Mail boat service

> Nopadol Choihirun is one of the last remaining floating postmen in Bangkok still servicing the city’s waterfront residents

Bangkok’s sprawling metropolis, with canals paved over and waterfront homes torn down.

With an extensive network of moats and man-made canals, Bangkok is often dubbed the ‘Venice of the East’.

The riverine landscape that snakes through the city and connects to the mighty Chao Phraya river was once home to thriving communities and trade hubs, where boats played a vital role for transport and commuting.

But rapid urbanisation has seen the capital’s population explode and move into everhigher skyscrapers and condos.

“Former residents in Bang Khun Tian have either moved out of the canal side or left the elders at home,” said Kijja Phaukmoungsri, assistant director of the local post office that runs the service.

The need for floating postmen has steadily diminished, with only seven post offices in Bangkok still carrying the service today.

Costly fuel is another downside of boat deliveries, which are 10 times more expensive than distributing mail by road.

But for those still living along the canals, the service is indispensable, even if most of the snail mail consists of little more than water and electricity bills.

“We live along the canal and there’s no road access. For sure, a mail service like this one is much needed,” said Pacharee Kladpipoon, a waterfront villager. – AFP