About the neighborhood
Neighborhood in Bangkok, Thailand
Bang Lamphu, also spelled Banglampoo or Banglamphu (Thai: บางลำพู, pronounced bāːŋ lām.pʰūː; in the past, it was often misspelled บางลำภู) 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 the area north of Phra Nakhon, both inside and outside Rattanakosin Island, stretching from Phra Athit to Samsen Roads, which lead toward Dusit District. Most of Bang Lamphu lies within Talat Yot Subdistrict, with parts extending into nearby subdistricts such as Chana Songkhram, Bowon Niwet, Ban Phan Thom, and up to Wat Sam Phraya.
History
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 the 2011 Thailand floods, but the name Bang Lamphu is still commonly used to describe the area.
Bang Lamphu became a community prior to the Rattanakosin period. It was the residence of royalty, courtiers, vassals and citizens of many ethnic groups, including Thai, Chinese, Mon and Muslims who settled in the vicinity. Once the Khlong Rop Krung canal was excavated, a pier was established at Bang Lamphu by which goods such as vegetables and fruits could be transported from the Thonburi side. In those days, Bang Lamphu resembled a lively floating market, bustling with activity. The renowned poet Sunthorn Phu described the area in his work Nirat Phukhao Thong, written during his journey to pay homage to the Chedi Phukhao Thong (Golden Mount) in Ayutthaya, as he passed through Bang Lamphu by boat:
Bang Lamphu also became a major market for overland trade via the Khaosan Road 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).
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 food, bars, cafés, clothes, and travel agencies including Thai massage services. For Thai people, Bang Lamphu is also considered to be a hub for notable school uniform stores.
Bang Lamphu, especially Sip Sam Hang Road, the area opposite Wat Bowonniwet Vihara was considered a center of teenagers in the 1950s–60s, like Wang Burapha. Since it was home to many restaurants including cafés and ice cream parlours that offered jukeboxes and televisions, 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.
Surrounding places
Wat Bowonniwet Vihara
Wat Chana Songkhram
Santi Chai Prakan Park
Phra Sumen Fort
Palace Gate Remnants
Pipit Banglamphu Museum
Khuru Sapha Print Shop
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
Sor Vorapin Muaythai and Boxing Gym (now closed)
New World Department Store (famous as "Fish Sanctum" in Bangkok, now closed)
Tang Hua Seng Department Store, it will close for good on the morning of September 10, 2024.
Masjid Chakkaphong
Masjid Ban Tuk Din
Norarat Sathan Bridge
Chao Por Nu Joss House
King Taksin Shrine (the only King Taksin shrine in Phra Nakhon side)
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
References
External links
Banglamphu in Lonely Planet
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bang Lamphu.
13°45′8.93″N 100°30′4.1″E / 13.7524806°N 100.501139°E / 13.7524806; 100.501139
Palaces Bang Khun Phrom Palace
Devavesm Palace
Dusit Palace
Grand Palace
Phaya Thai Palace
Suan Pakkad Palace
Thonburi Palace
Museums and cultural performances Ban Bu Community
Bangkok Aquarium
Bangkok Art and Culture Centre
Bangkok Folk Museum
Bangkok National Museum
Bank of Thailand Museum
Ban Mo Wan
ChangChui Creative Park
Coin Museum
Jim Thompson House
Khlong Bang Luang Artist House
King Prajadhipok Museum
Lhong 1919
Madame Tussauds Bangkok
M.R. Kukrit's House
Museum of Contemporary Art
Museum Siam
Pavilion of Regalia, Royal Decorations and Coins
Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute
Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre
Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World
Siam Commercial Bank, Talat Noi Branch
Silpa Bhirasri National Museum
Siriraj Medical Museum
So Heng Tai Mansion
Thailand Cultural Centre
National Gallery
National Museum of Royal Barges
Markets and malls Asiatique
Central Embassy
CentralWorld
Chatuchak Weekend Market
Emporium
EmQuartier
Gaysorn Village
Iconsiam
Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market
Khlong Toei Market
Kwan Riam Floating Market
MBK Center
Pak Khlong Talat Market (Flower Market)
Pantip Plaza
Patpong Night Market
Pattavikorn Market
Pratunam Market (Clothing Market)
River City Shopping Complex
Sampheng
Samyan Mitrtown
Saphan Han (Toys and Ladies Market)
Siam Center
Siam Discovery
Siam Paragon
Siam Square
Soi Lalai Sap
Suan Lum Night Bazaar Ratchadaphisek
Talat Nang Loeng
Talat Phlu
Talat Rotfai
Taling Chan Floating Market
Terminal 21
Tha Din Daeng
Thonburi Market (Sanam Luang II)
Trok Mo Market
Wang Lang Market
Yodpiman River Walk
Bridges, streets and transport facilities Bangkok railway station (Hua Lamphong)
Bhumibol Bridge (Mega Bridge)
BTS Skytrain
Captain Bush Lane
Chaloem La 56 Bridge (Elephant's Heads Bridge)
Charoen Krung Road
Dinso Road
Don Mueang Airport
Khaosan Road
Krungthep Bridge
Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal
Krung Thon Bridge (Sang Hi Bridge)
Makkhawan Rangsan Bridge
Memorial Bridge (Phut Bridge)
MRT
Odeon Circle
Patpong
Rama VIII Bridge
Ram Buttri Road
Ratchadamnoen Avenue
Royal Plaza
Utthayan Road (Axis Road)
Areas and neighbourhoods Ban Khrua
Ban Lao
Bang Lamphu
Yaowarat (Chinatown)
Dusit
Hua Takhe
Kudi Chin
Nana (Little Arabia)
Phahurat (Little India)
Pratunam
Rattanakosin Island (Old Town Zone)
Royal City Avenue (RCA)
Sam Phraeng
Silom
Soi Cowboy
Talat Noi
Tha Chang
Tha Phra Chan (Amulet Market)
Tha Tien
Thonburi
Thong Lo
Wang Burapha
Parks and gardens Benchasiri Park
Benjakitti Park
Chak Phupha Su Maha Nathee Park
Chatuchak Park
Chulalongkorn University Centenary Park
Lumphini Park
Nagaraphirom Park
Princess Mother Memorial Park
Queen Sirikit Park
Rommaninat Park
Sanam Luang
Santichaiprakarn Park
Suan Luang Rama IX
Suan Luang Rama VIII
Wachirabenchathat Park
World Siam Stadium
Sport venues Indoor Stadium Huamark
Lumpinee Boxing Stadium
National Stadium
Rajadamnern Stadium
Rajamangala Stadium
Bangkok Arena
Monuments and memorials Democracy Monument
Equestrian statue of King Chulalongkorn
Giant Swing
Pig Memorial and Pi Kun Bridge
Victory Monument
Wongwian Yai
Skyscrapers and architectural buildings Baiyoke Tower II
Bangkok City Library
Customs House
Drum Tower and Clock Tower
Fortifications of Bangkok
General Post Office
King Power MahaNakhon
Ministry of Defence headquarters
Other Pata Zoo
Safari World
Siam Park City
Encyclopedic content adapted from the Wikipedia article on Banglamphu, used under CC BY-SA 4.0.
