Bang Rak
Encyclopedia
Bang Rak is one of the 50 districts (Khet) of Bangkok
, Thailand
. The district is bounded by four other districts (from north clockwise): Pathum Wan
, Sathon
, Khlong San
(across Chao Phraya River
), and Samphanthawong
. It was established in 1912.
Because of Bang Rak can mean village of love, now the district is the most popular place to register marriage especially on Valentine's Day
in each year.
The district is sub-divided into five sub-districts (Kwaeng).
Bang Rak is famous for its commercial area around Si Lom Road
(also written Silom). The land properties on Si Lom Road are among the most expensive in Thailand with skyscrapers throughout the road.
The State Tower
on Si Lom Road is the tallest building in Bang Rak. At 247 m (811 ft) with 68 floors, it is second only to Baiyoke Tower II
, the current tallest building in Thailand. Dusit Thani Hotel located in the opposite end of Si Lom Road contains a distinctive triangular shaped building, another famous landmark in the district.
Many shops targeting tourists appear along Si Lom Road, especially clothes, art, and jewelly stores. In fact much of the jewelry is produced in jewelry companies here. A few department stores are present in Bang Rak, namely, Central
Si Lom, Silom Complex, Robinson Bang Rak. They are rather small compared to shopping centers in other areas. It is more famous as a night shopping area for tourists. Along two sides of the Si Lom
and in Patpong
become night market full of stalls selling clothes and souvenirs. Furthermore, many pubs and gogo bars open in the nearby Patpong Road
, a famous red-light district.
On the west side of Bang Rak is the Chao Phraya river. Several luxurious hotels are located on the river bank, Oriental Hotel, Shangri-La Hotel, and Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel. The first one is among the earliest hotels built over a century ago and consistently ranked among the world's best hotels. Next to Royal Orchid Sheraton are Si Phraya express boat pier and River City (actually in Samphanthawong
), a shopping center specialized in antiques and arts.
Although Buddhist temples
in Bang Rak are not remarkable, with possibly exception of Wat Hua Lamphong
(วัดหัวลำโพง) and maybe Wat Maha Phruettharam (วัดมหาพฤฒาราม), various places of worship representing other religions are well represented. This includes the Thailand's most famous Hindu temple
named Sri Mahamariamman Temple. It is also called Wat Phra Sri Maha Umathewi (วัดพระศรีมหาอุมาเทวี) or Wat Kak (วัดแขก) in Thai. A ceremony named Nawa Ratri (นวราตรี) or Dussehra is held by the temple during the first to the ninth day of the 11th lunar month (around October) when the temple statues were carried by the Hindu community along Si Lom Road. Some devotees perform ritual
s such as body piercing with sharp objects. Also located in Bang Rak is Assumption Cathedral
, a very famous cathedral
that appeared in various films.
The Bangkok Folk Museum
is also located in the district as are The Neilson Hays Library, Bangkok's oldest English language library, and The British Club Bangkok, the last surviving International members' club.
and Metro
underground line. Most stops lie on district borders however due to its narrow roads.
Skytrain stations include Sala Daeng, Chong Nonsi, Surasak, and Saphan Taksin while Metro stops are Si Lom
, Sam Yan
, and Hua Lamphong
.
Express river boats also provide transportation service along Chao Phraya rivers with the central pier at Saphan Taksin. Other piers for the boat service are Oriental, Wat Muang Kae and Si Phraya.
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
, Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
. The district is bounded by four other districts (from north clockwise): Pathum Wan
Pathum Wan
Pathum Wan or Pathumwan is one of the 50 districts of Bangkok, Thailand. The district is bounded by six other districts : Ratchathewi , Watthana, Khlong Toei, Sathon, Bang Rak, Pom Prap Sattru Phai , and Dusit.-History:The district was established in 1914...
, Sathon
Sathon
Sathon or Sathorn is one of the 50 districts of Bangkok, Thailand. The district is bounded by six other districts : Bang Rak, Pathum Wan, Khlong Toei, Yan Nawa, Bang Kho Laem, and Khlong San ....
, Khlong San
Khlong San
Khlong San is one of the 50 districts of Bangkok, Thailand. Located on the west bank of Chao Phraya River, neighboring districts across the river are Phra Nakhon, Samphanthawong, Bang Rak, Sathon, and Bang Kho Laem...
(across Chao Phraya River
Chao Phraya River
The Chao Phraya is a major river in Thailand, with its low alluvial plain forming the centre of the country. It runs through Bangkok, the capital city, and then empties into the Gulf of Thailand.-Etymology:...
