Thailand Travel Guide

The Mekong River is the 10th-longest river in the world, and the 10th-largest by volume. It forms the backbone of a drainage system that is essentially the lifeblood of southeast Asia. The Mekong forms Thailand’s eastern border with Laos, and is very important to agriculture and trade in the northeastern provinces.

The section of the river near Nong Khai is home to the legendary Naga fireballs that shoot from below the water to several hundred feet in the air. Locals attribute the phenomenon to The Naga, a giant serpent said to live under the surface of the Mekong.

According to researchers the Mekong houses more species of giant fish than any river in the world, notably the Giant Mekong Catfish.

The Chao Phraya River begins at the confluence of the Ping and Nan river at Nakhon Sawan, running south for 372 km to the Gulf of Thailand through Uthai Thani, Chainat, Singburi, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, and Bangkok.
 

Old maps name the river Mae Nam, the Thai word for river. Chao Phraya is also a Thai nobility title, which can be translated as General.

River taxis run from central Bangkok to Nonthaburi Pier. A trip down the river on one of these is a must when visiting Bangkok.
 

Elsie’s Journey Down the Chao Phraya