The Chao Phraya river is an important waterway for transport of the nation’s traditional exports of teak and rice from south to Bangkok but at the present, the less bulky commodities are now moved overland by road or rail though for centuries, the Thai people made use of the Chao Phraya and the canals (Klongs) system for drainage, fishing, recreation and as a source of water.

The reason as to why, it is a great tourist attraction in Bangkok is because a cruise along the river and some canals on the thonburi side is the most pleasant way to explore the city once dubbed as “Venice of the East”.

The view on the river is breathtaking as you get to see the major buildings of Bangkok that are built along the river and because of the traffic in Bangkok, it is also one of the fastest way of transport in Bangkok depending on where you are going and you can access some of the major international hotels on the river even Khoasan Road can be accessed on the Chao Phraya River, so don’t forget to visit it while in Bangkok.

The Khlong Saen Saep is the main canal route similar to the kind of service of the river express boat and there is also a similar service operated by the long-tail boats, which is more frequent and slightly more expensive (around 5 baht to 15 baht). They may be a little bit difficult to get on and off as you have to step under a bar directly into the seat as compared to the river express boats but they are worse traveling with because of the price.

Now, let me outline the reasons why I like to travel some sometimes on the canal boats while in Bangkok. They are the quickest as there is no traffic on the canals and the Klong Saen Saep boats offer a useful service from Banglampu, a walking distance from (Khaosan Road), all the way across the city to Ramkhamhaeng University area.

Visitors and tourists will enjoy the following stops because it easy and fast to get to Tha Banglumpu/ Tha Phanfa, The Saphan Hua Chang, near Jim Thompson’s house and the MBK shopping. You will also find that getting to Tha Pratunam, off the Ratchprarop road near the world trade center very useful and Tha Asok, off Asok road Sukhumvit soi 21) and off soi Ekkamai off Sukhumvit road.

This is one of my favorite ways to get across town and quick, there isn’t enough information of this because it is mainly used by the local people but occasionally, you will find some tourists or foreign people living in Bangkok, so the next time you are in Bangkok, why not try to travel on the Canal boat because it is fast, cheap and the experience, you will take with you.

To use one, just walk up to them and state your destination and usually, prices are up for negotiation but generally cheaper than meter taxis and tuk-tuks for short journeys and a little bit more expensive for longer cross-city trips.

Motorbike taxis are very advantageous over other forms of transport in Bangkok because of there speed and usefulness in beating Bangkok’s perpetual traffic jams as the drivers spend most of their time in a relatively limited area of town near their stations and they often have an excellent knowledge of the nearby back streets and short cuts, and they know the local area better than taxi drivers.

Most of the clientele of the motorbike taxis are the local Thais but even a tourist is late somewhere, can have the use of the motorbike because of it’s advantages but remember it might be a terrifying experience because of the way the drivers weave in and out of the traffic, so hold on tight and for a longer distance, make sure that you are given an helmet.

The BRT is an interesting concept. The bus is not your conventional bus. It has its own dedicated lane and looks more like a cross between a tram and a bus. However, it is a really convenient way to get around the Sathorn area as it does not have to contend with other traffic. The BRT has the luxury of being able to run to a set schedule unlike the public buses in the city.

Passengers purchase their tickets at the ticket counter. The cost varies depending on where you want to go. At the terminal station in Sathorn there is even an air-conditioned waiting area for passengers to cool off in while they wait for the BRT to arrive. The BRT itself is also air-conditioned and has both seats and standing room.

The BRT is very foreigner-friendly as there are English maps and announcements prior to arriving at each station.

A good place to head is Phrom Phong. BTS. There are a number of excellent coffee shops around here. One of the top picks is a small little place called Ohana Café, which is located in soi 24. This café has a slight Hawaiian influence, and serves quality cups of Hawaiian coffee. I must admit, that I do have a sweet tooth, so I opted for an affagato. The rich Hawaiian coffee came served in a French press, and was poured over a delicious dollop of real vanilla icecream. The taste was simply beautiful, with the rich, aromatic coffee, and the slightly sweet vanilla icecream. It was a perfect way to escape the Bangkok heat.

While you’re here, take the time to sample one of the delicious desserts. Like the coffee, you actually get real taste here, not just the taste of sugar. The chocolate brownie tastes like chocolate, and the strawberry waffles come with lots of big, ripe strawberries, not just strawberry syrup. I know this seems trivial to many people, but for those of us who have been living in Bangkok for some time, believe me, this is a rarity!

