250px, Santa Cruz Church and Kudi Chin community as seen from opposite side (
)">Pak Khlong Talat)
Kudi Chin ( th, กุฎีจีน, ) or Kadi Chin (, ), also spelled "Kudee Jeen", etc. is a historic neighbourhood in
Bangkok
Bangkok, officially known in Thai language, Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon and colloquially as Krung Thep, is the capital and most populous city of Thailand. The city occupies in the Chao Phraya River delta in central Thailand and has an estima ...
. It is in
Wat Kanlaya Sub-district,
Thon Buri District
Thon Buri ( th, ธนบุรี, ) is one of the 50 districts (''khet'') of Bangkok, Thailand. On the west bank of Chao Phraya River, it was once part of Thon Buri province. Neighboring districts are (from north clockwise) Bangkok Yai, Ph ...
, on the west bank of the
Chao Phraya River
The Chao Phraya ( or ; th, แม่น้ำเจ้าพระยา, , or ) is the major river in Thailand, with its low alluvial plain forming the centre of the country. It flows through Bangkok and then into the Gulf of Thailand.
Et ...
, south of
Bangkok Yai Canal. The neighbourhood, dating to the
Ayutthaya period, includes communities of several faiths living in close proximity. Today, it is best known for the Catholic community (mainly of Portuguese descendants) around
Santa Cruz Church, but the wider neighbourhood also includes the areas around
Wat Kanlayanamit, Kudi Khao Mosque, and the Chinese Kuan An Keng Shrine. Conservation and revitalization efforts beginning in 2008 have made the neighbourhood a cultural tourism destination.
History
The neighbourhood, dating to the
Ayutthaya period, includes communities of several faiths living in close proximity. It can be divided into a total of six communities, which consists of people of various races including
Thai
Thai or THAI may refer to:
* Of or from Thailand, a country in Southeast Asia
** Thai people, the dominant ethnic group of Thailand
** Thai language, a Tai-Kadai language spoken mainly in and around Thailand
*** Thai script
*** Thai (Unicode block ...
,
Mon,
Chinese
Chinese can refer to:
* Something related to China
* Chinese people, people of Chinese nationality, citizenship, and/or ethnicity
**''Zhonghua minzu'', the supra-ethnic concept of the Chinese nation
** List of ethnic groups in China, people of ...
,
Portuguese
Portuguese may refer to:
* anything of, from, or related to the country and nation of Portugal
** Portuguese cuisine, traditional foods
** Portuguese language, a Romance language
*** Portuguese dialects, variants of the Portuguese language
** Portu ...
and
Muslim
Muslims ( ar, المسلمون, , ) are people who adhere to Islam, a monotheistic religion belonging to the Abrahamic tradition. They consider the Quran, the foundational religious text of Islam, to be the verbatim word of the God of Abrah ...
.
For the Portuguese, they received the plot of land from the
King Taksin in this area. They emigrated from
Ayutthaya after fell in 1767, along with other ethnic groups. Later in 1769, there was a construction of a Catholic church called
Santa Cruz Church as it appears today. Their land is considered a land under the administration of
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bangkok
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bangkok ( la, Archidiœcesis Bangkokensis, th, อัครสังฆมณฑลกรุงเทพฯ) is a Latin archdiocese in Thailand. The bishop's seat is the is the Assumption Cathedral, Bangkok.
...
from the past. Therefore, absolutely do not resell or transfer ownership to third parties. There are three types of land and church like this in
Bangkok Metropolitan Region, in addition to the Kudi Chin, including
Holy Rosary Church in
Talat Noi
Talat Noi or Talad Noi ( th, ตลาดน้อย, ) is a historic neighbourhood in Bangkok. It roughly occupies the area of the sub-district of the same name in Samphanthawong District. On the periphery of Bangkok's Chinatown, Talat Noi has b ...
,
Immaculate Conception Church in
Sam Sen, and Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in
Phra Pradaeng
Phra Pradaeng ( th, พระประแดง, ) is a district ('' amphoe'') of Samut Prakan province in Thailand.
