Bang Lamphu

Neighborhood in Bangkok, Thailand

The last mangrove apple in Bangkok, whose name is the origin of Bang Lamphu

Phra Sumen Fort, one of Bang Lamphu's landmarks located beside to Santi Chai Prakan Park on Phra Athit Road

Bang Lamphu, also spelled Banglampoo or Banglamphu (Thai: บางลำพู, pronounced [bāːŋ lām.pʰūː]; in the past, it was often misspelled บางลำภู)[1] is a neighbourhood in Bangkok located in Phra Nakhon District. The history of the Bang Lamphu community dates to the establishment of the Rattanakosin Kingdom, or earlier. Bang Lamphu covers an area north of Phra Nakhon both inside and outside Rattanakosin Island from Phra Athit to Samsen Roads, which leads toward Dusit District. Most of the area of Bang Lamphu is in Talat Yot Subdistrict, with some spreading to various nearby subdistricts including Chana Songkhram, Bowon Niwet, Ban Phan Thom up till Wat Sam Phraya.

## History

[edit]

The name "Bang Lamphu" can mean area of mangrove apple (lamphu is Thai for mangrove apple). Mangrove apples (Sonneratia caseolaris) once flourished along waterways in the area, including the Khlong Bang Lamphu and Chao Phraya River. There are no more mangrove apple trees in the local Santi Chai Prakan Park, since the last one died in 2012 from 2011 Thailand floods, but the name Bang Lamphu is still commonly used to describe the area.[2][3]

Bang Lamphu became a community prior to the Rattanakosin period. It was the residence of royalty, courtiers, vassals[4] and citizens of many ethnic groups, including Thai, Chinese, Mon and Muslims who settled in the vicinity.[5][6] Once the Khlong Rop Krung canal was excavated, a pier was established at Bang Lamphu[7] by which goods such as vegetables and fruits could be transported from the Thonburi side. Bang Lamphu also became a major market for overland trade via the Khaosan Road[8] and a number of other roads.

The community was home to likay dancers and Thai musicians and was the birthplace of Montri Tramote, a Thai musician recognized as "master of Thai classical music" and National Artist of Performing arts (Thai music).[9]

Bang Lamphu has become a popular tourist destination, especially for Westerners. The Khaosan and Rambuttri Roads feature tourist attractions. Accommodations and dining are available including guest houses, hostels, restaurants, street foods, bars, cafés, clothes, and travel agencies including Thai massage services.[10] For Thai people, Bang Lamphu is also considered to be a hub for notable school uniform stores.[11][12]

Bang Lamphu, especially Sip Sam Hang Road, the area opposite Wat Bowonniwet Vihara considered as a center of teenagers in 1950s–60s, like Wang Burapha. Since it was home to many restaurants including cafés and ice cream parlours that offer jukebox and television, which were rare appliances in those days. Hence, Bang Lamphu and Sip Sam Hang Road were cited in the 1997 Thai heroic bloodshed film Dang Bireley's and Young Gangsters as a backdrop for the characters in street gang battles.[13]

## Surrounding places

[edit]

Khaosan Road in daytime

King Taksin Shrine by the Khlong Bang Lamphu

* Wat Bowonniwet Vihara
* Wat Chana Songkhram
* Santi Chai Prakan Park
* Phra Sumen Fort
* Palace Gate Remnants
* Pipit Banglamphu Museum
* Maliwan Palace (now the office of FAO)
* Phra Athit Palace (now the head office of Manager Daily)
* Chao Phraya Palace (now the head office of Manager Daily like Phra Athit Palace)
* Wat Sangwet Witsayaram
* Hong Uthit Bridge
* Duriya Praneet Foundation
* Wan Chart Bridge
* Khuru Sapha Print Shop
* Sor Vorapin Muaythai and Boxing Gym (now closed)
* New World Department Store (famous as "Fish Sanctum" in Bangkok, now closed[14])
* Tang Hua Seng Department Store, it will close for good on the morning of September 10, 2024.[15]
* Masjid Chakkaphong
* Norarat Sathan Bridge
* Chao Por Nu Joss House
* King Taksin Shrine (the only King Taksin shrine in Phra Nakhon side[16])
* BMA Local Museum Phra Nakhon District
* Wat Trithotsathep
* Ban Phan Thom (the last community of silversmith in Bangkok)
* Chana Songkhram Metropolitan Police Station
* Coin Museum
* National Gallery

