Siam area
Encyclopedia
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
, roughly corresponding with 43 acres (174,015 m²) of Thai Royal Family estate, of which 26 acres (105,218.4 m²) leased on either side of Rama I Road and where vast and upscale shopping complexes currently are (formerly Siam Intercontinental Hotel along with its royal gardens), and home to 17 acres (68,796.6 m²) of the Sra Pathum Palace. Siam as a place sprawls into the Ratchaprasong
Ratchaprasong
Ratchaprasong is the name of an intersection, and a shopping district named after it in Pathum Wan District, Bangkok, adjacent to Siam District. Located at the BTS Skytrain's Chit Lom Station and the intersection of Phloenchit, Rama I and Ratchadamri Roads...
area with the creation of a number footbridges. Legally, no district of Bangkok by the name of Siam exists, however, local Thais refer to this area as "Siam" (สยาม), distinguishing it from the former name of the nation, and it is considered the very heart of Bangkok in a sense; it was the original site of important Royal events. It is located in Pathum Wan
Pathum Wan
Pathum Wan or Pathumwan is one of the 50 districts of Bangkok, Thailand. The district is bounded by six other districts : Ratchathewi , Watthana, Khlong Toei, Sathon, Bang Rak, Pom Prap Sattru Phai , and Dusit.-History:The district was established in 1914...
district, but is only a small portion of it. Many but not all properties in Siam as well as the Pathum Wan District are owned by the Thai Royal Family and leased to out by the Crown Property Bureau (CPB). There are plans for land in the Siam district to be donated by the Royal Family to the public to be a future park.
History
During the fourth reign (1851–1868) of the present Thai dynasty, King Mongkut ordered the construction of a small palace for royal recreation which was built in this area and named by His Majesty as "Pathumwan Palace" meaning lotus palace. Siam area was also the location of the nation's first airport before Don Mueang Airport opened in 1914. With the new airport built, land was freed, and the property was inherited by Prince Mahidol of Songkhla, father of the present King, who had Sra Pathum Palace (Lotus Pond Palace) built.Sra Paduma Palace, was a 17 acres (68,796.6 m²) site rich in history. Sra Pathum Palace or Lotus Pond Palace was the site of the weddings of Prince Mahidol Adulyadej
Mahidol Adulyadej
Mahitaladhibes Adulyadejvikrom, the Prince Father , or officially styled Mahidol Adulyadej, Prince of Songkla was the father of King Ananda Mahidol and King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand. He was also regarded as the father of modern medicine and public health of Thailand...
and Princess Mother, parents of the present Thai monarch in September, 1920. The present King and Queen were married there on April 28, 1950. The late Princess Mother lived at the palace and it has been recently renovated to serve as the residence of the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.
Of the 43 acres (174,015 m²) of the Royal Estate, Sra Pathum Palace is located on 17 acres (68,796.6 m²), with the remaining 26 acres (105,218.4 m²) leased to the former Siam Intercontinental Hotel and its gardens. One side of the Palace shared the same wall with the hotel and the hotel (shared a wall with) Wat Pathum Wanaram
Wat Pathum Wanaram
Wat Pathum Wanaram is a Buddhist temple in Bangkok, Thailand. It is located in the district Pathum Wan, between the two shopping malls Siam Paragon and CentralWorld, and across the street of Siam Square....
, a temple built over 100 years ago.
On December 11, 1964 at exactly 10:00am (the hour designated by the Royal Astrologer as being auspicious), Her Royal Highness the Late Princess Mother unveiled the foundation stone of the hotel. At that time, the Siam Intercontinental was one of the first international hotels in Bangkok.
Naming
Places and companies bearing in reference to the "Siam" as neighborhood name began with Siam Intercontinental Hotel in 1964, followed by Siam SquareSiam Square
Siam Square is a shopping and entertainment area in the Siam District of Bangkok, Thailand. The area connects to other shopping centres and links to the other shopping districts by sky bridge, such as Siam Center/Siam Discovery Center, MBK Center, Siam Paragon, Ratchaprasong shopping district and...
in 1965 and Siam Theater in 1967, Siam Bowl, Siam Center
Siam Center
Siam Center and Siam Discovery Center are twin shopping malls in Pathum Wan district, Bangkok, Thailand. Located at the BTS Skytrain's Siam Station, the malls are part of a large shopping district being opposite Siam Square, next to Siam Paragon and adjacent to MBK Center. Both are owned by Siam...
