The Chao Phraya

The Chao Phraya

A waterside stop on the Bangkok audio-guided tour, the Chao Phraya is the great river artery around which the city has always been organised. Bangkok, nicknamed the Venice of the East, lives to the rhythm of the water and its canals, the khlongs.

The river of kings

Sometimes called the river of kings, the Chao Phraya was long vital: people fished there, drew water from it, it served to irrigate the land and transport goods. It crosses Bangkok not far from its mouth and remains, to this day, at the heart of daily life.

What to see

Huge barges laden with rice slowly descend the current, while river buses and water taxis ensure a ceaseless ballet of passengers, linking the two banks faster than cars caught in traffic. The Chao Phraya is the soul of Bangkok, a moving mirror of its traditions and its modern energy.

Practical information

The Chao Phraya crosses Bangkok and can be discovered from its quays or aboard the river buses and water taxis. Routes, times and fares of the river shuttles should be checked depending on the season with the operators.

Why is Bangkok called the Venice of the East ?

Because the city is organised around the Chao Phraya and a network of canals, the khlongs.

What is the river used for today ?

For transporting goods and passengers, thanks to barges, river buses and water taxis.