Commuters vow to keep using canal

Commuters who rely on the Saen Saep canal say yesterday’s explosion will not deter them from taking to the water in the future.

Many who spoke to the Bangkok Post Sunday yesterday morning said they would rather take their chances on the canal than battle the heavily congested traffic on the roads.

They said they had no choice but to continue travelling on the city’s busiest canal, which stretches from historic Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue to Wat Si Bunrueang in Bang Kapi district in eastern Bangkok.

Ramkhamhaeng University student Supharat Khongkaeo said she was aware of the explosion at Wat Thep Leela pier, near her campus.

But when she was asked whether she would reconsider future trips to and from Ramkhamhaeng Road, her answer was a clear “no”.

She said it was necessary for her to travel along Khlong Saen Saep despite the perceived lack of safety and the potential for more serious incidents.

She said the one thing she can do now is to “pray for no more accidents” along the route.

Ms Supharat’s university sits on Ramkhamhaeng Road, one of the most congested streets in Bangkok.

The heavy traffic means many students opt to travel along the canal to and from university. Although they sometimes have to jostle in crowded boats and endure excessive noise from boat engines, they say this is preferable to the risks on the road.

Ms Supharat, 22, said despite these factors, boat travel is quick, convenient and can be planned on a real-time basis.

This, in her view, paints a sharp contrast to hours wasted in traffic snarls on roads including Phetchaburi, which connects central Bangkok and Ramkhamhaeng Road.

Up to 40,000 people on average use the boat service during the week.

The number drops to about 20,000 on weekends.

Ramkhamhaeng University students are not the only group of regular passengers. Downstream the canal passes Srinakharinwirot University at Prasanmit campus.

Also, Phetchaburi Road, which runs parallel with the canal, houses many companies and canal-side communities.

One of the canal’s busiest piers is in the Pratunam area, known as a shopping hub from which, in just a few bus stops, people can travel further to Chulalongkorn University.

“Saen Saep boats have been the best choice for a lot of Bangkokians for a long time,” said Mohammat Abu, who travels along Saen Saep canal almost every day.

He said yesterday’s accident would not discourage him from using the boat service.

Amid calls for authorities to ensure safety standards for all boat passengers, both public and private, Mr Mohammat said he will avoid sitting or standing near boat engines.