Loei Tourist Attractions: 10 Top Places to Visit
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Top Places to visit in Loei:
Phu Kradueng National Park, Phu Thok, Phu Ruea National Park, Wat Neramit Wipattasana, Phra That Si Song Rak, Wat Pahuaylad Temple, Suan Hin Pha Ngam, Erawan Cave, Phu Lom Lo, Phupha Lom Forest Park
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Chao Phraya River | inside Bangkok City | 2019
Etymology
On many old European maps, the river is named Menam or Mae Nam (Thai: แม่น้ำ), Thai for river. James McCarthy, F.R.G.S., who served as Director-General of the Siamese Government Surveys prior to establishment of the Royal Survey Department, wrote in his account, Me Nam is a generic term, me signifying mother and Nam water, and the epithet Chao P'ia signifies that it is the chief river in the kingdom of Siam.[2]
H. Warington Smyth, who served as Director of the Department of Mines in Siam from 1891 to 1896,[3] refers to it in his book first published in 1898 as the Me Nam Chao Phraya.[4]
In the English-language media in Thailand, the name Chao Phraya River is often translated as river of kings.[5]
Chao Phraya River, Bangkok
Geography
The Chao Phraya begins at the confluence of the Ping and Nan rivers at Nakhon Sawan (also called Pak Nam Pho) in Nakhon Sawan Province. After this it flows south for 372 kilometres (231 mi) from the central plains to Bangkok and the Gulf of Thailand. In Chai Nat, the river then splits into the main course and the Tha Chin River, which then flows parallel to the main river and exits in the Gulf of Thailand about 35 kilometres (22 mi) west of Bangkok in Samut Sakhon. In the low alluvial plain which begins below the Chainat Dam, there are many small canals (khlong) which split off from the main river. The khlongs are used for the irrigation of the region's rice paddies.
The rough coordinates of the river are 13 N, 100 E. This area has a wet monsoon climate, with over 1,400 millimetres (55 in) of rainfall per year. Temperatures range from 24 to 33 °C (75 to 91 °F) in Bangkok.
River engineering
The original course of the river and its shortcut canals
The lower Chao Phraya underwent several man-made modifications during the Ayutthaya period. Several shortcut canals were constructed to bypass large loops in the river, shortening the trip from the capital city to the sea. The course of the river has since changed to follow many of these canals.
In 1538, Thailand's first river engineering of a 3 km (2 mi) long canal was dug at the order of King Chairachathirat. It was called khlong lat, today known as Khlong Bangkok Noi. It shortened the route by 13–14 km for ships from the Gulf of Siam to the then-capital city, Ayutthaya.[6]
In 1542, a two kilometer-long canal, khlong lat Bangkok, was completed. Today it's called Khlong Bangkok Yai. It is said to have shortened the river route by 14 km (9 mi).[6]
In 1608, a seven kilometer-long Khlong Bang Phrao canal was completed and has shortened the Chao Phraya's original route by 18 km (11 mi).[6]
In 1636, the khlong lat mueang Nonthaburi was completed.[6]
In 1722, the two kilometre long khlong lat Kret Noi shortened the Chao Phraya by 7 km (4 mi). This route was from the island of Ko Kret.[6]
River settlements
Cities along the Chao Phraya include, from north to south, Nakhon Sawan Province, Uthai Thani Province, Chai Nat Province, Sing Buri Province, Ang Thong Province, Ayutthaya Province, Pathum Thani Province, Nonthaburi Province, Bangkok, and Samut Prakan Province. These cities are among the most historically significant and densely populated settlements of Thailand due to their access to the waterway.
Transportation
See also: List of crossings of the Chao Phraya River, Chao Phraya Express Boat, Bangkok Boat Express Lines, and Sathon-Klong Toei Express Boat
Chao Phraya River
Chao Phraya River Food Vendor
Chao Phraya River Food Vendor
Major bridges cross the Chao Phraya in Bangkok: the Rama VI railroad bridge; Phra Pin-klao near the Grand Palace; Rama VIII, a single tower asymmetrical cable-stayed bridge; Rama IX, a semi-symmetric cable-stayed bridge; and Mega Bridge, on the Industrial Ring Road.
In Bangkok, the Chao Phraya is a major transportation artery for a network of river buses, cross-river ferries, and water taxis (longtails). More than 15 boat lines operate on the rivers and canals of the city, including commuter lines.
Tributaries
Main article: Tributaries of the Chao Phraya River
The principal tributaries of the Chao Phraya River are the Pa Sak River, the Sakae Krang River, the Nan River (along with its principal confluent the Yom River), the Ping River (with its principal confluent, the Wang River), and the Tha Chin River.[7][8][9] Each of these tributaries (and the Chao Phraya itself) is augmented by minor tributaries referred to as khwae. All of the tributaries, including the lesser khwae, form an extensive tree-like pattern, with branches flowing through nearly every province in central and northern Thailand.[7] None of the tributaries of the Chao Phraya extend beyond the nation's borders.[10] The Nan and the Yom River flow nearly parallel from Phitsanulok to Chumsaeng in the north of Nakhon Sawan Province. The Wang River enters the Ping River near Sam Ngao district in Tak Province.