Whiskers on the Water

Imagine drifting along a canal with the water gently lapping against the boat, and beside you, a calm, curious feline gazing out at the world. This isn’t your typical travel story—it’s an exploration shared by both humans and felines as they drift through the scenic canals of Bangkok’s eastern suburbs.

For over three years, the “canal cats of Lat Krabang” have been charming travellers and cat lovers from China, Singapore, Taiwan, Europe, and beyond, drawing them to Bangkok’s hidden waterways.

Visitors cruise for nearly an hour with these gentle feline companions, enjoying a unique experience as tabbies, calicos, gingers, and smart tuxedo cats roam playfully, sometimes even leaping from one boat to another. With an ever-growing waitlist, these “canal cat” tours capture the allure of Bangkok’s backwaters and friendly, water-loving cats.

Photo: The boat is ready for visitors, who will be accompanied by the tuxedo cat in charge at the front deck, while the smoky grey cat enjoys a quiet moment at the back. Photo/ Chawarit Satchathamakul

“It all began with our adopting stray cats to keep the rats at bay,” says Chawarit Satchathamakul, the innkeeper at Si Yaek Huatakhe Café & Guesthouse who first introduced the cats of Hua Takhe to the world.

Just six kilometres north of Suvarnabhumi Airport, the historic Hua Takhe Old Market sits at the “crossroads” of the Prawet Burirom and Hua Takhe canals.

Once a bustling riverside marketplace in the era of boat travel, it gradually declined as cars took over.

Today, however, art students from the College of Fine Arts and King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang have revived the area, infusing it with creativity.

Photo: A boat ride with the cats of Hua Takhe might just be the highlight of a visitor's trip to Thailand. Photo/ Chawarit Satchathamakul

With its mix of budget-friendly guesthouses and stylish cafés, Hua Takhe now attracts weekend visitors looking for a creative escape along Bangkok’s scenic canals.

“When we first moved in, living in a wooden house naturally meant dealing with rats—it’s just part of the experience. So, we thought, why not bring in some cats to help keep them in check? That’s when we adopted two strays, Tong Daeng and Tong Dam, even though we knew next to nothing about raising cats. We brought them in solely to tackle the rat problem,” says the innkeeper, smiling as he recalls initially adopting the cats as a practical solution.

Though cats aren’t typically drawn to water, with a slow introduction and a comfortable setup, Tong Daeng and Tong Dam adapted to life on the boat, gliding past sampans and riverside communities.

Photo: The calico cat offers comfort to a young visitor during the boat ride around Hua Takhe Old Marketplace, east of Bangkok. Photo/ Chawarit Satchathamakul

“As I started taking them on regular boat rides, people begin to notice. They’d look over, surprised—‘A cat on a boat!’—and snap photos. Seeing their interest, I thought, why not create a page to share their adventures and show people that cats aren’t always afraid of water,” says Chawarit.

What began as a simple solution went viral after Chinese tourists shared their photos and experiences of cruising with cats on the Red Book app. If Hua Takhe’s canal cats captivated Chinese audiences first, it wasn’t long before the rest of the world was drawn in as well.

Now, visitors from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and even Europe come to enjoy a 50-minute journey on the canal with these charming feline companions.

“O Liang,” the black cat, proves that felines are indeed great swimmers when the need arises. Photo/ Chawarit Satchathamakul

The journey begins in the late afternoon at Si Yaek Huatakhe Café & Guesthouse. Amid old dessert shops, a traditional Chinese shrine, art galleries, and graffiti by local artists, visitors and cat lovers are mesmerized as their feline companions stretch their necks and twitch their noses at new smells from fresh coffee to riverside snacks.

Visitors also get to meet friendly locals, who, intrigued by the sight of cats on the water, stop to chat or offer treats. Children wave from the banks, laughing in surprise, while the cats return regal nods.

As twilight settles, the canal transforms under the soft glow of lanterns, revealing a rare and enchanting side of Bangkok’s waterways. The journey becomes as much about the bond with these feline companions as it is about the place itself—a shared, intimate experience of Bangkok’s vibrant backwaters.

“Currently, we have nine cats who join us on boat rides at Huatakhe Café. They happily hop from shoulder to shoulder, keeping everyone entertained,” says the innkeeper.

A portion of the income from these tours now goes toward helping stray cats in need.

“We support animal welfare efforts, distributing food from sponsorships to the community and covering vet expenses for local cats when owners can’t afford it. It’s become a way for our cats to give back, helping others in need,” shares Hua Takhe’s cat keeper, Chawarit Satchathamakul.

Photo: The tabby asserts its dominance on the boat—it's clear who’s in charge. Photo/ Chawarit Satchathamakul

RIDE WITH THE CATS

Getting to Hua Takhe Old Market is easy with a commuter rail-and-songthaew bus combo. Simply take the Bangkok Airport Rail Link to Lat Krabang station, then hop on a red songthaew bus that will take you to this historic riverside marketplace.

For a unique experience, join the “Riding with Cats” canal tour, offered twice daily at 4:30 pm and 5:30 pm. Advance booking is required via their Facebook page: [HuatakheCat](https://www.facebook.com/HuatakheCat).