#MyKrungthep Treasures along the khlong: Bangkok Yai คลองบางกอกใหญ

Also: Khlong Chak Phra คลองชักพระ

See Khlong Bangkok Yai and it's treasures on a Khlong Bangkok Yai คลองบางกอกใหญ Google Map.



Picture by Hdamm

Updated 13.6.2020:

Today we start an individual tour to the Venice of the East, as Bangkok has been called. We go to discover the waterways, called Khlongs. Here we start on Chao Phraya River. We see the entrance of Khlong Bangkok Yai คลองบางกอกใหญ่, between Wat Kanlayanamit (left) and Fort Wichaiprasit. Wat Kanlayanamit dates from 1825.



Picture by Anthony Hartman


In the Wiharn of Kalayanamit (วัดกัลยาณมิตร) you find a big sitting Buddha, called Luang Phor Thor by Thais and Sam Po by Chinese.



Picture by ecurriculum.mv.ac.th


An interesting background about a conflict between the abbot of the temple and the residents living on grounds of the Wat has been published by the Bangkok Post. You arrive here by taking a ferry from Raijinee Pier.

After passing the entrance to Khlong Bangkok Yai you pass Wat Molilokkayaram on your right. It was built in the palace ground during the reign of King Rama I. The Ubosot (main chapel) has a wooden door, finely carved with tree and flower patterns. Read the history.



From the bridge crossing the Khlong we look back at Wat Molilokkayaram. Turning around 180 degrees we look at Wat Hong Rattanaram. Built in the Ayutthaya period by a Chinese named Hong, the temple was called Wat Jaosua or Jeasua Hong. King Taksin made it to a centre of education. In the Ubosot you will find stucco reliefs with a combination of Chinese and European style. The golden Buddha Image has been made in
Sukhothai style.



All four pictures by Insignia_Museum, where you can see more.








On the other side of the Khlong, but hidden behind houses of the community, you find Bang Luang Mosque, also Masjid Bang Luang. Built by a Muslim merchant called To Yi, it is the only mosque from brick and concrete in traditional Thai style in Thailand. The gables are decked with plaster stucco of tri-ethnic artworks: the traditional motif lining the gable frame, the Westerm foliage motif on the gable panel and the flowers in Chinese floral patterns.





Both pictures by mistertt.

Across the Khlong you can see Ton Son Mosque. Estimated to be constructed before the reign of King Song Tham (1610-1628), it is considered the oldest Islamic mosque in Bangkok.





Both pictures by keju tikus


A bit more south you see a bell tower on your right: you are at Wat Sangkrajai (วัดสังข์กระจาย).









See also the pictures by Udo Radlhammer

Nearby, in Soi Phet Kasem 2, you find the Bangkok Yai District Museum.


Then you pass Chao Mae Kuan Im shrine on your right. Kuan Yin is the goddess of mercy, in Thai known as Jao Mae Kuan Im.

The next stop after a bridge at your left is Wat Welurachin with this statue of King Thaksin.



Picture by Ahoerstemeier. See more Pictures by hdamm


Next at your left: Wat Intharam. See how it looks from the khlong. This is the place, where King Taksin (1768 - 1782) came for meditation. And after his dead his ashes were burned here and put into two white Chedis. Because Taksins father was Chinese, many Chinese see him as sign for their part in Thailands history. So they come to the wat for example on Chinese New Year.









Pictures by yaikungz. See also pictures by Jörg Overbeck.


A little bit further, again on your left, you discover Wat Rajkrueh (วัดราชคฤห์). Look the pictures on their homepage.





You drive further along the klong and finally arrive at Wat Paknam Phasicharoen (วัดปากน้ำ ภาษีเจริญ). Pak Nam in Thai means water entrance, the gate to a Khlong. This temple from the Ayutthaya period, restorated by King Rama III, is known for lessons at the Thai Dhammakaya meditation school (read here). Read the biography of the former abbot Chao Khun Mongkol Thepmuni, also known as Luang Phor Sodh or Luang Paw Sawd and see some film clips about him. See a video from inside the wat. Read more background and see more pictures here. Inside attractions are the Haw Trai, a library of Buddhist scriptures, built in the period of King Narai. The Ubosot has front arches decorated with sculptures in glass.



Picture by Duesentrieb




A statue of Luang Phor in the main hall, laminated with gold by devotees. Picture by Leoloo.




The Chedi, seen from Khlong Bang Khun Tien. Picture by PhilippeB


In 2020 one of the largest sitting Buddhas of the world has been inaugurated: The 69 metres tall statue, called ‘Dhammakaya Thep Mongkol Buddha’, is made of copper, and corresponds with the image the former abbot saw in his dream. Read more.

