Pom Prap Sattru Phai

Infobox_Amphoe
name=Pom Prap Sattru Phai
province=Bangkok
thai=ป้อมปราบศัตรูพ่าย
capital=Wat Sommanat
coordinates=coord|13|45|29|N|100|30|47|E|region:TH_type:adm2nd_source:dewiki
population=72,040
population_as_of=2003
area=1.931
density=37,307
postal_code=10100
geocode=1008

Pom Prap Sattru Phai ( _th. ป้อมปราบศัตรูพ่าย) is one of the 50 districts (Khet) of Bangkok, Thailand. Neighboring districts are (from north clockwise) Dusit, Ratchathewi, Pathum Wan, Bang Rak, Samphanthawong, and Phra Nakhon.

History

Pom Prap Sattru Phai is an old district established back in 1915 when old administration of Bangkok were overhauled and replaced by 25 amphoes. Later, two of the original 25, Sam Yod and Nang Loeng were merged into Pom Prap Sattru Phai.

The district was named after a fort ("Pom" in Thai) near Nang Loeng market. The fort was one of the eight new forts built along Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem during King Rama V. The fort was torn down long ago.

Places

The Golden Mount (ภูเขาทอง or พระบรมบรรพต) inside Wat Saket (วัดสระเกศ) is probably the best known place in Pom Prap Sattru Phai. Total height at 63.6 m, it is easily seen from surrounding area. The chedi on the top is accessible via stair circling up around the mount. The construction of Golden Mount begun during King Rama III but suffered from foundation stability problem. It is eventually finished during King Rama V.

Wat Mangkon Kamalawat (วัดมังกรกมลาวาส) or Wat Leng Noei Yi (วัดเล่งเน่ยยี่) is the most famous Mahayana temple in Chinatown Bangkok. It is crowded on special days such as Chinese New Year and Chinese Vegetarian Food Festival (in the 9th lunar month). The temple holds annual "The Krajat" (เทกระจาด) to donate food and consumer goods to the poor in the 7th lunar month.

Tai Hong Kong Shrine (ศาลเจ้าไต้ฮงกง) is a Chinese shrine built to honor Tai Hong (1582-1670). Lived in Guangdong, he helped people by giving food to the poor, treatment to the ill, and funeral to the dead who has no relatives. A group of merchants immigrated to Bangkok from China followed the same path. With donation from King Rama VI, the shrine is established. Later in 1937 Poh Teck Tunk Foundation is formed for rescue and charity work. It is located opposite to the shrine on Phlapphla Chai Road.

Other prominent temples in the district includes Wat Thepsirin (also written Wat Depsirin) and Wat Phlapphla Chai.

Ratchadamnoen Boxing Stadium holding traditional Thai boxing matches is the alternative boxing stadium to Lumphini Boxing Stadium.

Varadis Palace is the former residence of Prince Damrong Rajanubhab. Built in 1911 by the German architect Karl Dohring, it is located within a large garden. After being restored in 1996, it now houses the Prince Damrong Rachanupab Museum and Library.

Markets

Khlong Thom (คลองถม) is an area selling electrical and electronics products. Lots of other second hand goods, sometimes stolen, are available from Saturday night to Sunday morning.

Bobae Market (ตลาดโบ๊เบ๊) is a major low-cost cloth selling area. It is located on a section of Krung Kasem Road between Lan Luang Road and Bamrung Mueang Road on the northeast border of the district. The area is currently under renovation by Bangkok Metropolis Administration and the market is not open for trade.

Festival

Although traditional Thai temple fair (งานวัด) is not commonly seen nowadays. It is held every year at the Golden Mount close to Loy Krathong festival. Ferris wheels, shooting galleries, "Sao Noi Tok Nam" (สาวน้อยตกน้ำ, literally "little lady falling into water") are popular activities. Sao Noi Tok Nam is a dunk tank, played by throwing balls to hit target. And if the target is hit, the lady sitting next to the target will be dropped from her platform into a trough of water. There are also freak shows such as "Mia Ngu" (เมียงู, lit. "snake's wife") with a woman living with a python.

Transportation

Besides the usual road transportation, boat service runs along Khlong Maha Nak (คลองมหานาค) and Khlong Saen Saeb. The route begins at the stop near the Golden Mount and ends at Pratu Nam in Pathum Wan/Ratchathewi, there passengers can change boat to further destinations.An extension of Bangkok Skytrain from National Stadium station is planned with two stations within Pom Prap Sattru Phai district, one near Huachiew Hospital and another near the Golden Mount.

Administration

The district is sub-divided into 5 sub-districts ("Kwaeng").

External links

* [http://203.155.220.239/subsite/index.php?strOrgID=001046 Official website of the district] (Thai only)
* [http://www.bma.go.th/bmaeng/pomprapsattruphai/ BMA website with the touristical landmarks of Pom Prap Sattru Phai]
* [http://www.manager.co.th/MetroLife/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9470000088080 Golden mount fair] at The Manager. (Thai only)
* [http://www.lengnoeiyi.com/home.htm Wat Mangkon Kamalawat home page] (Thai only)
* [http://www.pohtecktung.com/ Poh Teck Tung Foundation home page] (Thai only)