Travel the Backwaters Through Bangkok's Heart

Khlong Saen Saep is one of the last remaining major water thoroughfares of Bangkok. Most of the others like Sukhumvit, and Sathorn and Silom to name a few, have been filled in. The Khlong Saen Saep is an extreme Bangkok experience. Not necessarily a romantic journey through the city but certain one of the quickest and intense ways to get from the old city through the most congested sections of the city to the eastern outskirts of Bang Kapi. Traveling through the city on the boat can be faster than taxi, or bus by upwards of an hour or more depending on where and what you are traveling. This is the second busiest mass transport boat service in Bangkok with around 90000 people a day using it. The boats operate from 5.30am to 8.30pm. The boat frequency is around every 3 to 6 minutes all day long. There are 30 stops along the route and the end-to-end time is around 30 minutes. After 8.30pm and through the night there are on demand night boat services that ply the same route with small numbers of people per boat. These night boats are very dangerous as they race at breakneck speeds though the unlit khlong. This is the only klong in Bangkok to offer a 24-hour service. Interesting stops on Khlong Saen Saep.
Tha Phan Fah – at the western most end of the Khlong drops you at the confluence of several Central Bangkok site. Just a short walk from the westernmost pier is Phu Khao Thong, the Temple of the Golden Mount, Democracy Monument, Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall, Dusit Zone, Rachdameon Boxing Stadium, Khao San Rd, Sanam Luang among other places. Tha Ratchathewi – in the heart of the Bangkok shopping district, this stops drops you next to the Jim Thompson House, the Asia Hotel, The Bangkok Art and Cultural Centre, Siam Discovery Center, Mak Boong Krong (MBK) shopping complex, Siam Square and the plush Paragon Shopping Mall. You can also transfer to the Sky Train (BTS) at this point. Tha Pradu Nam – places you near the cheaper shopping complex of Pratunam, Pantip Plaza Computer Mall, The Indonesian Embassy as well as Central World and a Major Cineplex. Tha Sukhumvit Soi 3 or Nana – alights you just steps away from the world class hospital of Bumrungrad. Tha Asoke – from here you can switch to the undergroud railroad or MRT and at the Petchburi Station.