Bang Rak ( Thai : บางรัก , pronounced [bāːŋ rák] ) is a khwaeng (subdistrict) and historic neighbourhood in Bangkok 's Bang Rak District . It lies between the Chao Phraya River and Charoen Krung Road , and was home to communities of European expatriates who settled in the area mostly during the second half of the 19th century as Siam (as Thailand was then known) opened up to the West. Among them were the Portuguese, French and British, whose embassies occupied extensive grounds in the area, Danes who founded shipping companies as well as the historic Oriental Hotel , and Catholic missionaries who established some of the first schools in the country on the grounds surrounding Assumption Cathedral .
30-555: Bang Rak was among the city's busiest commercial neighbourhoods at the turn of the 19th–20th centuries, but declined in prominence as newer development soon moved elsewhere. Beginning in the 2010s, urban revitalization efforts have led the area to become known as the Charoenkrung Creative District , a project led by the Thailand Creative & Design Center , which re-established its headquarters at
60-637: A creative district . Galleries, public artworks, and "hip" cafes are now scattered throughout the neighbourhood. The project is supported by the Thailand Creative & Design Center , which re-established its headquarters at the Grand Postal Building (built in 1940 on the former site of the British consulate) in 2017, though concerns remain over the trend towards gentrification and the encroachment of development. Bang Rak Subdistrict occupies an elongated strip of land between Chao Phraya River to
90-544: A complete consumer experience that stands out from the rest and is a beautiful work of art that arises from the comparative advantage of cultural differences and the resources of the country. Thailand Creative and Design Center provides various services to inspire and ignite creativity in Thai society through international knowledge and experiences, including: Currently, TCDC has 5 branches in 3 provinces as follows: As TCDC aims to promote economic and social development through
120-577: A continuous and sustainable growth rate in an era where all countries around the world can keep up with technology, the government must accelerate infrastructure development to expand opportunities for people to access "knowledge" (knowledge software) and stimulate new creativity. This will lead to the creation of thinkers, designers, and a new generation of entrepreneurs who combine "capital" with "creativity" to develop and create value for locally produced goods and services. Established in September 2003 as
150-457: A diverse learning center to promote human resource development in the country. The TCDC logo, which depicts "ขนมใส่ไส้" (khanom sai sai), reflects the fusion of creativity and traditional Thai design that has been around for a long time. It is a combination of various ingredients that transform into delicious snacks using natural packaging materials that require precision and attention to detail in both idea generation and invention. This results in
180-403: A harbour. Bang Rak's economic prominence gradually declined as newer development shifted elsewhere during the 20th century. In the 21st century, increasing interest in cultural tourism led to a renewed interest in the architectural and historic sites of Bang Rak and neighbouring Talat Noi. The 2010s saw the neighbourhood become the focus of urban revitalization efforts aiming to revive the area as
210-408: A place that reflects the uniqueness of Thailand, such as presenting Thai art and design that represent the country's identity, exhibiting high-quality products that balance Thai tradition and international innovation, and organizing various training and seminars on different areas, such as print design and product design, to inspire creativity and innovation within the Thai community. TCDC also serves as
240-534: A platform for sharing knowledge in various forms, including practical work, reading, and multimedia. With over 50,000 resources and in-depth databases on global market trends and statistics. There are various events and activities where valuable knowledge is presented, such as exhibitions, seminars, practical workshops, lectures, and the annual Creativities Unfold conference. Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem ( Thai : คลองผดุงกรุงเกษม , pronounced [kʰlɔ̄ːŋ pʰā.dūŋ krūŋ kā.sěːm] )
270-682: A specialized agency under the supervision of Office of Knowledge Management and Development which is a public organization. Established according to the Royal Decree Establishing the Office of Knowledge Management and Development B.E. 2547 Currently, the Thailand Creative & Design Center (TCDC) is a government agency under the Creative Economy Agency (Public Organization) which operates under
