Khlong Saen Saeb (คลองแสนแสบ)

Thai. ‘Canal of A Hundred Thousand Stings’. A canal connecting Bangkok (map) with the Bang Pakong River in Chachengsao (fig.). The etymology of the name is uncertain and there are today several explanations. Firstly, it is said that the name derives from the fact that in the past, the area teemed with mosquitoes, delivering people travelling on the canal countless stings. However, another source says the name derives from the local Isaan-Khmer community who referred to the canal as Sae Sap (แสสาบ), a compound of the words Sae (แส), which is also spelled Se (เส/เซ) and means ‘River’, whilst Sap means ‘Freshwater’, as in the name of Cambodia's Tonlé Sap (fig.), the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. However, over time many people of Malay descent settled along the canal, which can still be witnessed from the many Muslim homes and mosques along the canal today, and thus another explanation is the name may derive from the Malay words Su-ngai Senyaep (สุไหงเซนแญป/สุไหงแซนแญบ), which means ‘Tranquil Canal’ or ‘Peaceful Canal’. In Bangkok, the canal starts as an eastern extension of Khlong Maha Naak (fig.), which connects to the Chao Phraya River via Khlong Rop Krung (fig.), which itself starts from Pom Maha Kaan (fig.). In Chachengsao the canal ends into the Bang Pa Kong River near Wat Pahk Khlong (วัดปากคลอง), literally the ‘Temple at the Mouth of the Canal’ in the tambon Bang Kanaak (บางขนาก) of the amphur Bang Nahm Priauw. Foreign historical records mention a length of 55 miles, which is about 88 kilometer, and other sources claim that the canal is only about 65 kilometer long, though in the original Thai register it is listed as being 78 km in length and with a width varying between 25 and 35 meter. It was dug between 1837 and 1840, on the orders of King Rama III, to advance the war effort during the Annam-Siam War, a 14 year long conflict that Siam fought with Vietnam between 1833 and 1846, over the governing authority of Cambodia. Its objective was to facilitate a quick route to dispatch troops and war material from the capital to the eastern provinces. In Bangkok, an 18 kilometer section, combined of Khlong Maha Naak and a portion of Khlong Saen Saeb, is used for public transport by an express boat service, providing fast, inexpensive transportation in the traffic-congested capital. It has 27 boat stations and runs between Pom Praab Sattroo Phaai (near Wat Saket - fig.) and Wat Sri Boon Reuang (fig.) in Bangkapi, after which the canal becomes quite peaceful (fig.). The service has a western line (fig.), which in part consist of the Khlong Maha Naak, that operates smaller boats between Pom Praab Sattroo Phaai (ป้อมปราบศัตรูพ่าย) and an interchange at Pratoonahm-Rachadamri (ประตูน้ำ-ราชดำริ), where larger boats continue on the so-called northern line to Bangkapi. The canal, especially the eastern part, including that of the northern line, also known as the NIDA (fig.) Line, after its terminal, is in many areas lined with concrete walkways that double as biking paths (fig.) and there are several canal-side temples and mosques. Many side canals connect with Khlong Saen Saeb, forming a large network, though most of these canals do not have a regular transport service. In 2022, the northern line was extended with a section that runs between Wat Sri Boon Reuang (fig.) in Bangkapi and Minburi Market, and which uses 100% electric boats (fig.). Boats on this section pass through Talaat Nahm Khwan-Riam (fig.) floating market. Also transcribed Khlong Saen Saep. See also QUADCOPTER PICTURE, MAP and WATCH VIDEO (1) and (2). 回