RIVERS OF THE WORLDTHE CHAO PHRAYA RIVER

Features of the river

Chao Phraya is the major river in Thailand. It runs through Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. It is born at the confluence of the Ping and the Nan river at Nakhon Sawan. The main tributaries are Pa Sak river, Sakae Krang river and Nan, Ping, Chin river.

People of the river

   It's interesting to know that in Bangkok, the Chao Phraya is a major transportation artery for a vast network of feries and water taxis, also known as longtails. There are more than fifteen boats operating on the riverways and canals of the city.

The soul of the river

River and water are intricately bound up with Thai village and cultural life and throughout the year, devout Buddhists release fish, turtles and eeles into the river to atone for past sins and to gain merit.    Water is the incubation fot the staple foods of rice and eddying currents a potential threat. The river has supported countless livehoods and, down the generations, its importance has come to be reflected in traditional Thai festivals, the most important of wich are Loi Krathong and Songkran.