300-463: A vital foundation for the development of the country's human resources. The concept of TCDC aims to collect and present new knowledge and technology to the general public and community as a learning and discussion resource on design, creativity, art, culture, and various inventions without limiting to specific disciplines or fields. This allows visitors to study and explore various information freely. With this concept in mind, TCDC emphasizes creating
330-533: Is a canal ( khlong ) in Bangkok . It was dug in 1851 in order to serve as a new outer moat for the expanding city, extending its boundaries from the Rattanakosin Island to the north and east. When the city of Rattanakosin (the formal name of the capital city today known as Bangkok) was founded by King Phutthayotfa Chulalok (Rama I) in 1782, it was set within fortified walls, and Khlong Rop Krung
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#1732801893529360-652: Is a public resource center in Thailand focused on the design and creative industries. It was founded in 2004 as part of the Office of Knowledge Management and Development , a government-owned public organization , and opened on 14 November 2005. Its oversight was transferred to the newly created Creative Economy Agency (Public Organization) in 2018. The main objective of TCDC is to facilitate access to knowledge for Thai residents, as well as inspiring Thai people to be creative through workshops, activities and inspirations from
390-678: The Grand Postal Building in 2017. When Bangkok became capital of the Rattanakosin Kingdom in 1782, fringe communities developed outside its city walls , mainly along the banks of the Chao Phraya River . Downstream of the walled city beyond the Chinese community of Sampheng , the river's eastern bank became home to several ethnic communities, including Portuguese and Chinese Catholics centred around
420-590: The Holy Rosary Church , Malays, and Vietnamese refugees led by the future Emperor Gia Long . The area gradually attracted European visitors, beginning with French Catholic missionaries, who eventually took over the management of the church. They also founded a new church (later to become the Assumption Cathedral ) some distance further south in 1822, and based their mission offices there. They were followed by Protestants, mainly Americans, in
450-773: The Office of the Prime Minister . It was established by royal decree "Establishing the Creative Economy Promotion Agency (Public Organization) B.E. 2561". "Thailand Creative & Design Center (TCDC) was established to integrate the excellence of Thai society and culture with contemporary knowledge and technology. TCDC is rather focuses on being a "resource center for creativity", to inspire and ignite creative thinking in Thai society through providing global knowledge sharing processes including exhibitions, lectures, workshops, and various learning resources for both knowledge and entertainment, creating
480-430: The 1830s. Portugal was the first foreign nation to establish a consulate in the capital, having been granted a piece of land in the area in 1820. When King Mongkut (Rama IV) ascended the throne in 1851, the city had grown beyond its original walls, and Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem was dug in 1852 to extend the city's periphery. The canal separated the riverside communities, with the Chinese neighbourhood of Talat Noi on
510-522: The River lies Khlong San District . The subdistrict's area totals 0.689 square kilometres (0.266 sq mi). Bang Rak's multicultural history is reflected in its various historic and religious sites, which include Buddhist temples, mosques, a Chinese shrine, and the Catholic cathedral. The area's neighbourhoods are served by several side streets ( soi ) branching off Charoen Krung Road. They include
540-424: The area as Siam signed trade treaties with European powers, beginning with the British, whose consulate was built next to Portugal's in 1857. The French followed soon after. Charoen Krung Road , the country's first modern road, was built to serve the area in 1862, following a petition by the consuls. The advent of land-based transport transformed the city, and Charoen Krung Road became its first main thoroughfare. As
570-568: The city side, and the Portuguese Consulate and Assumption Church on the other, which later became known as Bang Rak. The origins of the name are unclear, though two prevailing theories posit that it derived either from that of the rak ( Gluta usitata ) tree, a large trunk of which had been found in the area, or from the word rak ( รักษ์ 'heal'), after hospitals operated by the area's missionaries. Western communities were encouraged to settle here, and consulates were established in
