as for these notoriously incompetent Bangkok city planners trying to create an “official” Minburi Floating Market, this seems like a horrible idea to me. I am living since about 20 years near that area and it is one of my favourite hangouts in Bangkok. Here it is still possible to show my guests and friends from overseas the “last sigh” of what how beautiful the Khlongs around the City once used to be.

The khlongs around old Mueang Min (Minburi) are now still completely untouched by tourists.

Especially Khlong Saensaep after the watergate at Wat Bang Phen which keeps the dirty water from Bangkapi out, Khlong Sam Wa, on which there is still a public boat line from Talat Min to Mooban Runkit View, and especially Khlong Song Ton Nun, on which you can do one of the most beautiful boat trips in Bangkok altogether.

I just talked to a leading members of the Siam Society who has organized many study boat tours for his members all around Bangkok. He admitted that it was unheard even to him that there is still regular public boat traffic in Minburi and that it is still possible, for instance, to go by boat from one of the many piers in Minburi to the watergate right next to Wat Lat Krabang in Hua Takhe (near Suwannaphum Airport) and even directly to the pier of famous Wat Lanbun in Prawet District on Khlong Onnut. (And from there, you almost can go every half an hour by regular boat for just 10 Baht in 25 Minutes all the way down on Khlong Phra Khanong to Phra Khanong Pier on Sukhumvit Road…)

This great trip is even possible right from the back side of Ruamruedee International School in Minburi but I doubt that the Hi So teachers are teaching their Hi So pupils something like this in “Local History and Topography”…

I can just advice anyone who wants to see all these beautiful khlongs – including the old mill in Minburi (the mill is next to Nawamin Hospital and Chana Hotel in “downtown” Min), to go there AS QUICK AS POSSIBLE, before these 5 million Baht are used to destroy another beautiful and still amazingly clean Mid So Bangkok environment and create further tourist traps just like along Khlong Mon or in Taling Ngam.

If you can read German, you find something about the Minburi Khlong Tours here: http://forum.thailandtip.de/index.php?topic=568.0

No, sorry, the German Guide (“Bangkok von innen”) is not yet available for all locals.

Not yet…

Kind regards
Athit
(Hans Michael Hensel)

Actually you are right, the long tail monsters are similar to those tuk-tuk noise polluters. I wish the Thai government would make those two a bit more quiet.

Which pier did you get them?

Can you send a photo to BKKDan, so we can upload here and can enjoy a more quiet ride.

Taking the standard local yellow line taxi boat at Saphan Thaksin (get there by Skytrain) around 6 pm and get off 30-40 minutes later at Phra Athit Pier is also a amazing experience. Sunset by the river, just did that last week. Was awesome with a perfect red sky and plenty of good photo opportunities.

Getting off at Phra Athit Pier will bring you to nearby Khao San Road. Either enjoy some local small dinner restaurant @ Phra Athit Road (just next to the pier) or head to nearby Khao San & surrounding and enjoy the car-free night zone there. Nice way to spend one evening while in Bangkok.

City administration to open new floating market in Min Buri in three months

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will open a new floating market on the Saensaeb Canal in Min Buri in three months, a deputy BMA governor said Monday.

Thaya Teepsuwan said the BMA would spend about Bt5 million to restore an old pier at a deserted mill and improve the landscape nearby and turn the area into the new Min Buri floating market.

The works would be done in three months and the BMA will promote the new tourist spot, she said.

The BMA would spend two more months, trying to improve the water quality in the area.

Eight district offices of Min Buri, Nong Chok, Khan Nayao, Bang Kapi, Bueng Kum, Saphan Sung, Klong Samwa, and Lat Krabang would cooperate in operating the new floating market.

Is the German guide available for all locals?

Would be nice to do with some friends coming soon.