floating market trip of Thailand

Racing

River, the land they nurture, people,religion,culture,tradition,and king, were once elements inextricably intertwined.Together, the entities formed the basic of the way of life and an ancient civilisation dependant on the river for a myriad of needs. The river provided drinking water, a source of food, water for crop cultivation, for washing, cleaning and transportation. Life evolved around the river and the earliest settlements in the Thai kingdom were invariably established along the river with traditional homes bult on the river-banks.
Traditional long boat races, tha legacy of this thriving river-based civilisation,are still held in many parts of Thailand today. The international and traditional long-boat races in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, the Thai-lao traditional long-boat races held on the Mekong River in the northeastern provinces of Nong Khai .Nakhon Phanom and Mukdahan, the Pichit and Nan long-boat races in northern Thailand .
Thailand and the Ko lae boat races held in the southern provinces are among the country's most spectacular events.These colourful regattas depict a way of life that varies from community to comunity and are of great cultural interest as they offer insight into local traditions.
The traditional log boat races originated from an elaborate water-borne procession called "Thod Kathin" ceremoney, a Buddhish ritual designated one of the 12 official royal ceremonies at which the king presides. the practice was subsequently adopted by common folk and has been observed throughout the four eras of Thai history namely Sukhothai, Ayutthaya, Thonburi and Rattanakosin.
During the rainny season from September to December, residents of traditional village communities take a break from their farming routine and engage in merit-making activities. New monk robes and other sacred offerings are conveyed to temples along the river in traditional long boats and presented to the monks. Once the oferings have been made, the strengthen ties within the local community. The long-boat races have remained a core element of these celebrations.

The Royal Barge Suphannahong

Welcome to Bangkok the nickname "Venice of the East" at a time when most transportation was by boat.

An elaborate network of canals known as khlongs gave Bangkok the nickname "Venice of the East" at a time when most transportation was by boat. Today, nearly all of the canals have been filled in and converted into streets. While many khlongs still exist with people living along them and markets often being operated along the banks, most are severely polluted. A notable khlong market is the floating market in Taling Chan district. Through downtown Bangkok runs the Khlong Saen Saeb, which has a canal boat service. The wide river Chao Phraya, flowing through the city, has several cross-river ferries and the Chao Phraya Express Boat with as many as thirty stops along the both banks extending as far as the northern suburb of Nonthaburi.