An American in Bangkok running the khlong

by Meghan Lynch 

 

 

There’s this place, there’s actually at the most recent count 1,682 of them. You can see them, smell them and hear about them throughout Thailand. They are a means of transportation, floating markets and sewage disposal. They may appeal to you, interest you or make your stomach turn. They are a part of Thailand’s history, their economy, their life, their tourism. You can take a ride any time of day to see what they look and feel like, see what is along them and in them.

 

They are Thailand’s khlongs. On most of the khlongs, especially the smaller ones, there are houses, communities, families and little convenience stores. You can travel on them by water and see them from there or access them by foot, where there are concrete footpaths with railings for walking, bicycle riding, a motorbike can even pass through. You can stop and walk into a little convenience store and buy water, or order and sit and eat a bowl of noodles under a covered area that someone has worked hard to create their home and business, on the house’s front steps. 

 

I’ve come to know a few of the khlongs in my neighbourhood by being gifted ‘that friend’.  She’s the kind of friend everyone needs. She’s honest, helpful, supportive and kind. She is the one that has a solution to a problem you didn’t even know you had. The one who knows someone, who knows someone who can fix this or that or take you to the place that no one knows about. Anytime I’d find myself in a space with her, at the pool, having a coffee, she’d ask me how things were going, we’d find a natural rhythm of conversation, full of ease and genuine nature.   

 

I met this friend when I first arrived in Thailand, six years ago. One day, I found myself telling her how running in the Mu Baan at 5:30 in the morning was lovely, it was also getting boring, I was feeling like a hamster running around the wheel, same view, same steps, same feel, over and over even with a change in music genre. She asked me if I’d run along the khlong yet? The khlong, what is a khlong I answered? With that she was off, sharing the way to get there, why it was just outside our village down the street. She informed me of the other’s she knew who ran it in the village and how it was an experience in itself to see the community, built around the paved, uneven, at times unsteady paths.  

 

My first few jogs along the khlong were with a friend who ran there most mornings, she was faster than I, realising that quite quickly, I decided to learn her routes and ended up going out on my own because as runner’s code goes, if you hold someone back and can’t keep up, it might not be a match, no hard feelings.

 

Over the last 6 years (with some breaks for a pregnancy and newborn baby phase) I have found myself on the paved, uneven and busy walkways that lean up against the khlong. I duck under bridges, slide left or right to dodge a motorbike, slow down for a family walking to work or school and politely say ‘hello’ in Thai as my signal to let them know I am there and may I pass them, ever so politely. I have jumped over snakes and rooster poo. All too often I’ve just missed kicking a cute little duck or two that jumps out in front of me.  

 

I enter the khlong and it feels alive, even on the days when everyone is still asleep. With sounds of boats and bikes, I wake a monitor lizard who then slithers scared, down off the wall and into the water. I watch fishing poles cast into the dirty water to serve as breakfast.  The community is warm and kind. They smile, throw up a peace sign or a thumbs up. They clap for us and say good job in Thai. Sometimes they laugh at the crazy farang lady running in such heat while they are sitting relaxing on their makeshift front porch.

 

Full Story: https://expatlifeinthailand.com/travel-and-leisure/an-american-in-bangkok-running-the-khlong/

 

-- © Copyright Expat Life in Thailand 2020-12-08

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

 

Wasn't expecting to see Scott Mallon running but could have been entertaining. I think he would claim the title of the original "An American in Bangkok" though.

So refreshing to read an article like this which reflects my experiences with Thai people and Thai culture.  Friendly,  warm, welcoming, polite, and a fantastic sense of community.

So far removed from the bitterness, negativity, and - let's face it - hatred and racism we see towards Thais on this forum.

More of the same please!

7 hours ago, josephbloggs said:

So refreshing to read an article like this which reflects my experiences with Thai people and Thai culture.  Friendly,  warm, welcoming, polite, and a fantastic sense of community.

So far removed from the bitterness, negativity, and - let's face it - hatred and racism we see towards Thais on this forum.

More of the same please!

Hint: They hang around with the different sort which is where the tarnished viewpoint comes from. Like attracts like and all that....

7 hours ago, josephbloggs said:

So far removed from the bitterness, negativity, and - let's face it - hatred and racism we see towards Thais on this forum.

Please hug one for me today while you're doing your rounds!  

Great to discover that there are actually biking and running paths along some of the khlongs. I've been on the boats many times, but this article brings to light a new aspect that is interesting. 

 

I agree completely that most of the posting that goes on by the expats that subscribe here is poison. Bitter, sarcastic, and of little use to anyone. 

Sadly, not as many as there used to be which I am sure is one of the reasons Bangkok floods quicker.

I experienced in 1968 a Khlong where we fed the ducks, swans & turtles with our left over tidbits after lunch

sitting under shade trees (like willows) but now a 6 lane highway. Progress ?

I'm a mooban walker at sunset, not a jogger. But I use our nearby klong to walk to Seri Centre (renamed Paradise Park), Seacon, and all the way to Ramkamhaeng. I always make way & greet & chitchat with others along the way. If you walk along a klong, though, carry a stick to warn dogs, often in packs; they can be aggressive. There's so much nature along the klongs compared to walking the busy, noisy street.

Hash House Harriers often run on klong paths. Better than running on roads.

They often have a more rural feel even though they are in Bangkok.