Rattanakosin Island: Human Life in the City of Angels

PLUS SEVEN May 2, 2022June 13, 2022 Bangkok, City of angels, Rattanakosin Island

“Krung Thep built by angels, the center of administration, glaring palaces and temples, the capital of Thailand”

It has been the official motto of Krung Thep (Bangkok) since 14th May, 2012. Rattanakosin Island might have been considered as the center and important historical and cultural landmarks of the city.

Rattanakosin Island located on the Phra Nakhon District, Krung Thep. The area covered by the Chao Phraya River and canals, it covered approximately 4.1 square kilometers, divided into 2 layers.

Inner Rattanakosin Island, approximately 1.8 square kilometers, an area bordered by the Chao Phraya River and the Khlong Lod Canal. Located in the Grand Palace Sub-District with the most famous landmarks such as the Grand Palace, Sanam Luang, Thammasat University, Tha Prachan, and City Pillar Shrine.
Outer Rattanakosin Island, another 2.3 square kilometers, located in the Phra Nakhon District. Is an area surrounded by The Chao Phraya River in the north, the Bang Lamphu Canal, the One Ang Canal, and connects the Chao Phraya River at the south. The historical landmarks are the Democracy Monument, the Giant Swing, Pak Khlong Talat (Flower Market) , Pom Mahakan (Mahakan fort) and Pom Phra Sumen (Phra Sumen Fort).

The Ratchadamnoen Nai Road begins in front of the corner of the Grand Palace, leads to the Sanam Luang and the Supreme Court. People often walk across this broad road and wait for public transportation at the various bus stops around Sanam Luang. Depicts the life of the people who drive the city, not angels, in the old and lavish ceremonial area of Krung Thep
The Democracy Monument and the Ratchadamnoen Road turn into an outdoor homeless shelter. In the past, before the authorities fenced Sanam Luang, they practically hid and slept at this leisure park. Additionally, the number of homeless increased significantly since the COVID-19 outbreak.
The Giant Swing (Sao Ching Cha) is one of the vital landmarks in the outer Rattanakosin Island. Nearby is a courtyard in front of the Bangkok City Hall. In the evenings, neighbors use this space to exercise, including doing outdoor activities such as running and street dance.
The retail stores are over 40 years old inside the old buildings in the outer Rattanakosin island. Generally, the residents have lived in the area for a long time, also a 70 years old man who stocked his merchants in front of the shop. His antique shop reflects a mixed memory of past and present, based on a number of dusted abacuses that hung on the roof and old pictures hung in the inner wall.
Shops along Atsadang Road, which the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Interior located. It is a market where you can purchase military and police uniform, or accessories. The small business succession inheritance generation by generation, as this family who live together.
Pak Khlong Talat, Chakkraphet Road, is the area that never sleeps. In the evening, hawkers settle down, selling food to pedestrians and workers of the flower shops in the market and along the road in the Pak Khlong Talat area.
In recent years, the Mahanakhon Skytrain Station (MRT) is the newcomer of this area. The modern entrance of Sanam Chai station luminates in the darkness while the Royal Palace Police Station building represents the heritage block in the vicinity.
In the evening, workers of bouquet and flower shops in Pak Khlong Talat carry steel carts with styrofoam boxes. Flowers were packed inside and ready to be distributed among the stores. The Pak Khlong Talat area and the Phra Phuttha Yodfa Bridge is the 24 hours theater that casts a life of people who never sleep.
The golden mountain in Wat Saket Ratchaworawihan gleams in the darkness, whilst the purlieus area portray various lifestyles after the sunset as a Bangkok Dustman rested near trash carts.
By night, vendors and their stalls roamed on a long route of the Rattanakosin area. A dim light shown on the street of Lan Luang Road. Alongside the zinc fence that was the Mahakan Fort community.

Photographer: Varuth Pongsapipatt
Author: Jamas Kositvichaya

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