Khlong Bangkok Yai

Khlong Bangkok Yai (Thai: คลองบางกอกใหญ่; lit: Bangkok Yai Canal) is a historic khlong (คลอง; canal) of Bangkok. Originally it was part of the Chao Phraya River. In the past, the course of the Chao Phraya was longer than in the present. Those who travel by boat must cruise along the river, which took more than one day, until the reign of King Chairachathirat (1534–46) of the Ayutthaya Kingdom who ordered the construction of a canal bypassing a loop of the Chao Phraya River, known as Khlong Lat Bangkok (คลองลัดบางกอก; Bangkok Short-Cut Canal), thus reducing travel times and changing the course of the Chao Phraya, which now flows along the new canal. The old course became what is known today as Khlong Bangkok Yai (lower section) and Khlong Bangkok Noi (upper section).

Mouth of Khlong Bangkok Yai where it connects to the Chao Phraya River flanked by Wichai Prasit Fort and Wat Kalayanamitr

Khlong Bangkok Yai
Long-tailed speed boat in the canal (under Anuthin Sawat Bridge near Wat Molilokayaram, Bang Luang Mosque and Tonson Mosque)
Specifications
Length	6 km (3.7 miles)
Geography
Start point	Bangkok
End point	Bangkok
Connects to	Chao Phraya River, Khlong Samre, Khlong Bang Sakae, Khlong Bang Luang Noi, Khlong Phasi Charoen, Khlong Dan, Khlong Bang Phlia, Khlong Bang Waek, Khlong Mon

In the reign of King Taksin (1767–82) of Thonburi Kingdom, he founded a new capital on the west side of the Chao Phraya River. So, the banks of Khlong Bangkok Yai became the residence of many people, including much of the nobility, giving rise to the names Khlong Bang Luang or Khlong Bang Kha Luang (คลองบางหลวง, คลองบางข้าหลวง; Canal of Nobles). Khlong Bangkok Yai was also the first canal in Thailand to have lampposts installed. The current length is 6 km (about 3 mi), through various canals as far as it terminates when it meets Khlong Mon near the confluence of three canals, Khlong Chak Phra, Khlong Mon and Khlong Bang Chueak Nang, in total, through three districts, namely, Bangkok Yai, Thon Buri and Phasi Charoen.[1][2]

Khlong Bangkok Yai is now a waterway and drainage. It is also a major site of cultural tourism of Bangkok.[3] There are many houses of worship on both sides, such as Wat Molilokayaram, Wat Hongratanaram, Wat Nuannoradit, Wat Kalayanamitr, Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen, Wat Kuhasawan, Bang Luang Mosque, Tonson Mosque, and Kudi Charoenphat, and also historic places such as Khlong Bang Luang Artist House,[3] Talat Phlu or Wichai Prasit Fort.