Khlong Bangkok Noi

Khlong Bangkok Noi (Thai: คลองบางกอกน้อย; lit 'Bangkok Noi Canal') is a khlong (คลอง; canal) in Bangkok; its name is the origin of the name Bangkok Noi District.

Khlong Bangkok Noi near Wat Sri Sudaram

The canal, along with its counterpart Khlong Bangkok Yai, was constructed in 1552, during the reign of King Chairachathirat of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. He ordered the construction of a canal bypassing a loop of the Chao Phraya River to shorten travel time. The river was diverted through the new canal, and the old route became the two canals known today as Khlong Bangkok Yai and Khlong Bangkok Noi.[1]

In the early-Rattanakosin period, there was a floating market where vendor's boats and wooden houseboats mingled, lining up along the waterways to Bang Bamru and Bang Khun Non. The scene was recounted in at least two poems by Sunthorn Phu (1786–1855), a poet of the era, who was born in Bangkok Noi.[2]

Although Khlong Bangkok Noi is a short canal, it connects to many other canals such as Khlong Chak Phra in the area of Phasi Charoen District, Khlong Lat Bang Kruai, Khlong Om Non as well as Khlong Chaiyaphruek of Nonthaburi Province.

Sign of Wat Si Sudaram at the shore of Khlong Bangkok Noi

Khlong Bangkok Noi is promoted as one of Bangkok's cultural attractions, along with Khlong Bangkok Yai, as it flows through many historical and cultural landmarks such as the National Museum of Royal Barges, Wat Suwannaram, Bangkok Noi railway station, Wat Amarintharam, Ansorissunnah Royal Mosque, and Wat Si Sudaram, a Thai temple known as the place where Sunthorn Phu studied in his childhood.[3] [4]