| rivers and canals referred to maenam and khlong in thai have always
been vital forms of communication. when the capital of thailand was moved
to bangkok in 1782 (the beginning of the rattanakosin period), the capital
was laced with canals, so bangkok was sometimes called the "venice
of the east" by european visitors. in the past, bangkokians usually
settled by the chao phraya river and gradually spread into the core of
the country. as you will see traces of the early rattanakosin period such
as architecture and traditional ways of life have been left by the river
more than in the inland areas. besides, waterways at that time were the
most important means of transportation and trading as well. nowadays,
even though bangkok has become a modern city, the chao phraya river as
well as the canals are still charming for whoever wishes to seek the peaceful
atmosphere amidst bustling bangkok.
trip along the chao phraya river
boat services on the chao phraya river which connect bangkok with the
northern neighbouring province of nonthaburi are operated by two companies:
laem thong co. ltd., and chao phraya express boat o.ltd.
chao phya express boat's run daily from wat ratsingkhon (a riverside temple
in the yannawa area) to nonthaburi during 5.30 a.m.-6.00 p.m., the fares
range from 4 to 9 baht. during rush hours (6.00-9.00 a.m. and 3.00-6.00
p.m.), the express boat with a red and orange striped flag runs along
the same route and stops only at main piers. the fare is 10 baht throughout
the route. for more information please call 222-5330.
visitors wishing to travel to pak kret are able to connect laem thong's
boat at nonthaburi pier. the service is operated daily during 5.45 a.m.-5.45
p.m.
on both sides of the chao phraya river, a tourist can see many magnificent
temples and architectural buildings including the first presbyterian church,
the royal thai navy dockyard, the thai maritime navigation company, the
old customs house, wat prayunwong, wat arun, the grand palace, wat rakhang
kositaram, and the royal boat house.
when arriving at pak kret, tourists can travel further to ko kret, a small
island in the chao phraya river. a river ferry leaves wat sanam nua, which
is located within a short walking distance from pak kret pier during 6.00
a.m.-9.00 p.m. the fare is 2 baht. returning to pak kret, visitors are
able to catch a small long-tail boat at any pier around the island for
5 baht. the atmosphere surrounding the pier is very calm.
attractions on ko kret are as follows
-
pottery village is located along the pathway around
the island. there are some huts where visitors are able to see through
the pottery making process. villagers make various kinds of earthen
products for daily use such as pots, mortars, and flowerpots. this
is the oldest and biggest source of earthenware in nonthaburi province.
in the village, there is the ancient mon pottery centre where pottery
in various style is exhibited.
-
wat paramai yikawat was constructed in mon style
over 200 years ago. king rama v commanded to renovate the monastery
dedicated to his grandmother and to construct phra maha raman chedi
(a chedi in mon style) to house buddha relics. the principal buddha
of the monastery is carved with marble in mon style, so it is also
called "wat mon" (mon temple).
-
wat phai lom is well-known for the magnificent bot
(ordination hall) in the ayutthaya style. some parts have been changed
due to renovation. behind the bot, there is a chedi in mon style.
-
wat sao thong thong houses an old ayutthaya style
chedi and was the first secondary school in pak kret.
besides, there are many other interesting ancient monasteries most
of which were constructed in the mon and the ayutthaya styles.
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