Peculiarities of Thailand’s rivers

In this article, we will talk about rivers in Thailand, as they have always played a great importance in the lives of Thais. Besides supplying water, rivers were also transportation routes. After all, all settlements appeared on the banks of rivers! And it’s no accident, this is due to the peculiarities of climate and topography of Thailand. The rainy seasons and mountainous terrain have greatly contributed to this fact.

What happens in Russia as a city grows? They build new streets and new neighborhoods. In Thailand, it is the opposite-they build new canals, and they build their houses right on the water.
the rainy season in Thailand it greatly increases. This leads to almost annual floods in the flat area of the Gulf of Thailand. Huge masses of water just do not have time to pass through it, and the rivers of Thailand, which have come out of the banks, bring with them masses of fertile silt, on which rice grows so well afterwards. Artificial canals (clongs) supply water to the rice fields. So the Thais’ crops, as we can see, directly depend on water.

River Kwai in Thailand

The River Kwai and the famous and famous bridge over it

Take the Menam tributary, for example. The river crosses capital of Thailand Bangkok. On its banks, as well as on the banks of other rivers crossing the cities, people put temples. The best buildings, hotels, majestic skyscrapers are also placed near the rivers of Thailand, and this fact makes possible amazing excursions through the city by water cab.

In this way, you can take a trip to Bangkok by water cab.

On such a trip, you can feel the atmosphere of this Asian state, see the local kids bathing in the river next to the chic, glazed modern buildings, while the adults here wash their uncomplicated dishes and wash their laundry. As you travel along the Thai canals, you’ll realize that Thais can’t imagine their existence without them.

river is the breadwinner of most Thais

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The fact that they live on the water also determines their fishing skills (features fishing in Thailand). After all, the rivers here are rich in fish, and every Thai since childhood masters the basics of this skill. But the same river carries a lot of dangers, especially in times of flooding. Therefore, just as they know the secret of building houses special designs – on high stilts. They install them directly in the water. The high piles are absolutely necessary to keep out the stormy river during floods. Although the government has recently banned the construction of such houses, they are still appearing.

The Chao Praya River in Bangkok

What the Thais don’t call their rivers! They give them both affectionate names and reverent and respectful ones. Take Chao Phraya, for example. The Thais have awarded her epithets such as “River of Life”, “Mother of Water” and other similar names. And it is not coincidental, because it is the main trade route, the most important transport system, it connects almost all parts of Bangkok through the channels, and sometimes it is the boat that the residents of the city prefer to use to get to their destination.

Chao Phraya River in Bangkok

It also has another purpose – tourism and sightseeing. Rarely a tourist will refuse a boat trip on the city’s canals! Interestingly, the River Chao Phraya gets its water from several rivers that, merging, and form the Queen of Rivers (this is another of its unofficial folk name). This is the longest, more than 365 km, river in the country. Here, in its basin, in times immemorial, the first Kingdom of Thailand was formed, which at that time was called Siam.

The Mekong River in Thailand

Although there are many rivers in Thailand, only one flows directly into the South China Sea. It is the river Mekong, the “Mother of Nine Dragons”, the largest and most full-flowing river in Indochina, one of the largest rivers in the world. It flows through the country only near the border with Laos, but the entire north and northeast of the country is washed by the waters of its tributaries, the largest of which, the Mun, is particularly important.

Mekong River in Thailand

The river Mai Klong is also important. Its name is very consonant with the Mekong, but they are different rivers. May Klong is known not only for its floating market, but also for being home to one of the world’s largest populations of stingrays, which are listed in the Red Book.

May Klong

Unfortunately, the clear waters of the rivers are now gradually being polluted by people dumping all kinds of garbage and industrial waste into them.

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