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More pictures: A view from the air


Wat Pradoo Chimplee (วัดประดู่ ฉิมพลี):
The famous Luang Phu Too (also: Luang Poo Toh) was the abbot of this wat. He lived at the same time as King Rama IV. His amulets are said to protect people from accidents and hardship.



Picture by นัทธ์




Picture by นัทธ์. See also a video by kunzangnamdjial


Wat Noradit (วัดนวลนรดิศ). Built in Ayuthaya period, this ancient wat was originally called Wat Makok Noi. King Rama IV gave it the name Wat Nuan Noradit. Inside you find Buddha images in the Ayuthaya style, made of red sandstone.


Next we arrive to Wat Thong Sala Ngam (วัดทองศาลางาม). Built in the late Ayutthaya period, in approximately 1757, this wat was first called Wat Thong Luang. The roofline corner of the Sala Thanaam shows a wooden Phaya Naka sculpture, that reminds an ancient legend.


Our next stop is Baan Silapin - the artist's house in Khlong Bang Luang คลองบางหลวง. This house and its neighborhood (wooden shophouses and Ayutthaya-era temples) give you a feeling of how Thonburi looked in the 17th century, when it was Siam's capital. The outstanding wooden house has been restored and turned into an Art Gallery (read more about Baan Silapin).

Picture Muk-apa
Baan Silapin


Wat Kuhasawan (วัดคูหาสวรรค), originally called Wat Sala Si Na, dates from the Ayutthaya period. In the Ubosot the windows and doors of are decorated with gold in the Chinese style. The bell tower has a drum, that is beaten by a monk. See pictures by Udo Radlhammer.


Wat Bang Waek (วัดบางแวก): You will find a monk here, who is able to make Hoon-Payon-amulets, that are said to be very strong.











Pictures by ack01






Both pictures by เด็กวัดใน. See also the pictures by Magie du Bouddha


Wat Wijitkarnnimit (วัดวิจิตรการนิมิตร):


Wat Karnchana Singhat (วัดกาญจนสิงหาสน์วรวิหาร):




Wat Changlek (วัดช่างเหล็ก):




And then we arrive at Taling Chan Floating Market (ตลาดน้ำตลิ่งชัน): Open all day on Weekends with floating restaurants along the Khlong. You can come here by Bus number 79 an start a Khlong tour from here, as Richard Barrows writes in his blog. Read more: Famous and hidden markets in Bangkok by #MyKrungthep



Picture by shutterman โหวตให้หน่อย



Hawker preparing pork noodles, picture by avlxyz


See also pictures by St.Exsodus. And look at the market from the railway bridge.





Discover more in Bangkok:
Your Guide to Bangkok


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Will Thailand welcome International Tourists only in fourth Quarter of 2020?

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Ein Beitrag geteilt von sofi_8701 (@sofi_8701) am Mai 27, 2020 um 12:35 PDT

Can international tourists visit Koh Samui's beaches from October?

Updated June 6:

As Thailand has stopped international flights due to the coronavirus outbreak everybody, who loves to travel to Thailand, asks the same question: When will Thailand allow the immigration of international tourists again?

One answer: "It is still dependent on the outbreak situation, but I think at the earliest, we may see the return of tourists could be the fourth quarter of this year," Yuthasak Supasorn, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), tells CNN Travel.

Yuthasak adds there will likely be restrictions on who can visit and where they can go. Its quite sure, that Thailand will only open for tourists from countries, who have their coronavirus situation under control.

For the moment The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand has banned all international commercial flights into the country until June 30, excluding repatriation flights. The Thais who do return on these flights are put into quarantine facilities for 14 days.

Thailand is now focused on reopening to domestic tourism in June, Yuthasak told CNN. So far malls, markets, museums have reopened. Bangkok's Chatuchak Weekend Market reopened on May 9. Bangkok's Grand Palace will do so June 4. Restaurants now allow dine-in customers but are not allowed to serve alcohol. Streetfood vendors - for example at Yaowarat road in Bangkoks Chinatown - are open. Boxing stadiums, Thai traditional massage parlours, spas and movie theatres are likely to reopen in June according to Bangkok Post. But pubs, bars and night entertainment venues will remain closed.

In the past it was easy to spot the famous food vendors on Yaowarat Road as there were always a big crowd waiting to be served. Now it is like a big reset as everyone is equal. If you can, please come & support the vendors. Lot’s of good street food here #Bangkok pic.twitter.com/p17q0LAOFe

— Richard Barrow in Thailand 🇹🇭🇬🇧 (@RichardBarrow) May 28, 2020

Hotels and resorts in Hua Hin have already been given permission to welcome Thai visitors, same for hotels in Nan Province.