## Transportation

[edit]

* MRT Purple Line: Bang Khun Phrom Station (PP21) and Democracy Monument Station (PP22) (future extension)
* BMTA bus: route A4, S1, 3 (2-37), 4-35, 4-69, 6, 9, 12, 12 (3-37), 15 (4-2), 30 (2-4), 32 (2-5), 43, 47 (3-41), 53 (2-9), 56 (4-40), 65, 68 (4-12), 70 (2-14), 82 (4-15), 127 (2-19), 516 (2-25), 524
* Khlong Bang Lamphu Boat Service: Bang Lamphu Pier (under Norarat Sathan Bridge)
* Chao Phraya Express Boat: Phra Arthit Pier (N13)

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "จังหวัด"ภูเก็ต"หรือ"ภูเก็จ" ชื่อนั้นสำคัญไฉน?" [Province of "Phuket" or "Phukej", Why are these names important?]. Manager Daily (in Thai). 2009-10-12.
2. ^ Meesomsueb, Saksiri (2012-07-22). "ศิลป์แห่งแผ่นดิน : ลำพูต้นสุดท้ายตายแล้ว" [National arts : the last mangrove apple is dead]. Komchadluek (in Thai).
3. ^ Pralongchoeng, Kilane (2017-10-18). "ลำพู ต้นนั้น" [That mangrove apple]. Thairath (in Thai).
4. ^ Roasa, Dustin (2012-08-10). "The Return of Bangkok's Old Town". The Washington Post.
5. ^ Tiamsoon Sirisrisak and Natsuko Akagawa. "Cultural Rights and Conservation of Old Bangkok" (PDF). Journal of the Siam Society, Vol. 100.
6. ^ "Cultural overload in Bangkok's historic districts". Into Asia.
7. ^ "Bangkok river and canal boats". Into Asia.
8. ^ "Khao San Road". Thailand Travel Hub.
9. ^ "พินิจนคร (Season 1) ตอน คลองรอบกรุง" [Pinijnakorn (Season 1) ep Khlong Rop Krung]. Thai PBS (in Thai). 2009-03-23.
10. ^ "Khao San Road". Hotels.com.
11. ^ Thaisuang, Pilan (2016-04-26). ""บางลำพูในความทรงจำ" จากย่านตลาดเก่าสู่สวรรค์ราคาถูกของนักท่องเที่ยว" ["Bang Lumphu in memory" from the old market neighbourhood to the cheap paradise of tourists]. Lek-Prapai Viriyaphan Foundation (in Thai).
12. ^ "บรรยากาศการซื้อชุดนักเรียนย่านบางลำพูปีนี้ไม่คึกคัก(คลิป)" [Atmosphere of buying school uniforms in Bang Lamphu neighbourhood of this year was not bustling (clip)]. PPTV (in Thai). 2016-05-06.
13. ^ Kasetsiri, Charnvit (2012). Thailand Timeline 1942-2011 (in Thai). Bangkok: Post Books. ISBN 9789742280703.
14. ^ Kongsai, Tanatpong (2015-01-19). "Fish being moved from abandoned department store in Bang Lamphu". The Nation. Archived from the original on August 2, 2015.
15. ^ https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/2862126/tang-hua-seng-thon-buri-closes-down. Retrieved 2024-09-09
16. ^ "ย้อนอดีต 'คลองบางลำพู' เที่ยวคูเมืองคู่กรุงเทพ" [Retrace 'Khlong Bang Lamphu' travel to Bangkok city moat]. Manager Online (in Thai). 2017-06-13.

## External links

[edit]

* Banglamphu in Lonely Planet

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bang Lamphu.

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