Chatuchak (district)

Infobox_Amphoe
name=Chatuchak
province=Bangkok
thai=จตุจักร
capital=Chatuchak
coordinates=coord|13|49|43|N|100|33|35|E|region:TH_type:adm2nd
population=176,501
population_as_of=2003
area=32.908
density=5,363
postal_code=10900
geocode=1030

Chatuchak ( _th. จตุจักร) 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.

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 forFarmers (องค์การตลาดเพื่อการเกษตร) offering fresh agriculture product and food. Just north of the market along Kamphang Phet Road is the area selling plants and gardening products.

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 Wachirabenchatat Park (สวนวชิรเบญจทัศ).

Chatuchak Park (0.304 km²) is the first park in the complex opened in December 1980. Located on Phahon Yothin Road right 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.

The 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. Some of the plants collected in the garden include hibiscus, plumeria and palms. Within the park compound is the Children's Museum. The park is located behind Chatuchak weekend market parking lot.

The Wachirabenchatat Park (0.600 km²) is the biggest and newest park of the complex. It was called State Railway Public Park (สวนรถไฟ, read "Suan Rot Fai") but was renamed in July 2002 to honor HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn's 50th birthday. It contains a butterfly park and the tallest fountain in Thailand.

Other places

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 notable shopping places are Major Cineplex Ratchayothin, featuring a large 14-screen multiplex cinema, and Union Mall.

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 is utilized as condominium and office space.

Located on a large block bounded by Vibhavadhi Rangsit Road, Ngam Wong Wan Road and Phahon Yothin Road is Kasetsart University, a renowned university originally focused on agricultural science such as agriculture, forestry, fishery but now it is expanded to cover many fields including business and engineering. Opposite the university on Vibhavadhi is Benchachida Building (UCOM headquarter) where Thai Art Museum is located on ground and mezzanine floors. Thawan Duchanee (ถวัลย์ ดัชนี, also written Tawan Datchanee), one of the artist highlighted, is considered one of the most famous modern day artist of Thailand.

Traffic

The district is passed by the Bangkok Subway (MRT) with four stations - Kamphaeng Phet, Chatuchak Park, Phahon Yothin and Lat Phrao. The MRT station Bang Sue is just slightly outside Chatuchak district. It is also the northern end-point of the Bangkok Skytrain with the Mo Chit station. Also the Northern Bus Terminal (often called "Mo Chit Mai", หมอชิดใหม่) is located in the district, with the bus connection to all northern provinces starting there.

Administration

The district is sub-divided into five sub-districts ("Kwaeng").

District Council

The District Council for Chatuchak has eight members, who serve four-year terms. Elections were last held on April 30, 2006. The results were:

*Thai Rak Thai Party - 8 seats

External links

* [http://www.bma.go.th/bmaeng/chatuchak/ BMA website with the touristical landmarks of Chatuchak]
* [http://203.155.220.217/chatuchak/ Chatuchak district office] (Thai only)
* [http://203.155.220.217/office/ppdd/publicpark/english/mainpark/E_Chatuchak.html Chatuchak Park]
* [http://203.155.220.217/office/ppdd/publicpark/english/mainpark/E_Somdet.html Queen Sirikit Park]
* [http://203.155.220.217/office/ppdd/publicpark/english/mainpark/E_rotfai.html Wachirabenchatat Park]
* [http://www.eptg-acsc.co.th/real%20estate/home.htm Elephant Tower]
* [http://www.ucom.co.th/webproject/engversion/html/f/f21_thaiart.html Thai Arts Museum]