Phuket International Airport remains closed until June 15. Phuket island had the highest coronavirus infection rate per capita out of all of Thailand's 77 provinces and the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand does not want to take the risk to spread the infection to other parts of Thailand for the meoment, as Phuket News reported. But now the reopeing is announced for June 15. Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Mae Fah Luang-Chiang Rai and Songkhla’s Hat Yai International Airports have reopened for domestic flights. In May four airlines – Nok Air, Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air and Thai Vietjet Air – have resumed domestic flight operations from airports in Buri Ram, Khon Kaen, Krabi, Lampang, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phitsanulok, Roi Et, Sakon Nakhon, Surat Thani, Tak’s Mae Sot, Trang, Ubon Ratchathani, and Udon Thani, as Pattaya Mail noted. But Airports of Thailand warns domestic airline passengers to check provincial travel restrictions before they book flights. There are different rules for quarantine for arriving passengers in every province. Wo arrives in Chiang Mai has to qo for quarantine for 14 days at designated hotels, more informations here. Bangkok Airways has resumed its daily flights to Koh Samui. It performs body temperature checks on all passengers at the point of origin and destination.

Interprovincial bus services to Thailand’s North, Northeast and East have restarted from 18 May. interprovincial bus services to Thailand’s South have been suspended by The Transport Co. Ltd. until 30 June. Read guide to inter-provincial travel in Thailand by TAT. Find bus schedules and tickets here.

Meanwhile Thailands Natural Resources and Environment Ministry is planning to close all 157 national parks for at least two months every year to allow the ecosystem to take a break and rejuvenate, as Bangkok Post reports. The closure times will differ, due to different seasonal weather conditions from North to South and West to East in Thailand. The National Park authorities are planning to control the volume of visitors with ticket sytems. Popular Maya Bay near Koh Phi Phi - famous due to the movie "The beach" - has been overrun especially by Chinese tourist groups for some years and is permanently closed since 2018. Since then its ecology is gradually recovering and now the national park authority has created a new nature trail and vantage point so that tourists can admire views of the beach and the bay from far away. The entrance has moved to Loh Sama Bay at the back of the island.

Foreign nationals who are permanent residents in Thailand or hold work permits will soon be allowed to return to Thailand, a government official said on May 27 according to The Nation. Many foreign nationals who have Thai spouses had been complaining that the lockdown and flight ban is keeping them from their families.


Find more informations:
Thailand Tourism Updates by TAT
News by Richard Barrow
Quarantine rules in Thailands provinces in Thai

Why is a Chinese Company building an Airport in the Jungle of Dara Sakor with a very long Runway?

See the locations on #BeltandRoad Google Map

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Ein Beitrag geteilt von Stuart Hsiao (@stuarthsiao) am Dez 26, 2017 um 3:04 PST

Not very many tourists have visited Dara Sakor Resort so far

When completed next year, Dara Sakor International Airport will boast the longest runway in Cambodia. Nearby workers are clearing trees from a national park to make way for a port deep enough to host naval ships, reports The New York Times. What is going on?

The Chinese company building the airstrip and port says the facilities are for civilian use according to New York Times. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen denies that he is letting China’s military set up in Cambodia. Instead, his government claims that a global logistics hub will be developped in Dara Sakor. But a local fisherman told the New York Times reporter, that officials from the Ministry of Land Management had informed him, that his home would be demolished to make way for a “military port built by the Chinese.” His land is part of the 110,000-acre Dara Sakor concession leased more than a decade ago to the Chinese company Union Development Group - with 20 percent of Cambodias coastline. The since then constructed Dara Sakor resort and Koh Kong Casino have seen little tourism according to the New York Times. Less than 50 miles from Dara Sakor, another nearly empty Chinese-built development rises from another national park, the Sealong Bay International Beach Resort - just in the neighbourhood of Ream Naval Base. Satellite images from the European Space Agency show that the runway for the airport is far longer than is required for civilian aircraft, South China Morning Post has reported. Zhang Gaoli, the former vice-premier of China and chairman of the leading group for Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative, backed the project from the beginning, presiding over the signing of the agreement between Union Development Group and Cambodia, while he was the mayor of Tianjin. According to registration records, Union Development group is a subsidiary of Tianjin Wanlong Group, a Chinese property developer.

