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In the past, Bangkok people commuted from one place to another by boat, and canals were the principal means of transport, both during wars and at times of peace. Canals were dug for transportation purposes, earning the city the unofficial title "Venice of the Orient". Things changed over the years, and travelling by boat is no longer the principal mode of travel. Nevertheless, canals still retain significant, historical value.

The Original City Moat
Dug during the reign of King Taksin when Thon Buri was the capital city, this moat is on the East of the Chao Phraya River and includes the section that passes Wang Na to the Pak Khlong Talat. Each section in front of Wat Ratchanatda, from the mouth of Khlong Lot, is called "Khlong Lot". The section from Wat Ratchabophit to the Chao Phraya River is called "Khlong Talat".

Khlong Lot Wat Ratchabophit
Starts from the city moat at the section in front of Wat Ratchabophit to Thanon Dinso, and goes on to Thanon Maha Chai to meet the around-town Khlong at the North of Saphan Damrongsathit. It has another name: "Khlong Saphan Tan".

Khlong Lot Wat Ratchanatdaram
Starts from the original city moat between the Rattanakosin Hotel, and Wat Buranasiri Mattayaram, then passes Thanon Tanao, Wat Mahannoppharam, Thanon Ban Dinso, the Bangkok Metropolitan administration (City Hall) and Thanon Maha Chai to meet the around-city Khlong at Wat Ratchanatdaram. The Khlong has several names according to places it passes such as Khlong Wat Buranasiri, Khlong Wat Mahannoppharam and so forth.

The Ring Khlong or Khlong Rop Krung
Was dug during the reign of King Rama I of the Chakri Dynasty to expand space in the city. This Khlong, which runs parallel with the city moat, starts from the North of the Chao Phraya River. This part is called Khlong Bang Lamphu. The section that passes to the South of Chao Phraya River and north of Wat Sam Pluem is called Khlong Ong Ang. Khlong Rop Krung is the line that divides this particular part of Bangkok into Rattanakosin Island which looks like the ancient capital Ayutthaya.

Khlong Saen Saep
Also called Khlong Bang Kanak and known among Thais as the place of the tragic love story of Khwan and Riam. The Khlong was dug in the reign of King Rama III (1828-1836), when Thailand was having the fourteen year - war with Cambodia and Vietnam, to connect the Chao Phraya River to the Bangpakong River in order to shorten the distance between Prachin Buri and Chachoengsao Province and Bangkok. Today, the Khlong serves as an alternative method of transportation to avoid the heavy traffic on Bangkok's roads.

Khlong Pradung Krung Kasem
Was excavated between 1851 and 1854 during the reign of King Rama IV, starting from Khlong Rop Krung to a suburb. The mouth of the Khlong is on the Southeast of the Chao Phraya River at the old Wat Kaeo Chaem Fa, passing Khlong Maha Nak to reach the eastern side of the Chao Phraya River at the side of Wat Thewarat Kunchon. Originally, it served as an outer-defence line. As the last city moat, it had eight forts along the Khlong, when were all demolished because Thailand, at that time, was not engaged in fighting its neighbours. The Khlong played an important role in economic development in those days.

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