600-468: The country continued to modernize under Mongkut's successor King Chulalongkorn (Rama V, r. 1868–1910), Western values became expressed through the architecture of public and private buildings. In Bang Rak, several were built in various Western styles from the late-18th to early-19th centuries, including the Customs House and the original building of Assumption College (one of the first schools in
630-576: The country, founded by the Catholic Mission), both completed in grand Palladian style in 1890. Many private enterprises were established in the area, including the famous luxury hotel the Oriental . By the turn of the century, Bang Rak had become a busy commercial hub in addition to Bangkok's main expatriate neighbourhood, a busy conglomeration of residences, shops, diplomatic and business offices, as well as rice mills, sawmills, warehouses and
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#1732801893529660-792: The following, from north to south. Bang Rak is served by the BTS Skytrain 's Saphan Taksin Station, which connects to the main Sathorn Pier of the Chao Phraya Express Boat . The express boat also serves the respective neighbourhoods of the Oriental, Wat Muang Khae and Si Phraya piers. 13°43′30″N 100°30′55″E / 13.72500°N 100.51528°E / 13.72500; 100.51528 Thailand Creative %26 Design Center Thailand Creative & Design Center ( TCDC , Thai : ศูนย์สร้างสรรค์การออกแบบ )
690-484: The global market. TCDC Resource Center include: It comprises over 70,000 design books covering all areas of interest, more than 170 magazines and journals, and a variety of multimedia resources such as movies, documentaries, and over 8,000 songs. The mission is to promote and support innovation, develop ideas, create business opportunities, and connect entrepreneurs to enhance competitiveness. They also gather more than 8,000 types of innovative materials from all around
720-603: The name of AIS.D.C.) and Ideo-Q Samyan. TCDC also has regional centers in Chiang Mai and Khon Kaen . After the economic crisis, the government led by Pol. Lt. Col. Thaksin Shinawatra implemented a strategy to revitalize the economy and enhance the country's competitiveness. The government focused on management to make it easier for people to access the "funding source," resulting in an expansion of consumption and some economic growth for Thailand. However, to maintain
750-527: The successful designers worldwide. TCDC also focuses on working with Thai SME start-ups and designers, mainly by creating awareness of the value of creative businesses and designs. At the same time, TCDC also helps promote Thai designers on the international market. TCDC's headquarters, and its resource center, is located in the Grand Postal Building in Bangrak District , Bangkok . Its branches include Emporium (in co-operation with AIS under
780-414: The use of creative thinking, as well as creating opportunities for people to access knowledge and creative thinking, in order to develop human resources ready for the future. Therefore, it has become a center for learning and a source of information on design and creativity for designers, students, entrepreneurs, and the general public. Additionally, it enhances the capabilities of Thai designers to compete in
810-458: The west and Charoen Krung Road on the east. It is bounded by Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem to the north, across which lies the Talat Noi neighbourhood of Samphanthawong District , and Khlong Sathon to the south, across which is the district of Sathon . The other subdistricts of Bang Rak District— Maha Phruettharam , Si Phraya , Suriyawong and Si Lom —all border it on the east, while across
840-488: The world to provide a wider selection of materials and stay up-to-date with global social trends. In addition, they offer Material & Design Innovation Consulting services to advise on materials and innovation, as well as Material Submission services that allow entrepreneurs to propose innovative and environmentally friendly materials for inclusion in the Material ConneXion ® database worldwide. TCDC provides
870-480: Was completed the following year, and the King named the canal Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem , roughly meaning "the canal upholding the city's happiness". As the political climate and military practices had vastly changed by then, defensive walls were no longer deemed necessary, although seven forts were nevertheless built along the canal (plus one on the western bank opposite the canal's mouth). The expansion more than doubled
900-406: Was constructed as a moat to protect the city's eastern flank. The Chao Phraya River formed a natural barrier to the west. By the time of King Mongkut (Rama IV)'s reign, the city had outgrown its original area, and in 1851 the King ordered the digging of another canal, roughly parallel to the old moat, from Wat Thewarat Kunchon to Wat Kaeo Fa. The construction, headed by Chaophraya Si Suriyawong ,
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