Krung Thep – Bangkok

Bangkok is located at Chao Phraya River Delta, also known as Krung-Thep Maha Nakhon. But usually called Krung-Thep among Thais or Thai speakers. Which means ‘City of Angels’.

• • Bangkok was a small village on the west bank of Chao Phraya River, also an important trading port during Ayutthaya period
  • The capital was established at the west bank of Chao Phraya River, during King Taksin era of Thonburi Kingdom 1767 – 1782, which covers approximately in today’s Bangkok Noi, Bangkok Yai and Thon Buri areas
  • The official foundation date of Bangkok is in year 1782, when King Rama I underwent coronation
  • In 1784 the Emerald Buddha was transferred from Wat Arun to Wat Phra Kaew
  • In 1785, King Rama I named the new city “Rattanakosin”, means the “Jewel of Indra” which referring to the Emerald Buddha in Wat Phra Kaew
  •  In 1906, Krung-Thep Maha Nakhon was formalized by King Chulalongkorn
  • in 1972 with the formation of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration established the current city boundary
  • Canals and water way network were the primary mode of transport in Bangkok during the early days. Construction of modern roads was started only in late 19th century
  •  Most of the population were living along the rivers and canals, thus also renowned as “Venice of the East”

Chao Phraya River and Bangkok

Most of the rivers in northern Thailand, including Ping River and Nan River, flow southward, converge and form Chao Phraya River in Nakhon Sawan province. Contrary, Tha Chin River diverged from Chao Phraya River main stream at Chai Nat province and flows through Suphan Buri, Nakhon Pathom and Samut Sakhon provinces. Discharging to the gulf of Thailand at Samut Sakhon, Samut Sakhon was formerly known as Tha Chin, literally means Chinese Port. Chao Phraya River flows through Pathom Thani, Nonthaburi, Bangkok & Samut Prakan before discharging to the gulf of Thailand.

These neighboring provinces namely, Samut Sakhon, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthburi, Pathom Thani and Samut Prakan, surrounding Bangkok form the well known Greater Bangkok Metropolitan in 1972, included into the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.

Chao Phraya River at Taksin Bridge 2 | by Supanut Arunoprayote[/caption]

On the basins of Chao Phraya River rose the earliest civilizations in the south east Asia, since Ayutthaya period. Ayutthaya is estimated to have been the largest city in the world in 18th century, with a population around one million. Trade flourished with the influx of large numbers of Chinese immigrants, who brought in workers, merchants, agriculture, and craftsmen. This facilitated cross-regional trade with many Asians and Europeans.

As early as 17th century, people live along both sides of Chao Phraya River and Tha Chin River, the main streams and the tributaries  rivers/canals. Many distributaries of the Chao Phraya delta and Tha Chin basin are interconnected by canals that serve both for irrigation and for transportation. Several shortcut canals were constructed to bypass large loops in the river, at the lower Chao Phraya stream, hortsening the trip and to improve boats navigation easier. Such as Kret Island, called Ko Kret in Thai, actually was formed after the river shortening engineering works done.

Thonburi kingdom was founded by Taksin the Great in 1767, who reunited Siam following the collapse of the Ayutthaya Kingdom due to Burmese invasion.

Only lasted for 14 years, Thonburi Kingdom was succeeded by General Chakri after a coup d’état in 1782. Who subsequently founded the Rattanakosin Kingdom as Rama-I. In the same year, he moves the capital from Thonburi – today’s Thonburi area where the Wat Arun located,
to its eastern side of Chao Phraya River known as Rattanakosin Island, to ensure protection from the Burmese invasion coming from western.  Rattanakosin Island is where the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew situated.

Upon political and economic influence into Siam Kingdom from the west in the mid 19 century, Charoen Krung Road – the first road constructed with modern methods from the west, completed in 1864. Which marked a major change in Bangkok’s transportation and urbanization, started changing the transport mode from traditional waterway to land.

Today, Chao Phraya remains as a major transportation artery, with more than 15 boat lines operate on the rivers and canals, complement the congested land transport of the city. The network of river buses, cross-river ferries, and longtails boat water taxis, not only for commuter services, but also for recreation purposes.

Chareon Krung Road

Starts in Phra Nakhon district near Wat Pho and Wat Phra Kaew, Charoen Krung Road stretches from Rattanakosin Island running eastward and inline with MRT Blue Line, Sam Yot station (BL30) and Mangkon station (BL29), till the intersection at Song Sawat Road.

Chareon Krung Road also in parallel with Yaowarat Road in Chinatown area, meeting Yaowarat Road at the Chinatown Gate roundabout in Samphangthawong district. Where Wat Tramit is on the left and the Chinatown Gate is on the right. Immediately after the roundabout, forms a cross-junction with Song Wat Road and Khao Ram Road.

Further extends southward through Talat Noi area, Crossover Phadung Krung Kasem Canal and enter Bang Rak district, then passes the State Tower Bangkok, which is also known as Sky Bar, from its right. Then, start turning south-west and pass through underneath of BTS green-line at Inter-section of N Sathon Road. Turning further west to the south-west direction at Chan Road intersection, crossover Kruai Canal and Khwang Canal, before passes by Asiatique on the right, Chareon Krung 93 Alley and Chareon Krung 99 Alley on the left before crossing Suan Luang canal.

Finally ended in Bang Kho Laem district and forms a T-junction with Rama 3 Road. Total distance of about 8 killometers from Rattanakosin in Phra Nakhon to Bang Kho Laem district.

Mae Klong Railway Line

Mae Klong Railway Line is divided into two sections by Tha Chin River at Samut Sakhon province. The first section of the 33 kilometer called Mahachai Line running from Bangkok – Wongwian Yai station (originally Pak Khlong San station) in Thon Buri district to Samut Sakhon – Mahachai station, opened in year 1904, which is also known as Eastern Line.  The second section of 34 kilometer from Ban Laem station to Mae Klong station, was called Ban Laem Line, which is also known as Western Line. Mae Klong Railway was initially used to transport cargoes from the fishing ports of Samut Sakhon and Samut Songkram provinces, to the markets in Bangkok.  

Connection between Maha Chai station and Ban Laem station is either by ferry, or alternatively by road via route 35. Ferry Services Connect Maha Chai train station and Ban Laem train station is the ferry between Ferry Pier (Mahachai – Tha Chalom) and Tha Chalom Pier across Tha Chin river.

The name Mae Klong Railway Line derived from the Mae Klong river originated in Kanchanaburi Province – the infamous of The Bridge on the River Kwai. Mae Klong Railway is very famous with its unique “Umbrella Pulldown Market” on the Mae Klong Railway’s track before the terminus at Mae Klong station across the road called Phet Samut. Every time the train comes, sellers along the track will pull down their umbrellas to give way to the train to pass.

Maps – Mae Klong Railway Line

Mae Klong Trains Timetable

My Bangkok Trip 2024