in 1973, Siam Discovery in 1997, Siam Station
Siam station
Siam Station is the cross-platform interchange station for the BTS Skytrain in Pathum Wan district, Bangkok, Thailand. The largest and busiest station on the BTS with 40,000 - 50,000 passengers per day, it is where passengers on the and change trains....
in 1999, the focal station of the BTS Skytrain, then following the demolition of the Siam Intercontinental Hotel making way for the Siam Paragon
Siam Paragon
Siam Paragon is a shopping mall in Bangkok, Thailand. It is one of the biggest shopping centers in Asia. Opened on December 9, 2005, it includes a wide range of specialty stores and restaurants as well as a multiplex movie theater and the Siam Ocean World...
in 2005. Among companies bearing the name, Siam Piwat
Siam Piwat
Siam Piwat is a Bangkok based retail and development company.The company is best known for managing Siam Center & Siam Discovery Center & Paradise Park, three shopping malls in Bangkok, Thailand....
is the developer of the Siam Center, whereas Siam Cement
Siam Cement
The Siam Cement Public Company Limited or SCG is the largest cement company in Thailand. It is listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. In 2011, it was also ranked as the 2nd largest company in Thailand and the 620th largest company in the world by Forbes 2000.It was founded under the Royal...
is in reference to the nation. Central World is also on "Siam" Crown property, but not all megamalls in the area are on CPB land, MBK
MBK Center
MBK Center, also known as Mahboonkrong , is a large shopping mall in Bangkok, Thailand. At eight stories high, the center hosts around 2,000 stores and services, including the 4-story Tokyu department store, restaurants and entertainment....
is on Chulalongkorn University
Chulalongkorn University
Chulalongkorn University is the oldest university in Thailand and is the country's highest ranked university. It now has nineteen faculties and institutes. Regarded as the best and most selective university in Thailand, it consistently attracts top students from around the country...
land.
Shopping
Siam Area as well as the adjacent Ratchaprasong area are both known for having several large malls, which then make both area to become a shopping heaven for Thais as well as a tourist hot spot.Siam Area is different from Ratchaprasong district because most of the stores in the area are more local and less expensive, which makes it to become a destination for Thai teenagers and middle class as well as upper class Thais.
- Siam ParagonSiam ParagonSiam Paragon is a shopping mall in Bangkok, Thailand. It is one of the biggest shopping centers in Asia. Opened on December 9, 2005, it includes a wide range of specialty stores and restaurants as well as a multiplex movie theater and the Siam Ocean World...
is the only upscale mall in the area. It is located on the right of Rama I road opposite from Siam SquareSiam SquareSiam Square is a shopping and entertainment area in the Siam District of Bangkok, Thailand. The area connects to other shopping centres and links to the other shopping districts by sky bridge, such as Siam Center/Siam Discovery Center, MBK Center, Siam Paragon, Ratchaprasong shopping district and...
. It is a house to many designers and brand name stores such as Louis VuittonLouis VuittonLouis Vuitton Malletier – commonly referred to as Louis Vuitton , or shortened to LV – is a French fashion house founded in 1854 by Louis Vuitton. The label is well known for its LV monogram, which is featured on most products, ranging from luxury trunks and leather goods to ready-to-wear, shoes,...
, PradaPradaPrada S.p.A. is an Italian fashion label specializing in luxury goods for men and women , founded by Mario Prada.-Foundations:...
, Calvin KleinCalvin KleinCalvin Richard Klein is an American fashion designer who launched the company that would later become Calvin Klein Inc. in 1968. In addition to clothing, Klein has also given his name to a range of perfumes, watches, and jewelry....
, GucciGucciThe House of Gucci, better known simply as Gucci , is an Italian fashion and leather goods label, part of the Gucci Group, which is owned by French company PPR...
, HermesHermesHermes is the great messenger of the gods in Greek mythology and a guide to the Underworld. Hermes was born on Mount Kyllini in Arcadia. An Olympian god, he is also the patron of boundaries and of the travelers who cross them, of shepherds and cowherds, of the cunning of thieves, of orators and...
