The fastest way to go around Bangkok!

Transportation is the big deal in Bangkok as so many people from all over Thailand come into Bangkok to work in a hope of getting rich or advancing their carrers. I remember when I was a kid, I would have to get up at 5:00 am every weekdays in order for me to be able to catch a school bus on time even though the school is just about 5 miles away! It doesn't make any senses what so ever, but it's been that way til now; Never change! In fact, traffic is getting worse and worse every year. Bangkok tried to cope with the heavy traffic by building a skytrain , and underground train projects, which seem to help reducing some traffic congestion, but still it doesn't seem to be quite enough. Many still felt that there are not enough trains as in comparison with people who are using the service especially during the rush hours in many major financial district areas. So, is there any other alternative to this? Yes, there is.

The river has long been a good transportation route of Bangkok for centuries, and it is considered to Thais as one of the fastest way to get around Bangkok. In fact, every time I want to go from Kao San road to Pantip Plaza, I would just jump into the boat, and I will be there in 15 minutes max. It is dam fast for Bangkok, and it costs just about 18 baht. The route is extended all the way to Bang Krapi, which is almost to Meanburi. The whole route can be just about under an hour. Here are the ports that these long tail boats stop at;

1) Tha Wat Si Bun Ruang <--> 2) Tha Talat Bangkapi <-->3) Tha The Mall Bangkapi (shopping mall) <--> 4) Tha Wat Klang <--> 5) Tha Ramkhamkaeng University <--> 6) Tha Wat Thep Lila <--> 7) Tha The Mall Ramkhamkaeng (shopping from millions of street vendors- at night only) <--> 8) Tha Saphan Khlong Tan <--> 9) Tha Chan Issara II <--> 10)  Tha Thong Lor <--> 11) Tha Soi Soon Wijai <--> 12) Tha Wat Mai Chonglom <--> 13) Tha Prasanmit University <--> 14) Tha Saphan Asoke <--> 15) Tha Nana Nua <--> 16) Tha Saphan Withayu <--> 17) Tha Chid Lom <--> 18)  Tha Pratunam (Panthip Plaza - computer heaven, Platinum Mall (Clothes & Accessories) * Transit station<--> 19) Tha Saphan Hua Chang (Siam Centre, Paragon) <--> 20) Tha Baan Krua (see Jim Thompson house) <--> 21) Tha Charoen Phol <--> 22) Tha Bo-Be (Cloth outlets) <--> 23) Tha Phan Fa Leelat (Kao San Rd. + Phu Khao Tong)

  To see a delicated silk color dying as well as Jim Thompson House get off  at Tha Baan Krua

Although popular for Thais, for some tourists, it is considered to be quite dangerous since the boats pull in and out the dock pretty fast. Once in a while, there will be some people that fall off the edge into the canal. It was not often, but it did happen! So, make sure you hang on tight to the boat rails, and just simply let it go if you can't catch it on time. The next boat will come right up; so no need to hurry. The water in this canal is pretty dirty. Thus, I do not recommend looking out toward the canal. In fact, many boats are equipped with a tarf to prevent water from sparshing into the boat. I do not recommended people who travel with kids to use this kind of transportation. The services start around 7am and end around 7:30 pm, and it runs 7 days a week. It's really good for people who stay near Kao San road! If you have any questions regarding to the route, call talkinthai to spaek to a port officer. To apply of talkinthai free 20 minutes phone interpreting service just logon to www.talkinthai.com and click sigup. It is easy, and no credit card required!