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Operating day: Daily

Operating time: 08.00 - 16.30

 

Khok Kham Canal is a very winding canal. Some parts of it are 90-degree curves. The tide is so strong that it is very difficult to control a boat. This caused an accident when Phrachao Suea or Somdet Phra Sanphet VIII (1703-1709) went along Khlong Khok Kham on his private trip by the Ekkachai royal barge.

 

The barge hit a branch of a tree and Phanthai Norasing as the steersman took responsibility by being executed. A straight shortcut through the curving canal was dug by the order of Phrachao Suea at the execution spot.

 

Chaophraya Ratchasongkhram was a leader of 3,000 soldiers in the operation of digging the shortcut in 1705, connecting with the Tha Chin River.

 

The shortcut was 5 Wa-width and 6 Sok-depth and was finished in 1709 in the reign of King Thai Sa. The king gave its name as “Khlong Sanam Chai” and this was later changed into “Khlong Maha Chai”.

 

However, it is called by the locals as “Khlong Than”. At the mouth of Khlong Maha Chai, next to Khlong Khok Kham is situated another shrine of Phanthai Norasing.