Khlong Toei (also Klong Toey, th, คลองเตย, ) is a

district A district is a type of administrative division that, in some countries, is managed by the local government. Across the world, areas known as "districts" vary greatly in size, spanning regions or counties, several municipalities, subdivisions o ...

in central

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 ...

, long known for its

slum A slum is a highly populated urban residential area consisting of densely packed housing units of weak build quality and often associated with poverty. The infrastructure in slums is often deteriorated or incomplete, and they are primarily inh ...

. It is bordered by 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 ...

and contains major port facilities. It is also the site of a major market, the Khlong Toei Market. Neighboring districts are (clockwise from the north): Watthana, Phra Khanong,

Phra Pradaeng district 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 na ...

of Samut Prakan province (across the

Chao Phraya 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. E ...

), Yan Nawa,

Sathon Sathon or Sathorn ( th, สาทร, ) is one of the 50 districts (''khet'') of Bangkok, Thailand. The district is bounded by six other districts (from north clockwise): Bang Rak, Pathum Wan, Khlong Toei, Yan Nawa, Bang Kho Laem, and Khlon ...

, and

Pathum Wan Pathum Wan ( th, ปทุมวัน, ) is one of the fifty districts (''khet'') of Bangkok, Thailand. It lies just beyond the old city boundary of Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem, and was a rural area on the eastern outskirts of the city when roya ...

History

The area has a history dating back to the ninth century as a port to cities upstream along the

, such as Pak Nam Phra Pradaeng (Thai: เมืองปากน้ำพระประแดง) (as opposed to the current

) built during the King

Phutthayotfa Chulalok Phra Phutthayotfa Chulalok Maharaj (, 20 March 1737 – 7 September 1809), personal name Thongduang (), also known as Rama I, was the founder of the Rattanakosin Kingdom and the first monarch of the reigning Chakri dynasty of Siam (now Thai ...

period. Khlong Thanon Trong (Thai: คลองถนนตรง) was a

khlong A ''khlong'' ( th, คลอง, ), alternatively spelt as ''klong'' () commonly refers to a canal in Thailand. These canals are spawned by the rivers Chao Phraya, Tha Chin, and Mae Klong, along with their tributaries particularly in the low-ly ...

(canal) and a parallel road built by King

Mongkut Mongkut ( th, มงกุฏ; 18 October 18041 October 1868) was the fourth monarch of Siam (Thailand) under the House of Chakri, titled Rama IV. He ruled from 1851 to 1868. His full title in Thai was ''Phra Bat Somdet Phra Menthora Ramathibod ...

around 1857. Later, different sections of the canal became known as Khlong Toei and Khlong Hua Lamphong. ''Khlong Toei'' means 'the canal of pandan', as the plant grew along the southern bank of the canal. The road was renamed Rama IV Road by King

Vajiravudh Vajiravudh ( th, วชิราวุธ, , 1 January 188126 November 1925) was the sixth monarch of Siam under the Chakri dynasty as Rama VI. He ruled from 23 October 1910 until his death in 1925. King Vajiravudh is best known for his efforts ...

in 1919. In 1947, a large portion of Khlong Toei canal was filled to expand the Rama IV Road surface. The area was once part of the Phra Khanong district, but on 9 November 1989 it was separated to form the new Khlong Toei District. Originally Khlong Toei consisted of six sub-districts, three of which later formed the new Watthana district (announced on 14 October 1997, effective 6 March 1998). The

squatted Squatting is the action of occupying an abandoned or unoccupied area of land or a building, usually residential, that the squatter does not own, rent or otherwise have lawful permission to use. The United Nations estimated in 2003 that there ...

informal settlement Informal housing or informal settlement can include any form of housing, shelter, or settlement (or lack thereof) which is illegal, falls outside of government control or regulation, or is not afforded protection by the state. As such, the inform ...

was surveyed in 1971 and is one of the largest slums in Bangkok. In 2006, it was estimated that between 80,000 and 100,000 people live there.

Administration

The district is divided into three subdistricts (''khwaeng''). From west to east, these are: Khlong Toei is both the name of a subdistrict and the district in which it lies. Phra Khanong is both a subdistrict of Khlong Toei and a district on its own, with only subdistrict Bang Chak. Furthermore, all three subdistricts listed above have counterparts with the addition of "nuea" (north) in Watthana District.

Port

Khlong Toei Port Bangkok Port ( th, ท่าเรือกรุงเทพ) (BKP), popularly known as Khlong Toei Port (), is an international port on the Chao Phraya River in Khlong Toei District of the Thai capital city, Bangkok. It is operated by the Port A ...

