Khlong Ong Ang
Bangkok
Khlong Ong Ang is an old canal in the old city. Today its banks are a pedestrian walkway among shophouses, little lanes and walls full of colour.
A canal as old as the city
Khlong Ong Ang was dug in the 1780s, just after the new capital was founded. It marks the eastern edge of the old city and runs all the way to the great river. Khlong means canal: that is what people here call waterways dug by hand.
In the 20th century (the 1900s) the banks filled up with stalls. Today they are a walkway, away from the cars.
What to see from outside
From the walkway, look at the canal water and the houses on both banks. They are shophouses two or three storeys high, with the shop on the ground floor and the home above.
In the lanes between the houses, the walls are full of colour and big pictures.
The crossing that moved
Not far away is Saphan Han, an old crossing over the canal with a long story. At first it was made of wood and, so the story goes, it slid aside to let boats through. Later it was rebuilt several times. Today it is one of the most photographed spots on the whole canal.
