Khlong

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A khlong (also commonly spelled klong; Thai คลอง) is a canal in the central plain of Thailand spawned by the Chao Phraya, the Ta Chin, and the Mae Klong rivers.

The capital Bangkok was crisscrossed by them and so gained the name Venice of the East. The khlongs were used for transportation and for floating markets, but also for sewage. Today, most of the khlongs of Bangkok have been filled in and converted into streets, although the Thonburi side of Bangkok (covering areas west of Chao Phraya River) still retains several of its larger khlongs.

Central Bangkok has the Khlong Saen Saeb, which is a route for a boat service that remains a vital public transportation function in the traffic-congested capital.

The traditional floating markets now exist mainly as tourist attractions, the most famous one at Damnoen Saduak in the Ratchaburi province.