Khlong Saen Saep

The central area of Rattanakosin Island, the heart of Bangkok, is crossed by Khlong Saen Saep, the most important canal in the capital. It connects the Chao Phraya River to Bang Pa Kong River, in Chachoengsao Province, 70 km east of Bangkok. A large section of the canal which crosses the Rattanakosin Island is used for public transport. The canal is connected to many other canals in a large network, though most of the other canals do not have a regular transport service. The navigable section of Khlong Saen Saep starts from Khlong Mahanak, in the Bang Lamphu and Khao San Road areas, crosses near Siam Square, New Phetchaburi Road towards Sukhumvit, and then terminates in Bang Kapi. The Khlong Saen Saep Express Boat service along the 18 km of path is operated by a company named Family Transport, which operates with 100 boats of 40-50 seats. The service carries about 60,000 passengers on average day, operating from 05.30 to 20.30 on weekdays, until 19.00 in the weekend. Boat service consists of 30 stops along two lines: the Golden Mount Line and the NIDA Line, offering a fast and inexpensive transportation through the city's traffic-congested commercial districts. The interchange point between the 2 lines is Pratunam Pier, close to Center World and Pratunam Market. Golden Mount Line runs from Panfa Leelard Pier, near Democracy Monument and Khao San Road, to Pratunam Pier. The NIDA Line runs from Pratunam Pier to Wat Sriboonreung Pier in the east of capital. The boats on both lines run every 20 minutes, every 5 in peak hours. Ticket fee is very cheap, between 10 and 20 THB depending on the distance. Buying a ticket for the Express Boat is easy. There are no ticket counters you just pay on board. Board the boat and find a seat, ticket collector will find you and then you must tell to him where you are going so he can calculate your fare. Don't worry too much, if you do not know how to say your destination, you can just pay the maximum, 20 THB, and decide where to get off later. Telling the attendant where you are getting off also allows him to help you know where to alight from the ferry, but do not depend on the attendant to alert you to your stop as the ferry can be very busy. Beware: the Khlong Saen Saep is narrow and busy, the long and speed boats are designed to pass under bridges, very low during the rain season. They no have central corridor, benches to sit are at the centre of boat, and you walk on the outside edge, without railings. Boats stop only for a brief moment at piers, no more than 5 or 6 seconds, fast to go up or down the boat will not wait, in few seconds the helmsman give gas and already boat goes. On website of Khlong Saen Saep Express Boat you'll find detailed description of the two lines, maps, timetables, all the piers and the connections with BTS and MRT.Read More