Essentials:
Opening Hours: 05:30 - 20:30
Price: between 10 and 20 baht, with increments of 2 baht depending on distance
Example fares:
- Paafaa Leelard Pier (Old City) to Sapan Hua Chang (MBK) = 10 baht
- Soi Thonglor to Pratunam = 14 baht
- The Mall Bangkapi to Baan Krua Nua (Jim Thompsons) = 20 baht
Pier Guide:
Here are the most useful or interesting stops along the 18km long route which serves Khlong Saen Saeb.
Phanfa Leelard (start of route)
Location: behind the Mahakan Fort, end of Ratchadamnoen Road, Old City
Come here: to see Mahatthai U-thit Bridge (interesting example of Italian Barocco sculpture), Wat Saket (Temple of the Golden Mount), Democracy Monument, Khao San Road, the Grand Palace.
Talad Bo Bae (Bo Bae Market)
Location: Beside Bo Bae Tower, off Khrung Kasem Road
Come here: for shopping around Bo Bae wholesale clothes market. Stalls line the canal path and there are dilapidated but interesting shophouses and alleyways.
Ban Krua Nua
Location: At the end of narrow soi near BTS National Stadium station
Come here: to visit famous silk entrepreneur Jim Thompson’s House or walk past the rickety wooden homes on the opposite side. Some are home to the weavers who provided silk fabrics to a young Jim Thompson when he was starting out.
Hua Chang Bridge
Location: Beneath Hua Chang Bridge (Elephant Head Bridge), Phayathai Road, near BTS Ratchathewi station
Come here: to shop at Siam Square, Siam Paragon, Siam Discovery or MBK (turn left from pier, then take a short walk or tuk-tuk ride); to visit Jim Thompson’s House (turn right along canal path, walk around 200 metres).
Pratunam Pier (Interchange)
Location: beneath bridge on Ratchadamri Road, just before junction with Petchaburi and Ratchaprarop Roads
Come here: to shop at Pratunam Market, Platinum Fashion mall or Panthip Plaza IT mall (turn right on leaving pier, then first left into Petchaburi Road); to hit nearby malls like CentralWorld, Gaysorn and Erawan (turn left down Ratchadamri Road); or visit the Ganesha, Trimurti (Lovers) or Erawan shrines (turn left down Ratchadamri Road).
Chidlom Pier
Location: beneath bridge, north of Chidlom Road
Come here: to catch the skytrain from Chidlom BTS station, shop at upscale department store Central Chidlom (turn right down Chidlom Road), or enjoy a gourmet meal at one of Lang Suan Road's hi-so restaurants (turn right down Chidlom Road, cross Ploenchit road and continue straight).
Wireless Pier
Location: Beneath Witthaya Bridge, Wireless Road
Come here: to visit the British Embassy (turn left down Wireless Road)
Nana Nua Pier
Location: Beneath Sukhumvit Soi 3 bridge, northern end near Petchaburi Road
Come here: to experience the Midde Eastern/Little African enclave that is Soi 3, to visit sleazy red light district Nana Plaza on Soi 4, to get a check-up at Bumrungrad Hospital (turn right down Soi 3 to find them all)
Asoke Pier
Location: Beneath bridge at junction with Phetchaburi and Asok Road
Come here: to catch the underground (MRT Phetchaburi), visit Siam Society museum and cultural centre, or experience red-light district Soi Cowboy.
Soi Thonglor Pier
Location: Beneath bridge at north end of Soi Thonglor (Sukhumvit 39), near junction with New Petchaburi Road
Come here: to hang with Bangkok's hip urban youth in Thonglor's cafes and boutiques (turn right over bridge), to visit clubbing zone RCA (short taxi ride)
Sapan Klongtun Pier
Location: Beneath bridge, near busy intersection of New Petchaburi and Ramkhamhaeng road
Come here: to catch a taxi to clubbing zone RCA, or Ekkamai Bus Station
The Mall Ramkhamhaeng Pier Come here: to shop at The Mall Ramkhamhaeng, near Rama IX Road intersection.
The Mall Bangkapi Pier Come here: to shop at The Mall Bangkapi
Learn more about khlongs:
Overview, Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem, Khlong Saen Saeb
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