If you turn left when you get off the ferry and then walk straight, you’ll soon come across an intriguing little lane way full of fantastic Thai restaurants. Right down the end of this lane is the Patravadi Theatre, a famous restaurant run by a well-known Thai actress. This restaurant is renowned for its delicious meals, as well as its top-quality theatre performances which entertain diners on weekends. This is a great place to come to, as the theatre sponsor young children to develop their performing arts skills, so not only can you enjoy a great meal and entertainment, your money is also going towards a good cause as well.

You can grab a bargain on clothes and accessories here, but be sure to bargain in order to get the best deal! Tha Prachan Pier is also famous for its buddist amulet stores, and the streets around the pier and the main market area are lined with stalls selling all kinds of trinkets and religious items.

There is a wonderfully eclectic mix of people around the Tha Prachan Pier. Students from next door Thammasat University frequent the pier, as do local workers, monks and visitors from all over. The area is often quite busy and congested, but all who come to see this place would agree that this only adds to the atmosphere of Tha Prachan. To get there, walk past Thammasat University, and take a right turn when you reach the corner of the university. Head straight down to the end of the road and you will see the market area in front of you.

Many people find the summer season far too hot, whilst newcomers to Thailand find the monsoon season humid and sticky. Generally, it only rains for two or three hours a day during the monsoon season, usually in the early morning and then again around 5 pm.

Most people prefer to visit Thailand between November and February, when the weather is dry and relatively cool and the beaches are at their best. This is also when most of Thailand’s festivals take place.

The peak tourist season is from November to late March, with a secondary peak season in July and August. However, this is also naturally when accommodation is the most expensive. People wishing to save money and avoid the crowds would do well to visit during September and October, when the fear of rain keeps most tourists away.

Central Thailand and the East
Often roasting during the summer (40◦C is not unusual), it rarely gets cold in the capital and surrounding area. If you want to beat the heat and the often torrential rain of the monsoon season, it is best to visit between November and February, with the coolest weather usually in January.

When I first arrived in Thailand I was delighted to discover that the pad thai I had enjoyed in London for £5 could be bought for as little as 20 Baht – 35p! Not only that, but the delicious dish can be sampled right on Khaosan Road, allowing you to soak up the atmosphere while you eat. Of course, the price varies according to the quality of ingredients and where you eat it, but a large serving of pad thai made with quality ingredients can be bought for 40 or 50 Baht, which is still less than £1.

I quickly discovered that the ingredients, flavours and presentation of pad thai dishes vary significantly between restaurants and areas. Before long I had sampled the dish at most of the restaurants in my area of Bangkok and found my favourite places to eat.

I have found that the tastiest pad thai is located not in fancy restaurants but in small, traditional Thai restaurants or from carts on the street. Eating on the street also provides the opportunity for people watching, always a welcome diversion.

One of my favourite places to eat and watch the world go by is on Soi Rambhutri in the heart of Bangkok’s Banglampu. Here, the blend of Thai people, seasoned travelers and hapless tourists makes interesting and often comical entertainment.

Noodles were first brought to Thailand by Chinese immigrants. They also brought chopsticks and woks, essential equipment for enjoying pad thai. However, Thai people traditionally eat rice three times a day and noodles were overlooked for a long time.

The Prime Minister of Thailand, Luang Phibunsongkhram; introduced pad thai and made it a national dish during World War II. Thailand was faced with a rice shortage and budget crises at this time and the Prime Minister promoted the eating of pad thai to combat the problem.

Today, pad thai is enjoyed all over Thailand and indeed all over the world. It is loved by Westerners because it is not spicy like many other Thai dishes and can be eaten at any time of the day or night.

The Bangkok Mass Transport System – usually called the BTS or Skytrain – began operation on December 5, 1999. it is an elevated metro, consisting of two lines and 23 stations. For people wishing to explore the center of Bangkok, the Skytrain offers a fast, pollution-free service and a different vantage point.

The average journey costs 10-30 baht, much cheaper than a taxi or tuk-tuk. The automatic ticket machines only take 5 and 10 baht coins, so take plenty of change if you want to avoid queuing at the change counter. You can also purchase a day ticket, which offers unlimited trips for just 120 baht.

Called Rot Fai Fah in Thai – car with fire up in the air – the Skytrain connects with areas such as Siam, Sukhumvit and Silom. The best way to experience the Skytrain from Khaosan Road is to take the ferry from pier 13 to Saphan Taksin, which connects with the last stop on the Silom line. It is good to note that the stations on the Skytrain use a slightly different phonetic spelling to usually seen on maps and signs around Bangkok. Try saying the words aloud and if they sound similar then you’re on the right track.