Watthana
Encyclopedia
Watthana is one of the 50 districts (Khet) of Bangkok
, Thailand
. Neighbor districts are (from the north clockwise): Ratchathewi
, Huai Khwang
, Suan Luang
, Phra Khanong
, Khlong Toei
, Sathon
, and Pathum Wan
.
, the elder sister of King Bhumibol Adulyadej
. Watthana or Vadhana means development. The area is among the most developed part of Bangkok.
The district is sub-divided into three sub-districts (Kwaeng).
and Khlong Saen Saeb
, Watthana is one of the commercial districts in Bangkok with lots of condominium
s and hotels. A lot of expatriate
s of many nationalities live there.
's (branch roads) from Sukhumvit: Nana Nuea (Sukhumvit 3), Asok Montri (Sukhumvit 21), Phrom Phong (Sukhumvit 39), Thong Lo
(Sukhumvit 55), Ekkamai (Sukhumvit 63), Sukhumvit 71 (Pridi Banomyong), and a small portion of On Nut (Sukhumvit 77).
of her birthday. The golden rays of light extending from the roof of the pavilion symbolizes her divine grace to all Thais. Also the lotus shape is supposed to be an offering to pay respect to the Princess.
is located in the UBC II Building in Watthana.
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...
. Neighbor districts are (from the north clockwise): Ratchathewi
Ratchathewi
Ratchathewi is a district in central Bangkok, Thailand. It is also name of a BTS Skytrain station.Neighboring districts are Phaya Thai, Din Daeng, Huai Khwang, Watthana, Pathum Wan, Pom Prap Sattru Phai and Dusit.-History:...
, Huai Khwang
Huai Khwang
Huai Khwang is one of the 50 districts of Bangkok, Thailand, located east of the center of the town. Neighboring districts are Chatuchak, Wang Thonglang, Bang Kapi, Suan Luang, Watthana, Ratchathewi and Din Daeng.-History:...
, Suan Luang
Suan Luang
Suan Luang is one of the 50 districts of Bangkok, Thailand. It is bounded by other Bangkok districts : Bang Kapi, Saphan Sung, Prawet, Phra Khanong, and Watthana.-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...
, Khlong Toei
Khlong Toei
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...
, 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
Watthana was a separate district following the split from Khlong Toei in 1998 to provide better service to its population. The district obtained its name from Princess Galyani VadhanaGalyani Vadhana
Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana, the Princess of Naradhiwas , was a princess of Thailand and the elder sister of King Ananda Mahidol and King Bhumibol Adulyadej...
, the elder sister of King Bhumibol Adulyadej
Bhumibol Adulyadej
Bhumibol Adulyadej is the current King of Thailand. He is known as Rama IX...
. Watthana or Vadhana means development. The area is among the most developed part of Bangkok.
Administration
| 1. | Khlong Toei Nuea, | คลองเตยเหนือ, | up to Soi Sukhumvit 31 (Sawatdi) |
| 2. | Khlong Tan Nuea, | คลองตันเหนือ, | from Soi 31 to Soi 63 (Ekkamai) |
| 3. | Phra Khanong Nuea, | พระโขนงเหนือ, | from Soi 63 to Soi 81 (Siri Phot) |
Places
Comprising the area between Sukhumvit RoadSukhumvit Road
Sukhumvit 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....
and Khlong Saen Saeb
Khlong Saen Saeb
Khlong Saen Saeb is a canal in central Thailand, connecting the Chao Phraya River to Prachin Buri and Chachoengsao. A portion of the canal is used for public transport by an express boat service in Bangkok...
, Watthana is one of the commercial districts in Bangkok with lots of condominium
Condominium
A condominium, or condo, is the form of housing tenure and other real property where a specified part of a piece of real estate is individually owned while use of and access to common facilities in the piece such as hallways, heating system, elevators, exterior areas is executed under legal rights...
s and hotels. A lot of expatriate
Expatriate
An expatriate is a person temporarily or permanently residing in a country and culture other than that of the person's upbringing...
s of many nationalities live there.
Shopping
- 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....
- Vendors selling counterfeit DVDs, T-shirts and tourist trinkets clog the sidewalks from Soi 3 to Soi 15. - Foodland - One of the branches of the Thai grocery chain is located on Soi 5. It also has a 24-hour coffee shop.
- Villa Plaza - Located between the Sukhumvit 33 nightlife area and Soi 31, the plaza is a shopping and entertainment area anchored by the Villa (open 24 hours) and Fuji supermarkets. It also has some Japanese-only clubs, as well as British-style pubs.
- 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....
