The Chao Phraya was dubbed the ‘River of Kings’ by King Rama and before the network of highways appeared, various settlements throughout the nation relied on the River as their only link.

Present Status

More than 50,000 people still utilise the river as part of their commute, and its significance has only waned slightly as the times have passed. You’ll still find many wooden shacks floating over the river as well.

Man-Made Modifications

During the Ayuthaya period, the river underwent a series of modifications. Many canals were built that provided shortcuts to bypass the various loops and bends of the river. These range from 2km to ones that are longer than 10km.

Boats and Ferries

There are many options at your disposal to explore the Chao Phraya River. You can opt for a normal express ferry, or if you’re hoping for something a bit more luxurious, you can always go on a luxurious Bangkok cruise tour conducted by entities such as Anantara Cruises.

Fish

The Chao Phraya Basin is home to more than 280 species of fish, so you can actually witness a bounty of marine life by exploring the river. Due to human influence, many kinds of species have become extinct.

Damon Starky is a creative nomadic travel writer, who is well informed and experienced on a wide range of interests that would connect to the needs of any type of traveler. Google+