BANGKOKNOI CANAL
In the year 1522, King Chairachathirat of Ayutthaya commanded a short canal to be cut at Bangkokyai from the mouth of the Bangkoknoi Canal to the mouth of Bangkokyai Canal. This later became part of Chao Phraya River, and today it is the section which flows from Thammasat University to Wat Arun. The part of the Chao Phraya River which formerly ran through area of Bangkok then became known
as the Bangkoknoi and Bangkokyai Canal
When it was the part of Chao Phraya River, the Bangkoknoi Canal area was an agricultural zone, and the lifestyle of the community was simple. Changes came after the digging of the new canal; the area became more accessible and this led to an increase in the population of the canal-side community.
In 1972, Thonburi Province was combined with Bangkok to become the nation's capital. This brought more roads and public utilities to the Thonburi side and to the canal area. Improved conditions attracted more and more people, and from a small agricultural community it grew into a residential area with industrial and trading zones.
However, there are still places around the banks of Bangkoknoi Canal where the people
maintain their old traditions and lifestyle. Among them are Wat Suwannaram,
Wat SriSudaram and the Ban Bu Community. |
Important numbers 
Police emergency: 191 
