Bangkok rediscovers the magic of its legendary river
In the historic—and once again buzzing—riverside districts of Thailand’s capital, one writer traces her family’s past.
In the historic—and once again buzzing—riverside districts of Thailand’s capital, one writer traces her family’s past.
Bangkok’s Chao Phraya flows in exaggerated loops through historic neighborhoods, past Buddhist temples, gilded palaces, and humble teak bungalows teetering on the water’s edge.
The river floats by the curled rooflines of Chinese shrines, the spires of Christian churches and mosque minarets, and shophouses that were—and still are—home to immigrant families from China, India, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. They settled along its banks as early as the 19th century to trade in teak, cloth, gems, and spices.
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