River and Canal Boats, Bangkok

Boat trip is interesting even for us Thais.Many people go to work by express boats every morning.(for myself,unfortunately i'm too lazy to walk from pier to busstop so I take a boat just ocassionally)

Anyway,by boat.Even you don't have plan "where to go" you can jump in and buy ticket to somewhere (wherever it takes) It's nice already seeing people,their activities along the great river of Bangkok (even once during APEC summit,our PM placed very huge and ugly canvas to hide those old wooden houses as if he was sweeping dust and keep it under a carpet)

Taking public express boat is cheap ( you won't pay more than 30 Baht each trip) and nice.I usually take a boat up tp Nonthaburi where you can visit "Koh Kred" or Kred island.Small island in Nonthaburi where once it was Mon settlement.Nowadays,Some Mon families still living there and it's biggest pottery village in town.Ideal for relaxing weekend.(during weekday it will be too quiet,some restaurants and shops are closed)
Remarks : Express boat doesn't go direct to Koh Kred but you will off at "Nonthaburi pier" then you can hire taxi,tuktuk or take a bus to "Pak Kred" and walk a bit,cross by furry (3.50 baht each) that's it.
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Daily Standard Express Boats
All day from 6:00-18:40.
Every 20 minutes
Fare : up to 20 baht something
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Special Express Boats (Monday-Friday)
During rush hours
From 6:00-9:00 and 12:00-19:00
Fare : up tp 20 baht something
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NONTHABURI-WAT RAJSINGKORN
(NO FLAG) Stop every pier

More information you can call "Chaopraya Boat" Co.( or known as "Supatra" Co.) or check their website

These are Daily Standard Express Boats running all day from 6:00-18:40, every 20 minutes or so. You can find the stops and itineraries at the website below.

Fare 4-10 baht, depending on the distance.

The BTS station to connect with the boats is Saphan Taksim, the end of the Silom line.

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If you’re able to use this mode of transport when you’re in Bangkok…don’t hesitate to UNLESS maybe you have an aversion to water.. :o) If river transit works for your destination you’ll be able to avoid the traffic congestion that Bangkok is famous for.

Nonthaburi pier is the most northerly stop along the river and the southernmost pier is at the Taksin Bridge close to Sathorn Rd. where you’ll be able to connect with the sky train.

The water “taxi” was the easiest, the quickest, and the most reliable mode of transit that I used while visiting Bangkok. I kind of enjoy the water and if there’s any opportunity to be on a boat…I’ll be on it!

This was is a VERY INEXPENSIVE way to get myself to and from Wat Pho, Wat Arun, and The Grand Palace from where I stayed in the Banglumpoo Area, not too far a walk from Kho San Road. A short fifteen minute walk to Stop 13 and I was on my way….

You can pick up a map that shows the stops and the “attractions” that are nearby to any particular stop. I think the hotel that I stayed at provided us with maps if my memory is correct but you can get them at the infamous 7/11 s that you’ll see around town or any Pier Station along the river.

There are a number of commercial boat services that move up and down the river at fairly regular intervals, including Longtails….and they all use the same wharves. Waiting for the next boat was never for long and it was always a treat to watch the traffic on the river, waiting for the next boat to come along. The stops are identified by a sign on the “street side” of the wharf complex, and as you enter you will see a ticket booth. It’s not necessary to purchase your boat tickets here unless you’re latching onto a “Tour” boat.

When the boat pulls up to the wharf the “conductor” will allow access..people are allowed to get off before those getting are allowed to board. I never prepaid my trip. The conductor will collect the fare from you as the boat is under way.

The cost is again totally minimal…it’s ridiculously inexpensive by Western standards although sorry; I can’t remember exactly how much the far was.

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Boats
There are four types of boats, spotted by a flag in different colours.
Pictures in the web: Chao Praya River and Pier

Main boat - Chao Praya Pier:

01. Saphan Taksin bridge
02. Oriental Pier
03. Wat Muang kae Pier
04. Si Phraya Pier
05. Harbour Dept Pier
06. Rachawongse Pier
07. Memorial Bridge Pier
Near is: Chinatown
08. Rajinee Pier
09. Tha Tien Pier
Near is: Wat Pho
10. Tha Chang Pier
Near is: Wat Phra Khaew
11. Wang lang (Siriraj) Pier
12. Thonburi Railway Pier
13. Phra Pin Klao Bridge Pier
14. Phra Arthit Pier
15. RAMA 8 Bridge Pier
16. Thewet Pier
17. Krung Thon Bridge Pier
18. Wat Thepnahree Pier
19. Payap Pier
20. Irrigation Dept Pier
21. Kheaw Khai Ka Pier
22. Kiak Kai Pier
23. Bang Po Pier
24. Wat Soi Thong Pier
25. RAMA 7 Bridge Pier
26. Pibul 1 Pier
27. Wat Khema Pier
28. Wat Tuek Pier
29. Wat Kien Pier
30. Pibul 2 Pier
31. Nothaburi