History
Phra Pradeang was the original center of the area south of Bangkok near the mouth of the Chao Phraya River. Originally n ...
,
Samut Prakan.
[
Today, it is best known for the Catholic community (mainly of Portuguese descendants, in 2014, they have a population of about 1,850 people in 293 households) around Santa Cruz Church, but the wider neighbourhood also includes the areas around Wat Kanlayanamit, Kudi Khao Mosque, and the Chinese Kuan An Keng Shrine. All linked to each other by bicycle lane and ]promenade
An esplanade or promenade is a long, open, level area, usually next to a river or large body of water, where people may walk. The historical definition of ''esplanade'' was a large, open, level area outside fortress or city walls to provide cle ...
along the Chao Phraya River. Conservation and revitalization efforts beginning in 2008 have made the neighbourhood a cultural tourism destination.
The symbol of this community is rooster which is adapted from Rooster of Barcelos
The Rooster of Barcelos ( pt, Galo de Barcelos) is a common symbol of Portugal.
Folk tale
The folk tale of the rooster of Barcelos, tells the story of a dead rooster's miraculous intervention in proving the innocence of a man who had been false ...
, or Galo de Barcelos in Portuguese
Portuguese may refer to:
* anything of, from, or related to the country and nation of Portugal
** Portuguese cuisine, traditional foods
** Portuguese language, a Romance language
*** Portuguese dialects, variants of the Portuguese language
** Portu ...
, which is the national emblem of Portugal to indicate the roots of the community people.
Its name "Kudi Chin" or "Kadi Chin" meaning "Chinese monk's dwelling", refers to Santa Cruz Church, also known as Kudi Chin. However, it has an explanation that should refer to the Chinese temple on the Chao Phraya River that had been built since the Ayuthaya period. Until the time passed to Thonburi and Rattanakosin periods, it has deteriorated. Therefore being rebuilt as the current Kuan An Keng Shrine.[
]
Sights
Beside church and temples, Kudi Chin also has many interesting things:
*Baan Kudichin Museum, the three-story renovated wooden house of community leader is a learning center stories about the history of community, the ground floor is café
A coffeehouse, coffee shop, or café is an establishment that primarily serves coffee of various types, notably espresso, latte, and cappuccino. Some coffeehouses may serve cold drinks, such as iced coffee and iced tea, as well as other non-ca ...
and souvenir shop for visitors. While the second and third floors exhibits objects used in the past, the way of life and faith, Portugal–Thailand relations, Thai loanwords from Portuguese language, and the origin of the Siamese–Portuguese, as well as old photographs of the community. One interesting thing on the third floor of this house is the doll that represents Phi Hua Phrik (Chilli Head Ghost) or Phi Nu Liap (Little Liap Ghost), a lonely naughty imp in form of little boy. It is a common belief of community people since the past, there is a said when the church bell on the belfry rings at 06.00 pm of each day, signalling the home time. The children who are playing in various area of the community need to return home promptly. If anyone violates will be kidnapped by Phi Nu Liap and keeping them as its playmates until it is bored or contented and finally releases them to free without doing any harm. Said that it was subtle and clever means implemented by the elders in order to set up a curfew for the young children to them safety. Moreover, on the roof top is also used as a viewing point and taking photos of the surrounding scenery community and panoramic views of Chao Phraya River. The museum open for free admission on Tuesday–Sunday from 09.00 am to 06.00 pm.
*Baan Sakunthong, the homey, reservation-only eatery that serves many traditional Thai dishes that are rare and influenced by Portuguese cuisine
The oldest known book on Portuguese cuisine, entitled ''Livro de Cozinha da Infanta D. Maria de Portugal'', from the 16th century, describes many popular dishes of meat, fish, poultry and others.
''Culinária Portuguesa'', by António-Maria De O ...
, it is available by reservation only. Open on weekends, it accommodates three 10-seat tables at a time and bookings must be made at least two days in advance.
