ONE SIMPLE Idea to SAVE Bangkok From Sinking!

Bangkok could soon be unlivable. It is in real danger of drowning in terrible traffic congestion and catastrophic flooding from the mighty Chao Phraya river, upon whose delta the city is constructed.
But this city of 10 million people might just avoid collapse by reviving its vast canal network, combining the best of modern technology and powerful ancient wisdom.

The "Venice of the East" was originally a water city without roads, but many of the canals were filled in to make way for cars. Now the city seeks to undo some of the errors of 20th-century urban planning.

This film looks at the challenges facing this drive to revive the canal network and give it a central role in the city's public transport system. Water buses are already used in Bangkok and are great for avoiding jammed-up roads. But the old diesel-powered boats cause their own problems in terms of water, air, and sound pollution. The new project is turning to battery-powered boats pioneered by a German company, Torqeedo.

CONTENTS:
00:00 Bangkok's New Idea
01:08 Bangkok's forgotten treasures
03:10 The Canal Resurrection Plan
04:50 Flooding Danger in Bangkok
05:15 Canals for Commuters
06:20 Saen Saep Canal Pollution
07:06 Electric Water Buses
07:49 Torqeedo Electric Boat construction
10:24 Thai PM Throws The Switch
10:51 Phadung Krung Kasem Canal Goes Electric
11:49 Solving Problems on Lad Phrao Canal
13:55 The Long View

Film by Felix Nuhr & Michael Trobridge
Camera: Felix Nuhr
Editing: Felix Nuhr

LINKS:
An efficient and environmentally friendly public transport system is integral to the ambitious renewal of the country dubbed 'Thailand 4.0" - Thailand's next, cleaner, economic revolution.
More details on Bangkok's Resurrected Canals Project here:

Resettlement of shanty housing dwellers on Lad Phrai canal:

Torqeedo's emission-free commuter fleet:

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[hub]

My grandma said when she arrived at Bangkok for the first time in her life at age 12, one of the first thing she love is scenery of canals and river. I hope one day I will feel the way she experienced

[intsccents]

I love Bangkok and i am so happy to see projects that make the city so much better, sometimes things that are thought of as being obsolete are now found to be better, and i have always thought on my many trips to Bangkok over the past 15 years that the waterways were truly the secret way of getting around the city and now with these new projects they will return this thriving city back to its roots as the Venice of the east and thats a good thing L.A Rob..

[pgatovcranbrook]

Bangkok is a good example in this century to demonstrate canal living or even the world to understand how to live better

[TheBodiesInTheWaterBeckons]

Back in the day people called Bangkok, the Venice of Asia, because of how many canals there was.

[dgilvani]

One thing you won’t here in Bangkok is people honking horns. They consider it impolite. 🇹🇭 Its very refreshing 😊

[liveisnotbeautiful]

What a great project for Bangkok Transpotation and the People of Thailand

[TylanderPromputra]

I can't wait to take a trip in Bangkok canals. One of my favorite things to do in Bangkok. I am glad the city replace the diesel boat onto electric boat. The best way to get around in Bangkok thru the canals and Tuk Tuk ride along the city. A must things to do in Bangkok.

[yasukats]

I used to ride Saen Saep Canal Boats quite often as I lived in Thonglor - such as after I finished marathons near Royal Palace (and got off right at 0:05). Looking forward to trying the electrified boats when I visit Bangkok again in the near future.

[chonlakarno.]

It's great to witness the attempt of changing all public transportation to EV. I myself is about to change to use EV too. For a better air for our Bangkok.

[edgarbleikur]

My number one favorite thing to do in Bangkok is to catch a ferry across to the lungs of Bangkok in Samut prakan.

Great to see this happening here in Bangkok.

[denseone]

My family home in Bangkok’s historic Dusit district still faces a now defunct outlet for the Prem Prachakon canal, which actually links to Phadung Krung Kasem canal that links to the Chao Phraya River, but access to the canal is interrupted by low bridges and development encroachment, so now my house is the only remaining house with the original canal front still intact since our neighbors have filled their canals to extend their land, so now we have a pond instead of a canal, with huge cat fish that somehow found its way to the pond during floods.

[tktk_green]

Thailand plan to use the EV for public transportation. Replace the diesel bus and boat with EV within this year.

[qw]

It's a great channel with content focussing on various aspects of mobility. Nice.

[andyrbush]

I love using the canal boats to get around Bangkok. The exisitng boats could be made a lot cleaner with the same but dlightly modified engines, by using LNG for fuel, and they already have the filling facilities at least labeled, if not used yet.
Nice video.

[newestphenom]

The woman was wrong. Siam didn't filled up canals to construct roads for showing westerners for her developing. But Siam did that according to the higher demands from both local civilians and foreigners to use cars rather than boatings.

[RoodeMenon]

A small mention of their vast Metro train network would have been nice. It's the best way to travel in the city.

[katherinerice]

Having been stuck in traffic while getting taxis around Bangkok, , I look forward to seeing this on my next visit!

[mrmartin]

Travelling by the Saen Seab is Soo much FUN - for so little cost -highly recommend

[mickbotcast]

Year later and the canal look more clean than ever,
I never thought I could see this day as a 30s Bangkokian
in the past the canal look so hopeless and we all know that it will be a BIG work
but this new change give me hope for the future

[jampasurprenant]

I'm delighted to hear the news
Projects for the canal
in Bangkok . and I'am also from the canal call bangkapi
For twenty years .
I probably won't recognize
The city has been more than fifty years ago.
I appreciate you for sharing with you.