Inland Waterways
The waterways have always had an important role in the history, culture and economic development of Thailand. Since ancient times of Sukhothai and Ayutthaya, the first capitals of Siam Kingdom had been built along rivers, which besides serving for water supply they were efficient and fast waterways for transport of goods. After the destruction of Ayutthaya, King Taksin the Great relocated the capital to Thonburi on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, the longest river of Thailand and its largest inland waterway. Was Rama I that moved the capital to the eastern bank of river on Rattanakosin Island, the core of today's Bangkok, where it was a pre-existing harbour village, called Bang Makok, inhabited by Chinese traders. The successive monarchs enlarged the harbour, allowing to expand maritime trade with foreign countries, first with China and then with the Western. Since then, the Chao Phraya River is regarded as the main commercial artery of the nation, route each day of year by thousands of barges, which transport all kinds of goods, and sailed for most of its kilometres by a lot of private boats, public ferries and even tourist cruises. The Mekong River, one of the world’s major rivers, and the others Thailand's rivers allow in turn the commercial and passengers navigation, but in some case is limited to a part of their paths and only for a time of year, due the extreme seasonal variations in flow and the presence of rapids and waterfalls. Bangkok waterways are divided in 3 parts: the Chao Phraya River, the Khlong Saen Saep that cuts across Bangkok city from east to west and Khlongs of Thonburi, the network of canals on the opposite side of the river.
Bangkok Waterways
Chao Phraya Express Boat
In Bangkok, the Chao Phraya River is one of main transport arteries for commuters and tourists, with several ferries, tourist boats, water taxis and long-tails flowing over its waters. Almost always faster than taxis and tuk-tuk, the river boats are widely used by Thais and tourists to move along the riverside districts of Rattanakosin and Thonburi, the heart of Bangkok, to reach work place, tourist attractions or recreational places like typical restaurants or markets. The navigation along the river is also a great opportunity for tourists to enjoy the whole panorama of Bangkok or to discover a part of capital often not visible, like old houses on stilts, children playing or swimming in murky waters, small crocodiles and giant fish. Aside some boats and long-tails private-owned, which can be rented individually, about 700-1,000 THB for an hour rental, the public service along the river is ensured by several boats and ferries of Chao Phraya Express Boat. It is the only public operator and carries an average of about 40,000 passengers per day. Company provides river express transportation from Wat Rajsingkorn Pier in Rat Burana district, south of Rattanakosin Island, to Pak Kret district in Nonthaburi, the province immediately north of capital. The 21 kilometres route is served by 65 boats, almost all in wood, that hold from 90 to 180 passengers. The piers are numerous on both sides of the river; each one has a name as well as a number from S4, Rajburana Pier Pier, to N35, Pak Kret Pier. Sathorn Central Pier, close to Taksin Bridge in southern Rattanakosin Island, is the interchange stop with the Silom Line of elevated Skytrain, BTS Saphan Taksin station is just adjacent. There are four different lines in the same path, some stop all the piers while others are faster than skipping a few, only one line runs in the weekend.
Boat Lines
The Local Line, without flag, runs between Pier S3, Wat Rajsingkorn, and Pier N30, Nonthaburi, it performs all the stops and operates from Monday to Friday during peak times, 06.45-07.30 in the morning and 16.00-16.30 in the afternoon, with departures every 20 minutes. The Green Line runs between Sathorn Central Pier and Pak Kret Pier, it skips some stops, operates from Monday to Friday during peak times, 06.10-08.10 and 16.05-18.05, with departures every 15-20 minutes. The Yellow Line runs between Sathorn Central Pier and Nonthaburi Pier, it skips many stops, operates from Monday to Friday during peak times, 06.15-08.20 and 17.00-19.00, with departures every 10 minutes. The Orange Line runs between Wat Rajsingkorn Pier and Nonthaburi Pier, it skips some stops, operates from Monday to Friday between 05.50 and 19.00 with departures every 10-20 minutes, and in Saturday and Sunday between 06.00 and 19.00 with departures every 20 minutes. The Orange Line is the most useful to tourists because it is the only that runs in the weekend and holidays, and because its stops are close to the main tourist attractions on both riversides of Chao Phraya. The rates of one way ticket for all lines are cheap and super affordable compared to taxis costs; they vary depending on the distance covered and line, from 10 THB to a maximum of 31 THB. You can buy tickets at all piers. On the website of Chao Phraya Express Boat you'll find detailed description of the different lines, all stops, maps, timetables and updated rates.
Chao Phraya Tourist Boat
In addition to ferry service, Chao Phraya Express Boat offers to Bangkok's visitors a special tourist boat service, with comfortable larger boats and English speaking Tour Guides on board to recommend tourist attraction throughout the trip. The Chao Phraya Tourist Boat provides service between 8 different piers, from Sathorn Central Pier and Phra Arthit Pier, which allow access to Bangkok’s most famous attractions, many of which are in the Rattanakosin Island and Thonburi Historic Areas. The boats run daily between 09.30 and 19.30, with departures every 30 minutes. The journey starts from Sathorn Central Pier, adjacent to BTS Saphan Taksin Station, and proceeds up the river, stopping at 8 pier and returns back to Central Pier on the same route. Calculate about 40 minutes by boat to cover the entire route. The daily ticket, One Day River Pass, costs only 150 THB and is valid for unlimited travel throughout the day of issue, practically you can hop on and off as many times as you want at any pier to explore the beauty of sites in surrounding areas. The service offers to tourists the great opportunity to see Bangkok from a whole new perspective. Tourists can visit many attractive tourist spots, such as the Temple of Dawn and the great Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho, within a single day tour, without worrying about purchasing boat tickets. You can buy the One Day River Pass at Sathorn Central Pier and Phra Arthit Pier, and even at desks of Tourist Service in Siam and Saphan Taksin Skytrain stations. With this special ticket passengers may take any other Chao Phraya Express Boat, within the same route, from 09.30 to 19.30.
