Khlong Toei
Encyclopedia
Khlong Toei is a district in central Bangkok
, long known for its slum
. It is bordered by the Chao Phraya River
and contains major port facilities. It is also the name of a major market, though not touristic. The market is served by the Bangkok Metro
station Khlong Toei on Rama IV Road.
Neighboring districts are (from the north clockwise) Watthana
, Phra Khanong
, across the Chao Phraya the district Phra Pradaeng
of Samut Prakan
, Yan Nawa
, Sathon
and Pathum Wan
.
The district was once part of Phra Khanong. It was later separated into a new district on 9 November, 1989. Originally Khlong Toei consisted of 6 sub-districts. Three of which have since left to form the new Watthana district (announced on 14 October, 1997, effective from 6 March, 1998).
The area has a history dated back to the ninth century as a port to cities upstream along Chao Phraya River
. It was a city called Pak Nam Phra Pradaeng (Thai: เมืองปากน้ำพระประแดง) as oppose to the current Amphoe Phra Pradaeng
built during King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke
period. Khlong Thanon Trong (Thai: คลองถนนตรง) was a khlong
(canal) and a parallel road built by King Mongkut
around 1857. Later, it became known as Khlong Toei and Khlong Hua Lamphong for different sections of the canal. Khlong Toei means the canal of pandan
as the plant grew along the southern bank of the canal. The road was renamed to Rama IV Road by King Vajiravudh
in 1919. In 1947, a large portion of Khlong Toei canal was filled up to expand the Rama IV Road surface.
The district is sub-divided into 3 sub-districts (Khwaeng).
. The port is located on Chao Phraya River
not far from Gulf of Thailand
. Due to its limited capacity and traffic problem caused by semi-trailer truck
s, much of shipping operation has been moved to Laem Chabang Port in Chon Buri Province since its opening in July 1981.
Attractions include:
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...
, long known for its slum
Slum
A slum, as defined by United Nations agency UN-HABITAT, is a run-down area of a city characterized by substandard housing and squalor and lacking in tenure security. According to the United Nations, the percentage of urban dwellers living in slums decreased from 47 percent to 37 percent in the...
. It is bordered by the 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 contains major port facilities. It is also the name of a major market, though not touristic. The market is served by the Bangkok 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...
station Khlong Toei on Rama IV Road.
Neighboring districts are (from the north clockwise) Watthana
Watthana
Watthana is one of the 50 districts of Bangkok, Thailand. Neighbor districts are : Ratchathewi, Huai Khwang, Suan Luang, Phra Khanong, Khlong Toei, Sathon, and Pathum Wan.-History:...
, Phra Khanong
Phra Khanong
Phra Khanong is one of the 50 districts of Bangkok, Thailand. Its neighbor, clockwise from north, are Suan Luang, Prawet, and Bang Na districts of Bangkok, Amphoe Phra Pradaeng of Samut Prakan Province , Khlong Toei and Watthana of Bangkok.-History:Phra Khanong was an amphoe of Nakhon Khuan Khan...
, across the Chao Phraya the district Phra Pradaeng
Amphoe Phra Pradaeng
-Geography:Neighboring districts are Thung Khru, Rat Burana, Yan Nawa, Khlong Toei, Phra Khanong and Bang Na , and the districts Mueang Samut Prakan and Phra Samut Chedi of Samut Prakan....
of Samut Prakan
Samut Prakan Province
Samut Prakan is one of the central provinces of Thailand. It is part of the Bangkok Metropolitan Region. Neighboring provinces are Bangkok, to the north and west, and Chachoengsao to the east....
, Yan Nawa
Yan Nawa
Yan Nawa or Yannawa is one of the 50 districts of Bangkok, Thailand. The district is bounded by Rat Burana , Bang Kho Laem, Sathon and Khlong Toei districts of Bangkok while its remaining neighbor from east to south is Amphoe Phra Pradaeng of Samut Prakan Province.-History:Yan Nawa, in the past,...
, 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 ....
and 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...
.
History
The area has a history dated back to the ninth century as a port to cities upstream along 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:...
. It was a city called Pak Nam Phra Pradaeng (Thai: เมืองปากน้ำพระประแดง) as oppose to the current Amphoe Phra Pradaeng
Amphoe Phra Pradaeng
-Geography:Neighboring districts are Thung Khru, Rat Burana, Yan Nawa, Khlong Toei, Phra Khanong and Bang Na , and the districts Mueang Samut Prakan and Phra Samut Chedi of Samut Prakan....
built during King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke
Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke
Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramintharamaha Chakri Borommanat Phra Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke , posthumously titled "the Great", or Rama I , was the founder and the first monarch of the reigning House of Chakri of Siam . He ascended the throne in 1782, after defeating a rebellion which had deposed King...
period. Khlong Thanon Trong (Thai: คลองถนนตรง) was a khlong
Khlong
A khlong is the general name for a canal in the central plain of Thailand. These canals are spawned by the Chao Phraya, the Tha Chin, the Mae Klong Rivers and their tributaries...