- This street has become trendy in recent years, with a number of upscale restaurants and "boutique" shopping centers. - Major Sukhumvit - A large branch of the Major CineplexMajor CineplexMajor Cineplex Group Public Co. Ltd. is the largest operator of movie theaters in Thailand. Combined with its subsidiary, EGV Entertainment, the company has 258 screens in 32 locations. Among its properties is Thailand's largest multiplex, the Paragon Cineplex at Siam Paragon, with 16 screens and...
theater chain is located near the 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...
Ekkamai station, with a bowling alley, restaurants and shops.
Dining and entertainment
- "Little Africa" - Near the Grace Hotel, there's a network of alleys between Nana Nuea (means Northern Nana) or Sukhumvit Soi 3, and Soi 5 that is home to many Middle Eastern restaurants.
- Soi CowboySoi CowboySoi Cowboy is a red-light district in Bangkok, Thailand. A short street with some 40 bars, it is similar to Nana Plaza and Patpong and caters mainly to tourists and expatriates....
- Nightlife strip with go-go bars is located off Asok, near the intersection with Sukhumvit.
Higher education
- Srinakharinwirot UniversitySrinakharinwirot UniversitySrinakharinwirot University is a government sponsored university located in Bangkok, Thailand. The university was founded in 1949. It was named by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej and is the leading Thai university in the field of Education and Fine Arts...
- Prasarnmit Campus is on Sukhumvit 23. - The Siam Society - Established in 1904, it offers lectures, exhibits and trips for Thai and foreign residents who are interested in the study of artistic, scientific and cultural affairs of Thailand. On Asok, near 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. - Japan Foundation - On the 10th Floor of Sermmit Tower on Asok Montri Road, the foundation has a library, art exhibits, lectures and film screenings, primarily designed to teach Japanese culture to Thais.
- Pridi Phanomyong Institute - Established in honor of the late Thai statesman Pridi PhanomyongPridi PhanomyongPridi Banomyong was a highly revered Thai politician. He was a former Prime Minister and Senior Statesman of Thailand, and was named one of the world's great personalities of the 20th century by UNESCO in 2000.-Family background:...
, the institute houses a library and holds lectures, film screenings and other events. On Soi 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....
.
Hospitals
- Bumrungrad International Hospital - Major medical center that caters to tourists is on Soi Sukhumvit 3.
- Samitivej Hospital - Another upper-class hospital, it's located on Soi Sukhumvit 49.
- Camillian Hospital - A small Catholic hospital on Thong Lo.
Roads
Besides the east-bound Sukhumvit, prominent roads in the district include several odd-numbered soiSoi
Soi 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...
's (branch roads) from Sukhumvit: Nana Nuea (Sukhumvit 3), Asok Montri (Sukhumvit 21), Phrom Phong (Sukhumvit 39), Thong Lo
Thong Lo
Thong 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....
(Sukhumvit 55), Ekkamai (Sukhumvit 63), Sukhumvit 71 (Pridi Banomyong), and a small portion of On Nut (Sukhumvit 77).
Public transportation
- BTS Skytrain - Stations in the district are Nana, Asok (links 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...
), Phrom Phong, Ekkamai and Phra Khanong. - 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...
- The subway's Sukhumvit station is in Watthana district. - Khlong Saen SaebKhlong Saen SaebKhlong Saen Saeb is a canal in central Thailand, connecting the Chao Phraya River to Prachin Buri and Chachoengsao. A portion of the canal is used for public transport by an express boat service in Bangkok...
- Borders the district; piers for the express boat service are Nana Nua, Asok, Prasan Mit, Ital-Thai, Wat Mai Chong Lom, Thong Lo, Chan Issara and Khlong Tan.
Symbols
The emblem of the district shows a pavilion, which refers to the residence of Princess Galyani Vadhana, the name patron of the district. Also the red color refers to the Princess, as red is the day colorThai solar calendar
The Thai solar calendar, Suriyakati was adopted by King Chulalongkorn in AD 1888 as the Siamese version of the Gregorian calendar. It is the legal calendar in Thailand, though Thai lunar calendar dates continue in use. Years are now counted in the Buddhist Era that is 543 years greater than...
of her birthday. The golden rays of light extending from the roof of the pavilion symbolizes her divine grace to all Thais. Also the lotus shape is supposed to be an offering to pay respect to the Princess.
Diplomatic missions
The Embassy of Norway in ThailandDiplomatic missions of Norway
This is a list of diplomatic missions of Norway, excluding honorary consulates.-Europe:** Vienna ** Baku ** Brussels ** Sarajevo ** Sofia ** Zagreb ** Prague...
is located in the UBC II Building in Watthana.