Pom Prap Sattru Phai district
 | This article is written like a travel guide. (January 2017) |
Pom Prap Sattru Phai
ป้อมปราบศัตรูพ่าย | |
|---|---|
 View of Pom Prap Sattru Phai from Wat Saket | |
 Khet location in Bangkok | |
| Coordinates: 13°45′29″N 100°30′47″E / 13.75806°N 100.51306°E | |
| Country | Thailand |
| Province | Bangkok |
| Seat | Wat Sommanat |
| Khwaeng | 5 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.931 km2 (0.746 sq mi) |
| Population (2013) | |
| • Total | 50,092 |
| • Density | 31,777/km2 (82,300/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+7 (ICT) |
| Postal code | 10100 |
| Geocode | 1008 |
Pom Prap Sattru Phai (Thai: ป้อมปราบศัตรูพ่าย; IPA: [pɔ̂m pràːp sàttrūː pʰâːj]) is one of the 50 districts (khet) of Bangkok, Thailand. Neighboring districts are (from north clockwise) Dusit, Ratchathewi, Pathum Wan, Bang Rak, Samphanthawong, and Phra Nakhon.
History
Pom Prap Sattru Phai is an old district established in 1915 when the districts of Bangkok were overhauled and replaced by 25 amphoes. Later, two of the original 25, Sam Yod and Nang Loeng were merged into Pom Prap Sattru Phai.
The district was named after a fort (pom in Thai) near Nang Loeng Market. The fort was one of the eight new forts built along Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem during King Rama V's reign.
Administration
The district is divided into five sub-districts (kwaeng).
| 1. | Pom Prap | ป้อมปราบ |
| 2. | Wat Thepsirin | วัดเทพศิรินทร์ |
| 3. | Khlong Mahanak | คลองมหานาค |
| 4. | Ban Bat | บ้านบาตร |
| 5. | Wat Sommanat | วัดโสมนัส |
Places
The Golden Mount (ภูเขาทอง or พระบรมบรรพต) inside Wat Saket (วัดสระเกศ) is probably the best known place in Pom Prap Sattru Phai. Its height is 63.6 m, making it easily seen from surrounding area. The chedi on the top is accessible via stairs circling up around the mount. The construction of Golden Mount began during King Rama III's reign but suffered from foundation stability problem. It was finished during the reign of King Rama V.
Wat Mangkon Kamalawat (วัดมังกรกมลาวาส) or Wat Leng Noei Yi (วัดเล่งเน่ยยี่) is the most famous Mahayana temple in Bangkok's Chinatown. It is crowded on special days such as Chinese New Year and Chinese Vegetarian Food Festival (in the 9th lunar month). The temple holds an annual The Krajat (เทกระจาด) to donate food and consumer goods to the poor in the 7th lunar month.
Tai Hong Kong Shrine (ศาลเจ้าไต้ฮงกง) is a Chinese shrine built to honor Tai Hong (1582-1670). Living in Guangdong, he helped people by giving food to the poor, treatment to the ill, and funerals for the dead who had no family. A group of merchants emigrated to Bangkok from China following the same path. With a donation from King Rama VI, the shrine was established. In 1937 the Poh Teck Tung Foundation was formed for rescue and charity work. It is opposite the shrine on Phlapphla Chai Road.
Other prominent temples in the district include Wat Thepsirin (also written Wat Depsirin) and Wat Phlapphla Chai.
Ratchadamnoen Boxing Stadium holds traditional Thai boxing matches and is an alternative boxing stadium to Lumpinee Boxing Stadium.
Varadis Palace is the former residence of Prince Damrong Rajanubhab. Built in 1911 by the German architect Karl Dohring, it is in a large garden. After restoration in 1996, it houses the Prince Damrong Rachanupab Museum and Library.
Markets
Bobae Market (ตลาดโบ๊เบ๊) is a major low-cost fabric mart. It is on a section of Krung Kasem Road between Lan Luang Road and Bamrung Mueang Road on the northeast border of the district. The area is currently under renovation by Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and the market is closed.
Khlong Thom (คลองถม) is an electrical and electronics marketplace. It was once a famous night market where vendor stalls extended onto pavements and alleys. Goods, including second hand, or sometimes stolen, were available from Saturday night to Sunday morning. The night market has now been closed as part of pavement cleanup campaign since March 2015.[1][2]
Festivals
Although traditional Thai temple fairs (งานวัด) are not commonly seen nowadays, one is held every year at the Golden Mount about the time of Loy Krathong. Ferris wheels, shooting galleries, Sao Noi Tok Nam (สาวน้อยตกน้ำ, literally little lady falling into water) are popular activities. There are also freak shows such as Mia Ngu (เมียงู, lit. snake's wife) with a woman living with a python.
Transportation
Besides the usual road transportation, a boat service runs along Khlong Maha Nak (คลองมหานาค) and Khlong Saen Saep. The route begins at the stop near the Golden Mount and ends at Pratu Nam in Pathum Wan/Ratchathewi, there passengers can change boat to further destinations.
An extension of Bangkok Skytrain from National Stadium station is planned with two stations within Pom Prap Sattru Phai District, one near Huachiew Hospital and another near the Golden Mount.
Government and infrastructure
The Ministry of Transport has its head office in the district.[3]
Economy
Thai Airways International operates the Larn Luang Office in Pom Prap Sattru Phai.[4] The office used to be the head office of Thai Airways Company.[5]
References
- ^ Khlong Thom vendor move delayed, Bangkok Post, 23 December 2014
- ^ Bangkok's Khlong Thom 'Dark Market' set to become latest casualty of junta's cleanup, The Nation, 28 February 2015
- ^ "Home." Ministry of Transport. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
- ^ "THAI Shop Contact Us." Thai Airways International. Retrieved on 4 March 2010.
- ^ "World Airline Directory." Flight International. 29 March 1986. 130.
External links
- Official website of the district (Thai only)
- BMA website with the touristical landmarks of Pom Prap Sattru Phai
- Golden mount fair at The Manager. (Thai only)
- Wat Mangkon Kamalawat home page (Thai only)
- Poh Teck Tung Foundation home page (Thai only)
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