Khlong Saen Saeb also known as Khlong Saen Saep is a canal (Khlong) in central Thailand, connecting the Chao Phraya River to Prachin Buri and Chachoengsao. An express boat service operates on the Saen Saeb, providing fast, inexpensive transportation in traffic-congested central Bangkok. The service has a checkered reputation, due to the polluted water in the Khlong and the haphazard nature in which the service is operated.

Canal Boat Bangkok

Boats are a convenient and interesting way to get around Bangkok. They can be intimidating at first but once you figure out the routes and the rules they are very easy to use. There are two boat systems in Bangkok. One I mentioned before which is the Chao Phraya River Boat System (Chao Phraya Tourist Boat – One Day River Pass) and another one is the Canal Boat System. Chao Phraya River boats run express or local and travel either inside the city center or beyond it. Different colored flags let riders know which boat they are boarding. One the other hand, canal boats, also called Khlong boats, run on Bangkok’s major canals.

Khlong Saen Saep Boat Service

The service runs between Pom Prap Sattru Phai and Bang Kapi districts in Bangkok. At Pratunam pier in PathumWan/Ratchathewi districts is an interchange between the northern line, which terminates at the Golden Mount (Panfa Leelard (W4) Talad Bobae Pier), and the southern line which terminates at NIDA, where passengers must change boats. Boats go past Watthana and Huai Khwang districts, running parallel to Petchaburi Road.

The 18 km route is served by 100 boats of 40-50 seats, and operates daily from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Prices are below 30 Baht, depending on distance travelled. A fare collector will come around to you to sell you a ticket. His/her English may be limited, but he/she will know the main spots. The price is cheap but sometimes canal boat piers can be difficult to find because the canals are not always obvious from the street. Most importantly, the boats make stops very quickly so there is not a lot of time to get on and off. Move quickly and follow the lead of the people around you.

Sister and I took the Canal boat from Pratunam Pier to Sapan KlongTun (E13) The Mall Ram Pier for the first time. We thought to save some money on transportation but we were lost. Then, we spent about 100 Baht taking Taxi back to our hotel. It was really tiring searching the way home but it was quite fun too. Moral of the story, take BTS. However, try it if you would like to experience the city like a local as a traveler who is simply passing by. New experience is an important part of growing up. You need not worry about getting lost in Bangkok. You can always hop into a Taxi.