(Baonghean.vn) - The Chao Phraya River is known as the mother river in Thailand or the river of kings and gods. 372 km long, the river consists of 77 canals, providing irrigation water for a basin of 157,924 km², accounting for about 35% of the total land area of Thailand. Chao Phraya contains many important historical events and legends of Thailand.
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| In Thailand, the Chao Phraya River is already a popular tourist destination. In Bangkok alone, the Chao Phraya River is an important transportation artery with a large network of ferries and water taxis. |
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| The boat dock behind Wat Yannawa (a unique temple in Thailand because of its boat-shaped shape and built by King Rama III) is one of many tourist boat docks in Bangkok. Here, the river is full of fish, and the shore is full of birds. |
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| Thai people say: The fish in the Mother River, flowing through Bangkok, were previously released by the Queen so no one caught them... Nowadays, when people go to the temple, they all perform the fish release ritual. |
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| Cruising on the Chao Phraya River, visitors can see the entire capital of the Kingdom of Thailand. An old Bangkok with ancient temples, pagodas and skyscrapers, modern shopping areas, bustling Chinatown. |
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| A new Bangkok is constantly urbanizing and expanding with many construction projects and highways. |
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| Besides, there are still slums. The Thai government has repeatedly wanted to clear them and move the people here to modern urban areas, but it has not been possible because it has not yet reached a satisfactory compensation agreement with the people. |
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| Thailand has more than 1,200 large temples. As a country with 95% of the population following Buddhism, temples can be found everywhere. Along the banks of the Chao Phraya River, there are many large, ancient and majestic temples. This is Wat Pra Keaw, where the body of the King of Thailand Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), who passed away on October 13, 2016, is kept during a year of national mourning. |
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| The Royal Thai Marine Corps. One of its duties is to protect the King's barge that cruises the river every three years for the public to see. |
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| A motorboat that specializes in cleaning up trash and duckweed is operating on the Chao Phraya River to ensure the river stays clean. |
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| A rare green space along the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. That lack of greenery is a common feature of all urban areas in Thailand. |
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| In the midst of rich, modern, and prosperous Bangkok, there are still many poor people making a living on the Chao Phraya River. About 50,000 people still use the ferry routes to serve business activities on this river. |
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| Bangkok has five public ferry routes, all operated by the Chao Phraya Ferry Company, that ply the nearly 21km river. |
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| In fact, both water and road traffic in Thailand is not necessarily good. Traffic jams still occur frequently and have become a “specialty” in Bangkok. However, traffic accidents rarely occur because Thai people are conscious of giving way and respecting each other. |
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| Tourists are taken to visit famous Thai tourist attractions along the Chao Phraya River. |
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| Tourists coming to Thailand are often instructed by tour guides to buy a loaf of bread, tear it into small pieces and throw it down to feed the fish. If a silvery white fish floats up to eat your piece of bread, it means you have been blessed with good luck by the fish god. |
Thanh Son
