“Pulling the Buddha canal” whispers the name Khlong Chak Phra. It’s a name that speaks of ancient rituals and a waterway steeped in history. Right here before you flows this vital artery of Thonburi.
Khlong Chak Phra isn’t just any canal. It’s a 5.45 kilometer long natural waterway. For centuries it formed part of the Chao Phraya River’s original route through Bangkok. Its creation resulted from the river’s shifting course during the medieval Ayutthaya period. Khlong Chak Phra shares this history with other significant canals like Khlong Bangkok Yai and Khlong Bangkok Noi. The canal is approximately 10 to 15 meters wide.
Imagine the scene. It’s the second day of the waning moon in the twelfth Thai lunar month. A vibrant barge adorned with flowers glides along the Khlong. On board are precious Buddha relics and statues. They’ve journeyed from Wat Nang Chi in Phasi Charoen District. This is the Chak Phra procession a unique annual tradition. The barge travels from Khlong Dan. It turns onto Khlong Bangkok Yai then into Khlong Bangkok Noi. It passes Wat Kai Tia a significant landmark on Khlong Chak Phra. The procession concludes at the Taling Chan District Office. This moving display of reverence is the only Chak Phra ceremony held in all of Bangkok.
Khlong Chak Phra holds another distinction. It serves as a boundary. It separates the Bangkok Noi and Taling Chan districts along its entire length. The Taling Chan floating market sits along its banks. It’s the largest market in this area a bustling hub of activity nestled between the district office and the Southern railway line. The Khlong even lends its name to administrative districts. Khlong Chak Phra subdistrict in Taling Chan and Bang Khun Si subdistrict in Bangkok Noi both acknowledge its importance.
But Khlong Chak Phra isn’t just about history and commerce. Local legends speak of a ghost. A pregnant woman’s spirit named Phi Yai Wan is said to haunt the area. Similar to the infamous Mae Nak Phra Khanong Phi Yai Wan’s story revolves around a tragic death. She was supposedly killed near the railway and Wat Taling Chan. Some say her spirit mysteriously hails taxis then vanishes. Others claim to see her hanging from trees. The legend is compelling. It adds a layer of mystery to this already captivating place. An old wooden boat at Wat Champa in Bang Ramat is even associated with the ghost.
The story of Khlong Chak Phra is far more than just water and land. It’s a tapestry woven from history tradition and legend. A unique Bangkok experience awaits those who explore its banks and waterways. Remember the name Khlong Chak Phra. It’s a name that tells a tale worth remembering.