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  1. #1
    loob lor geezer
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    The canals of Bangyai, suburban Bangkok

    A lot of water has passed under the bridge since Bangkok was known as
    ' The Venice of the east '. Nowadays, most city dwellers don't see many canals except those that are more like open sewers and the well known Klong Saen Saeb. This was built by Rama III in 1837 to enable movement of troops and weapons towards Cambodia and is still used today by commuters wanting to travel from Ramkamheng to the Prathoo Nam are.

    To see what Bangkok might have looked like just after world war II you need to travel to the cities suburbs. One such suburb is Bangyai where the canal system is still very much intact and still used by locals to visit friends or drop the kids off to school.

    This is Klong Praba Maha Sawat which runs from the Ta Chin river and ultimately into the Chao Phrya via Klong Bangkok Noi. As the name suggests, it provides tap water to the city and so no water traffic , bathing or fishing is allowed





    The narrow road along the side of this canal is closed to heavy traffic and is very popular with cyclists who appreciate the smooth tarmac and clean air.



    And there is no law against building along the canal if the structure is set back a bit as this nice Thai house shows



    Cutting across this canal is Klong Bangyai , along the banks of which are many temples like this one : Wat Anek Dittharam





    Always plenty of catfish here looking for an easy meal



    I usually cross this road bridge then cut back through the temple grounds and use their footbridge.





    Just sitting on the dock of the bay
    Telling the falang to go away.....



    Plenty of quiet backwaters branching of this big canal.





    Everybody who has a home on the edge of one of these canals always has a boat or two and still use these canals to visit places nearby or just drop of the kids at school.



    And of course , there is a lot of fishing done with many homes having their own nets stretched out over the canal



    Another temple on Klong Bangyai , a bit further west. Wat Don Chueak .



    I saw a very pretty girl paddle up this quiet canal, Klong Wa Deeo, and she nodded at my ' Py dooay ' request , but kept paddling until she past from sight.



    Between all the canals the area is given over to vegetable farming , fruit orchards, rice fields and garden centres.



    3 crops of rice a year here as no shortage of water



    The roads are also pretty nice. its just a shame there is a lot of fly tipping so every now and then you come across a lot of rubble and plastic bags on the side of the road.





    And with the new roads come new houses, replacing the old ones along the waters edge.




    Well, might as well finish with a canal but I'll add pictures to the thread if theres any interest


  2. #2
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    very good

    a bit different from the urban bangkok we see

  3. #3
    Knows fok all
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    Very different Bangkok there.

  4. #4
    Thailand Expat
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    Nice views of Bangkok, I had no Idea the place these places exsisted, I must take more time to look around.

  5. #5
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    Nice pix..looks like a great area for cycling.

  6. #6
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    Nice.

  7. #7
    loob lor geezer
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    Quote Originally Posted by shunpike View Post
    Nice pix..looks like a great area for cycling.
    It is. Flat as a pancake and 95% of the time no traffic. Lots of little roads, many running along the banks of a canal with lots of shade. The only small problem ( apart from the heat ) is the dogs. Every house seems to have at least two or more and they don't like strangers on bikes ! I have found the best way to deal with them is :
    a) Try to ignore them and avoid eye contact
    b) increase speed
    c) Weave from side to side

    This last is very effective as just as they get near one leg they suddenly have to back up or run into the back tyre

  8. #8
    Sprayed On Member
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bangyai
    Just sitting on the dock of the bay Telling the falang to go away.....
    Class!

  9. #9
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    excellent thread, very well done. Looks cooler out there as well. Gotta go have a look. Its a lot closer than Phuket.

  10. #10
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    Very nice , I go to Bangyai often but never see more than the factory I visit that is right off the highway near a Tesco Lotus

  11. #11
    loob lor geezer
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    Missed one. These dredgers are kept very busy clearing the canals of unwanted undergrowth that was not originaly native to Thailand. Its introduction from abroad has been a real problem for the canal system which gets clogged up in a very short time with these fast growing plants.


  12. #12
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    That stuff they are picking up is called water hyacinth IIRC. It is a pest, though I heard of one furniture design co. that was using it to make wicker-like furniture. Apparently the stuff is very strong.

  13. #13
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    Actually there are many companies making this kind of futniture...
    looks quite nice...


    good thread BY:...

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by shunpike
    That stuff they are picking up is called water hyacinth IIRC. It is a pest, though I heard of one furniture design co. that was using it to make wicker-like furniture. Apparently the stuff is very strong.
    Indeed, but in Thailand they seem to target foreigners with it, as it is well overpriced.


  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bangyai View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by shunpike View Post
    Nice pix..looks like a great area for cycling.
    It is. Flat as a pancake and 95% of the time no traffic. Lots of little roads, many running along the banks of a canal with lots of shade. The only small problem ( apart from the heat ) is the dogs. Every house seems to have at least two or more and they don't like strangers on bikes ! I have found the best way to deal with them is :
    a) Try to ignore them and avoid eye contact
    b) increase speed
    c) Weave from side to side

    This last is very effective as just as they get near one leg they suddenly have to back up or run into the back tyre
    Try squirting the chasing dogs with water out of a washing up liquid bottle or water pistol. Scares them off-don't know why!

  16. #16
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    Gotta head for a ride up there one day. (wish I saw this yesterday as I'd be riding up there now).

  17. #17
    Member Kapilvastu's Avatar
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    What an interesting and informative presentation! It really makes me want to go there. Maybe a little more precise detail on the location might have been appreciated, but, on a site so full of negativity, it's so nice to find someone just wanting to share interesting experience. thanks a lot.

  18. #18
    Newbie loz944's Avatar
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    Wow i live near bang Yai and i never knew it was there Guess i should get of my lazy arse and get on the bike and explore more a map would be great

  19. #19
    Thailand Expat Bobcock's Avatar
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    Nonthaburi...... almost a different country if you listen to Scampy....

  20. #20
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    GReat pictures and information. Thanks.

  21. #21
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    Great thread, BY. The back roads near Klong Prapa are nice too.

  22. #22
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    Quote Originally Posted by shunpike View Post
    That stuff they are picking up is called water hyacinth IIRC. It is a pest, though I heard of one furniture design co. that was using it to make wicker-like furniture. Apparently the stuff is very strong.
    Get that stuff in the water supply for potable water installations and power station cooling systems
    and you are digging out - ( and this is no exaggeration) up to 30 ton a day - especially on the upper Nile !

    Used to let the camel herders graze the beasts on the leaves and then burn the stalks
    'orrible stuff !

    Never realised that the fibres were useable - shit - could have set up a nice little sideline there


  23. #23
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    Quote Originally Posted by Happyman
    Never realised that the fibres were useable - shit - could have set up a nice little sideline there
    I was at a furniture expo a few years ago at BITEC, I think. I thought at the time that it sounded interesting as most folks would pay you to pick up the stuff (water hyacinth).

  24. #24
    Thailand Expat terry57's Avatar
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    Great thread, cheers.

  25. #25
    Cacoethes scribendi
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    Good thread and some inviting pictures, I will have to go there myself.

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