Thonburi, west of the Chao Praya River and directly across from the Grand Palace, was the first area of Bangkok to be settled.

BBC: Exploring Bangkok��s canals

No matter which direction you travel on the canal, you will meet the Chao Phraya River, where you can catch a boat across to Thonburi on the public riverboats that constantly pass by.

BBC: Exploring Bangkok��s canals

Three of the most central and historically significant places to explore the canals are Khlong Saen Saeb, a canal in the centre of the city, Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem, one of the original canals around the Grand Palace, and Thonburi, a neighbourhood on the west side of the Chao Praya.

BBC: Exploring Bangkok��s canals