Bangkok is one of Asia’s cosmopolitan cities.  The metropolitan area is over 7.7 square kilometers, consists of about 12 million people and receives millions of tourists each year.  Despite the city’s massive pace of development, remnants of its old charms are still intact including its famed canals (klongs).

Bangkok was once called the Venice of the East, and for good reason.  From its early settlements right until the 19th century, the capital is home to numerous canals.  These waterways were spawned by the Chao Phraya, the Tai Chin the Mae Klong Rivers and their tributaries.  Many of the city’s citizens lived on floating houses on the river and canals or on the banks of the klongs.

During the mid-1800s, King Rama IV and his son, King Rama V started modernizing the city by building roads and railways.  The unique aquatic scene slowly faded away, as many klongs were drained or filled to make way for development.

Despite the city’s rapid modernization, Bangkok’s canals still contain glimpses of how life was like centuries ago.  Old bridges and houses as well as paddle boats, barges and tugboats still make up the scene around the klongs.

Even with the openings of the city’s subway and elevated train services, people still use the canals as a quick way of moving around the city.  The canal system extends all the way out to some of the city’s outskirts and residential areas.  People living in these areas come to work in the city center by boat as traffic jams during rush hour is still common.

One of the best places to enjoy Bangkok’s canal scenery is on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya River.  For a short time, this used to be the capital of Thailand during King Taksin’s reign.  However, King Rama I moved the capital across the river into what is now Bangkok.  Thonburi has remained a seperate province until it merged with Bangkok in 1972.  This part of Bangkok has avoided much of the modern development seen elsewhere in the city and its canals retain much of their old-world charm.

Visitors to these canals should expect a quaint scene of old teak houses and newer town houses with the occasional temple mixed in.  Different types of flora will also come to view such as palms, morning glory and floating hyacinths drifting along the klong waters.

Cruising along the city’s many canals and waterways is a great way to explore the city and to catch a glimpse of how life was like in the past.  If you would like to explore this side of Bangkok then our Insight Klong Saen Saap – Bangkok tour is for you.  After climbing the Golden Mount for panoramic views of Ratanakosin Island, hop on a boat for a cruise along Saen Saap Canal to Jim Thompson’s mansion.  You may also try our Unseen Klong Tour by Long Tail Boat – Bangkok tour for a journey along the canals to the countryside of Nonthaburi, just north of Bangkok.  You may also see Exotissimo’s Thailand day trips page for other interesting extensions to any of our Thailand tours.