Bangkok is a favorite place of travel writer and blogger Chris Ashton, and during a visit last October he took a canal tour in Bangkok by longboat – and discovered a side of the city that surprised him.

It's not a typical tourist attraction and was sometimes surprising, but if you have the time, a ride on a longboat offers a glimpse into a side of Bangkok that is not found in the guidebooks.

My small group boarded a longboat at the Wat Rajsingkorn ferry terminal near Asiatique, went around the Chao Phraya River a few times, and passed through a lock system at Dao Khanang into the Khlongs (canals) of Thonburi.

From there we continued driving up Bang Khun Tian and finally returned to the Chao Phraya River via Bangkok Yai.

The entire trip took about an hour and a half. The leisurely pace allowed ample time to admire vast temple complexes, magnificent estates, modern apartment blocks, and dilapidated houses along the river (some of which were even tumbling into it).

The sights were certainly part of the appeal, but what fascinated me most was observing the people. Longboat drivers, garbage collectors, floating vendors selling fruit from their small canoes – it was fascinating to see how vital the river is for so many people.

Longtail boats are basically like tuk-tuks on the water. The rental price is negotiable directly with the driver, but if, like me, you're not good at negotiating (or rather, not at all), then it's worth booking a guided tour. It's best to ask at your hotel about guided tours.

Learn more about Chris's travels on his travel blog, Repeat Traveller.