The Thai capital has a new electric water taxi service, running between Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong train station and the bohemian Kao San area.
It is a convenient and sustainable way to travel between the train station and the popular Kao San district, without getting stuck in Bangkok’s infamous traffic.
BANGKOK’S ELECTRIC WATER TAXI SERVICE
The six seater electric-powered boats glide along the Phadung Krung Kasem Canal at a speed of around 13 kilometers per hour.
While riding through the canal, you will notice how smooth the ride is.
There is no noise, except occasional sounds coming from other boats, mainly other large long tail passenger boats that also use the canal.
The boat makes various stops as it goes, picking up and letting off passengers.
The route starts at the pier outside Hua Lamphong Railway Station, and ends at the Phra Sumen Fort pier.
Stops on the route include Ratchadamnoen Nok, Nopphawong, Yotse, Ministry of Energy, Lan Luang Intersection, Thewet, Thewarat Market, Prachathipatai, Chao Pho Taksin Shrine, Nakhon Sawan and Ban Phan Thom piers. It takes roughly 30 minutes from start to end.
The boat also travels up the Saen Saeb canal, where the journey through the Banglamphu area, an old part of Bangkok, is interesting.
There are various temples, canal-side cafes other places of interest.
GREEN TRANSPORT OPTION
Bangkok does not have many environmentally-friendly transport options.
Buses, taxis, tuk tuks and even the large passenger boats that ply the Chao Praya River emit significant amounts of carbon – which contributes to the city’s poor air quality. The city often has days where the PM count exceeds 2.5.
This new service is a breath of fresh air, bringing something entirely different to Bangkok.
The electric riverboat taxi service has been operating free of charge to passengers during the month of February.
However, from the first of March, there is a fee to use it.
To use this service, it is necessary to book a space on the boat. Bookings can be made via the MuvMi app.
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