Bang Lamphu, also spelled Banglampoo or Banglamphu (, ; in the past, it was often misspelled บางลำภู) is a 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 estim ...

located in Phra Nakhon District. The history of the Bang Lamphu community dates to the establishment of the Rattanakosin Kingdom, or earlier. Bang Lamphu covers an area north of Phra Nakhon both inside and outside

Rattanakosin Island Rattanakosin Island (, , ) is a historic area in the Phra Nakhon District in the city of Bangkok, Thailand. It is bordered by the Chao Phraya River to the west and various canals to the east that were dug to serve as moats for what was originall ...

from Phra Athit to Samsen Roads, which leads toward Dusit District. Most of the area of Bang Lamphu is in Talat Yot Subdistrict, with some spreading to various nearby subdistricts including Chana Songkhram, Bowon Niwet, Ban Phan Thom up till Wat Sam Phraya.

History

The name "Bang Lamphu" can mean ''area of mangrove apple'' (''lamphu'' is Thai for mangrove apple). Mangrove apples ('' Sonneratia caseolaris'') once flourished along waterways in the area, including the Khlong Bang Lamphu and

Chao Phraya River The Chao Phraya River 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. Etymology Written evidence of the river being referred to by the ...

. There are no more mangrove apple trees in the local Santi Chai Prakan Park, since the last one died in 2012 from 2011 Thailand floods, but the name Bang Lamphu is still commonly used to describe the area. Bang Lamphu became a community prior to the Rattanakosin period. It was the residence of royalty, courtiers, vassals and citizens of many ethnic groups, including Thai, Chinese, Mon and

Muslims Muslims () are people who adhere to Islam, a Monotheism, monotheistic religion belonging to the Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic tradition. They consider the Quran, the foundational religious text of Islam, to be the verbatim word of the God ...

who settled in the vicinity. Once the Khlong Rop Krung canal was excavated, a pier was established at Bang Lamphu by which goods such as vegetables and fruits could be transported from the

Thonburi __NOTOC__ Thonburi () is an area of modern Bangkok. During the era of the Ayutthaya Kingdom, Kingdom of Ayutthaya, its location on the right (west) bank at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River had made it an important garrison town, which is ref ...

side. Bang Lamphu also became a major market for overland trade via the Khaosan Road and a number of other roads. The community was home to

likay Likay (, , ) is a form of popular folk theatre from Central Thailand (not in Bangkok, where Teochew opera are folk theatre.). Its uniqueness is found in the combination of extravagant costumes with barely equipped stages and vaguely determined ...

dancers and Thai musicians and was the birthplace of Montri Tramote, a Thai musician recognized as "master of Thai classical music" and National Artist of Performing arts (Thai music). Bang Lamphu has become a popular

tourist destination A tourist attraction is a place of interest that tourists visit, typically for its inherent or exhibited natural or cultural value, historical significance, natural or built beauty, offering leisure and amusement. Types Places of natural beau ...

, especially for Westerners. The Khaosan and Rambuttri Roads feature tourist attractions. Accommodations and dining are available including guest houses,

hostels A hostel is a form of low-cost, short-term shared sociable lodging where guests can rent a bed, usually a bunk bed in a dormitory sleeping 4–20 people, with shared use of a lounge and usually a kitchen. Rooms can be private or shared - mixe ...

restaurants A restaurant is an establishment that prepares and serves food and drinks to customers. Meals are generally served and eaten on the premises, but many restaurants also offer take-out and food delivery services. Restaurants vary greatly in app ...

, street foods, bars,

cafés A coffeehouse, coffee shop, or café (), is an establishment that serves various types of coffee, espresso, latte, americano and cappuccino, among other hot beverages. Many coffeehouses in West Asia offer ''shisha'' (actually called ''nargile ...

clothes Clothing (also known as clothes, garments, dress, apparel, or attire) is any item worn on a human human body, body. Typically, clothing is made of fabrics or textiles, but over time it has included garments made from animal skin and other thin s ...

, and

travel agencies A travel agency is a private Retailing, retailer or public service that provides travel and tourism-related Service (economics), services to the general public on behalf of accommodation or travel supply chain, suppliers to offer different kin ...

including Thai massage services. For Thai people, Bang Lamphu is also considered to be a hub for notable

school uniform A school uniform is a uniform worn by students primarily for a school or otherwise an educational institution. They are common in primary school, primary and secondary schools in various countries and are generally widespread in Africa, Asia, O ...

stores. Bang Lamphu, especially Sip Sam Hang Road, the area opposite

Wat Bowonniwet Vihara Wat Bowaniwet Wihan Ratchaworawihan (; , ) is a major Buddhist temple (''wat'') in Phra Nakhon district, Bangkok, Thailand. Being the residence of Nyanasamvara Suvaddhana, the late Supreme Patriarch of Thailand, it is the final resting place of ...

considered as a center of teenagers in 1950s–60s, like Wang Burapha. Since it was home to many restaurants including cafés and ice cream parlours that offer jukebox and television, which were rare appliances in those days. Hence, Bang Lamphu and Sip Sam Hang Road were cited in the 1997 Thai

heroic bloodshed Heroic bloodshed is a genre invented by Hong Kong action cinema revolving around stylized action sequences and dramatic themes, such as brotherhood, duty, honour, redemption, and violence that has become a popular genre used by different director ...

film '' Dang Bireley's and Young Gangsters'' as a backdrop for the characters in street gang battles.

Surrounding places

Transportation

MRT Purple Line The MRT Purple line () or MRT Chalong Ratchadham line () is Bangkok's fifth rapid transit line, following the Sukhumvit Line, Silom Line, Blue Line, and Airport Rail Link. The line is long, serving the north-western area of Bangkok running ...

: Bang Khun Phrom Station (PP21) and Democracy Monument Station (PP22) (future extension) * BMTA bus: route A4, S1, 3 (2-37), 4-35, 4-69, 6, 9, 12, 12 (3-37), 15 (4-2), 30 (2-4), 32 (2-5), 43, 47 (3-41), 53 (2-9), 56 (4-40), 65, 68 (4-12), 70 (2-14), 82 (4-15), 127 (2-19), 516 (2-25), 524 * Khlong Bang Lamphu Boat Service: Bang Lamphu Pier (under Norarat Sathan Bridge) *

Chao Phraya Express Boat The Chao Phraya Express Boat ( ''Ruea Duan Chao Phraya'') is a transportation service in Thailand operating on the Chao Phraya River. It provides riverine express transportation between stops in the capital city of Bangkok and to Nonthaburi Pro ...

: Phra Arthit Pier (N13)

References

External links

Banglamphu
in

Lonely Planet Lonely Planet is a travel guide book publisher. Founded in Australia in 1973, the company has printed over 150 million books. History 20th century Lonely Planet was founded by married couple Maureen Wheeler, Maureen and Tony Wheeler. In 19 ...

{{Authority control Neighbourhoods of Bangkok Phra Nakhon district Tourist attractions in Bangkok