By Graham K. Rogers

Like many cities, the Chao Phraya River that runs through Bangkok was one of the reasons for the founding of the city at its particular location. It is still a major seaport and there are important centers of commerce close to the river. Over the years with increasing congestion on the roads, it has also become a major transport link between Nonthaburi and Bangkok.

Public transportation systems in Thailand may not be up to the high standards of the West, but if you have an idea where you are going, and try to be a little adventurous, it is not hard to find some interesting views. In the last couple of weeks, I have been to Mahachai by train and then on to the Ban Laem - Mae Klong line, albeit with some distractions.

Photo by Korn

A trip I have made before is along the river using what is essentially a water bus. Some parts of the trip are used by tourists, but the full trip between Sathorn Pier and Nonthaburi is useful source of photographs as there is so much going on either side. The river also reflects changes that are occurring in the region as well as the stability of the old.

With a new BTS station recently opened within sight of the apartment, it was easy to stroll along to Thalad Phlu and take the train. At Sathorn Pier, however, I was shocked to see the number of people waiting, many of whom had headed for the ticket booth that offers a 150 baht day pass. I buy a 15 baht ticket on the boat like Thai passengers.

After a long wait a boat arrived. I was debating whether to take the first one, but noticed many of the crowd waiting were lined up for another boat. I grabbed the bag and headed down the ramp. In the boat, it was more crowded than I had ever seen. It was a religious holiday and many were just out for the ride, going for lunch, or visiting temples.

Once the boat had passed the Grand Palace, there was more room. I had already manoeuvred myself into a position by the side but there was much more room and I could move about a little more, which was useful when observing the banks and taking photographs. As ever, I think it is people that can make a scene real, and not just the scenery (as good as that might be).

As well as some of the newer constructions that can now be seen along the river, there is much building going on, as well as a number of projects that will improve protection: some of the houses here were inundated in the floods of late 2011.

One thing that I had not expected was the extension of the MRTA Blue Line which will be going along Charoen-Sanitwong Road then into Petchakasem, where it will terminate at Bang Khae. I had expected this to use part of the Rama 6 Bridge, which was wide enough to carry the railway and a 2-lane road when I first came to Bangkok. Road traffic moved to the nearby, much wider Rama 7 bridge which is now often congested. The construction of a new rail bridge is well under way.

Just past Rama 7, Bangkok is left behind and we are in Nonthaburi, with the power station on the left bank.

The temples here are much older and so are the communities they serve.

At Nonthaburi we went in search of lunch. I eventually found a noodle shop and I thought I saw shin of pork as I went in. I asked for a plate. "Beef" said the lady. "Chicken . . . duck?" "Beef." I had found a rare shop that sold only beef, so I settled for a rare taste of a meat that is common in most of the west, but not eaten so much - especially with the Chinese communities here - in Thailand. Although we had half-planned for a run further up the river to Pakkred, the lateness and the looming dark clouds forced a change of plans on us. The only decision was whether to take the bus or go back down the river. While waiting, we looked at feeding fish by the old Nonthaburi Municipal office.

As we left Nonthaburi, the heavens opened and the protective sheets were deployed. This let light in, but the opaque plastic made it impossible to take photographs. Luckily, the rain stopped quickly, which was just as well, as the heat buildup behind the covers was uncomfortable.

With this being a public holiday, there were more people relaxing on the sides of the river, with some more relaxed than others. A number were also enjoying trying to fish, something that was impossible in the Thames in London when I was a child.

As Bangkok approached so the boat became more full, but also we were rewarded with some of the famous sights on both sides of the river.

I make no apologies for watermarking the images and have tried to keep the effect faint. I am fed up seeing my photographs appear on sites in Russia or Vietnam (or other countries) with no link, no attribution and no thanks. As there is also newly passed legislation in the UK concerning what are called, "orphan images" it is important for anyone putting works online to assert their ownership. Pristine originals are available by negotiation.

Graham K. Rogers teaches at the Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University in Thailand where he is also Assistant Dean. He wrote in the Bangkok Post, Database supplement on IT subjects. For the last seven years of Database he wrote a column on Apple and Macs.