Khlong
As Khlong (also: Klong ; Thai : คลอง ) are channels referred to in the central plains of Thailand to serve as a transport route. In the capital Bangkok in particular , they served for centuries as a way to work, as a floating marketplace and, ultimately, to dispose of faeces.
As part of construction work, some khlongs were filled in, which among other things led to better, more hygienic conditions in the city districts. Mainly, however, the small khlongs that were used to dispose of faeces were filled in and replaced by sewage pipes. In the districts of Thonburi and Bangkok there are some larger khlongs.
Although every khlong is inhabited in densely populated Thailand , the khlongs only play an insignificant economic role - tourism is seen as the biggest factor. Along the khlongs there are many pottery , lotus or orchid farms , which you can visit with a boat trip. The "floating markets" (Thai: Talat Nam ) that were common in earlier times hardly exist today, the only large floating market in Damnoen Saduak 100 km from Bangkok is almost exclusively visited by tourists. Another floating market is in Amphawa . This is only open on weekends.
literature
- Y. Kagawa: Urbanization in Asian Metropolis and the changes of hydrological environment in and around Bangkok . In: Makoto Taniguchi, William C. Burnett, Yoshihiro Fukushima, Martin Haigh, Yu Umezawa (eds.): From Headwaters to the Ocean. Hydrological Change and Water Management. Hydrochange 2008, October 1-3, 2008, Kyoto, Japan . CRC Press, London 2008, ISBN 978-0-415-47279-1 , pp. 577-582.
Web links
- Chanchai Vitoonpanyakij: Development of Klongs (Canals) and History of Sewage works in Bangkok . From the official website of Water Environment Partnership in Asia (WEPA), accessed January 13, 2015.