Phra Nakhon
Encyclopedia
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...
. It is the central district of Bangkok, including the Rattanakosin Island. Neighboring districts are (from north clockwise) Dusit
Dusit
Dusit is one of the 50 districts of Bangkok, Thailand.The district forms the main administrative center of Thailand, as both the national parliament as well as the royal palace are located in this district, as well as several ministries...
, Pom Prap Sattru Phai
Pom Prap Sattru Phai
Pom Prap Sattru Phai is one of the 50 districts of Bangkok, Thailand. Neighboring districts are Dusit, Ratchathewi, Pathum Wan, Bang Rak, Samphanthawong, and Phra Nakhon.-History:...
, 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...
, and across 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:...
Thon Buri
Thon Buri (district)
Thon Buri is one of the 50 districts of Bangkok, Thailand. Located on the west bank of Chao Phraya River, it was once part of Thon Buri province...
, Bangkok Yai
Bangkok Yai
Bangkok Yai is one of the 50 districts of Bangkok, Thailand. Neighboring districts are Bangkok Noi, Phra Nakhon , Thon Buri, Phasi Charoen, and Taling Chan.-History:...
, Bangkok Noi
Bangkok Noi
Bangkok Noi is one of the 50 districts of Bangkok, Thailand. Neighboring districts are Bang Phlat, Phra Nakhon , Bangkok Yai, Phasi Charoen, and Taling Chan.-History:...
and Bang Phlat
Bang Phlat
Bang Phlat is one of the 50 districts of Bangkok, Thailand. Its neighbor, clockwise from north, are Amphoe Bang Kruai of Nonthaburi Province, Bang Sue, Dusit, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok Noi, and Taling Chan districts of Bangkok.-History:...
.
Phra Nakhon was also the name of the Bangkok province, until it was merged in 1972 with Thonburi to form the present day Bangkok metropolis.
Location
The district is bounded by the Chao Phraya river to the west, the KhlongKhlong
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...
Phadung Krung Kasem in the north, and Ratchadamnoen road and Khlong Ong Ang to the east. The center of Bangkok, marked by the city pillar shrine
Lak Mueang
Lak Mueang are City pillars found in most cities of Thailand. Usually housed in a shrine which is also believed to house Chao Pho Lak Mueang , the city spirit deity; it is held in high esteem by citizens....
(Lak Mueang), is located in the district. Also surrounding the large free space of the Sanam Luang
Sanam Luang
Sanam Luang is an open field and public square in front of Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace, Bangkok, Thailand. Sanam Luang is located in the Phra Nakhon district, the historic center of Bangkok....
are the Grand Palace
Grand Palace, Bangkok
The Grand Palace is a complex of buildings in Bangkok, Thailand. It served as the official residence of the Kings of Thailand from the 18th century onwards. Construction of the Palace began in 1782, during the reign of King Rama I, when he moved the capital across the river from Thonburi to Bangkok...
and Wat Phra Kaew
Wat Phra Kaew
The Wat Phra Kaew is regarded as the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand. It is a "potent religio-political symbol and the palladium of Thai society". It is located in the historic centre of Bangkok , within the precincts of the Grand Palace.The main building is the central ubosoth, which...
, the National Museum
National Museum Bangkok
The Bangkok National Museum is the main branch museum of the National Museums in Thailand. It features exhibits of Thai art and history. The museum was established and opened in 1874 by King Rama V to exhibit relics from the rule of King Rama IV's rule. Today the galleries contain exhibits...
in the former palace of the Vice King, and the main campus of the Thammasat University
Thammasat University
Thammasat University , or in brief TU , is Thailand's second oldest university. Officially established on 27 June 1934, the university was originally named by founder Pridi Banomyong, University of Moral Science and Politics , reflecting the political fervor of the time...
as well as the Silpakorn University
Silpakorn University
Silpakorn University is a well-known public university in Thailand. The university was founded in Bangkok in 1943 by Italian-born art professor Corrado Feroci, who took the Thai name Silpa Bhirasri when he became a Thai citizen. It is the leading Thai university in the fine arts and archaeology,...
. Also the temple Wat Mahathat
Wat Mahathat, Bangkok
Wat Mahathat Yuwarajarangsarit Rajaworamahavihara ) is a Buddhist temple in Bangkok, Thailand. It is one of the 10 royal temples of the highest class in Bangkok.-History:Built during Ayutthaya period, the temple was then known as Wat Salak...
is located there, though being one of the most important buddhistic temples in bangkok it is not really touristical attractive.
