Long Tailed Boats and the Kongs

One of our recommended trips for visitors to Bangkok is to take a boat around the klongs (canals) of Bangkok. This gives a fascinating insight into local life in Bangkok. The fact that people live alongside, on and in these klongs offers some fascinating sights. The trip usually starts on the Chao Phraya river vith a visit to Wat Arun ( The Temple of Dawn) and then you head of down the klongs in a long tailed boat which traditionally have there prows adorned with (now mostly plastic) garlands. These boats normally have huge, unenclosed V8 engines with a long propeller attached (hence the name long tailed!) and they are capable of blasting along the river at tremendous speeds. Fortunately, they tend to go rather slower around the klongs. Unless you pursuade the driver otherwise, you will generally get to see various “sights” such as a snake farm, fish feeding floating vendors etc. Whatever, it is a trip worth doing.