Why go
Follow the Chao Phraya to understand the central plain, or look east to the Mekong and its tributaries for a different river setting. The contrast helps make sense of a route through Bangkok and the centre versus one through Isan; named lakes add other inland points of interest.
The full story
Two large river systems drain much of Thailand. The Chao Phraya gathers northern tributaries including the Ping, Yom, Nan and Wang before crossing the central lowlands. The Mekong system, with tributaries such as the Mun and Chi, belongs to a different eastern watershed. Their lower reaches have gentle gradients, so seasonal changes in flow can bring flooding, sediment and shifting channels. This explains why a riverbank landscape may look different at another time of year. Farther south, rivers such as the Tapi, Phum Duang and Pattani are shorter. Lakes named in Thailand's inland geography include Phayao, Bueng Boraphet, Nong Han and Thale Sap. For a lake outing, check conditions at the particular lake rather than planning it like a Chao Phraya or Mekong riverside visit.
Useful to know
- Check local water and weather conditions before planning a riverside or lake visit in the wet season.