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=1033

Khlong Toei (also Klong Toey, _th. คลองเตย) is a district in central Bangkok, long known for substandard housing. It is bordered by the Chao Phraya River and contains major port facilities. It is also the name of a major market, though not touristic. The market is served by the Bangkok Metro station Khlong Toei on Rama 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 and Pathum 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 on 14 October 1997, effective from 6 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 current Amphoe Phra Pradaeng built during King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke period. Khlong Thanon Trong (Thai: คลองถนนตรง) was a khlong (canal) and a parallel road built by King Mongkut 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 King Vajiravudh 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 on Chao Phraya River not far from Gulf of Thailand. Due to its limited capacity and traffic problem caused by semi-trailer trucks, much of shipping operation has been moved to Laem Chabang Port in Chon 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 the Bangkok 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 by massage parlor tycoon-turned-politician Chuwit Kamolvisit from his own plot of land, about 2,400 m² in size and worth about 1,250 million Baht. 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 to Bangkok Metro Sukhumvit station), Phrom Phong, Thong Lo, Ekkamai, Phra Khanong, and On 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 as Pattaya, Rayong and Trat. It is located on Sukhumvit Road, near the Ekkamai 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]