Who hasn’t heard of Venice in Italy? This romantic city built on water is famous for its canals, gently gliding gondolas, and mesmerizing historic architecture.
But did you know that Southeast Asia also has its own version of “Venice”? A similar title was once given to a major city in the region—Bangkok, the capital of Thailand.
Known as the Venice of the East, Bangkok holds a long and fascinating history. Its canals, rivers, and floating markets once formed the lifeblood of the city. Let’s trace how Thailand, particularly Bangkok, came to be known by this name.
Historical Roots: From Ayutthaya to Bangkok
Before Bangkok became the center of government, Siam (Thailand’s former name) had a grand capital called Ayutthaya. Founded in the 14th century, Ayutthaya rose as a maritime power and hub of international trade.
The city was even described as the “Venice of the East” by Portuguese explorer Fernao Mendez Pinto, thanks to its intricate network of rivers and canals that shaped everyday life.
Sadly, Ayutthaya’s glory ended in 1767, when Burmese forces destroyed the city along with much of its recorded history. Today, only the historic ruins remain in the Ayutthaya Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Not long after, in 1782, King Rama I moved the capital to Bangkok. At the time, the area along the Chao Phraya River was little more than swampland.
To transform it into a royal capital, canals were dug—serving as defensive moats, irrigation routes, and transportation channels. This was how the nickname Venice of the East came alive once more, this time attached to Bangkok.
Canals as the City’s Lifeline
By the 19th century, canals—or khlong—became the backbone of life in Bangkok. Hundreds of kilometers of waterways connected homes, markets, and temples.
Floating markets even outnumbered land-based ones. Merchant boats, fishing vessels, and private rowboats crowded the canals, creating the lively atmosphere of a true water city.
It’s no surprise, then, that Bangkok earned the title Venice of the East. The canals were not just infrastructure; they were the very identity of the city. Transportation, commerce, and social life—all revolved around water.
Modernization: When Roads Replaced Canals
By the late 19th to early 20th century, European influence began reshaping Bangkok. Foreign diplomats and traders demanded the construction of roads for horse-drawn carriages and automobiles. Gradually, many canals were filled in and paved over into roads.
During the reign of King Rama V, modernization still followed a clear vision, such as the construction of the grandly designed Rajadamnoen Avenue. But after the 1960s, urban growth spiraled out of control.
Bangkok expanded both horizontally and vertically in an organic, unplanned way. The remaining canals began to lose their original function—some turned into emergency drainage channels, others clogged with waste.
From Canal City to Gridlocked City
Ironically, even as the canals disappeared, water problems continued to haunt Bangkok. Heavy rains often transformed roads back into “instant canals” as floods swept through the city.
Residents built their own makeshift dikes and small trenches without coordination from the authorities, while large drainage tunnel projects were frequently delayed or failed to work effectively.
Meanwhile, road traffic grew increasingly congested. Streets that once were canals became choked with motor vehicles.
People had no choice but to adapt, accepting gridlock as part of daily life. Not infrequently, the Buddhist concept of tathata—awareness of accepting reality as it is—became a coping philosophy amid the chaos of the city.
Traces That Remain
Although Bangkok’s canals are no longer as glorious as in the past, some waterways are still actively used. Khlong Saen Saeb, for instance, now serves as an important public transport route in the heart of the city. Meanwhile, Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem—one of the earliest canals around the Royal Palace—can still be explored on foot.
On the western side of the Chao Phraya River, the Thonburi district retains much of its traditional canal charm. Here, visitors can ride boats past wooden houses, temples, and floating markets like Taling Chan, which still keeps alive the tradition of trading on water.
These canals are not merely means of transport, but “living cultural relics” that reflect the city’s long history. In fact, amid the threats of rising sea levels and Bangkok’s land subsidence of about 7–8 cm per year, canals are even predicted to regain a vital role in the city’s future.