), and Samphanthawong
Samphanthawong
Samphanthawong is one of the 50 districts of Bangkok, Thailand. Regarded as Bangkok's Chinatown, it is the smallest district in area but has the highest population density of Bangkok's districts...
. It was established in 1912.
History
There are two theories about the district name Bang Rak. One theory suggests that the original name for the area which become Bang Rak was written in Thai as บางรักษ์ (also pronounced Bang Rak) meaning village of cure due to the presence of a famous hospital. Through time the Thai spelling was shortened to the current form, meaning village of love. The second theory by Phraya Anuman Ratchathon suggests that Rak refers a kind of plant and there was one of such plant in a canal in the district.Because of Bang Rak can mean village of love, now the district is the most popular place to register marriage especially on Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day
Saint Valentine's Day, commonly shortened to Valentine's Day, is an annual commemoration held on February 14 celebrating love and affection between intimate companions. The day is named after one or more early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine, and was established by Pope Gelasius I in 496...
in each year.
Administration
| 1. | Maha Phruettharam | มหาพฤฒาราม | |
| 2. | Si Lom | สีลม | |
| 3. | Suriyawong | สุริยวงศ์ | |
| 4. | Bang Rak | บางรัก | |
| 5. | Si Phraya | สี่พระยา |
Places
Si Lom
Si Lom is a sub-District and road in Bang Rak district, Bangkok, Thailand. Constructed in 1851 as part of a dyke and irrigation system, Silom road has become one of Bangkok's most cosmopolitan streets and major financial center; it is the home to some of the largest companies in Thailand ex...
(also written Silom). The land properties on Si Lom Road are among the most expensive in Thailand with skyscrapers throughout the road.
The State Tower
State Tower
State Tower is a skyscraper located on Silom Road, Bang Rak business district, Bangkok, Thailand, adjacent to Charoen Krung Road. Built in 2001, it is the largest building in Southeast Asia, with floor area. State Tower has 68 floors and is tall, making it the third tallest building in Thailand...
on Si Lom Road is the tallest building in Bang Rak. At 247 m (811 ft) with 68 floors, it is second only to Baiyoke Tower II
Baiyoke Tower II
Baiyoke Tower II, located on 222 Ratchaprarop Road in the Ratchathewi district of Bangkok is Thailand's tallest building. It contains the Baiyoke Sky Hotel, the tallest hotel in Southeast Asia, and the fourth-tallest all-hotel structure in the world....
, the current tallest building in Thailand. Dusit Thani Hotel located in the opposite end of Si Lom Road contains a distinctive triangular shaped building, another famous landmark in the district.
Many shops targeting tourists appear along Si Lom Road, especially clothes, art, and jewelly stores. In fact much of the jewelry is produced in jewelry companies here. A few department stores are present in Bang Rak, namely, Central
Central Department Store
Central Department Store is a Thai department store chain, owned by Central Group.- History :Started in 1927, 22-year old Nitiang or Tiang Chirathivat, an immigrant from mainland China, travels the sea and settles down in then Siam and started a store in Bangkok named "Keng Seng Lee" or , which...
Si Lom, Silom Complex, Robinson Bang Rak. They are rather small compared to shopping centers in other areas. It is more famous as a night shopping area for tourists. Along two sides of the Si Lom
Si Lom
Si Lom is a sub-District and road in Bang Rak district, Bangkok, Thailand. Constructed in 1851 as part of a dyke and irrigation system, Silom road has become one of Bangkok's most cosmopolitan streets and major financial center; it is the home to some of the largest companies in Thailand ex...
and in Patpong
Patpong
Patpong is an entertainment district in Bangkok, Thailand, catering mainly, though not exclusively, to foreign tourists and expatriates. While Patpong is internationally known as a red light district at the heart of Bangkok's sex industry, it is in fact only one of numerous red-light districts...
become night market full of stalls selling clothes and souvenirs. Furthermore, many pubs and gogo bars open in the nearby Patpong Road
Patpong
Patpong is an entertainment district in Bangkok, Thailand, catering mainly, though not exclusively, to foreign tourists and expatriates. While Patpong is internationally known as a red light district at the heart of Bangkok's sex industry, it is in fact only one of numerous red-light districts...
, a famous red-light district.