, also known as Bangkok Port, was formerly Thailand's only major port for sea transportation of cargo. Its construction began in 1938 and finished after

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

. The port is on the Chao Phraya River, not far from the

Gulf of Thailand The Gulf of Thailand, also known as the Gulf of Siam, is a shallow inlet in the southwestern South China Sea, bounded between the southwestern shores of the Indochinese Peninsula and the northern half of the Malay Peninsula. It is around in l ...

. Due to its limited capacity and traffic problems caused by

semi-trailer truck A semi-trailer truck, also known as a semitruck, (or semi, eighteen-wheeler, big rig, tractor-trailer or, by synecdoche, a semitrailer) is the combination of a tractor unit and one or more semi-trailers to carry freight. A semi-trailer ...

s, many of its operations have moved to

Laem Chabang Port Laem Chabang ( th, แหลมฉบัง, ) is a port city municipality (''thesaban nakhon'') in Si Racha and Bang Lamung districts of Chonburi Province, Thailand. It includes Thung Sukhla subdistrict (''tambon'') and parts of subdistricts Buen ...

Chonburi province Chonburi (, , ) is a province of Thailand (''changwat'') located in eastern Thailand. Its capital is also named Chonburi. Neighbouring provinces are (clockwise from north) Chachoengsao, Chanthaburi, and Rayong, while the Bay of Bangkok is to ...

since its opening in July 1981.

Places of interest

Bangkok Planetarium The Bangkok Planetarium (, ') is the oldest planetarium in Thailand and Southeast Asia. It is located on Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok as part of the Science Centre for Education, which is operated by the Department of Non-Formal Education of the Min ...

* Science Center for Education * Tamnak Plai Noen, the historic residence of

Prince Naris Prince Chitcharoen, the Prince Narisara Nuwattiwong ( th, นริศรานุวัดติวงศ์ ; 28 April 1863 – 10 March 1947), Prince Naris for short, né Chitcharoen (), was a member of the royal family of Siam (now Thailand), ...

, now converted into a small museum. * The Emporium, a luxury shopping center. *

Nana Plaza Nana Plaza (formerly Nana Entertainment Plaza) is an entertainment complex and red-light district in Bangkok, Thailand. Originally built as a shopping center, Nana Plaza occupies a three-story commercial building in the Khlong Toei District of B ...

, a major adult entertainment center, known for

prostitution Prostitution is the business or practice of engaging in Sex work, sexual activity in exchange for payment. The definition of "sexual activity" varies, and is often defined as an activity requiring physical contact (e.g., sexual intercourse, n ...

and go-go and

hostess bar A hostess club is a type of night club found primarily in Japan. They employ primarily female staff and cater to men seeking drinks and attentive conversation. The modern host club is a similar type of establishment where primarily male staff atte ...

s. *

Queen Sirikit National Convention Center Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) (Thai: ศูนย์การประชุมแห่งชาติสิริกิติ์) or also known simply as Queen Sirikit Convention Center, is a convention center and exhibition ha ...

, served by the

MRT MRT may refer to: Transport Rapid Transit Systems * Mass Rapid Transit (disambiguation) * MRT (Singapore) or Mass Rapid Transit, Singapore * MRT (Bangkok) or Metropolitan Rapid Transit, Thailand * Manila Metro Rail Transit System, Philippine ...

station of the same name, hosts various exhibitions around the year. The venue will be closed for renovation following contract extension. *

Benjakitti Park Benjakitti Park ( th, สวนเบญจกิติ, , ) is a public park in the Khlong Toei District of central Bangkok; situated next to the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center. It is close to Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre ...

, a public park next to the convention center. It includes a lake and is on land that was formerly occupied by the Tobacco Monopoly, the government's tobacco factory. *

Benjasiri Park Benchasiri Park ( th, สวนเบญจสิริ, , ; "Park Commemorating the Fifth Cycle Birthday Anniversary") is a garden located on Sukhumvit Road, Khlong Toei District, Bangkok, Thailand. Built on next door to the Emporium and Emsphe ...

, a public park created to commemorate Her Majesty Queen Sirikit's 60th birthday. It is next to the Emporium. *

Chuvit Garden file:2021_สวนชูวิทย์_Chuvit_Garden.jpg, Chuvit Garden, closed, as of 2021 Chuvit Garden (also known as Chuwit Park) was a private park in Bangkok, at Sukhumvit Road, Sukhumvit Soi 10. It was created in 2006 by Chuwit Kamolvisit ...