, Bubrerry, and many more. It is a highly luxurious mall mainly focus on upper class Thai and tourists. There are also other international stores such as Zara and MangoMangoThe mango is a fleshy stone fruit belonging to the genus Mangifera, consisting of numerous tropical fruiting trees in the flowering plant family Anacardiaceae. The mango is native to India from where it spread all over the world. It is also the most cultivated fruit of the tropical world. While...
that are popular among middle class and teenagers. Siam ParagonSiam ParagonSiam Paragon is a shopping mall in Bangkok, Thailand. It is one of the biggest shopping centers in Asia. Opened on December 9, 2005, it includes a wide range of specialty stores and restaurants as well as a multiplex movie theater and the Siam Ocean World...
's top floor is dedicated to entertainment venue such as a bowling alley, a karaoke place, an IMAXIMAXIMAX is a motion picture film format and a set of proprietary cinema projection standards created by the Canadian company IMAX Corporation. IMAX has the capacity to record and display images of far greater size and resolution than conventional film systems...
theatre, and several dozens of theaters.
- Siam Ocean WorldSiam Ocean WorldSiam Ocean World Bangkok is the largest aquarium in South East Asia. It covers approximately 10,000 square meters of space with hundreds of different species on display, and also contains water volume nearly 5 million litres....
, Southeast Asia's largest aquarium, is located at the basement level. Siam ParagonSiam ParagonSiam Paragon is a shopping mall in Bangkok, Thailand. It is one of the biggest shopping centers in Asia. Opened on December 9, 2005, it includes a wide range of specialty stores and restaurants as well as a multiplex movie theater and the Siam Ocean World...
has one connection with the BTS skytrain, an elevated mass transit system, on the first floor. Siam ParagonSiam ParagonSiam Paragon is a shopping mall in Bangkok, Thailand. It is one of the biggest shopping centers in Asia. Opened on December 9, 2005, it includes a wide range of specialty stores and restaurants as well as a multiplex movie theater and the Siam Ocean World...
also has large pedestrian walking bridge connecting with Siam CenterSiam CenterSiam Center and Siam Discovery Center are twin shopping malls in Pathum Wan district, Bangkok, Thailand. Located at the BTS Skytrain's Siam Station, the malls are part of a large shopping district being opposite Siam Square, next to Siam Paragon and adjacent to MBK Center. Both are owned by Siam...
, another mall in the area.
- Siam CenterSiam CenterSiam Center and Siam Discovery Center are twin shopping malls in Pathum Wan district, Bangkok, Thailand. Located at the BTS Skytrain's Siam Station, the malls are part of a large shopping district being opposite Siam Square, next to Siam Paragon and adjacent to MBK Center. Both are owned by Siam...
has many famous local brands as well as various international stores. Siam CenterSiam CenterSiam Center and Siam Discovery Center are twin shopping malls in Pathum Wan district, Bangkok, Thailand. Located at the BTS Skytrain's Siam Station, the malls are part of a large shopping district being opposite Siam Square, next to Siam Paragon and adjacent to MBK Center. Both are owned by Siam...
is very popular among tourists as it houses many Thai brands that cannot be found in other countries. There are many select shops here where many stores have limited items for each design. This place is famous among fashionable Thais as well as tourists. At the same time, it also has Jaspal, a well-known Thai brands, AdidasAdidasAdidas AG is a German sports apparel manufacturer and parent company of the Adidas Group, which consists of the Reebok sportswear company, TaylorMade-Adidas golf company , and Rockport...
, NikeNike, Inc.Nike, Inc. is a major publicly traded sportswear and equipment supplier based in the United States. The company is headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon, which is part of the Portland metropolitan area...
, and Paul FrankPaul FrankPaul Frank is an American cartoonist, artist and fashion designer. His creations adorn clothing, accessories, and many other products...
. Siam Center also has an elevated bridge connecting it with Siam Discovery, another large shopping mall.
- Siam Discovery (see article Siam Center) has many famous international brands such as Diesel and Armani Exchange. It is regularly a venue for concerts and fashion showcases. It used to be the only place to have an Istudio before Apple products became popular in Thailand. However, its main attraction is possibly a large gift and house decorations store, LoftLoftA loft can be an upper story or attic in a building, directly under the roof. Alternatively, a loft apartment refers to large adaptable open space, often converted for residential use from some other use, often light industrial...
