Chao Por Seua is dedicated to the spirit of a tiger who once lived in the jungle surrounding this area. Legend says that the tiger once killed and ate the only son of a widowed old woman leaving her lonely and destitute. The tiger later regretted his actions and pledged to protect and provide for the old woman. In front of the gate, there are a couple of stone tigers who still look after this place.

Chao Por Seua is dedicated to the spirit of a tiger who once lived in the jungle surrounding this area. Legend says that the tiger once killed and ate the only son of a widowed old woman leaving her lonely and destitute. The tiger later regretted his actions and pledged to protect and provide for the old woman. In front of the gate, there are a couple of stone tigers who still look after this place.

Chao Por Seua is dedicated to the spirit of a tiger who once lived in the jungle surrounding this area. Legend says that the tiger once killed and ate the only son of a widowed old woman leaving her lonely and destitute. The tiger later regretted his actions and pledged to protect and provide for the old woman. In front of the gate, there are a couple of stone tigers who still look after this place.

Wat Mahan is a royal temple built by Prince Annop, a son of King Rama III. The prince began construction on the temple in 1850. Wat Mahan happens to be the location of Siam’s first public school for commoners which was established by King Rama V in an attempt to set up a system of public schools like those he had seen in Europe.

Wat Mahan houses the famous 500 year old Luang Pho Ruang Buddha image. Prince Annop brought this Buddha to Wat Mahan from the old Siamese capital of Sukhothai. And many Thai people come here to pay their respects to the image and make offerings.

Chinese immigrants have lived in Bangkok for over three centuries. Most settled near the river where they traded goods with foreign ships passing north to the former capital city of Ayutthaya. These immigrants have played a key role in shaping the city. A perfect example is the Chao Por Seua Shrine.

Chao Por Seua is dedicated to the spirit of a tiger who once lived in the jungle surrounding this area. Legend says that the tiger once killed and ate the only son of a widowed old woman leaving her lonely and destitute. The tiger later regretted his actions and pledged to protect and provide for the old woman. In front of the gate, there are a couple of stone tigers who still look after this place.

Rama V planned this neighborhood shortly after his return from a trip to Europe in 1887. The lane had a noticeable European feel to it and many influential Siamese built large fancy homes along this street. The most famous resident of Sanphasat Road was Phibul Songkran, one of the two leaders of the 1932 coup that brought democracy to Siam.

Prince Nara loved the performing arts and so decided to build a big beautiful theater in the open court behind this palace. This was Thailand’s first Western theater and opera house.

With some government support and donated paint, they brought the community back to life. They have created an open public space in the center of the square which they use for community plays and festivals, just like in the old days. Things look pretty much the same today as they did during the reign of King Rama V.

On this block there are 145 rooms decorated with beautiful fretted wooden works, typical of the neo-classical European design favored by Rama V.

Bamrung Muang, which in Thai means “the road embellishing the city”, is one of the oldest roads in the city. Since the very first days it has served as the main footpath from the river to Wat Suthat. The road was modified in 1863 when Bangkok’s first sewer system was installed.

Small wooden shops once lined the entire length of Bamrung Muang. After King Rama V returned from Singapore in 1870, he razed the wooden shops and built rowhouses resembling those he saw in Singapore.