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 Cruising
along the Chao Phraya River
A cruise along the legendary Chao Phraya River and some
canals on the Thon Buri side is the most pleasant way to explore the city
once dubbed "Venice of the East" The majestic charm of the Chao Phraya adds
perspective to your exploration of the city's premier attractions. Tourists
can book such a tour through travel agents or rent a boat at Tha Chang (Tel:
(02) 225-6179, (02) 623-6169), a pier near the Grand Palace, or Tha Si Phraya (Tel:
(02) 235-3108) near the River City Shopping Complex.
Rivers and canals referred to maenam and khlong in Thai have
always been vital forms of communication. When the capital of Thailand was
moved to Bangkok in 1782 (the beginning of the Rattanakosin period), the
capital was laced with canals, so Bangkok was sometimes called the "VENICE
OF THE EAST" by European visitors.
In the past, Bangkokians usually settled by the Chao Phraya
River and gradually spread into the core of the country. As you will see
traces of the Early Rattanakosin period such as architecture and traditional
ways of life have been left by the river more than in the inland areas.
Besides, waterways at that time were the most important means of
transportation and trading as well.
Nowadays, even though Bangkok has become a modern city, the
Chao Phraya River as well as the canals are still charming for whoever
wishes to seek the peaceful atmosphere amidst bustling Bangkok.
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Trip
Along The Chao Phraya River
Boat services on the Chao Phraya River which connect Bangkok with the
northern neighboring province of Nonthaburi are operated by two companies:
Laem Thong Co. Ltd., and Chao Phraya Express Boat
Co.Ltd. Tel (02) 623-6143
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Chao Phya Express Boat's
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Express Boat - Local Lines (No
Flag) run Monday-Friday from Wat Rajsingkorn to
Nonthaburi during 06.00 am.-18.00 pm. and
departure every 20 minutes; the fare range from 10 to 14
Baht.
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Express Boat - (Orange Flag)
run daily from Wat Rajsingkorn to
Nonthaburi during 05.50 am.-19.00 pm. and
the fare 15 Baht.
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Express Boat - (Yellow Flag)
run Monday-Friday from Sathorn to
Nonthaburi ;and Ratburana (Big C) to Nonthaburi during 06.10 am.-19.30
pm. and the fare 20-29 Baht.
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Express Boat - (Blue Flag)run Monday-Friday from Sathorn(Taksin) to
Nonthaburi(Pibul 3) during 07.00 am.-18.25 pm. and the fare
24-34 Baht.
On both sides of the Chao Phraya River, a tourist can see many magnificent temples and architectural buildings including the First
Presbyterian Church, the Royal Thai Navy Dockyard, the Thai Maritime Navigation Company, the Old Customs House, Wat Prayunwong, Wat Arun, the Grand Palace, Wat Rakhang Kositaram, and the Royal Boat House.
When arriving at Pak Kret, tourists can travel further to Ko Kret, a
small island in the Chao Phraya River. A river ferry leaves Wat Sanam Nua, which is located within a short walking distance from Pak Kret Pier during 6.00 a-m.-9.00 p.m. Returning to Pak Kret, visitors are
able to catch a small long-tail boat at any pier around the island. The atmosphere surrounding the pier is very calm.
Attractions
on Ko Kret are as follows:
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Pottery Village
is located along the pathway around the island. There are some huts where
visitors are able to see through the pottery making process. Villagers make
various kinds of earthen products for daily use such as pots, mortars, and
flowerpots. This is the oldest and biggest source of earthenware in
Nonthaburi province, in the village, there is the Ancient Mon Pottery Center
where pottery in various style is exhibited.
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Wat Paramal
Ylkawat was constructed in Mon style over 200 years ago. King
Rama V commanded to renovate the monastery dedicated to his grandmother and
to construct Phra Maha Raman Chedi (a chedi in Mon style) to house Buddha
relics. The principal Buddha of the monastery is carved with marble in Mon
style, so it is also called "Wat Mon" (Mon Temple).
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Wat Phal Lom
is well-known for the magnificent bot (ordination hall) in the Ayutthaya
style. Some parts have been changed due to renovation. Behind the bot, there
is a chedi in Mon style.
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Wat Sao Thong
Thong houses an old Ayutthaya style chedi and was the first
secondary school in Pak Kret.
Besides, There are many other interesting ancient monasteries most of which
were constructed in the Mon and the Ayutthaya styles.
Trip
Along Khlong Bangkok Noi - Khlong Bang Yai
A boat service is operated during 6.30 a.m.-11.00 p.m.
The boats depart from Tha Chang every half an hour until 11.00 a.m. They
leave the pier when there are enough passengers. The boat fare is 30 Baht
per person. It takes 50 minutes to Bang Yai, a district in Nonthaburi.
Attractions
along Khiong Bangkok Noi are as follows
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The Royal Barge National Museum
exhibits royal barges and their ornaments used for waterborne state
ceremonies which have been held occasionally since the Sukhothai period.
During the Ayutthaya period, a procession was held for the royal Kathin
ceremony at the end of the rainy season in order to carry the kings to their
royal monasteries to offer robes and other monastic paraphernalia to the
monks.
The museum is open everyday during 9.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m., close on 31 st
December -1st January.
Admission fee is 30 Baht.
