The canals of Bangyai, suburban Bangkok

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24-10-2009, 03:18 PM
Bangyai

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

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...rthday_019.jpg

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...rthday_020.jpg

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.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...rthday_021.jpg

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

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...rthday_023.jpg

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

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...rthday_025.jpg

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...canals_004.jpg

Always plenty of catfish here looking for an easy meal

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...canals_003.jpg

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

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...rthday_026.jpg

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...rthday_027.jpg

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

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...rthday_028.jpg

Plenty of quiet backwaters branching of this big canal.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...canals_019.jpg

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...canals_014.jpg

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.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...rthday_035.jpg

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

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...rthday_031.jpg

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

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...rthday_030.jpg

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.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...rthday_040.jpg

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

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...canals_010.jpg

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

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...canals_001.jpg

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.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...canals_011.jpg

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...canals_017.jpg

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

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...canals_016.jpg

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

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...canals_008.jpg
24-10-2009, 04:00 PM
jarne

very good

a bit different from the urban bangkok we see
24-10-2009, 04:06 PM
daveboy

Very different Bangkok there.
24-10-2009, 04:20 PM
Stinky

Nice views of Bangkok, I had no Idea the place these places exsisted, I must take more time to look around.
24-10-2009, 04:23 PM
shunpike

Nice pix..looks like a great area for cycling.
24-10-2009, 05:14 PM
The Fresh Prince

Nice.:)
24-10-2009, 06:30 PM
Bangyai

Quote:

Originally Posted by shunpike

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 :)
24-10-2009, 07:04 PM
The Fresh Prince

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bangyai

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

:rofl::rofl: Class!
24-10-2009, 07:23 PM
aging one

excellent thread, very well done. Looks cooler out there as well. Gotta go have a look. Its a lot closer than Phuket.
24-10-2009, 09:16 PM
Ghandi

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
25-10-2009, 11:53 AM
Bangyai

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.

https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...canals_007.jpg
25-10-2009, 12:15 PM
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.
25-10-2009, 02:31 PM
klongmaster

Actually there are many companies making this kind of futniture...
looks quite nice...
https://teakdoor.com/images/smilies1/You_Rock_Emoticon.gif

good thread BY:...
25-10-2009, 02:32 PM
Marmite the Dog

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.

https://teakdoor.com/images/imported/2009/10/2462.jpg
25-10-2009, 02:51 PM
crippen

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bangyai

Quote:

Originally Posted by shunpike

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!:chitown:
25-10-2009, 03:02 PM
Chairman Mao

Gotta head for a ride up there one day. (wish I saw this yesterday as I'd be riding up there now).
26-10-2009, 09:43 PM
Kapilvastu

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.
27-10-2009, 08:01 AM
loz944

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
27-10-2009, 08:18 AM
Bobcock

Nonthaburi...... almost a different country if you listen to Scampy....
27-10-2009, 10:37 AM
thai-papa-jim

GReat pictures and information. Thanks.
27-10-2009, 01:23 PM
natalie8

Great thread, BY. The back roads near Klong Prapa are nice too.
27-10-2009, 01:42 PM
Happyman

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.

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

:grumpy:
27-10-2009, 04:57 PM
shunpike

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).
27-10-2009, 07:25 PM
terry57

Great thread, cheers.
28-10-2009, 04:32 AM
Loombucket

Good thread and some inviting pictures, I will have to go there myself.
17-11-2009, 01:08 PM
English Noodles

Dailymotion - Bangkok Canals - a Travel video
17-11-2009, 01:10 PM
English Noodles

Chairman is a tool.
17-11-2009, 01:14 PM
Chairman Mao

You're a tool.
17-11-2009, 01:18 PM
English Noodles

Why you say that you nasty sod?
17-11-2009, 01:22 PM
Chairman Mao

wow, never saw those pics before. :rolleyes:
17-11-2009, 01:27 PM
English Noodles

What pics? I thought the video was funny, like an old porno movie with no porn.
17-11-2009, 01:33 PM
Chairman Mao

Quote:

Originally Posted by English Noodles

What pics?

The ones in your photographic slideshow. From the pics in the OP.

Quote:

I thought the video was funny,

quite the life you lead.

and what video? :rolleyes:
17-11-2009, 01:35 PM
English Noodles

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chairman Mao

The ones in your photographic slideshow. From the pics in the OP.

No my slide show, I just linked to it. Looks like it was made by some cat named Jomtien Cafe.
17-11-2009, 01:44 PM
Chairman Mao

Quote:

cat

You half black Harlem pimp now too? Anyway, no point blocking up this nice thread any more.
17-11-2009, 01:49 PM
Bangyai

Quote:

Originally Posted by English Noodles

Dailymotion - Bangkok Canals - a Travel video

I wonder if I'll get royalties.?? I'll take them standing up or lying down subject to a quick peek of the merchandise being offered in exchange.

Hmmm.... 5 views already. 2 of 'em mine one from EN and one from CM. Exciting stuff........zzzzzzzz.
27-05-2011, 01:40 AM
Bangyai

Just found this link for anyone who fancies a bicycle tour of Bangyai.

Klong Bangyai - CBKK

Mind you, 4,900 for one person seems a bit steep. When the BTS arrives in a couple of years you can bring your own bike and do it yourself. :)
27-05-2011, 10:34 AM
Yemen

Thanks for the thread BY. Great and well presented.