On the west side of Bang Rak is the Chao Phraya river. Several luxurious hotels are located on the river bank, Oriental Hotel, Shangri-La Hotel, and Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel. The first one is among the earliest hotels built over a century ago and consistently ranked among the world's best hotels. Next to Royal Orchid Sheraton are Si Phraya express boat pier and River City (actually in Samphanthawong
Samphanthawong
Samphanthawong is one of the 50 districts of Bangkok, Thailand. Regarded as Bangkok's Chinatown, it is the smallest district in area but has the highest population density of Bangkok's districts...
), a shopping center specialized in antiques and arts.
Wat
A wat is a monastery temple in Cambodia, Thailand, or Laos. The word "wat" means "school".- Introduction :...
in Bang Rak are not remarkable, with possibly exception of Wat Hua Lamphong
Wat Hua Lamphong
Wat Hua Lamphong is a Royal Buddhist temple, third class, in the Bang Rak District of Bangkok, Thailand.It is located on Rama IV Road, with Si Lom Road and Suriwong Road in Bangkok's modern business district to the southeast, and Si Phraya Road to the northwest. It is a block from The Montien...
(วัดหัวลำโพง) and maybe Wat Maha Phruettharam (วัดมหาพฤฒาราม), various places of worship representing other religions are well represented. This includes the Thailand's most famous Hindu temple
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
named Sri Mahamariamman Temple. It is also called Wat Phra Sri Maha Umathewi (วัดพระศรีมหาอุมาเทวี) or Wat Kak (วัดแขก) in Thai. A ceremony named Nawa Ratri (นวราตรี) or Dussehra is held by the temple during the first to the ninth day of the 11th lunar month (around October) when the temple statues were carried by the Hindu community along Si Lom Road. Some devotees perform ritual
Ritual
A ritual is a set of actions, performed mainly for their symbolic value. It may be prescribed by a religion or by the traditions of a community. The term usually excludes actions which are arbitrarily chosen by the performers....
s such as body piercing with sharp objects. Also located in Bang Rak is Assumption Cathedral
Assumption Cathedral, Bangkok
The Assumption Cathedral is the principal Roman Catholic church of Thailand, located at 23 Oriental Avenue, New Road, in the Bang Rak district of Bangkok. It is the main church of the Archdiocese of Bangkok...
, a very famous cathedral
Cathedral
A cathedral is a Christian church that contains the seat of a bishop...
that appeared in various films.
The Bangkok Folk Museum
Bangkok Folk Museum
Bangkok Folk Museum is a museum in Bangkok, Thailand. It is located at Soi Charoen Krung 43, near the Sri Rat Expressway several hundred metres from the right bank of the Chao Phraya and the intersection of Charoen Krung Road and Maha Set Road....
is also located in the district as are The Neilson Hays Library, Bangkok's oldest English language library, and The British Club Bangkok, the last surviving International members' club.
Transportation
Bang Rak is served by both SkytrainBangkok Skytrain
The Bangkok Mass Transit System, commonly known as the BTS Skytrain , is an elevated rapid transit system in Bangkok, Thailand. It is operated by Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Limited under a concession granted by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration...
and Metro
Bangkok Metro
The MRT , sometimes referred to as the Bangkok Metro, is Bangkok's underground metro system in Thailand. It was constructed under a concession concept...
underground line. Most stops lie on district borders however due to its narrow roads.
Skytrain stations include Sala Daeng, Chong Nonsi, Surasak, and Saphan Taksin while Metro stops are Si Lom
Si Lom
Si Lom is a sub-District and road in Bang Rak district, Bangkok, Thailand. Constructed in 1851 as part of a dyke and irrigation system, Silom road has become one of Bangkok's most cosmopolitan streets and major financial center; it is the home to some of the largest companies in Thailand ex...
, Sam Yan
Sam Yan
Sam Yan is the name of an intersection and its nearby neighbourhood in Bangkok, Thailand. It connects Rama IV Road with Phaya Thai Road to the north and Si Phraya Road to the south, and is located within Pathum Wan District, next to its border with Bang Rak...
, and Hua Lamphong
Hua Lamphong
Hua Lamphong Railway Station , officially known as the Bangkok Railway Station, is the main railway station in Bangkok, Thailand. It is located in the center of the city in Pathum Wan District, and is operated by the State Railway of Thailand....
.
Express river boats also provide transportation service along Chao Phraya rivers with the central pier at Saphan Taksin. Other piers for the boat service are Oriental, Wat Muang Kae and Si Phraya.