Dara Sakor is called a "model project" of Chinas Belt and Road initiative by MCC Singapore. But Reuters reported that Work began in 2008 - long before the Belt and Road initiative was launched in 2013 by China’s President Xi Jinping.

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Ein Beitrag geteilt von ❥ เจ้าของ SKINCARELUXURY (@skincareluxury) am Dez 29, 2014 um 3:22 PST

Not looking crowded: Koh Kong International Resort And Casino

Discover Thonburi with new Public Boat Routes and by Walking

See the locations on Discover Bangkok Google Map by #MyKrungthep


Picture by marhas

A free new boat route from Bang Wa pier near Bang Wa BTS station along Klong Phasi Charoen and Klong Bangkok Yai to Tha Chang pier at Chao Phraya River started In June 2019, providing an alternate way for commuters to travel between Bangkok and Thonburi. The boat service has been launched by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, as Bangkok Post reported. The boats stop at Wat Intaram, the Memorial Bridge (Phra Phuttha Yodfa Bridge) and Rajinee pier. A one-way trip takes about 40 minutes. The boat leaves each terminal every 30 minutes from 6am-9am and 3pm-7pm, and every hour from 9am-3pm.
From BTS Bang Wa station take exit 5 to a skywalk towards the pier, where stairs are leading down. Along the skywalk Khlong Bang Luang Community is showing a photo exhibition about Khlong life (December 2019).
Timetable even in English:


Picture by marhas



Picture by marhas

Then there is Khlong Phasi Charoen Express boat เรือโดยสารคลองภาษีเจริญ, running during weekdays between Pratunam Phasi Charoen ประตูน้ำภาษีเจริญ (p1) and Phetkasem 69 Pier ท่าเรือเพชรเกษม 69 (P15). It's timetable can be found on Moovitapp. From Pratunam Phasi Charoen pier you can reach MRT Bang Phai บางไผ่ station. From Saphan Taksin-Phetchakasem Pier you reach MRT and BTS Bang Wa stations, from Phetkasem 31 Pier its easy to get to MRT Phetkasem 48 station. From Phetkasem 35 Pier you get to MRT Phasi Charoen station. On Tour Bangkok Legacies you can read, what you will discover along Klong Phasi Charoen.


Picture by marhas


Finally there is Khlong Bang Luang Boat service from Bang Wa Pier to Wat Thongsalangam Pier and Wat Kamphangbangchak Pier. At the left side timetable with departures from Bang Wa Pier:


Picture by marhas

Now a walking and boat tour please to the temples worth a visit in Thonburi? Temples like Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen can be reached now by public boats. my little bangkok has very nice suggestions and descriptions. This blog has put these suggestions on Discover Bangkok Google Map by #MyKrungthep. Just sarch on the map for Thonburi walking route. On this map you see also the BTS Skytrain stations and the MRT Metro stations in Thonburi, which are near these attractions.


Read more about boat services in Bangkok:
#MyKrungthep Bangkok by boat - Chao Phraya Express and Khlong Boats

#MyKrungthep Bangkok by boat - Chao Phraya Express and Khlong Boats

See the locations of piers on #MyKrungthep Chao Phraya Express and Khlong Boat Google Map. Change to Skytrain at Central Pier Sathorn. And discover all attractions to reach by boat with #MyKrungthep: Your Guide to the Treasures of Bangkok

Chao Phraya Express Boats

Picture by marhas
A boat of the orange line (orange flag) arrives at Tha Thien Pier - opposite to Wat Arun


Picture by marhas
Getting out and in


Picture by marhas
Quite a lot of people already inside. But you will find some room somehow.


The River Express Boats, going up and down Chao Phraya River, are a great way of getting around in Bangkok. You are often quicker than going by taxi. The boats start at 5.50 in the morning and run until 7 pm. The Orange Line is running every day, the other lines do so from Monday to Friday. Look at the official website of Chao Phraya Express Boats with timetable and also connections to Bus- and Skytrain-Lines. Here you can see some piers and attractions nearby. Here you can see the lines and their connections with Skytrain, Metro and Railways on Chao Phraya Express Google Map.


How to get the right boat
First it seems to be a little bit difficult to get the right boat. You have to learn: There are ferries, that just cross the river. Then there are different River Lines: The ones without a flag stop at every pier, its the local line. The express boats with yellow, red/orange, blue and green-yellow flags do not serve all the piers. Here you see, which piers they serve Which colour stopps where. At the piers there are two platforms: if you want to go to the left side of the Chao Phraya, you go to the left platform, to the other side you go to the right platform. If you miss the correct plattform, the boat doesn't stop. And if you see a pier with only one platform, it's the one for just crossing the river.