, a public park in the district created by

massage parlor A massage parlor (American English) or massage parlour (Canadian/British English) is a place where massage services are provided for a fee. In the 19th century, the term began to be used in English as a euphemism for a brothel. Context In 1894 ...

tycoon-turned-politician

Chuwit Kamolvisit Chuwit Kamolvisit ( th, ชูวิทย์ กมลวิศิษฎ์; ; born 29 August 1961) is a controversial Thai politician who was once the country's biggest massage parlour owner, known as the "tub tycoon". After an arrest in 2003 ...

from his own plot of land, about in size and worth about 1,250 million

baht The baht (; th, บาท, ; currency sign, sign: ฿; ISO 4217, code: THB) is the official currency of Thailand. It is divided into 100 ''satang'' (, ). The issuance of currency is the responsibility of the Bank of Thailand. Society for Worldw ...

at the time of opening. Opened in December 2005, it is on

Sukhumvit Sukhumvit Road ( th, ถนนสุขุมวิท, , ), or Highway 3 ( th, ทางหลวงแผ่นดินหมายเลข 3), is a major road in Thailand, and a major surface road of Bangkok and other cities. It follows ...

Soi ''Soi'' ( th, ซอย ) is the term used in Thailand for a side-street branching off a major street (''thanon'', th, ถนน). An alley is called a ''trok'' ( th, ตรอก). Overview Sois are usually numbered, and are referred to by th ...

10. * Khlong Toei Market, Bangkok's largest wet market. * The Khlong Toei slum, south of the expressway and north of the port, is the largest and oldest slum of Bangkok. It houses some 100,000 people on about one square mile (260 ha) of land owned by the Port Authority. *

Metropolitan Electricity Authority The Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) ( th, การไฟฟ้านครหลวง) is a Thai state enterprise under the Ministry of Interior. It was established on 1 August 1958 by the Metropolitan Electricity Authority Act 1958 ( ...

* The Customs Department *

PAT Stadium Port Authority of Thailand Stadium, simply known as PAT Stadium () is a stadium in the Khlong Toei District of central Bangkok, Thailand. It is currently used for football matches and is the home stadium of Port F.C. The stadium holds approximate ...

off Sunthon Kosa Road. *

Port Authority of Thailand The Port Authority of Thailand (PAT) ( th, การท่าเรือแห่งประเทศไทย, ) is a government agency of Thailand, responsible for the regulation and governance of the ports of Thailand, primarily the ports of ...

and

Bangkok Port Bangkok Port ( th, ท่าเรือกรุงเทพ) (BKP), popularly known as Khlong Toei Port (), is an international port on the Chao Phraya River in Khlong Toei District of the Thai capital city, Bangkok. It is operated by the Port Au ...

* Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekkamai) * Tobacco Authority of Thailand (Formerly known as Thailand Tobacco Monopoly) The following places of interest were formerly in Khlong Toei District: *

Lumpinee Boxing Stadium Lumpinee Boxing Stadium ( th, สนามเวทีมวยลุมพินี) is a sporting arena in Bangkok, Thailand. The stadium is named after Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha. Opened more than a decade later than Rajadamnern ...

, an indoor

Muay Thai Muay Thai ( th, มวยไทย, , ), sometimes referred to as Thai boxing, is a combat sport that uses stand-up striking along with various clinching techniques. This discipline is known as the "art of eight limbs", as it is characterised ...

arena, now moved to

Ram Intra Road Ram, ram, or RAM may refer to: Animals * A male sheep * Ram cichlid, a freshwater tropical fish People * Ram (given name) * Ram (surname) * Ram (director) (Ramsubramaniam), an Indian Tamil film director * RAM (musician) (born 1974), Dutch * Raj ...

, Bang Khen District. *

Suan Lum Night Bazaar Suan Lum Night Bazaar was a market in Bangkok's Pathum Wan district, at the intersection of Rama IV and Wireless/Sathorn Roads, opposite Lumphini Park at the MRT's Lumphini Station. Located on land owned by the Crown Property Bureau. It opened in ...

, closed due to contract expiry, now moved to

Suan Lum Night Bazaar Ratchadaphisek Suan Lum Night Bazaar Ratchadaphisek or The Bazaar Ratchadaphisek (Thai: สวนลุมไนท์บาซาร์ รัชดาภิเษก) is a mixed-use complex comprising The Bazaar Hotel that accommodates up to 800 rooms, Podstel ...

. *

Stock Exchange of Thailand The Stock Exchange of Thailand ( th, ตลาดหลักทรัพย์แห่งประเทศไทย), or SET, is the only stock exchange in Thailand. Founded on 30 April 1975, it is ASEAN’s 2nd largest after Singapore and the ...

Building. Now the office is moved to

Din Daeng district Din Daeng ( th, ดินแดง, ) is one of the 50 districts (''khet'') of Bangkok, Thailand. Its neighbours, clockwise from north, are Chatuchak, Huai Khwang, Ratchathewi, and Phaya Thai. History The district was created in 1993, when t ...

