- Khlong Toei
Infobox_Amphoe
name=Khlong Toei
province=Bangkok
thai=คลองเตย
capital=Khlong Thoei
coordinates=coord|13|42|29|N|100|35|2|E|type:adm2nd_region:TH
population=159,527
population_as_of=2000
area=13.0
density=12,271.3
postal_code=10110
except parts of Phra Khanong: 10260
geocode=1033Khlong Toei (also Klong Toey, _th. คลองเตย) is a district in central
Bangkok , long known for substandard housing. It is bordered by theChao Phraya River and contains major port facilities. It is also the name of a major market, though not touristic. The market is served by theBangkok Metro station Khlong Toei onRama IV Road .Neighboring districts are (from the north clockwise)
Watthana ,Phra Khanong , across the Chao Phraya the district Phra Pradaeng of Samut Prakan,Yan Nawa ,Sathon andPathum Wan .History
The district was once part of Phra Khanong. It was later separated into a new district on
9 November 1989 . Originally Khlong Toei consisted of 6 sub-districts. Three of which have since left to form the new Watthana district (announced on14 October 1997 , effective from6 March 1998 ).The area has a history dated back to the ninth century as a port to cities upstream along
Chao Phraya River . It was a city called Pak Nam Phra Pradaeng (Thai: เมืองปากน้ำพระประแดง) as oppose to the currentAmphoe Phra Pradaeng built during KingBuddha Yodfa Chulaloke period. Khlong Thanon Trong (Thai: คลองถนนตรง) was akhlong (canal) and a parallel road built by KingMongkut around 1857. Later, it became known as Khlong Toei and Khlong Hua Lamphong for different sections of the canal. Khlong Toei means "the canal of pandan" as the plant grew along the southern bank of the canal. The road was renamed to Rama IV Road by KingVajiravudh in 1919. In 1947, a large portion of Khlong Toei canal was filled up to expand the Rama IV Road surface.Port
The Khlong Toei Port, also known as Bangkok Port was Thailand's only major port for sea transportation of cargo. The construction began in 1938 and finished after the end of
World War II . The port is located onChao Phraya River not far fromGulf of Thailand . Due to its limited capacity and traffic problem caused bysemi-trailer truck s, much of shipping operation has been moved toLaem Chabang Port inChon Buri Province since its opening in July 1991.Places
Attractions include:
* The Emporium, a luxury shopping center.
*Nana Plaza , a major center for prostitution with go-go and hostess bars.
*Queen Sirikit National Convention Center , served by theBangkok Metro station of the same name, hosts various exhibitions around the year.
*Benjakitti Park , a recently created park next to the convention center. It includes a big lake and is on land that was formerly occupied by the Tobacco Monopoly, the government's tobacco factory.
*Benjasiri Park , another fairly new park, it was created to commemorate Her Majesty Queen Sirikit's 60th birthday. It is next to The Emporium.
*Chuvit Garden , the newest public park in the district was created bymassage parlor tycoon-turned-politicianChuwit Kamolvisit from his own plot of land, about 2,400 m² in size and worth about 1,250 millionBaht . Opened in December 2005, it is located on Sukhumvit Soi 10.
*Khlong Toei Market , Bangkok's largest wet market.Transportation
*
Bangkok Skytrain (BTS) stations in the district are Nana,Asok (with interchange toBangkok Metro Sukhumvit station), Phrom Phong,Thong Lo ,Ekkamai ,Phra Khanong , andOn Nut , all along Sukhumvit Road on the BTS Sukhumvit Line.
*Bangkok Metro (MRTA) has stations Khlong Toei,Queen Sirikit National Convention Center and Sukhumvit (interchange to BTS).
*Eastern Bus Terminal (also called Ekkamai Bus Terminal) has inter-city buses to destinations such asPattaya , Rayong and Trat. It is located on Sukhumvit Road, near theEkkamai BTS station.Administration
The district is sub-divided into 3 sub-districts ("Khwaeng").
External links
* [http://www.bma.go.th/bmaeng/khlongtoei/ BMA website with the touristical landmarks of Khlong Toei]
* [http://203.155.220.217/klongtoei/ Khlong Toei district office] (Thai only)
* [http://www.port.co.th/aboutPAT/eng/history.asp History of Khlong Toei port]
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.