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Rivers are the arteries of the
traditional Thai way of life. Since ancient times, the Thai
people have made their settlements close to rivers.
For Thailand, rivers are a major
natural resource, vital for
agriculture, the backbone of the national economy. The natural
waterways are also used for transportation of both people and
commodities, and are now increasingly important in tourism.
Historically, the Chao Phraya River is the main artery of
Thailand. The traveler can get to know this mighty 'River of
Kings' through a simple dinner cruise on a rice barge, commuting
on an express boat or hiring a long-tailed boat to explore the
river and the dense network of canals crisscrossing the Central
Plains. All of these ensure an exotic and memorable experience
of the Thai way of life.
From Tha Ton you can make a half-day long-tail boat trip to
Chiang Rai down Kok River. The best time to do the trip is at
the end of November when the river level is high. The travel
time down the river depends on the river conditions.
 Pattani
River that is another main river in Thailand has a length of 210
kilometers. The river flows from the southern part of the
Thailand-Malaysia boundary, passes Yala Province and flows into
the Gulf of Thailand at Pattani Bay. Land use along the river
consists of forestry, agricultural, community, industrial and
mining activities. |