Other significant landmarks in the district include Wat Pho
Wat Pho
Wat Pho , is a Buddhist temple in Phra Nakhon district, Bangkok, Thailand. It is located in the Rattanakosin district directly adjacent to the Grand Palace. Known also as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, its official name is Wat Phra Chettuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Ratchaworamahawihan...
, the Giant Swing
Giant Swing
The Giant Swing is a religious structure in Bangkok, Thailand, Phra Nakhon district, located in front of Wat Suthat temple. It was formerly used an old Brahmin ceremony, and is one of Bangkok's tourist attractions.-History:...
and Wat Suthat, Wat Ratchanadda
Wat Ratchanadda
Wat Ratchanaddaram is a buddhist temple located at the intersection between Ratchadamnoen Klang and Maha Chai Road, in Phra Nakhon district, Bangkok....
(with Loha Prasat) and the Democracy Monument
Democracy Monument, Bangkok
The Democracy Monument is a public monument in the centre of Bangkok, capital of Thailand. It occupies a traffic circle on the wide east-west Ratchadamnoen Klang Road, at the intersection of Dinso Road...
. Also the well-known Khaosan Road
Khaosan Road
Khaosan Road or Khao Sarn Road is a short street in central Bangkok, Thailand. It is located in the Banglamphu area of about 1 km north of the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew....
is located in the district. Another significant temple is Wat Bowonniwet
Wat Bowonniwet
Wat Bowonniwet Vihara Rajavaravihara is a major Buddhist temple in Phra Nakhon district, Bangkok, Thailand. The temple is a center of the Thammayut Nikaya school of Thai Theravada Buddhism and has been a major temple of patronage for the Chakri dynasty. It is the shrine-hall of Phra...
, where several of the Thai kings had been ordained as monk.
Of the original 14 forts protecting Bangkok only two survive - Fort Phra Sumen in the northern corner of the district, and Fort Mahakan in the east of the district. Since 2000 a small park named Santichaiphrakarn around Fort Phra Sumen was built.
In 2005 the complete river front of the Phra Nakhon district - from the King Rama I Bridge (Memorial Bridge)
Memorial Bridge, Bangkok
The Memorial Bridge is a bridge over the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, in Thailand, connecting the districts Phra Nakhon and Thonburi.The bridge was opened on 6 April 1932, commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Chakri Dynasty...
in the south till the Wasukri Pier (Dusit district) - was submitted to the UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
for consideration as a future world heritage site.
Another landmark is Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre on Charoen Krung Road
Charoen Krung Road
Charoen Krung ) is a major road in Bangkok that runs roughly parallel to the Chao Phraya river. Part of it is considered Chinatown along with Yaowarat Road, part of it is closest major road to Phahurat , its northern terminus is the Grand Palace, it runs through Nakhon Kasem and Khlong Thom...
. It is Bangkok's oldest cinema and was the first air-conditioned theater
Movie theater
A movie theater, cinema, movie house, picture theater, film theater is a venue, usually a building, for viewing motion pictures ....
in Thailand. Built on the order of King Prajadhipok
Prajadhipok
Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramintharamaha Prajadhipok Phra Pok Klao Chao Yu Hua , or Rama VII was the seventh monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri. He was the last absolute monarch and the first constitutional monarch of the country. His reign was a turbulent time for Siam due to huge political...
and named by him, it was opened on July 2, 1933. It is the only theater from the first "golden age" of Thai cinema
Cinema of Thailand
The cinema of Thailand dates back to the early days of filmmaking, when King Chulalongkorn's 1897 visit to Bern, Switzerland was recorded by Francois-Henri Lavancy-Clarke. The film was then brought to Bangkok, where it was exhibited...
still standing. No longer regularly showing movies, the theater has been renovated and is principally used for Thai dance performances. Another point of interest is the Pak Khlong Talat
Pak Khlong Talat
Pak Khlong Talat is a market in Bangkok, Thailand that sells flowers, fruits, and vegetables. It is the primary flower market in Bangkok and has been cited as a "place[] of symbolic values" to Bangkok residents. It is located on Chak Phet Road and adjacent side-streets, close to Memorial Bridge...
flower market.