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Khlong Saen Saeb also known as Saen Saep) is a canal (Khlong) in central Thailand, connecting the Chao Phraya River to Prachin Buri and Chachoengsao. A portion of the canal is used for public transport by an express boat service in Bangkok. The canal is lined with concrete walkways on either side in many areas where people stroll despite the foul smells of the canal, and in other areas the heavily polluted water oozes into adjacent properties, especially after heavy rainstorms. 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 Khlong Saen Saep Express Boat service operates on the Khlong Saen Saep in Bangkok, providing fast, inexpensive transportation through the city's traffic-congested commercial districts. The service has a checkered reputation, due to the polluted water in the khlong and the haphazard nature in which the service is operated.

The 18-kilometre route is served by 100 boats of 40-50 seats, and operates 5:30am to 8:30pm daily. Prices are 8 to 20 baht, depending on distance travelled. The service carries about 60,000 passengers per day. It is run by a company called Family Transport.

Line # 1 Golden Mount Station List
Phan Fa Lilat - terminal, near Golden Mount and other attractions.
Bobe Market - a large garment market.
Charoen Phon
Hua Chang - near MBK Center and Bangkok Skytrain National Stadium station and Siam station.
Pratu Nam - interchange, near Pratu Nam garment district, CentralWorld and Pantip Plaza.

Line # 2 NIDA Station List
Pratu Nam - interchange, near Pratu Nam garment district, CentralWorld and Pantip Plaza.
Chit Lom - near Central Chidlom.
Witthayu (Wireless Road) - near British Embassy.
Nana Nuea (Sukhumvit Soi 3) - near Bumrungrad Hospital, "Little Africa" neighborhood.
Saphan Asok - near Bangkok Metro Phetchaburi station and the old site of Embassy of Japan.
Prasan Mit - at Srinakharinwirot University (Prasarn Mitr Campus).
Ital-Thai Tower
Wat Mai Chong Lom - near Royal City Avenue (RCA).
Thong Lo - a trendy street with many boutique shopping malls.
Charn Issara - at Charn Issara 2 Building.
Klong Tan - near busy intersection of Petchaburi, Ramkhamhaeng, Rama IX and Phra Khanong roads, with Bangkok Skytrain (BTS) shuttle-bus service.
The Mall 3 - The Mall Ramkhamhaeng, near Rama IX Road intersection.
Ramkhamhaeng 29
Wat Thep Lila - Soi Ram Khamheang 39
Ramkhamhaeng - Opposite Ramkhamhaeng University.
Wat Klang
The Mall Bangkapi - The Mall Bangkapi on Lat Phrao Road.
Bang Kapi - Bang Kapi district office and market.
Wat Si Bun Rueang - terminal pier, near National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA).

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N5 Ratchawong Pier


Information
Name: Ratchawong
Attraction Type: Pier
Close to: Chinatown
Pier Code: N5
City: Bangkok


My Photos
First Photo: Chinatown in Bangkok
Second Photo: Chinatown in Bangkok
Third Photo: Chao Phraya river
Fourth Photo: Chao Phraya river
Fifth Photo: Chao Phraya river

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CEN Sathon Taksin Bridge Pier


Information
Name: Sathon Taksin Bridge
Attraction Type: Pier
Close to: BTS Skytrain Saphan Taksin, Sathorn road, Silom road, State tower
Pier Code: CEN (Central Pier)
City: Bangkok
Pictures in the web: Sathon Taksin Bridge Pier in Bangkok


My Photos
First Photo: Rama VIII Bridge Pier
Second Photo: Rama VIII Bridge Pier from the boat
Third Photo: Rama VIII Bridge from the boat
Fourth Photo: Rama VIII Bridge from the boat
Fifth Photo: Rama VIII Bridge from the boat

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N14 Rama VIII Bridge Pier


Information
Name: Rama VIII Bridge
Attraction Type: Pier
Close to: Bank of Thailand
Pier Code: N14
City: Bangkok
Pictures in the web: Tha Chang Pier in Bangkok


My Photos
First Photo: Rama VIII Bridge Pier
Second Photo: Rama VIII Bridge Pier from the boat
Third Photo: Rama VIII Bridge from the boat
Fourth Photo: Rama VIII Bridge from the boat
Fifth Photo: Rama VIII Bridge from the boat