Khlong Bangkok Yai (, ; lit: 'Big Bangkok Canal') is a historic ''

khlong A ''khlong'' (, ), alternatively spelt as ''klong'' () commonly refers to a canal in Thailand. These canals are spawned by the rivers Chao Phraya, Tha Chin, and Mae Klong, along with their tributaries particularly in the low-lying areas of ce ...

'' (คลอง; canal) of

Bangkok Bangkok, officially known in Thai language, Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon and colloquially as Krung Thep, is the capital and most populous city of Thailand. The city occupies in the Chao Phraya River delta in central Thailand and has an estim ...

. The current length is 6 km (about 3 mi), through various canals as far as it terminates when it meets Khlong Mon near the confluence of three canals, Khlong Chak Phra, Khlong Mon and Khlong Bang Chueak Nang. In total, the canal passes through three districts, namely Bangkok Yai,

Thon Buri __NOTOC__ Thonburi () is an area of modern Bangkok. During the era of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya, its location on the right (west) bank at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River had made it an important garrison town, which is reflected in its name: ...

and Phasi Charoen.

History

The course of Khlong Bangkok Yai was originally a meandering part of the

Chao Phraya River The Chao Phraya River is the major river in Thailand, with its low alluvial plain forming the centre of the country. It flows through Bangkok and then into the Gulf of Thailand. Etymology Written evidence of the river being referred to by the ...

, which used to be longer than in the present day. Those who travel by boat must cruise along the river, which took more than one day. In the reign of King Chairachathirat (1534–46) of the

Ayutthaya Kingdom The Ayutthaya Kingdom or the Empire of Ayutthaya was a Thai people, Thai kingdom that existed in Southeast Asia from 1351 to 1767, centered around the city of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya (city), Ayutthaya, in Siam, or present-day Thailand. Europe ...

, he ordered the construction of a canal bypassing a loop of the Chao Phraya River, known as ''Khlong Lat Bangkok'' (คลองลัดบางกอก; 'Bangkok Short-Cut Canal'), thus reducing travel times. The Chao Phraya then changed course along the new canal, and the old course became what is known today as Khlong Bangkok Yai (lower section) and Khlong Bangkok Noi (upper section). left, 280px, View from Phra Nakhon side, the waterway was flanked by Wichai Prasit Fort (right) and Wat Kalayanamitr (left) is the mouth of Khlong Bangkok Yai">Wat_Kalayanamitr.html" ;"title="Wichai Prasit Fort (right) and Wat Kalayanamitr">Wichai Prasit Fort (right) and Wat Kalayanamitr (left) is the mouth of Khlong Bangkok Yai In the reign of King Taksin (1767–82) of the Thonburi Kingdom, he founded the new capital, Thonburi, on the west side of the Chao Phraya River. The banks of Khlong Bangkok Yai became the residence of many people, including much of the nobility, giving rise to the names ''Khlong Bang Luang'' or ''Khlong Bang Kha Luang'' (คลองบางหลวง, คลองบางข้าหลวง; 'Canal of Nobles'). Khlong Bangkok Yai was also the first canal in Thailand to have lampposts installed. Khlong Bangkok Yai is now a

waterway A waterway is any Navigability, navigable body of water. Broad distinctions are useful to avoid ambiguity, and disambiguation will be of varying importance depending on the nuance of the equivalent word in other ways. A first distinction is ...

and

drainage Drainage is the natural or artificial removal of a surface's water and sub-surface water from an area with excess water. The internal drainage of most agricultural soils can prevent severe waterlogging (anaerobic conditions that harm root gro ...

. It is also a major site of

cultural tourism Cultural tourism is a type of tourism in which the visitor's essential motivation is to learn, discover, experience and consume the cultural attractions and products offered by a tourist destination. These attractions and products relate to the ...

of Bangkok. There are many houses of worship on both sides, such as Wat Molilokayaram, Wat Hongratanaram, Wat Nuannoradit, Wat Kalayanamitr,

Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen (, ) is a royal ''wat'' ('temple') located in Phasi Charoen district, Bangkok, at the Chao Phraya River. It is part of the Maha Nikaya fraternity and is the origin of the Dhammakaya tradition. It is a large and popula ...

, Wat Kuhasawan, Bang Luang Mosque,

Tonson Mosque The Ton Son Mosque () is a historic Sunni mosque, located on the left bank of Khlong Bangkok Yai canal, Wat Arun Subdistrict, Yai District of Bangkok, in Thonburi, Thailand. The mosque is situated opposite the Wat Moli Lokayaram temple, and ...

, and Kudi Charoenphat, and also historic places such as Khlong Bang Luang Artist House,

Talat Phlu Talat Phlu or Talad Phlu (, ) is a community and marketplace by the canal Khlong Bangkok Yai in Talat Phlu subdistrict, Thon Buri district, Thonburi side of Bangkok. History and present The history of Talat Phlu dates back to the reign of K ...

Wichai Prasit Fort The fortifications of Bangkok consist of several series of defensive structures built to protect the city during the late Ayutthaya Kingdom, Ayutthaya to early Rattanakosin Kingdom, Rattanakosin periods. The earliest structures were built when Ba ...

References

{{coord, 13, 46, 45.3, N, 100, 27, 46.6, E, display=title Canals in Thailand Bangkok Yai district Thon Buri district Phasi Charoen district History of Bangkok Tourist attractions in Bangkok Chao Phraya River

History

See also

References