Phra Nakhon ( Thai : พระนคร , pronounced [pʰráʔ ná(ʔ).kʰɔ̄ːn] ) is one of the 50 districts ( khet ) of Bangkok , Thailand . It is the central district of Bangkok, including Rattanakosin Island . Neighboring districts are, from the north, clockwise: Dusit , Pom Prap Sattru Phai , Samphanthawong , and across the Chao Phraya River , Thon Buri , Bangkok Yai , Bangkok Noi , and Bang Phlat .
16-658: The district is bounded by the Chao Phraya River to the west, Khlong 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 ), is in the district. Also surrounding the large open space of the Sanam Luang are the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew , the National Museum in the former palace of
32-582: Is a Buddhist temple ( wat ) located at the intersection between Ratchadamnoen Klang and Maha Chai Road, in Phra Nakhon district, Bangkok . Meaning Temple of the Royal Niece , the temple was built to the order of King Nangklao (Rama III) for his granddaughter, Princess Somanass Waddhanawathy in 1846. It is popularly known as Loha Prasat , literally meaning the iron palace. The name loha prasat , literally means metal castle . The 37 spires of
48-468: Is a popular place to float lanterns on the water. Ratchadamnoen Avenue is often heavily decorated with lights around the king's birthday (28 July), the queen mother's birthday (12 August), National Day (5 December) and other major anniversaries. Sanam Luang and recently created Lan Plabpla Maha Chedsada Bodin (ลานพลับพลามหาเจษฎาบดินทร์) in front of Wat Ratchanadda and its Loha Prasat are open spaces that frequently used to celebrate events. The district
64-531: Is divided into 12 sub-districts ( khwaeng ). Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem ( Thai : คลองผดุงกรุงเกษม , pronounced [kʰlɔ̄ːŋ pʰā.dūŋ krūŋ kā.sěːm] ) 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
80-548: The UNESCO for consideration as a future world heritage site. Another landmark is Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre on Charoen Krung Road . It is Bangkok's oldest cinema and was the first air conditioned theater in Thailand. Built at the order of King Prajadhipok and named by him, it opened on 2 July 1933. It is the only theater from the first "golden age" of Thai cinema still standing. No longer regularly showing movies,
96-604: The Vice King , and the main campus of Thammasat University as well as Silpakorn University . Other significant landmarks in the district include Wat Pho , the Giant Swing , Wat Suthat , Wat Ratchanadda (with Loha Prasat), and the Democracy Monument . Also the well-known Khaosan Road is in the district. Another significant temple is Wat Bowonniwet , where several Thai kings were ordained as monks. Of
112-676: The Buddha relic. A pyramid like structure created by the outer building is the widest, The next one smaller than the previous. At the ground floor there is a labyrinth supported by a great number of columns. Pictures describing the history of structure were installed in the corridors in late 2007. The Loha Prasat at Wat Ratchanatdaram is based on an old Buddhist design and is modelled after two earlier similar structures in Shravasti , India and Anuradhapura , Sri Lanka , both of which no longer exist. The Indian Loha Prasat contained 1,000 rooms with
128-559: 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 , 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
144-418: The canal (plus one on the western bank opposite the canal's mouth). The expansion more than doubled the city area, to 5,552 rai (8.883 km ; 3.430 sq mi). 13°44′52″N 100°31′00″E / 13.7477°N 100.5167°E / 13.7477; 100.5167 Wat Ratchanadda Wat Ratchanatdaram ( Thai : วัดราชนัดดาราม , pronounced [wát râːt.t͡ɕʰā.nát.dāːrāːm] )
160-432: 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 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
176-533: 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. Since 2000 a small park named Santichaiphrakarn around Fort Phra Sumen was built. In 2005 the riverfront of the Phra Nakhon District, from King Rama I Bridge (Memorial Bridge) in the south to the Wasukri Pier ( Dusit district ), was submitted to
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#1732772574736192-477: The temple have a metallic finish giving the entire structure a metal like look and hence the name. The 37 spires represent the 37 Bodhipakkhiya Dharma in Buddhism. Although the structure was conceived in 1846 during the reign of King (Rama III) it was not completed during his reign. Several attempts were made by King Rama III's successor to complete it but it was only in 1960, under Rama IX , that construction
208-547: The theater has been renovated and is principally used for Thai dance performances. Another point of interest is the Pak Khlong Talat flower market. Tha Phra Chan is a well-known Thai amulets market. The area around Phahurat Road (พาหุรัด) can be considered Thailand's "Little India" . The road was constructed during King Chulalongkorn 's reign over a century ago and Indian community started to form after that. Siri Guru Singh Sabha, Thailand's first Sikh temple
224-508: The traditional Thai New Year festival, is celebrated throughout the country from 13 to 15 April of each year. Khaosan Road (or Khao Sarn Road) in Phra Nakhon district is a notable place to celebrate the event where many people, both locals and tourists, splash water. During another famous festival, Loy Krathong , on the 15th day of the 12th lunar month, the Chao Phraya River bank in the district, with numerous piers and Phra Sumen Fort,
240-518: Was built in 1933 near the road. The area is well known for Indian fabric shops and Indian cuisine. Phra Nakhon was once an amphoe (district) named Chana Songkhram (อำเภอชนะสงคราม). The administration was overhauled on 15 October 1915 when 25 new districts were created for inner Bangkok. On 12 March 1928, six of these districts: Phahurat, Samran Rat, Phra Ratchawang, Chana Songkhram, Sam Yot, and Bang Khun Phrom were merged to form Amphoe Phra Nakhon. It became Khet (district) Phra Nakhon in 1972. Songkran,
256-580: Was restarted. It was supervised by the Fine Arts Department of Thailand . In 1995 a Buddha relic was enshrined at the topmost spire of the Loha Parsat. In 2007 it was opened to public. Loha Prasat (โลหะปราสาท) means iron castle or iron monastery. The 36-meter-high (118 ft) structure is composed of seven stories divided into three levels. The bottom has 24 spires, the middle 12 and the top level has 1 spire. The top-most spire houses
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