Khlong Maha Naak (คลองมหานาค)

Thai. ‘Canal of the Great Naga’. A canal dug around 1785, on the orders of King Rama I, as an eastward extension of Khlong Kuh Meuang Deum (คลองคูเมืองเดิม), nowadays part of Khlong Rop Krung (fig.). At that time, it ran outside the then borders of the capital Rattanakosin (fig.), up to where later, in 1851, Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem (fig.) was dug, which runs perpendicular to it, just past Saphaan Charoenrat 32, a bridge over Khlong Maha Naak inaugurated in 1912 to mark the 32nd birthday of King Rama VI. Nowadays, it runs roughly from Sapaan Mahatthai Uthit (fig.), between Pom Maha Kaan (fig.) in the West, where it connects to the Chao Phraya River via Khlong Rop Krung, and Wang Sra Pathum or Sra Pathum Palace (fig.) in the East, where it today connects with Khlong Saen Saeb (fig.), an extension dug in 1837. It forms the western line of a public express boat service, which also has a northern line, that operates on a section of the Khlong Saen Saeb, jointly offering service between Pom Praab Sattroo Phaai (near Wat Saket - fig.) and Wat Sri Boon Reuang (วัดศรีบุญเรือง) in Bangkapi (บางกะปิ). See MAP. 回