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Wat Suwannaram is a big royal monastery constructed during the reign of King Rama I and was
subsequently renovated during the reign of King Rama III. Inside the bot,
there are murals depicting the jataka, deities and the Buddha image in
Subduing Mara Posture. These works of art of the early Rattanakosin period
(1 9th century) are considered as the best surviving mural painting in
Bangkok.
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Wat Si Sudaram or Wat Chi Pakhao
was built during the Ayutthaya period and was renovated by King Rama I. The
temple houses some interesting buildings including Tarn Nak Daeng (a
pavilion). Sala Kan Parian (a sermon hall) , and the residence of Sunthon
Phu (the greatest poet of the Rattanakosin period). Moreover, visitors can
enjoy feeding a number of freshwater fish here.
:: Wat Chalo
is assumed to have been constructed during the
Sukhothai period as some Buddha images in Sukhothai style were found in
front of the bot.
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Wat Pho Bang O is a monastery constructed during the reign of
King Rama III. The top of the bot was made of wood; mural painting inside
the bot was made during the existence of the Nonthaburi school of painting.
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Wat Bang 0l Chang houses a 200-year-old Buddha sole, which was
found by Phra Khru Nawa Kam Koson (the first abbot of this monastery) while
traveling in Phitsanuloke province during 1986 A.D.
:: Wat Kaeo Fa
is an ancient temple located in an open area next to
Khiong Bangkok Noi. According to archaeologists, many buildings and art
objects here were constructed in the Ayutthaya style; for example; the
Ubosot, the Buddha image, the boundary stones, the boundary wall, the chedi
behind the bot and the chedi with 12 cornered indented pillar. The monastery
later was renovated during the Rattanakosin period.
:: Wat Prasat
was built during the Late Ayutthaya period. The
monastery is well-known for its well-preserved mural painting made by
artisans of the Nonthaburi school, and the gable made of carved timber.
Visitors who come along by boat have to walk about 2 kilometers through
orchards from the pier.
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Wat Amphawan was constructed during the Late Ayutthaya period. This temple houses Ho Trai
(a hall for keeping scriptures) which is situated in the middle of a pond.
The building was made of wood in magnificent Thai style.
Trip
Along Khlong Bang Yai - Khlong Om -
Nonthaburi
After arriving at Bang Yai (a district in Nonthaburi), travelers who expect to
continue the trip to Nonthaburi can catch another taxi boat at Wat Sao Thong
Hin pier which is situated within a walking distance from Bang Yai pier. The
boat service is operated during 4.00 a.m.-8.00 p.m. It takes 15-20 minutes.
The fare is 12 Baht/person. Next to Wat Sao Thong Hin, Wat Rat Prakhong Tham
has a three-top building which houses a huge reclining Buddha image.
Along the route, visitors are able to enjoy the peaceful
scenery and waterway life along Khiong Om. Houses along both sides of the
canal look very tidy. Almost every house is made of wood in the same style,
Colourful flowers are also planted along verandahs by the river.
Mit Chao Phraya Express Boat operates another boat trip on Saturdays
during 8.30 a.rn.-12.30 p.m. through Khiong Bangkok Noi, Bang Kruai, Khiong
Om, and stops for sightseeing at the Royal Barge Museum.
The trip costs 100 Baht/person. For more information, tel: (02) 225-6179,
623-6169
Trip
Along Khlong Dao Khanong - Khlong Bangkok Yai - Khlong Bang Chuak Nang -
Khlong Mon - Khlong Chak Phra - Khlong Bangkok Noi
Visitors willing to take a private trip along this route
are able to rent a boat from Tha Chang at the rate of approximately 400 Baht
per hour.
For advance reservations contact Mit Chao Phraya Co. Ltd. at Tha
Chang, Tel: (02) 225-6179, (02) 623-6169 and
Si Phraya Trip and Boat Co. Ltd. at the
River City Shopping Complex, Tel: (02) 41 2-0207, (02) 41 2-7644.
Attraction
Along khlong Dao Khanong
:: Wat
Sai Floating Market should be
visited in the late morning when many boats assemble for selling souvenirs
to visitors.
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Snake Farm, 35 minutes from Wat Sai Floating Market, is another
stop for sightseeing and watching a snake show. The farm is open daily from
8.30 a.m.- 5.00 p.m.
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Wat Pak Nam is famous for amulets and is always crowded with a number
of people who come to make merit during the weekend.
Attractions
Along Khlong Bang Chuak Nang
:: Wat
Ko houses an old viharn (chapel) which was registered as an
archaeological site.
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Orchid Farms grow orchids for sale as cut-flowers.
An
Attraction Along Khlong Chak Phra
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Taling Chan
Floating Market is held every weekend. Boats and
stalls gather here for selling a variety of food.
Chao Phraya Chartered Co. Ltd. operates a daily tour along
Khiong Mon - Khiong Bangkok Noi during 2.30-4.30 p.m., leaving the
River City Shopping Complex on Charoen Krung Road. The fare is 360
baht per person including fruit and drinks. For more information,
tel: (02) 622-7657-61 ext. 111
:: Trip Along The Chao Phraya River To Ayutthaya
The luxurious cruise from Bangkok to the former capital's ruins of Ayutthaya
and the Bang Pa-In Summer Palace are operated every day by the following
companies:
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Dinner Cruise Along The Chao Phraya River
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