“Khlong Sip Et,” the boatman shouts. It echoes in my mind. We are here to discover Khlong Sip Et. It is a subdistrict of Bangkok. Khlong Sip Et is part of the Nong Chok District. This area covers about 30 square kilometers.
In 2020, Khlong Sip Et had a population of 9,186. Khlong Sip Et is more than just a place. It is a community rich in history. It is a vital part of Bangkok’s landscape.
Imagine the late 19th century. King Chulalongkorn, Rama V, ruled Siam. He initiated a grand irrigation scheme. The goal was to transform the land into rice paddies. Khlong Sip Song and Hok Wa canals were built. They were part of this project. This boosted Siam’s rice exports.
Klong Paed Wa was the first canal. It stretched 56 kilometers. It was 16 meters wide. Paed means eight. Wa is a traditional measurement. Eight wa equals 16 meters. Later, it was named Klong Rangsit Prayurasakdi.
Two six-wa wide canals ran parallel. These were Klong Hok Wa Sai Bon and Klong Hok Wa Sai Lang. Hok means six. Many smaller canals connected them. Klong Sip Song was one of these. It brought water to the inner areas.
Today, Khlong Sip Et and nearby canals serve a different role. They provide water to farms. They offer fishing opportunities. They reflect Thailand’s natural environment. If Thailand protects this environment, food will be guaranteed.
Let’s explore Talat Klong Sip Song Hok Wa. This market thrived where Klong Sip Song met Klong Hok Wa Sai Lang. Boats once crowded this area. The market is now quiet. Motorized transport replaced boats. It is still called a market.
Wooden shophouses line the canal. Many are old and worn. Some are abandoned. A few remain homes. We can see Tia Yong Lii coffee shop. It sits by Klong Sip Song. It is a survivor of the old days.
Tia Yong Lii offers traditional coffee. O-yua, o-liang, and yok lo are available. Coffee costs only 10 baht. Enjoy khai luak with your coffee. Tia Yong Lii was open until midnight in the past. It accommodated many customers.
Cross the arched wooden bridge. The shophouses here are better maintained. You might spot film sets. These are studios for rent. Filmmakers use them for period movies. Talat Klong Sip Song Hok Wa is a film location.
Ban Saen Sung is on the opposite side of Hok Wa canal. This house and the shophouses are popular with filmmakers. Walking through the market evokes nostalgia. Old bicycles and sewing machines remind us of the past.
Thais believe in sao tok namman. It is a wooden pillar with a female spirit. People make offerings for granted wishes.
We can visit Wat Phuet Udom nearby. Its basement displays statues of the underworld. They depict punishments for misdeeds. Adulterers climb thorny trees.
Communities here live in harmony. There are Chinese Christians. The Holy Family Church is nearby. Mat Ya Mu Un Islam mosque is not far.
Cyclists train on the back roads. They often stop at Tia Yong Lii. They enjoy refreshing coffee. As we leave Khlong Sip Et, reflect on its past. It shows us a glimpse of old Siam. It is a place where history and community intertwine.