River and Canal Transport
Thailand has over 3500 kilometres /2200 miles/ of waterways with depth over 1 meter througout the year. The Chao Phraya river is the major water transport artery in Thailand which runs from South to North for about 400 kms /250 miles/ and mouths in the Gulf of Thailand. Canals /or “Klongs/ also play important role in the river transport of Thailand. One of the main klongs is the Klong Saen Saeb which connects the Chao Phraya River to Prachinburi province and Chachoengsao province with a length of 520 kms /320 miles/. There are few kinds of different boats servicing the rivers and klongs in Thailand. Thai people have their cultural origins along the klongs.
Express boat runs up and down the Chao Phraya river and it is another great opportunity for simple tourism. Fares are between 4 and 15 Baht depending on the distance. You stand on the pier and wait the Express boat to come. There are 3 kinds of Express boats – with green flag – they stop at each pier; red flag - stop on some piers; yellow flag - stops only on main piers. In 2003 there were introduced new more comfortable boats specially for tourists. Have a try.
River-taxi is a kind of public bus on water. Again go on a pier and wait to come. There are piers at every few hundred metres. Fares are cheaper than the Express boat. In the rush-hour these river-taxis become extremely packed with more than 100 people but it is worth the adventure.
Ferry boats /with red roof/ are used to go to the other side of the river. They are extremely cheap – about 1 or 2 Bahts. Usually they are mostly used by students and sometimes when you want to cross the river other people may thing you are mistaken the boat. Just have a smile.
Longtail boat can be used for private traveling but you have to negotiate the price firstly, usually few hundred Bahts again depending on the distance. Longtail boats are recommended for seeing and feeling old Siam and Thai lifestyle nearby the klongs. You will see unforgettable panorama of Thailand and glimpse into the past. There are longer cruises by which you can reach the cities of Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai.
River-taxi is a kind of public bus on water. Again go on a pier and wait to come. There are piers at every few hundred metres. Fares are cheaper than the Express boat. In the rush-hour these river-taxis become extremely packed with more than 100 people but it is worth the adventure.
Ferry boats /with red roof/ are used to go to the other side of the river. They are extremely cheap – about 1 or 2 Bahts. Usually they are mostly used by students and sometimes when you want to cross the river other people may thing you are mistaken the boat. Just have a smile.
Longtail boat can be used for private traveling but you have to negotiate the price firstly, usually few hundred Bahts again depending on the distance. Longtail boats are recommended for seeing and feeling old Siam and Thai lifestyle nearby the klongs. You will see unforgettable panorama of Thailand and glimpse into the past. There are longer cruises by which you can reach the cities of Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai.
