What happens if you fall inside the Khlong Saen Saep river?

you definitely don't get superpowers, just really bad diarrhea. i've seen a few people fall in near the boat piers, mostly drunk tourists trying to hop on the express boat. they get pulled out fast by the boat crew, usually covered in that black sludge and smelling like a sewer for days. the brain eating amoeba thing is overblown for khlong saen saep, it's more of a concern in still freshwater lakes. the monitor lizards (ตัวเงินตัวทอง) are harmless btw, they just want the fish scraps

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lived on the canal for a few years near wat sri lam and saw it happen maybe 3 times. the worst part isnt the water itself its the panic, people thrash around and hit the concrete walls or the boat propellers. one guy got his arm sliced open trying to grab the edge of a longtail, needed 40 stitches at phra nok hospital. the fish in there are mostly tilapia and catfish, they survive because theyre tough not because the water is clean. the monitor lizards will scatter when you splash, they dont want anything to do with you

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imo the worst part isnt even falling in, its the fact that youll smell like a dead canal for like a week no matter how many times you shower. there are cheap shower stalls near some of the bigger piers like siam square for the boat crew, they might let u use one if you ask nicely. the monitor lizards are chill, they just hang out on the banks waiting for people to toss fish heads from the morning market.

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Krua Dok Mai Kao is solid but I've always found their som tam a bit tame on the pla ra. If you want the real funky version, try the shophouse spots along Soi Udomsuk 26, near the night market end. They pound it fresh with fermented fish that'll clear your sinuses, and it's like 60 baht. Different style from the On Nut places, more Lao-leaning.

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for som tam specifically i'd say the Isaan spots in Chatuchak are underrated, weekdays only though since the weekend crowd ruins the vibe. there's a stall near gate 2 that does tam pa with fermented bamboo shoots, super sour and funky, not something you see much in On Nut. if you're already heading north for Or Tor Kor anyway its worth the detour.

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honestly the som tam at Krua Dok Mai Kao is good but what got me hooked is their nam prik pla raa dip with the raw veggies, that funk hits way harder than the papaya does. think most people sleep on it cuz they just order the som tam and gai yang. also pro tip, go before noon on weekdays, after that teh pla ra gets milder cuz they batch it for the lunch rush

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