Bang Rak

Infobox_Amphoe
name=Bang Rak
province=Bangkok
thai=บางรัก
capital=Si Phraya
coordinates=coord|13|43|51|N|100|31|27|E|region:TH_type:adm2nd
population=60,485
population_as_of=2003
area=5.54
density=10,926
postal_code=10500
geocode=1004

Bang Rak or Bangrak ( _th. บางรัก) is one of the 50 districts ("Khet") of Bangkok, Thailand. The district is bounded by four other districts (from north clockwise): Pathum Wan, Sathon, Khlong San (across Chao Phraya River), and Samphanthawong. It was established in 1912.

History

There are two theories about the district name Bang Rak. One theory suggests that the original name for the area which become Bang Rak was written in Thai as บางรักษ์ (also pronounced Bang Rak) meaning "village of cure" due to the presence of a famous hospital. Through time the Thai spelling was shortened to the current form, meaning "village of love". The second theory by Phraya Anuman Ratchathon suggests that "Rak" refers a kind of plant and there was one of such plant in a canal in the district. Because of "Bang Rak" can mean "village of love", now the district is the most popular place to register marriage especially on Valentine's Day in each year.

Places

Bang Rak is famous for its commercial area around Si Lom Road (also written Silom). The land properties on Si Lom Road are among the most expensive in Thailand with skyscrapers throughout the road.The State Tower on Si Lom Road is the tallest building in Bang Rak. At 247 m (811 ft) with 68 floors, it is second only to Baiyoke Tower II, the current tallest building in Thailand. Dusit Thani Hotel located in the opposite end of Si Lom Road contains a distinctive triangular shaped building, another famous landmark in the district.

Many shops targeting tourists appear along Si Lom Road, especially clothes, art, and jewelly stores. In fact much of the jewelry is produced in jewelry companies here. A few department stores are present in Bang Rak, namely, Central Si Lom, Silom Complex, Robinson Si Lom, Robinson Bang Rak. They are rather small compared to shopping centers in other areas. It is more famous as a night shopping area for tourists. Along two sides of the Si Lom and in Patpong become night market full of stalls selling clothes and souvenirs. Furthermore, many pubs and gogo bars open in the nearby Patpong Road, a famous red-light district.

On the west side of Bang Rak is the Chao Phraya river. Several luxurious hotels are located on the river bank, Oriental Hotel, Shangri-La Hotel, and Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel. The first one is among the earliest hotels built over a century ago and consistently ranked among the world's best hotels. Next to Royal Orchid Sheraton are Si Phraya express boat pier and River City (actually in Samphanthawong), a shopping center specialized in antiques and arts.

Although Buddhist temples in Bang Rak are not remarkable, with possibly exception of Wat Hua Lamphong (วัดหัวลำโพง) and maybe Wat Maha Phruettharam (วัดมหาพฤฒาราม), various places of worship representing other religions are well represented. This includes the Thailand's most famous Hindu temple named Sri Mahamariamman Temple. It is also called "Wat Phra Sri Maha Umathewi" (วัดพระศรีมหาอุมาเทวี) or "Wat Kak" (วัดแขก) in Thai. A ceremony named Nawa Ratri (นวราตรี) or Dussehra is held by the temple during the first to the ninth day of the 11th lunar month (around October) when the temple statues were carried by the Hindu community along Si Lom Road. Some devotees perform rituals such as body piercing with sharp objects. Also located in Bang Rak is Assumption Cathedral, a very famous cathedral that appeared in various films.

The Bangkok Folk Museum is also located in the district.

Transportation

Bang Rak is served by both Skytrain and Metro underground line. Most stops lie on district borders however due to its narrow roads.Skytrain stations include Sala Daeng, Chong Nonsi, Surasak, and Saphan Taksin while Metro stops are Si Lom, Sam Yan, and Hua Lamphong.Express river boats also provide transportation service along Chao Phraya rivers with the central pier at Saphan Taksin. Other piers for the boat service are Oriental, Wat Muang Kae and Si Phraya.

Administration

The district is sub-divided into five sub-districts ("Kwaeng").

External links

* [http://www.bma.go.th/bmaeng/bangrak/ BMA website with the touristical landmarks of Bang Rak]
* [http://203.155.220.217/office/bangrak/index.asp Bang Rak district office] (Thai only)
* [http://www.travelfish.org/map_detail/thailand/bangkok_and_surrounds/bangkok/bangrak/33 Bangrak Map] (Map not to scale.)
* [http://www.tour-bangkok-legacies.com/bangrak-museum.html Bangrak Museum - recalling the days of canals and windmills]