Phra Khanong
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| Statistics | |
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| Province: | Bangkok |
| District office: | Bang Chak |
| Area: | 13.986 km² |
| Inhabitants: | 98,957 (2004) |
| Pop. density: | 7,075 inh./km² |
| Geocode: | 1009 |
| Postal code: | 10260 Moo 2-6 of Bang Chak: 10250 |
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Phra Khanong (Thai: พระโขนง) is one of the 50 districts (Khet) of Bangkok, Thailand. Its neighbor, clockwise from north, are Suan Luang, Prawet, and Bang Na districts of Bangkok, Amphoe Phra Pradaeng of Samut Prakan Province (across Chao Phraya River), Khlong Toei and Watthana of Bangkok.
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[edit] History
Phra Khanong was an amphoe of Nakhon Khuan Khan back in 1902. Nakhon Khuan Khan was renamed to Phra Pradaeng in 1914. In 1927 Phra Khanong was transferred from the then Phra Pradaeng province to Bangkok. It was once very big but it has since been split into several small districts. The districts Khlong Toei, Watthana, Suan Luang, Prawet and Bang Na were all once part of Phra Khanong. Khlong Toei (later split out Watthana) and Prawet (later separate out Suan Luang) districts were carved out of Phra Khanong in 1989. Bang Na was the last district to left Phra Khanong in 1998.
Even though the administration has been changed, many surrounding areas are still often referred to as Phra Khanong. The Phra Khanong station of Bangkok Skytrain, opened in 1999, is actually outside the Phra Khanong district.
The word Khanong originates from Khmer language and means eyebrow but it was speculated that it may be from Khanon (ขนอน) meaning customhouse. The area has been important gateway from the sea for very long time and the history of Phra Pradaeng dated back to over 1,000 years ago when the area was still ruled by Khmer empire.
[edit] Places
Wat Thammamongkhon (วัดธรรมมงคล) is a landmark in Phra Khanong. The temple has the tallest chedi of its kind in Thailand named Phra Wiriya Mongkhon Maha Chedi (พระวิริยะมงคลมหาเจดีย์). It is a square chedi built to the style of Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, India. On the top is decorated with 17kg of gold and 1,063 diamonds. It also houses large jade Buddha and Kuan Yin images.
Wat Wachiratham Sathit (วัดวชิรธรรมสาธิต), formally called Wat Thung (วัดทุ่ง), is an important temple to the local community. Events are held during Songkran festival in April.
Piyarom Sports Club is a large sport facility for both indoor and outdoor sports. Tennis, badminton, squash, bowling, swimming are among the activities.
[edit] Administration
The district has only one sub-district (Kwaeng).
| 1. | Bang Chak | บางจาก |
[edit] Transportation
The Bangkok Skytrain service currently terminates at On Nut station in Watthana and Khlong Toei districts. The route extension in now about to start construction with 2 new stations in Phra Khanong district: Bang Chak and Punnawithi. It is expected to finished in 2009.
[edit] External links
- Official website of the district (Thai only)
- BMA website with the touristical landmarks of Phra Khanong
[edit] References
- BTS route extension plan (Thai only)
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