Country Thailand Khet established 1989 Geocode 1030 Postal code 10900 | Seat Chatuchak Time zone ICT (UTC+7) Area 32.91 km² | |
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Province Bangkok Metropolitan Region | ||
Chatuchak (Thai: จตุจักร; [tɕà.tùʔ.tɕàk]) is one of the 50 districts (khet) of Bangkok, Thailand. The district is bounded by seven other districts (from north clockwise): Lak Si, Bang Khen, Lat Phrao, Huai Khwang, Din Daeng, Phaya Thai, and Bang Sue.
Contents
- Map of Chatuchak Bangkok Thailand
- History
- Markets
- Parks
- Locations
- Education
- Traffic
- Government and infrastructure
- District council
- Economy
- References
Map of Chatuchak, Bangkok, Thailand
History
Chatuchak was originally part of Bang Khen District. It became a separate district in 1989. The name of the district came from its two major landmarks, Chatuchak Park and Chatuchak Weekend Market.
Markets
The most well-known site in the district is the Chatuchak Weekend Market, the largest market in Thailand. Northwest of the weekend market is another market, Chatuchak Plaza selling clothes and many other products. Across the Kamphang Phet Road is Or Tor Kor Market (ตลาด อ.ต.ก.) belonging to The Marketing Organization for Farmers (องค์การตลาดเพื่อการเกษตร), offering fresh agriculture product and food. Just north of the market along Kamphang Phet Road is the area selling plants and garden products.
Other markets in the area include:
Parks
Adjoining the Chatuchak Weekend Market to the north is the Chatuchak Park complex, covering 1.13 km² of a former State Railway of Thailand golf course consisting of Chatuchak Park (สวนจตุจักร), Queen Sirikit Park (สวนสมเด็จพระนางเจ้าสิริกิติ์ฯ), and Wachirabenchathat Park (สวนวชิรเบญจทัศ).
Chatuchak Park (0.304 km²) is the first park in the complex opened in December 1980. On Phahonyothin Road next to the Mo Chit BTS Station. It is the most accessible park of the three. Also included in this park is the Train Museum.
Queen Sirikit Park (0.224 km²) is a botanical garden built to honor the queen's 60th birthday in 1992. It was formally opened in December 1996. Plants collected in the garden include hibiscus, plumeria, and palms. Within the park compound is the Children's Museum. The park is behind Chatuchak Weekend Market parking lot.
The Wachirabenchathat Park (0.600 km²) is the biggest and newest park of the complex. It was called State Railway Public Park (สวนรถไฟ, Suan Rot Fai) but was renamed in July 2002 in honor of Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn's 50th birthday. It contains a butterfly park and the tallest fountain in Thailand.
Locations
Elephant Tower (ตึกช้าง) is one of the most distinctive building in Bangkok. Shaped like an elephant, it consists of three towers (A, B, and C) joined together at the top. It includes condominiums and office space.
On Vibhavadhi Road opposite Kasetsart University is the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Bangkok. Thawan Duchanee (ถวัลย์ ดัชนี, also written Tawan Datchanee), one of the artists highlighted, is considered one of the most famous modern day artists of Thailand.
Central Plaza Lat Phrao is the biggest shopping center in the district, consisting of Central Department Store, Bangkok Convention Centre (first convention hall in Thailand), cinemas, and many retail shops. Other shopping centers in Chatuchak districk includes Major Cineplex Ratchayothin featuring a 14-screen multiplex cinema, Union Mall, an 8-storey shopping mall for youngsters.
Education
Kasetsart University is one of the top university in Thailand. It was originally focused on agricultural sciences, but now expanded to cover many fields including business and engineering. The university is located on a large block bounded by Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, Ngamwongwan Road and Phahonyothin Road.
Saint John's University and Saint John's International School.
Traffic
The district is passed by the Bangkok MRT with four stations - Kamphaeng Phet, Chatuchak Park, Phahon Yothin and Lat Phrao. Bang Sue MRT Station is just outside Chatuchak district.
Chatuchak district is also the northern end-point of the Bangkok Skytrain at Mo Chit station. Also the Northern Bus Terminal (often called Mo Chit Mai, หมอชิดใหม่) is in the district, with the bus connection to all northern provinces starting there.
Government and infrastructure
The district is divided into five sub-districts (kwaeng).
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation has its headquarters in the district.
Klong Prem Central Prison, also known as "Lard Yao Prison", is located in the district.
District council
The district council for Chatuchak has eight members, who serve four-year terms. Elections were last held on 30 April 2006. The results were:
Economy
Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways have their head offices in Chatuchak.