Bangkok & Around - Thailand - page 173

DON'T MISS
BANGKOK'S CANALS

For an up-close view of the city's famed canals, long-tail boats are available for hire at Tha Chang, Tha Tien, Tha
Oriental and Tha Phra Athit. Prices at Tha Chang are the highest and allow little room for negotiation, but you
stand the least chance of being taken for a ride or hit with tips and other unexpected fees.
Trips explore the Thonburi canals Khlong Bangkok Noi and, further south, Khlong Mon , taking in the Royal
Barges National Museum, Wat Arun and a riverside temple with fish feeding. Longer trips diverge into Khlong
Bangkok Yai , further south, which offers more typical canal scenery, including orchid farms. On weekends, you
have the option of visiting the Taling Chan floating market ( Click here ). However, to actually disembark and ex-
plore any of these sights, the most common tour of one hour (1000B, up to eight people) is simply not enough
time and you'll most likely need 1½ (1300B) or two hours (1500B). Most operators have set tour routes, but if
you have a specific destination in mind, you can request it.
If you'd prefer something longer or more personal, Pandan Tour ( 0 2689 1232, 08 7109 8873;
www.thaicanaltour.com ; tours from 1995B) conducts a variety of mostly full-day tours.
A cheaper alternative is to take the commuter long-tail boat (25B; 4.30am-7.30pm) from Tha Chang to

Bang Yai, at the distant northern end of Khlong Bangkok Noi.

Tours
If you would like someone to guide you through Bangkok, recommended outfits include
Tour with Tong ( 08 1835 0240; www.tourwithtong.com ; day tour from 1500B) , whose team conducts
tours in and around Bangkok, and Thai Private Tour Guide ( 08 9661 6706, 08 9822 1798;
www.thaitourguide.com ; day tour from 2000B) , where Ms Pu and TJ get good reviews.

Walking & Speciality Tours
Although the pollution and heat are significant obstacles, Bangkok is a fascinating city to
explore on foot. If you'd rather do it with an expert guide, Bangkok Private Tours
( www.bangkokprivatetours.com ; half-/full-day walking tour 4700/6000B) conducts customised walking
tours of the city. And foodies may appreciate the offerings at Bangkok Food Tours (

08 9126

3657; www.bangkokfoodtours.com ; tours from 850B) , which offers daytime culinary tours of
Bangkok's Bang Rak neighbourhood and night-time tours of Chinatown.

Bicycle & Segway Tours
Although some cycling tours tackle Bangkok's urban neighbourhoods, most take advant-
age of the nearby lush, undeveloped district to the south known as Phra Pradaeng, where
narrow walkways crisscross irrigation canals that feed small-scale fruit plantations and
simple villages.