. The mall is also connected with skywalk, an elevated pedestrian bridge along the BTS line, which connects it with BTS national Stadium Station and the famous MBKMBK CenterMBK Center, also known as Mahboonkrong , is a large shopping mall in Bangkok, Thailand. At eight stories high, the center hosts around 2,000 stores and services, including the 4-story Tokyu department store, restaurants and entertainment....
mall.
- MBK CenterMBK CenterMBK Center, also known as Mahboonkrong , is a large shopping mall in Bangkok, Thailand. At eight stories high, the center hosts around 2,000 stores and services, including the 4-story Tokyu department store, restaurants and entertainment....
aka MBK or Mah Boon Krong has all kinds of electronic items from cell phones to televisions. This is where you can fix your phone, get new and used items for cheaper price, and enjoy a market style shopping. MBK center also has a section dedicate to typical tourist items, so if walking outside in the heat at markets is not for you, then MBK will offer similar items at similar prices.
- Bonanza is a smaller scale shopping center. It is also connected MBK center. Bonanza's target is mainly female teenagers. It sells mostly females' clothes, shoes, and jewelry. As soon as you exit the mall on the ground floor you will find yourself standing in Siam SquareSiam SquareSiam Square is a shopping and entertainment area in the Siam District of Bangkok, Thailand. The area connects to other shopping centres and links to the other shopping districts by sky bridge, such as Siam Center/Siam Discovery Center, MBK Center, Siam Paragon, Ratchaprasong shopping district and...
.
- 'Siam SquareSiam SquareSiam Square is a shopping and entertainment area in the Siam District of Bangkok, Thailand. The area connects to other shopping centres and links to the other shopping districts by sky bridge, such as Siam Center/Siam Discovery Center, MBK Center, Siam Paragon, Ratchaprasong shopping district and...
' is where things happen, where teenagers both go for tutoring schools and skip school, and where you go to stay in trend. This is no doubt the most fashionable area in Bangkok. This is a teenagers hot spot. It is very different from other shopping malls in the area for the fact that it is not a shopping mall. It is an area made up of many showcase houses on the property of Chulalongkorn UniversityChulalongkorn UniversityChulalongkorn University is the oldest university in Thailand and is the country's highest ranked university. It now has nineteen faculties and institutes. Regarded as the best and most selective university in Thailand, it consistently attracts top students from around the country...
. It is not uncommon if you get lost here. There are several kinds of stores from cheap bargain T-shirt stores to several international brands. Siam Square also has several tutoring schools. Siam SquareSiam SquareSiam Square is a shopping and entertainment area in the Siam District of Bangkok, Thailand. The area connects to other shopping centres and links to the other shopping districts by sky bridge, such as Siam Center/Siam Discovery Center, MBK Center, Siam Paragon, Ratchaprasong shopping district and...
also houses many famous chain of restaurants such as Seefah and MK. There is a large True Cafe here, a large internet cafe. It is also connected to BTS Siam Station. Siam Digital Gateway is a newly opened shopping center in the area; it is a four stories air conditioned electronic center. Siam Square is a house to many famous Thai and international restaurants. All of these components make it really the most popular spot in Bangkok for gatherings and activities.
Tourism
Aside from shopping, Siam is a tourist hot spot due to several reasons. BTS siam station is the main interchange station for the BTS system, which makes it the most crowded station. Erawan ShrineErawan Shrine
The Erawan Shrine is a Hindu shrine in Bangkok, Thailand that houses a statue of Phra Phrom, the Thai representation of the Hindu creation god Brahma. A popular tourist attraction, it often features performances by resident Thai dance troupes, who are hired by worshippers in return for seeing...
is located very closeby, also the National Stadium
Suphachalasai Stadium
Suphachalasai Stadium, also known as the National Stadium, is a multi-purpose stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. The stadium holds 26,000 people and was opened in 1935.-History:...
is also walking distance away from the famous Jim Thompson
Jim Thompson (designer)
James Harrison Wilson Thompson was an American businessman who helped revitalize the Thai silk industry in the 1950s and 1960s. A former U.S. military intelligence officer, Thompson mysteriously disappeared from Malaysia's Cameron Highlands while going for a walk on Easter Sunday, March 26,...
's House. Wat Pathum Wanaram
Wat Pathum Wanaram
Wat Pathum Wanaram is a Buddhist temple in Bangkok, Thailand. It is located in the district Pathum Wan, between the two shopping malls Siam Paragon and CentralWorld, and across the street of Siam Square....
is right next to Siam Paragon.