Diplomatic missions

* Embassy of Chile * Embassy of Cuba * Embassy of the Philippines * Embassy of Romania * Embassy of Spain * Embassy of Sudan

Transportation

BTS skytrain The Bangkok Mass Transit System, commonly known as the BTS Skytrain ( th, รถไฟฟ้าบีทีเอส '' TS'), is an elevated rapid transit system in Bangkok, Thailand. It is operated by Bangkok Mass Transit System PCL (BTSC), a ...

(BTS) stations in the district include

Nana Nana, Nanna, Na Na or NANA may refer to: People and fictional characters * Nana (given name), including a list of people and characters with the given name * Nana (surname), including a list of people and characters with the surname * Nana ( ...

, Asok (with interchange to

Sukhumvit station),

Phrom Phong Phrom Phong station ( th, สถานีพร้อมพงษ์, ) is a BTS Skytrain station, on the Sukhumvit Line between Khlong Toei and Watthana Districts, Bangkok, Thailand. The station is on Sukhumvit Road at Soi Phrom Phong (Soi S ...

Thong Lo Thong Lo ( th, ทองหล่อ, , ; also spelled ''Thong Lor''), officially named Soi Sukhumvit 55, is a road and neighbourhood in Watthana District, Bangkok, Thailand. ''Thong Lo'' literally translates as 'molten gold'. Its name comes fr ...

Ekkamai 250px, Ekkamai Rd Ekkamai Road ( th, ถนนเอกมัย, , ; often popularly referred to as Ekkamai; also spelled: Ekamai), officially named Soi Sukhumvit 63 (), is a ''soi'' in the form of road, and the name of the surrounding its locatio ...

, Phra Khanong, and On Nut, respectively, all of which are located along

Sukhumvit Road Sukhumvit Road ( th, ถนนสุขุมวิท, , ), or Highway 3 ( th, ทางหลวงแผ่นดินหมายเลข 3), is a major road in Thailand, and a major surface road of Bangkok and other cities. It follows ...

on the BTS Sukhumvit Line. *

(MRTA) has stations Khlong Toei,

and Sukhumvit (interchange to BTS). *Eastern Bus Terminal (also called Ekkamai Bus Terminal) has

intercity buses InterCity (commonly abbreviated ''IC'' on timetables and tickets) is the classification applied to certain long-distance passenger train services in Europe. Such trains (in contrast to regional, local, or commuter trains) generally call at ma ...

to destinations such as

Pattaya Pattaya ( th, พัทยา, , ) is a city in Thailand. It is on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand, about southeast of Bangkok, within, but not part of, Bang Lamung district in the province of Chonburi province, Chonburi. Pattaya City ( ...

Rayong Rayong ( th, ระยอง, ) is a city (''thesaban nakhon'') on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand and the capital of Rayong province. It covers tambons Tha Pradu and Pak Nam and parts of ''tambons'' Choeng Noen and Noen Phra, all within ...

and

Trat Trat ( th, ตราด, ), also spelt Trad, is a town in Thailand, capital of Trat province and the Mueang Trat district. The town is in the east of Thailand, at the mouth of the Trat River, near the border with Cambodia. Etymology ''Trat'' ...

. It is on Sukhumvit Road, near the

BTS station.

Economy

* The head office of

Asia Atlantic Airlines Asia Atlantic Airlines ( th, เอเชีย แอตแลนติก แอร์ไลน์ส, was a charter airline headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand. It was a subsidiary of the Japanese travel agency H.I.S. (travel agency), H.I.S. ...

is on the 11th floor of the Times Square Building in Khlong Toei District. * The

State Railway of Thailand The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) ( th, การรถไฟแห่งประเทศไทย, abbrev. รฟท., ) is the state-owned rail operator under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Transport in Thailand. History The SRT was ...

(SRT) is a large landowner in Thailand. Its latest property development scheme is the Chao Phraya Gateway project, a mix of hotels, shopping centers, and condominiums. It capitalizes on SRT's 277

rai RAI – Radiotelevisione italiana (; commercially styled as Rai since 2000; known until 1954 as Radio Audizioni Italiane) is the national public broadcasting company of Italy, owned by the Ministry of Economy and Finance. RAI operates many ter ...

, 1.16 kilometer-long stretch of land on the river in the Khlong Toei District. The SRT hopes the project will help clear its 100 billion baht debt. The project is projected to break even within eight years and deliver profits of 140 billion baht. , SRT's plans are being submitted to the Transport Ministry for approval.

Education

The Sacred Heart Convent School is in Khlong Toei.

References

External links

BMA website with the tourist landmarks of Khlong ToeiKhlong Toei district office
(Thai only)
History of Khlong Toei port
{{Khet Bangkok Districts of Bangkok Poverty in Thailand Slums in Thailand