PHRA ATHIT ROAD An important community which grew with the Royal city, it
is a centre of government, art and culture. The road lines
the Chao Phraya river bank with the palaces of nobles and
courtiers and ordinary houses on both sides of the road. The
prosperity of the Phra Athit Road community has been intertwined
with the history of Bangkok up to the present.
The building of large palaces started in the reign of King
Rama III, with architectural influences from China and Europe.
Some palaces have been converted into offices and modern buildings,
and the community's way of life has been completely transformed
from before.
Phra
Sumen(Sumeru) Fort:
It was built in the reign of King Rama I on the city's outer
wall, which ran along the canal to the Chao Phraya River.
At first, 14 forts were built, but in time they became dilapidated.
Eventually, all were demolished, with the exception of Phra
Sumen Fort and Mahakan Fort, both of which stand today.
Recently this area were Sumen Fort stands has been open to
the public as a public park.
Ban Chao Phraya:
It was originally
the palace of HRH Prince Sathit-Thamrongsawat, a son of
the Second King, Phra Pinklao. The government of
King Rama V subsequently purchased the land and built offices
for the Police Department. When HH Prince Khamrob entered
government service as the Director General of the City Police
Department, he requested the house and land as a donation
from King Rama VI. It therefore became known as "HH
Prince Khamrob's Palace."
Ban Phra Athit:
It was formerly the site of the Goethe Institute, and a meeting
place for those interested in literature, film, and art. Originally
it was the house of Chao Phraya Worapongpipat (MR Yen Issarasena),
an important civil servant during the reigns of King Rama
V, VI and VII. It is now the office of a private company.
A part of this building has been converted to a coffee shop.
You can enjoy coffee and cakes here.
Lamphu tree (Duabanga grandiflora):
This used to be an area of densely-growing Lamphu trees, so
it was called "Banglamphu." At present, there are
only two trees left behind Phra Sumen Fort.
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