Life Along The Klongs Of Bangkok

 One of the best ways to experience Thai life is to take a tour  through the many Klongs, which still exist today around the city of Bangkok (or even within Bangkok). Early in the morning as  well as in the late afternoon these waterways, which existed for many hundreds of years are filled with life. A great way to see Thai people, the way they live there as well as even more Temples!

West of Bangkok across the Chao Phraya River in Thonburi and to the North of Bangkok in Nonthaburi and Pak Kret are some of the Klongs I have visited. To know the name of the Klong  is a good idea (and to be able to pronounce it) if one wants to visit a specific Temple or area. The temples along the Klongs are now hosted on www.chimburi.com 

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In Thonburi, there are Klong Bangkok Yai, Klong Dan, Klong Bang Nun Si, Klong Bang Phrom or Klong Chak Phra, among many others.

West of Nonthaburi, there are Klong Om, Klong Bang Yai, Klong Bangkok Noi and Klong Bang Kruai, to name a few.

Further North is Pak Kret on the east side of the river with the Island Koh Kret to the West and the option to go to smaller villages like Bang Bua Thong on the Klong with the same name. 

There is of course more 'urban' Klongs in Bangkok, like Klong Saen Saep, centrally located just north of Ploen Chit Road, but there is nothing romantic about these. However they offer a fast transportation method through Bangkok by boat. Lately the Tourist Bureau is also organizing special cruises to Prawetburirom along Klong Phrakhanong (kind of East-Bangkok).

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In order to get to the Klongs one has to cross the River and  take a boat from the river stops in Bangkok (named Tha). The  longtail-boat seats several people but renting a boat for oneself allows for much more flexibility when visiting the Klongs. The larger Express boats which bring you to Nonthaburi or Pak Kret offer a great view of the sites along the Chao Phraya, like Wat Arun. The smaller longtail-boats are fast and loud but offer a great view of the houses and plants along the waterways. An important part of the Klongs are the many temples. There is always one or more in sight in every direction and in the more remote areas the temples are the center of the activities, where people meet.