There is also a service for tourists: The "Chao Phraya Tourist Boat", more comfortable boats that serve only the piers with tourists points of interest. And of course the tickets cost more.


Boats in the Khlongs and Ferry Services

But there are more bangkok waterways: On both sides of Chao Phraya River you find many Khlongs.

Boat service along the klongs:

Bang Rak Yai and Nonthaburi
From Tha Chang pier you can get a boat on Klong Bangkok Noi - Klong Bangkok Yai to Bang Yai, a district in Nonthaburi. The boat leaves every half hour from 6.30 a.m.-11-00 p.m. You need 50 minutes to Bang Yai. 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.
In Bang Rak Yai you go to Wat Sao Tong Hin Pier and take a taxi boat to Nonthaburi (4 a.m. to 8 p.m.). You move on Klong Om and need 15 to 20 minutes.
From the Phibul Songkhram 2 Pier in Nonthaburi to Klong Om: Through some of Nonthaburi's famous durian plantations and by some classic Thai-style houses. Boats leave every 15 minutes.

Thonburi
From Tha Saphan Phut Pier at the Memorial Bridge in Chinatown boats leave every 15 minutes to Klong Bang Waek in Thonburi (from 6 am to 9.30 pm).
Then there are new boat routes along Klong Phasi Charoen, connecting Thon Buri to Tha Chang Pier on Chao Phraya River and to Bang Wa MRT and BTS stations: Discover Thonburi on Public Boat routes.

Klong Mon
From the Si Phraya pier boats to Klong Mon leave every 30 minutes between 6.30 am and 6.00. You pass temples, orchards and orchid farms.

Ko Kret
From Pak Kret you can travel to Ko Kret, a Small island in the Chao Phraya River. A ferry leaves Wat Sanam Nua, some steps from Pak Kret Pier, from 6.00 a-m.-9.00 p.m. On the island you find a pottery village and some Wats.

Klong Saen Saeb
See the locations on Khlong Saen Saeb Express Boat Google Map
Change from Saphan Hua Chang Pier to Rachathewi Skytrain Station; Change from Asoke Pier to Petchaburi Metro Station.
Why get stuck in the heavy traffic on Bangkok streets? A more fast way to get to many attractions is the water Taxi: longtail boats on Klong Saen Saeb. If you live in a Hotel or Guesthouse near Khao San Road its quite near: The Golden Mount line runs from Phanfa Bridge to Pratunam Pier. Here you can change to Nida Line. Useful Piers: Tha Phanfa (Banglamphoo), Tha Saphan Hua Chang (near Jim Thompson's House and MBK shopping), Tha Pratunam (off Ratchprarop road near the World Trade Center), Tha Asok (off Asok road, Sukhumvit Soi 21, and off Soi Ekkamai, off Sukhumvit road.
On Klong Saen Saeb you can travel as far as to Min Buri. You change from Nida Line at Wat Sri Bunruang. From Wat Sru Bunruang there is now a free boat service to Minburi Market. On Weekdays the boats run every 15 minutes from 6 am to 9 am and 4 pm to 7.30 pm. During the weekend the boats run every half hour. There are 14 piers along the route. The boat stops, if you give a signal.
More on Canal Boats
Read also: Fast and malodorous: Bangkok's "khlong" boat network

Here you see Maps and stories about some Khlongs:

Khlong Bangkok Yai and Google Map of Klong Bangkok Yai

Khlong Bang Khun Tian and Google Map of Klong Bang Khun Tian

Khlong Phra Khanong / Khlong Prawet Burirom and Google Map of Khlong Phra Khanong and Khlong Prawet Burirom

Here you see a Map of Klongs and attractions.


Rent a boat

You like to discover the Khlongs on your own? Then you can rent a boat (with captain of course). You find it at piers as Tha Chang, Tha Saphan Phut, Tha River City, Tha Rachini, Tha Oriental, Central Pier, in front of Wat Arun or at Nonthaburi Pier. At central pier I have been offered one hour for 1200 Baht, at Tha Chang Pier the hour costed 1000 Baht.


More informations about boat trips in the klongs: Cruise on Klongs and Wisarut Bholsithi writes about the ferry system



And now look at this video about Chao Phraya River Express and Klong Saen Saep Water Taxi:

And here, what you see from Chao Phraya River: Video

And a Klong Tour: Video

Water Taxi from Wat Saket to Pratunam Pier: Video

Touring the Black Waters - Greater Bangkok by boat: video




Discover more in Bangkok:
#MyKrungthep: Your Guide to Bangkok


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