also called the Venice of the East and for good reason! The capital of Thailand has an impressive system of waterways, such as the many canals.
News from Thailand – November 25, 2012
After 7 hours, the anti-government rally of the Pitak Siam group was called off yesterday. The number of participants was disappointing and in two clashes between riot police and demonstrators, 61 people were injured and 137 arrested.
The bankruptcy of urban development
Bangkok's intricate system of khlongs (canals) was designed by King Rama V more than a century ago.
Its purpose was to handle heavy local rainfall, not to drain large amounts from the North, which Bangkok is now dealing with.
Army dredges neglected khlongs
How revealing can an interview be without the interviewee being aware of it. Niphon Panmongkol, head of the Army Engineer Department, confirms what many have said before: the canals in and around Bangkok are severely neglected. And the current dredging work is running late. But Niphon does not utter a single word of criticism. In a mini-interview with Bangkok Post, he says that his department is in the process of ridding the Khlong Nang Taen channel of…