(canal) and a parallel road built by King Mongkut
Mongkut
Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramenthramaha Mongkut Phra Chom Klao Chao Yu Hua , or Rama IV, known in foreign countries as King Mongkut , was the fourth monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri, ruling from 1851-1868...
around 1857. Later, it became known as Khlong Toei and Khlong Hua Lamphong for different sections of the canal. Khlong Toei means the canal of pandan
Pandanus amaryllifolius
Pandanus amaryllifolius is a tropical plant in the screwpine genus which is known commonly as pandan and is used widely in Southeast Asian cooking as a flavoring. The plant is rare in the wild but is widely cultivated. It is an upright green plant with fan-shaped sprays of long, narrow, bladelike...
as the plant grew along the southern bank of the canal. The road was renamed to Rama IV Road by King Vajiravudh
Vajiravudh
Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramentharamaha Vajiravudh Phra Mongkut Klao Chao Yu Hua , or Phra Bat Somdet Phra Ramathibodi Si Sintharamaha Vajiravudh Phra Mongkut Klao Chao Yu Hua , or Rama VI was the sixth monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri, ruling from 1910 until his death...
in 1919. In 1947, a large portion of Khlong Toei canal was filled up to expand the Rama IV Road surface.
Administration
| 1. | Khlong Toei | คลองเตย | |
| 2. | Khlong Tan | คลองตัน | |
| 3. | Phra Khanong | พระโขนง |
Port
The Khlong Toei Port, also known as Bangkok Port was Thailand's only major port for sea transportation of cargo. The construction began in 1938 and finished after the end of World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The port is located on 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:...
not far from Gulf of Thailand
Gulf of Thailand
The Gulf of Thailand , also known in to Malays as Teluk Siam literally meant Gulf of Siam, is a shallow arm of the South China Sea.-Geography:...
. Due to its limited capacity and traffic problem caused by semi-trailer truck
Semi-trailer truck
A semi-trailer truck, also known as a semi, tractor-trailer, or articulated truck or articulated lorry, is an articulated vehicle consisting of a towing engine , and a semi-trailer A semi-trailer truck, also known as a semi, tractor-trailer, or (in the United Kingdom and Ireland) articulated truck...
s, much of shipping operation has been moved to Laem Chabang Port in Chon Buri Province since its opening in July 1981.
Places
- The EmporiumThe Emporium (Bangkok)The Emporium is a luxury shopping mall in Khlong Toei district, Bangkok , Thailand, which opened in 1997. It is owned and operated by The Mall Group and another huge mall, Siam Paragon....
, a luxury shopping center. - Nana PlazaNana PlazaNana Plaza is a 3 storey red-light district in Bangkok, which is rumoured to be the largest sex complex in the world. It is located on Sukhumvit Road Soi 4 across from the Nana Hotel, within walking distance of the BTS Skytrain's "Nana Station"...
, a major center for prostitutionProstitution in ThailandProstitution in Thailand is illegal, although in practice it is tolerated and partly regulated. Prostitution is practised openly throughout the country. Local officials with commercial interests in prostitution often protect the practice. The precise number of prostitutes is difficult to assess;...
with go go and hostess bars. - Queen Sirikit National Convention CenterQueen Sirikit National Convention CenterThe Queen Sirikit National Convention Center is a convention and exhibition hall in Bangkok, Thailand.-Facilities and location:...
, served by the Bangkok MetroBangkok MetroThe MRT , sometimes referred to as the Bangkok Metro, is Bangkok's underground metro system in Thailand. It was constructed under a concession concept...
station of the same name, hosts various exhibitions around the year. - Benjakitti Park, a recently created park next to the convention center. It includes a big lake and is on land that was formerly occupied by the Tobacco Monopoly, the government's tobacco factory.
- Benjasiri ParkBenjasiri ParkBenjasiri Park is a garden on Sukhumvit Road, Khlong Toei district, Bangkok, Thailand.Built on next door to the Emporium shopping complex, it commemorates the 60th birthday of Queen Sirikit on August 12, 1992. Construction began in 1990 on land which originally housed the Bangkok Meteorological...
, another fairly new park, it was created to commemorate Her Majesty Queen Sirikit's 60th birthday. It is next to The Emporium. - Chuvit GardenChuvit GardenChuvit Garden is a public park in Bangkok, at Sukhumvit Soi 10. It was created in 2006 by Chuwit Kamolvisit who owns the area. The block was formerly known as Sukhumvit Square....
