Thonburi, the 250 year old capital of Siam
More than 250 years ago, Thonburi became the capital of Siam. This happened after the fall of Ayutthaya in 1767 to the conquest of the Burmese. However, the new capital only functioned as such for 15 years, because the current Bangkok took over as the capital.
After Taksin's death, Thonburi became the capital of a short-lived Kingdom of Thonburi, which was ruled by several kings. The former “capital” had existed for some time, but in the end it did not suffice as such. Therefore, when General Chakri, Rama I, the first king of the Chakri dynasty came to power in 1782, the first thing he did was move the capital again to the right side of the Chao Phraya River, which was then a small fishing village. This side offered better defenses against the Burmese than Thonburi on the west side of the river. A second reason was that the palace to be built had much better expansion possibilities here. In Thonburi, the palace was sandwiched between two temples. A disadvantage was that the entire area was swampy in nature and that this had to be tackled first.
However, Thonburi has been able to exert its influence as a center of power on the areas in Siam, which was not yet a country with clearly defined borders. As a result, there are still a number of interesting remains to visit. Next to the temple, a very wealthy Chinese businessman Tan Siew Wang had the Wang Lee Mansion built in 1881. This is a traditional style homestead, which is now very rare and has been well maintained. This still famous Wanglee family became wealthy through the rice trade between Siam and China. One of the traits of this family is not to sell anything the family has bought in the past! That is why it received the renowned ASA prize (Association of Siamese Architects) in 1984 for its care for the cultural heritage. Due to the high wall around the whole, it cannot be visited, but from Che-Chin-Khor-Pagoda one has a nice overview of the Wang Lee Mansion building.
Thonburi remained an important area for the Thai economy, with important trade routes and a large port. The area also has a rich culture and history, with beautiful temples and palaces dating back to the period of Taksin's rule. Today, Thonburi is part of the metropolis of Bangkok and an important residential area for many Thais.
Thonburi became part of Bangkok (Yai) in 1971 through the Memorial Bridge as Bangkok Noi. The easiest way to get to Thonburi is the Chao Phraya Express Boat.
– Relocated in memory of Lodewijk Lagemaat † February 24, 2021 –
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I hope I don't sound like an old whiner by posting the following comments:
In 1972, จังหวัดธนบุรี (Thonburi Province) and จังหวัดพระมคร (Phra Nakhon Province) were merged into 'special administrative region' กรุ งเทพมหานคร ฯ. (Krung Thep Maha Nakhon etc., or Bangkok).
The then royal residence พระราชวังเดิม (Wang Derm Palace), which is now used as a naval base, is located in the current เขตบางกอกใหญ่ (Bangkok Yai district) between วั and วัดโมลี โลกยาราม ราชวรวิหาร (What Moli Lokayaram Ratchaworawihan).
The current เขตธนบุรี (Thonburi district) is located south of เขตบางกอกใหญ่ (Bangkok Yai district) which in turn is south of เขตบางกอ กน้อย (Bangkok Noi district) is located.
In an area that is also called เกาะ รัตนโกสินทร์ (Rattanakosin Island, but is not actually an island) and is now part of เขตพระมคร (Phra Nakhon district) a walled fortress built with the current พระบมมหาราช วัง. (GrandPalace). A few strongholds and pieces of fortress wall are still present.
The สะพานพุทธ (Phut bridge, also called Memorial bridge) connects the current เขตพระมคร (Phra Nakhon district) with เขตธนบุรี/เขต คลงสาน (Thonburi district/Khlong San district)
The บ้าน ลี ลี (Wang Lee Mansion) is located in the current เขต คลงสาน (Khlong San District) that is west of เขต ธนบุรี ธนบุรี (Thonburi District). Ferry dock สวัสดี – วัดทองธรรฒชาติ (Sawasdee – Wat Thong Thammachat) across the แม่น้ำ เจ้าพร ะยา (Chao Praya river) is near there.
The เรือด่วนเจ้าพระยา (Chao Phraya Express boat) has only 3 berths on the west bank of the river about สนามหลวง (Sanam Luang). You can also take a ferry to the other side at most of the Chao Phraya Express docks.
Small correction to a mistake in my response from over a year ago. Then I could no longer do that because of the rapid closure of the response option.
The current เขตคลงสาน (Khlong San district) is located east of เขตธนบุรี (Thonburi district).
Thanks, TheoB, nicely done. I'm going to whine some more.
The name Thonburi ธนบุรี, show middle, low, middle, has the following meaning. Buri means 'city' and thon means 'wealth, prosperity'. 'The Rich City'.
That word thon is also used as thana in many other names. Thankaan is 'bank', Thanaphorn is of course a male name 'Blessed with Wealth'. A rich man is always a good person in Thailand, while poor people are usually…..
I'm an impatient type. Sent too soon. 'Bank' is 'thanakaan' and not thankaan.
Update:
Recently, two piers have been added where the เรือด่วนเจ้าพระยา (Chao Phraya Express boat).
The ท่าราชินี (Rajinee pier) is located south of วัดโพธิ์ (Wat Pho) where the inner moat flows into the แม่น้ำเจ้าพระย า (Chao Phraya River).
The ท่าบางโพ (Bang Pho pier) is located west of สถานีกลางบางซื่อ (Bang Sue Central Station) next to the bridge over the แม่น้ำเ จ้าพระยา (Chao Phraya river).
See also: https://www.chaophrayaexpressboat.com/chaophrayaexpressboat?lang=en
It offers much more possibilities since the westward extension and is also free today (12/12-royal barge procession on the river).
Furthermore, on that side is the old Portuguese area known with church and cake bakers.