Phahurat
The area around Phahurat Road (พาหุรัด) can be considered as Thailand's Little IndiaLittle India (location)
Little India is an ethnic enclave containing a large population of Indian people within a society where the majority of people are either not South Asians or where the majority in the enclave are indigenous to states in the country of India within a South Asian Society not identifying as Indian...
. The road was constructed during King Chulalongkorn
Chulalongkorn
Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramintharamaha Chulalongkorn Phra Chunla Chom Klao Chao Yu Hua , or Rama V was the fifth monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri. He was known to the Siamese of his time as Phra Phuttha Chao Luang . He is considered one of the greatest kings of Siam...
's Reign over a century ago and Indian community started to formed after that. Siri Guru Singh Sabha, the Thailand's first sikh
Sikhism
Sikhism is a monotheistic religion founded during the 15th century in the Punjab region, by Guru Nanak Dev and continued to progress with ten successive Sikh Gurus . It is the fifth-largest organized religion in the world and one of the fastest-growing...
temple was built in 1933 nearby the road. The area is well-known for Indian fabric shops and Indian cuisines.
Festival
Songkran festival, the traditional Thai New YearThai New Year
The Songkran festival is celebrated in Thailand as the traditional New Year's Day from 13 to 15 April. It coincides with the New Year of many calendars of South and Southeast Asia....
, is celebrated throughout the country during 13 to 15 April of each year. Khao San Road
Khaosan Road
Khaosan Road or Khao Sarn Road is a short street in central Bangkok, Thailand. It is located in the Banglamphu area of about 1 km north of the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew....
(or Khao Sarn Road) inside Phra Nakhon district is one notable place to celebrate the event where lots of people, both locals and tourists, come and splash water.
Another famous festival, Loy Krathong
Loy Krathong
Loi Krathong is a festival celebrated annually throughout Thailand and certain parts of Laos and Burma .-Overview:...
, on the 15th day of 12th lunar month, the Chao Phraya river bank in the district, with numerous piers and Phra Sumen fort, is a popular place to come and float lanterns in the water.
Ratchadamnoen Road is often heavily decorated with lights around King's birthday (5 December) and Queen's birthday (12 August) and other major anniversaries. Sanam Luang
Sanam Luang
Sanam Luang is an open field and public square in front of Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace, Bangkok, Thailand. Sanam Luang is located in the Phra Nakhon district, the historic center of Bangkok....
and recently created Lan Plabpla Maha Chedsada Bodin (ลานพลับพลามหาเจษฎาบดินทร์) in front of Wat Ratchanadda
Wat Ratchanadda
Wat Ratchanaddaram is a buddhist temple located at the intersection between Ratchadamnoen Klang and Maha Chai Road, in Phra Nakhon district, Bangkok....
and its Loha Prasat are open spaces that frequently used to celebrate various events.
History
Phra Nakhon was once an amphoeAmphoe
An amphoe is the second level administrative subdivision of Thailand. Usually translated as district, amphoe make up the provinces, and are analogous to a county seat...
named Amphoe Chana Songkhram (อำเภอชนะสงคราม). This administration was overhauled on 15 October 1915 when 25 new amphoes were erected covering the inner part of Bangkok. On 12 March 1928, six of these amphoes, Amphoe Phahurat, Amphoe Samran Rat, Amphoe Phra Ratchawang, Amphoe Chana Songkhram, Amphoe Sam Yot, and Amphoe Bang Khun Phrom were merged to form Amphoe Phra Nakhon. It became Khet Phra Nakhon in 1972.
Administration
| 1. | Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang | พระบรมมหาราชวัง | 7. | Bowon Niwet | บวรนิเวศ | ||
| 2. | Wang Burapha Phirom | วังบูรพาภิรมย์ | 8. | Talat Yot | ตลาดยอด | ||
| 3. | Wat Ratchabophit | วัดราชบพิธ | 9. | Chana Songkhram | ชนะสงคราม | ||
| 4. | Samran Rat | สำราญราษฎร์ | 10. | Ban Phan Thom | บ้านพานถม | ||
| 5. | San Chaopho Suea | ศาลเจ้าพ่อเสือ | 11. | Bang Khun Phrom | บางขุนพรหม | ||
| 6. | Sao Chingcha | เสาชิงช้า | 12. | Wat Sam Phraya | วัดสามพระยา |