New passenger boat service offers free rides
A new passenger boat service between Bang Wa (Khlong Phasi Charoen) and Tha Chang (Chao Phraya River) is offering free rides to commuters during a six-month trial run that came into effect on Monday.
The Bang Wa- Tha Chang route service starts from Bang Wa pier near the BTS Bang Wa station and runs along Phasi Charoen canal before turning into Bangkok Yai canal and then into the Chao Phraya River.
It will stop to pick up passengers at five piers, namely Bang Wa, Intharam temple, Phra Phuttha Yodfa Bridge, Rajini and Tha Chang.
The boat service is available during three periods daily; from 6am-9am at 30-minute intervals; from 9am to 3pm at 60-minute intervals; and from 3pm-7pm at 60-minute intervals.
The new service, which is provided by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the Marine Department, is a policy initiative of Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, which aims to provide alternative means of transport to cover four boat routes that are currently not being serviced by private companies. They are: the route between Bang Wa pier and Tha Chang pier; between Hua Lampong train station pier and Devarajakunchorn temple pier; between Sri Boonruang temple pier and Paseo mall pier, and the route between Bang Wa pier and Kamphaeng temple pier.