Charoen Krung Road is one of the oldest and most historic roads in Bangkok, Thailand. The road stretches for about 8 kilometers along the east bank of the Chao Phraya River, running from the southern end of Rattanakosin Island (the historic district of Bangkok) to the neighborhood of Bang Rak. It is very first paved road in Bangkok, which officially opened to travel on this day in 1864.
In the 1860s, the Bangkok economy relied mostly on its network of canals for trade. But as the Thai capital became home to foreign traders and their horse-drawn buggies, the city sought to revamp its water-based infrastructure to land transportation in order to meet the demands of international commerce. The local government answered with the 1862 construction of Charoen Krung, which loosely translates to “Prosperous City” but is also often referred to as the “New Road.”
Today, Charoen Krung serves as an asphalt artery that connects a melting pot of old and new in areas like Bangkok’s first “Creative District.” This riverside neighborhood features some of the capital’s most iconic landmarks such as the Old Customs House, where 19th-century foreign traders paid taxes before entering and exiting the country, alongside an eclectic mix of everything from French bistros to international street murals. This intersection of modernity and history emphasizes how Charoen Krung has always been a progressive cultural center of Thailand; one that continues to clear the path for the ingenuity of the days to come.
Charoen Krung Road was established in the late 19th century during the reign of King Rama IV as part of a modernization effort to expand the city beyond its traditional limits. The road was one of the first in Bangkok to be built using Western construction techniques, and it quickly became a center of commerce and culture in the rapidly growing city.
Over the years, Charoen Krung Road has been home to a wide range of businesses and institutions, including shops, restaurants, theaters, and temples. Today, the road is a bustling and vibrant part of Bangkok, with a mix of old and new buildings, traditional markets and modern malls, and a rich cultural heritage that reflects the city’s history and diversity.
Some of the notable landmarks along Charoen Krung Road include:
- Wat Mangkon Kamalawat, a Chinese Buddhist temple that is one of the largest and most important in Bangkok
- River City Bangkok, a shopping mall and cultural center that showcases Thai art and culture
- The Neilson Hays Library, a historic library and cultural center that was founded in 1869
- Assumption Cathedral, a Roman Catholic church that is one of the oldest and most beautiful in Bangkok
Overall, Charoen Krung Road is a fascinating and important part of Bangkok’s history and culture, and it continues to be a vibrant and dynamic part of the city today.
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