*Windsor House, an antique house on the Chao Phraya River behind community, the original owner was Louis Windsor, a wealthy British merchant who owned Windsor Shop on Charoen Krung Road
file:Charoen Krung Road April2021 ถนนเจริญกรุง.jpg, Shophouses along Charoen Krung road with the Sathorn Unique Tower in the vicinity (2021)
Charoen Krung Road ( th, ถนนเจริญกรุง, ) is a major road i ...
. Noted for its elegant decay and detailed fretwork, the gingerbread house
Gingerbread refers to a broad category of baked goods, typically flavored with ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon and sweetened with honey, sugar, or molasses. Gingerbread foods vary, ranging from a moist loaf cake to forms nearly as crisp as ...
was built in a style popular in its time.
*Baan Phattayakosl, the Phattayakosol family is a well-known clan that have contributed much to Thai traditional music since the early Rattanakosin period. The family researched and produced Thai instruments and composed and taught music. Over many generations, they have amassed a treasure trove of Thai traditional instruments and have it displayed in this museum.
*Jantanaphap Thai House, a Thai house, Victoria aged over 120 years built in the reign of King Chulalongkorn
Chulalongkorn ( th, จุฬาลงกรณ์, 20 September 1853 – 23 October 1910) was the fifth monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri, titled Rama V. He was known to the Siamese of his time as ''Phra Phuttha Chao Luang'' (พร ...
(Rama V), made of all teak. This house take from Chanthaburi and brought it to build in Kudi Chin. Interior with Victoria style cabinets. Carved Chinese design on windows and doors. A glass window also shows signs of bullet from the Manhattan Rebellion
The Manhattan Rebellion ( th, กบฏแมนฮัตตัน) was a failed coup attempt by officers of the Royal Thai Navy against the government of Prime Minister Plaek Pibulsonggram (Phibun) on 29–30 June 1951. They took the prime mini ...
in 1951.
The highlight of this community is '' khanom farang kudi chin'', a rare traditional Thai snack that has been influenced by Portuguese sweets since the Ayutthaya period. It is dubbed "Sino-Portuguese snack" or "first Thai cake" and there is a saying that if you has eaten this type of snack as if you had eaten history. Currently, there are only three households that still cook and sell this type of homemade snacks.[
]
Gallery
file:Kudi Chin community - 2017-02-25 (001).jpg, Chic graffiti on the wall in 2017
file:Kudi Chin community - 2017-02-25 (003).jpg, Another chic graffiti
file:Kudi Chin community - 2017-02-25 (009).jpg, The condition of the community houses
file:Kudi Chin community - 2017-02-25 (017).jpg, The kitchen that produces khanom farang kudi chin of Thanusingh Bakery House, a café and bakery in the community. The shop owner as the one who still remains and produces khanom farang kudi chin together with the other two families
file:Kudi Chin kitty - 2017-02-25 (005).jpg, Narrow path leading to Thanusingh Bakery House
file:Flood in Bangkok - panoramio (1).jpg, Kudi Chin during 2011 great floods
file:Kudi Chin snack (002).jpg, Khanom farang kudi chin
file:Bangkok Santa Cruz Catholic Church 1.jpg, Santa Cruz Church and pier in night time
file:Baan Windsor, Bangkok.jpg, Windsor House
file:Kuan An Keng Shrine Day.jpg, Kuan An Keng Shrine, the shrine of Goddess Guanyin
Guanyin () is a Bodhisattva associated with compassion. She is the East Asian representation of Avalokiteśvara ( sa, अवलोकितेश्वर) and has been adopted by other Eastern religions, including Chinese folk religion. She ...
and the origin of community's name
References
{{coord, 13, 44, 20, N, 100, 29, 35, E, type:city, display=title
Neighbourhoods of Bangkok
Thon Buri district
History of Bangkok
Portuguese diaspora in Thailand
Populated places on the Chao Phraya River
Historic districts in Thailand