, the newest public park in the district was created by massage parlorMassage parlorA massage parlor is a business where customers can receive a massage. Sometimes the term is synonymous with brothel as the term "massage" may be used as a euphemism for paid sexual favours....
tycoon-turned-politician Chuwit KamolvisitChuwit KamolvisitChuwit Kamolvisit is a controversial Thai politician who was once the country's biggest massage parlor owner. After an arrest in 2003, he went public with his claims of having paid large bribes to hundreds of police officers. He then sold some of his massage parlors, formed his own political...
from his own plot of land, about 2,400 m² in size and worth about 1,250 million BahtThai bahtThe baht is the currency of Thailand. It is subdivided into 100 satang . The issuance of currency is the responsibility of the Bank of Thailand.-History:The baht, like the pound, originated from a traditional unit of mass...
. Opened in December 2005, it is located on SukhumvitSukhumvit RoadSukhumvit Road , or Thailand Route 3 , is a major road in Thailand, and a major surface road of Bangkok and other cities it winds through. It follows a coastal route from Bangkok to Trat and is just over in length....
SoiSoiSoi is the term used in Thailand for a side-street branching off a major street . An alley is called a Trok .Sois are usually numbered, and are referred to by the name of the major street and the number, as in "Soi Sukhumvit 4", "Sukhumvit Soi 4", or "Sukhumvit 4", all referring to the fourth soi...
10. - Khlong Toei Market, Bangkok's largest wet market.
- Thai Port FC who are in the Thai Premier League play their home matches at the PAT Stadium located off Sunthon Kosa Road.
Transportation
- Bangkok SkytrainBangkok SkytrainThe 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...
(BTS) stations in the district are NanaNana StationNana station is a BTS skytrain station, on the in Watthana and Khlong Toei District, Bangkok, Thailand. The station is located on Sukhumvit Road at Sukhumvit Soi 9, to the east of Nana intersection . It is arounded by variety classes of hotels and facilities for foreign tourists...
, AsokAsok StationAsok station is a BTS skytrain station, on the in Watthana and Khlong Toei District, Bangkok, Thailand. The station is located on Sukhumvit Road at Asok Montri Road , with interchange to at Sukhumvit Station....
(with interchange to Bangkok MetroBangkok MetroThe MRT , sometimes referred to as the Bangkok Metro, is Bangkok's underground metro system in Thailand. It was constructed under a concession concept...
Sukhumvit station), Phrom PhongPhrom Phong StationPhrom Phong station is a BTS skytrain station, on the in Watthana and Khlong Toei District, Bangkok, Thailand. The station is located on Sukhumvit Road at Soi Phrom Phong , one of the areas in Bangkok which is sometimes called Little Japan with many Japanese restaurants...
, Thong LoThong LoThong Lo a.k.a. Sukhumvit Soi 55, is a road in Watthana district, Bangkok, Thailand, on the Sukhumvit Road with Bangkok Transit System BTS Thong Lo station....
, Ekkamai, Phra KhanongPhra KhanongPhra Khanong is one of the 50 districts of Bangkok, Thailand. Its neighbor, clockwise from north, are Suan Luang, Prawet, and Bang Na districts of Bangkok, Amphoe Phra Pradaeng of Samut Prakan Province , Khlong Toei and Watthana of Bangkok.-History:Phra Khanong was an amphoe of Nakhon Khuan Khan...
, and On Nut, all along Sukhumvit RoadSukhumvit RoadSukhumvit Road , or Thailand Route 3 , is a major road in Thailand, and a major surface road of Bangkok and other cities it winds through. It follows a coastal route from Bangkok to Trat and is just over in length....
on the BTS Sukhumvit Line. - Bangkok MetroBangkok MetroThe MRT , sometimes referred to as the Bangkok Metro, is Bangkok's underground metro system in Thailand. It was constructed under a concession concept...
(MRTA) has stations Khlong Toei, Queen Sirikit National Convention CenterQueen Sirikit National Convention CenterThe Queen Sirikit National Convention Center is a convention and exhibition hall in Bangkok, Thailand.-Facilities and location:...
and Sukhumvit (interchange to BTS). - Eastern Bus Terminal (also called Ekkamai Bus Terminal) has inter-city buses to destinations such as PattayaPattayaPattaya is a city in Thailand, located on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand, about 165 km southeast of Bangkok located within but not part of Amphoe Bang Lamung in the province of Chonburi....
, RayongRayong ProvinceRayong province is a province of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Chon Buri and Chanthaburi. To the south is the Gulf of Thailand.-History:...
and TratTrat ProvinceTrat is a province of Thailand. It is located in the east of Thailand, and has borders with Chanthaburi Province to the northwest, Cambodia to the east, and the Gulf of Thailand to the south.Trat is most famous for gemstone mining and trading....
. It is located on Sukhumvit Road, near the Ekkamai BTS station.