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TRIP ALONG THE CHAO PHRAYA
RIVER
Boat services on the Chao Phraya River
which connect Bangkok with the northern neighboring
province of Nonthaburi are operated by two companies:
Laem Thong Co. Ltd., and Chao Phraya Express
Boat Co.Ltd.
Chao Phaya Express Boat's run daily from Wat
Ratsingkhon (a riverside temple in the Yannawa
area) to Nonthaburi during 5.30 a.m.-6-OO 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 Center where pottery in various
style is exhibited.
Wat Paramal Ylkawat 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 Phal 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.
TRIP ALONG KHLONG BANGKOK
NOI - KHLONG BANG YAI
A boat service is operated during 6.30
a.m.-11-OO p.m. The boats depart from Tha Chang
every half an hour until 11.00 a.m. They leave
the pier when there are enough passengers. The
boat fare is 30 Baht per person. It takes 50
minutes to Bang Yai, a district in Nonthaburi.
Attractions along Khiong
Bangkok Noi are as follows:
The Royal Barge National Museum exhibits
royal barges and their ornaments used for waterborne
state ceremonies which have been held occasionally
since the Sukhothai period. During the Ayutthaya
period, a procession was held for the royal
Kathin ceremony at the end of the rainy season
in order to carry the kings to their royal monasteries
to offer robes and other monastic paraphernalia
to the monks.
The museum is open everyday during 9.00 a.m.
- 5.00 p.m., close on 31 st December -1st January.
Admission fee is 30 Baht.
Wat Suwannaram is a big royal monastery constructed
during the reign of King Rama I and was subsequently
renovated during the reign of King Rama III.
Inside the bot, there are murals depicting the
jataka, deities and the Buddha image in Subduing
Mara Posture. These works of art of the early
Rattanakosin period (1 9th century) are considered
as the best surviving mural painting in Bangkok.
Wat Si Sudaram or Wat Chi Pakhao was built
during the Ayutthaya period and was renovated
by King Rama I. The temple houses some interesting
buildings including Tarn Nak Daeng (a pavilion).
Sala Kan Parian (a sermon hall) , and the residence
of Sunthon Phu (the greatest poet of the Rattanakosin
period). Moreover, visitors can enjoy feeding
a number of freshwater fish here.
Wat Chalo is assumed to have been constructed
during the Sukhothai period as some Buddha images
in Sukhothai style were found in front of the
bot.
Wat Pho Bang O is a monastery constructed during
the reign of King Rama III. The top of the bot
was made of wood; mural painting inside the
bot was made during the existence of the Nonthaburi
school of painting.
Wat Bang 0l Chang houses a 200-year-old Buddha
sole, which was found by Phra Khru Nawa Kam
Koson (the first abbot of this monastery) while
traveling in Phitsanuloke province during 1986
A.D.
Wat Kaeo Fa is an ancient temple located in
an open area next to Khiong Bangkok Noi. According
to archaeologists, many buildings and art objects
here were constructed in the Ayutthaya style;
for example; the Ubosot, the Buddha image, the
boundary stones, the boundary wall, the chedi
behind the bot and the chedi with 12 cornered
indented pillar. The monastery later was renovated
during the Rattanakosin period.
Wat Prasat was built during the Late Ayutthaya
period. The monastery is well-known for its
well-preserved mural painting made by artisans
of the Nonthaburi school, and the gable made
of carved timber. Visitors who come along by
boat have to walk about 2 kilometers through
orchards from the pier.
Wat Amphawan was constructed during the Late
Ayutthaya period. This temple houses Ho Trai
(a hall for keeping scriptures) which is situated
in the middle of a pond. The building was made
of wood in magnificent Thai style.
TRIP ALONG KHLONG BANG
YAI - KHLONG OM - NONTHABURI
After arriving at Bang Yai (a district
in Nonthaburi), travelers who expect to continue
the trip to Nonthaburi can catch another taxi
boat at Wat Sao Thong Hin pier which is situated
within a walking distance from Bang Yai pier.
The boat service is operated during 4.00 a.m.-8.00
p.m. It takes 15-20 minutes. The fare is 12
Baht/person. Next to Wat Sao Thong Hin, Wat
Rat Prakhong Tham has a three-top building which
houses a huge reclining Buddha image.
Along the route, visitors are able to enjoy
the peaceful scenery and waterway life along
Khiong Om. Houses along both sides of the canal
look very tidy. Almost every house is made of
wood in the same style, Colourful flowers are
also planted along verandahs by the river.
Mit Chao Phraya Express Boat operates another
boat trip on Saturdays during 8.30 a.rn.-12.30
p.m. through Khiong Bangkok Noi, Bang Kruai,
Khiong Om, and stops for sightseeing at the
Royal Barge Museum.
The trip costs 100 Baht/person. For more information,
tel: 225-6179, 623-6169
TRIP ALONG KHLONG DAO
KHANONG - KHLONG BANGKOK YAI - KHLONG BANG CHUAK
NANG -
KHLONG MON - KHLONG CHAK PHRA - KHLONG BANGKOK
NOI
Visitors willing to take a private trip
along this route are able to rent a boat from
Tha Chang at the rate of approximately 400 Baht
per hour. For advance reservations contact Mit
Chao Phraya Co. Ltd. at Tha Chang, Tel: 225-6179,
623-6169 and Si Phraya Trip and Boat Co. Ltd.
at the River City Shopping Complex, Tel: 41
2-0207, 41 2-7644.
ATTRACTIONS ALONG KHLONG
DAO KHANONG
Wat Sai Floating Market should be visited
in the late morning when many boats assemble
for selling souvenirs to visitors.
Snake Farm, 35 minutes from Wat Sai Floating
Market, is another stop for sightseeing and
watching a snake show. The farm is open daily
from 8.30 a.m.- 5.00 p.m.
Wat Pak Nam is famous for amulets and is always
crowded with a number of people who come to
make merit during the weekend.
ATTRACTIONS ALONG KHLONG
BANG CHUAK NANG
Wat Ko houses an old viharn (chapel) which
was registered as an archaeological site.
Orchid Farms grow orchids for sale as cut-flowers.
AN ATTRACTION ALONG KHLONG
CHAK PHRA
Taling Chan Floating Market is held every weekend.
Boats and stalls gather here for selling a variety
of food.
Chao Phraya Chartered Co. Ltd. operates a daily
tour along Khiong Mon - Khiong Bangkok Noi during
2.30-4.30 p.m., leaving the River City Shopping
Complex on Charoen Krung Road. The fare is 360
baht per person including fruit and drinks.
For more information, tel: 622-7657-61 ext.
111
TRIP ALONG THE CHAO PHRAYA
RIVER TO AYUTTHAYA
The luxurious cruise from Bangkok to the former
capital's ruins of Ayutthaya and the Bang Pa-In
Summer Palace are operated every day by the
following companies:
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