Klong Bangluang |
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Klong Sangluang, or some calls it Klong Bangkok Yai, is a canal branching off Chao Phraya River at the conjunction of the Wichaiprasit Fort and Wat Aroonwararam (Temple of Dawn).The area was once the known living neighbourhood of the Bangkok noblemen and aristrocrats families. In a book 'Children of Klong Bangluang' written by 'Kanchanakpant' the pseudonym of Khuon Vichitmatra, it said "Klong Bangluang in my childhood was quite an arrogant place because along both sides of the klong situated big houses with large and clean yards belonging to those high ranking officials or well to do families. In their backyards were rows of fruit orchard lining all the way out to the Chao Phraya River. You could hardly find any small houses in this area". Those noblemen and well to-do families settled in Klong Bangluang area probably because when King Taksin moved the capital to Thonburi and evacuated population from the old Ayudhaya, the noblemen and officials chose to settle their home nearer to the new palace. Another reason, as Kanchanakpant wrote in his book, would probably be that Thonburi in those days was more ferti Ie than the Bangkok side which at that time was just a muddy and low land area, spreading with vast waste areas such as Phra Meru Field and Phayathai Field. The nobleman and rich families preferred to build their houses and orchards on Thonburi side. They remained there even when after the capital was shifted onto Bangkok side during the Ratanakosin period. Among old big houses remain till today include Phra Ruechapramuan house which belongs to the nobleman of the same official rank (alias Sawasdi Saibua), he was responsible for law enforcement during the reigns of King Rama V and Rama VI. In addition there are houses of Phraya Aharnborirak (Tin Sirisampant), the King Rama V period's former official in agricul¬ture department, who was the founder of 'Xuto' fam i ly, Another one is the house of Khuon lntara-eaisawan (Phol Bhumiratana), generally called 'Baan Chang Thong (Goldsmith house)' because this family had long served as the royal court goldsmith. The house of Luang Rithinarongron has today been opened as a museum welcoming visitors on every Mondays to Fridays. The house belongs to the family of ex cavalry officer in the reign of King Rama V. It was built in European architectural style and is one of the Bangkok old buildings that remains beautifully well kept and in completed form. Today Klong Bangluang has gone through a lot of changes and modernization. But the old days' glory.of prestigious neighbourhood could still be seen and admired here. |