Bangkok’s Khlongs
A "Khlong" is a canal on the central plain of Thailand. These canals are spawned by the Chao Phraya, Tha Chin and Mekong rivers and their tributaries. They are used for transportation and as locations for the typical floating markets, but also for sewage disposal. In addition of Chao Phraya, Bangkok has a large number of Khlongs. Most are located in Thonburi district, on the west bank of Chao Phraya, where the Wat Arun lies. The Thonburi side of the capital is where tourists usually perform the classic boat ride to admire the part of Bangkok which remained still quite authentic, with wooden houses on stilts and children playing in the water. You can hire a long-tail boat to go for a ride along Thonburi's khlongs in almost all the piers along the Chao Phraya River, contacting the pier's desks or negotiating directly with the boat owner. Three good places to rent a long-tail are the Sathorn Central Pier, under the Taksin Bridge, the Oriental Pier and Phra Arthit Pier. The cost is about 800-1,200 THB per hour of navigation. Bargaining is normal, do not forget to be clear about the destination and duration of your trip for not having unpleasant surprises on the price.
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.
Info tickets & tips
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.
- Website: www.khlongsaensaep.com
- Phone: 02 375 2369
Boat Route Map
Khlong Saen Saep Tickets
"Chao Phraya Express Boat" timetable
Boat | Depart | Arrive | Service | Schedules | Frequency | Fares THB |
No Flag | Wat Rajsingkorn Pier S3 | Nonthaburi Pier N30 | Mon - Fri | 06.45 - 07.30 | 20 min. | 8-10-12 |
No Flag | Nonthaburi Pier N30 | Wat Rajsingkorn Pier S3 | Mon - Fri | 16.00 - 16.30 | 25 min. | 8-10-12 |
No Flag | Wat Rajsingkorn Pier S3 | Nonthaburi Pier N30 | Mon - Fri | 06.45 - 07.30 | 20 min. | 8-10-12 |
No Flag | Nonthaburi Pier N30 | Wat Rajsingkorn Pier S3 | Mon - Fri | 16.00 - 16.30 | 25 min. | 8-10-12 |
Orange Flag | Wat Rajsingkorn Pier S3 | Nonthaburi Pier N30 | Everyday | 06.00-19.00 | 20 min. | 19-29 |
Orange Flag | Nonthaburi Pier N30 | Wat Rajsingkorn Pier S3 | Everyday | 06.00-19.00 | 20 min. | 19-29 |
Orange Flag | Wat Rajsingkorn Pier S3 | Nonthaburi Pier N30 | Mon - Fri | 06.00 - 09.00 | 12/15 min. | 19-29 |
Orange Flag | Nonthaburi Pier N30 | Wat Rajsingkorn Pier S3 | Mon - Fri | 05.50 - 09.00 | 5/15 min. | 19-29 |
Green Flag | Central Sathorn | Pakkret Pier N33 | Mon - Fri | 06.10 - 08.10 | 15 min. | 10-12-19-31 |
Green Flag | Pakkret Pier N33 | Central Sathorn | Mon - Fri | 06.10 - 08.10 | 15 min. | 10-12-19-31 |
Green Flag | Central Sathorn | Pakkret Pier N33 | Mon - Fri | 16.05 - 18.05 | 20 min. | 10-12-19-31 |
Green Flag | Pakkret Pier N33 | Central Sathorn | Mon - Fri | 16.05 - 18.05 | 20 min. | 10-12-19-31 |
Yellow Flag | Central Sathorn | Nonthaburi Pier N30 | Mon - Fri | 06.15 - 08.20 | 8/10 min. | 19-29 |
Yellow Flag | Nonthaburi Pier N30 | Central Sathorn | Mon - Fri | 06.15 - 08.20 | 8/10 min. | 19-29 |
Yellow Flag | Central Sathorn | Nonthaburi Pier N30 | Mon - Fri | 16.00 - 20.00 | 5/10 min. | 19-29 |
Yellow Flag | Nonthaburi Pier N30 | Central Sathorn | Mon - Fri | 16.00 - 20.00 | 5/10 min. | 19-29 |
Bangkok Public Transportations
Taxicab is a common form of public transportation in Thailand, highly appreciated and often used both by locals and visitors for their cheapness...
Tuk-Tuk also called 'sam lor', three-wheeled vehicle, they are ubiquitous in Bangkok and symbolize the face more funny and colorful of the country...
Bangkok BTS Skytrain, discover all the interesting sites and activities surrounding each station, Move Easily and get experience through Bangkok...
Fast and efficient, the Mass Rapid Transit network (MRT) serves 18 stations Hua Lamphong in the South (near Chinatown) to Bang Sue in the north...
Trains are a good alternative to buses to get around Thailand, although the bus network is more widespread. Trains are slower of buses but cheaper...