Canal Taxi

Bangkok city is often referred to as the Venice of the East. This is not because the city has many rivers and their modes of conveyance water. The number of canal and river network in the Thai capital bore taxi river by boat.

Transit tool is an essential part of the transport system of the city of Bangkok. By using this means of transport, traveling becomes easier and faster than using ground transportation bottlenecks that often occur.

Uniquely, these river taxis serve up to urban centers. although in seini have a low bridge, it does not matter. We will cross the bridge, taxi boat will slow down and lower the roof, the passengers had to be down for a while.

Vast network of canals or better known as khlong gives Bangkok the nickname as 'Venice of The East'! Served as the highways in the past, today these khlongs is far inferior but still work in a way to combat the traffic congestion in Bangkok. Water taxi or express long-tailed boat that runs along the khlong provides a good alternative to get around in Bangkok city, particularly perfect for adult travelers on shoes string budget. Water taxi is more efficient and reliable compares to cabs or buses which have high tendency to stuck in traffic choke. 

The most favorite khlong route among Bangkok backpackers are Khlong Saen Saeb that runs in the central of traffic congestion area. Operates from 05:30 through 20:30 hours, these long tailed boats ferry passengers from the designated piers along the khlong. Apart from the foul stench and pollution of canal's water, the pier or boarding jetty is usually within the walking distance to the landmark of Bangkok or places of attraction. 

However, it is wise to pick up some simple Thai especially the name of your destination pier so that the boat operator could inform you the fare.

Run systematically upstream or downstream on Khlong Saen Saeb, the service of long-tailed boat starts at Tha Ramkhamhaeng which is the last stop/pier of upstream and ends at Tha Phanfa that is the last stop of downstream. The following provides some general guide for the pier to disembark and attractions/shopping malls nearby. You may grab a tuk-tuk or walk to these destinations.

* Tha Phanfa - Visiting The Golden Mount Temple (Wat Saket), KhaoSan Road, Giant Swing, Democracy Monument, Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew
* Tha Bo Bae - Shopping at Bo Bae clothing wholesalers market
* Tha Saphan Hua Chang - Shopping at Siam Square, Siam Paragon, Siam Discovery, MBK and visiting Jim Thompson's House
* Tha Pratunam (Interchange) - Shopping at Pratunam Market, Platinum Fashion Mall, Panthip IT Mall, Central World, Gaysorn and visiting Erawan Shrine

The cost for the canal boat ride is between 10 Baht to 20 Baht depending on the distance of the journey. Not recommended for physically challenged individuals or adults that are traveling with infants or young children.