Bangkok’s Canals, Thailand

The canals of Bangkok do not have an unfathomable depth, lurking predators, or extreme temperatures. Its ailment is human-made; overcrowding caused both the pollution and colorful traffic on these tourist traps. The trenches would have been perfect for swimming in the old days. But those days are long gone and exist only in memory. In the present, the channels are used for transportation and as a setting for busy floating markets.

Bangkok is a beacon for tourists, and the canals have paid the price for their passage. If you visit this city, the bustling waterways are still famous for shopping and sightseeing but look elsewhere if you wish to swim.