Khlong Saen Saeb

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Express boat service in Khlong Saen Saeb

Khlong Saen Saeb (in Thai: คลองแสนแสบ, 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.

History

Bridge "Saphan Chaloem La 56" at Phaya Thai Road over Khlong Saen Saep, built in 1908 by King Chulalongkorn.

The Saen Saep canal was built by the order of King Rama III during the conflict between Siam and Annam about Cambodia, to establish a water transport for soldiers and weapons to Cambodia. The construction started in 1837 and was finished three years after.[1] Klong Saen Saeb was once filled with and abundance of lotus, King Mongkut in his 4th reign (1851-1868) built Sra Pathum Palace (Lotus Pond Palace) in Siam District, the names of the palace and present Pathum Wan district come from it.[2]

The Saen Saep starts from Mahanak canal or Khlong Mahanak (Thai: คลองมหานาค) around Mahakan Fortress (Thai: ป้อมมหากาฬ) in Bangkok. In Chachoengsao it terminates into the Bang Pa Kong River.

Public transportation

An express boat service operates on the Saen Saeb, providing fast, inexpensive transportation in traffic-congested central Bangkok. 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 km route is served by 100 boats of 40-50 seats, and operates 5:30am to 8:30pm daily. Prices are 8 to 18 baht, depending on distance travelled. The service carries about 60,000 passengers per day. It is run by a company called Family Transport.

The service runs between Pom Prap Sattru Phai and Bang Kapi districts in Bangkok. At Pratu Nam pier in Pathum Wan/Ratchathewi districts is an interchange between the northern line, which terminates at Golden Mount, and the southern line which terminates at NIDA, where passengers must change boats. Boats go past Watthana and Huai Khwang districts, running parallel to Petchaburi Road.

List of Stops

There are approximately 23 piers. The following list runs from west to east:

  • 1. Panfa Pier (aka Phan Fah or the Banglamphu pier)
    • (Just off Rachadamnoen road under a bridge,near Wat Ratchanada, Wat Saket(The Golden Mount),Democracy monument and other attractions in the old city area.)
  • 2. Talad Bobae Pier
    • ( wholesale clothing market)
  • 3. Charoenpol Pier
    • (near Tesco Lotus Mall)
  • 4. Saphan Hua Chang Pier
    • (under a bridge at the end of Soi Kasem San - near both Ratthewi and Siam Sky train station,Jim Thompson's house and Main shopping centers ex: MBK shopping center,Siam Square,Siam Discovery and Paragon)
  • 5. Pratunam Pier (Krung Kassem)
    • (Off Rachprarop road near Rajchaprasong intersection,Central World,Gaysorn Plaza,Platinum fashion mall and Pantip Plaza IT Mall)
    • Interchange pier,everyone must change here - both directions.
  • 6. Chidlom Pier (Phaya Thai)
    • ( Central Chidlom)
  • 7. Wireless road Pier (Rachadaprop or Ratchadamri)
  • 8. Nana Nua Pier (Home)
    • (Sukhumvit Soi 3, Bumrungrad Hospital)
  • 9. Nana Chard Pier
    • (Sukhumvit Soi 15, NIST International School)
  • 10. AsokPetchaburi Pier
    • (Off of Asok road - Sukhumvit Soi 21)
    • (To get the Subway at Asok and Petchaburi)
  • 11. Prasanmit
  • 12. Baan Don Mosque
  • 13. Soi Thonglor
  • 14. Charn Issara
    • Just before the next pier, there is an intersection where another
    • canal branches off from this one.
  • 15. Saphan Khlong Tan
    • Approximately 100 meters south of this pier, Khlong Saen Saep makes a right-angle turn to the north at the junction with Khlong Tan.
  • 16. The Mall Ram 3
  • 17. Wat Noi
  • 18. Rampkamhaeng 29
  • 19. Wat Tapeleela
  • 20. Ramkamhaeng University
  • 21. Mahadthai
  • 22. Wat Klang
  • 23. The Mall Bangkapi
    • Giant shopping mall, large bakery, large food court, 9 theaters, water park.

Extension

  • Starting Dec 5, 2012 the line is extended to Min Buri, with stops of Wat Si Bun Ruang pier to Min Buri being free for 6 months.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Shigeharu Tanabe: Historical Geography of the Canal System in the Chao Phraya Delta. In: Journal Of The Siam Society, Vol. 65 Part 2, The Siam Society, Bangkok 1977.
  2. ↑ 2bangkok.com:Bangkok's Crucible of Construction
  3. ↑ http://nationmultimedia.com/national/BMA-opens-shelter-for-homeless-30194086.html

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Khlong Saen Saeb.

Coordinates: 13°44′57.88″N 100°32′25.04″E / 13.7494111°N 100.5402889°E / 13.7494111; 100.5402889

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