Vadhana district was named by Princess

Vadhana district was named by Princess

There are many places in Bangkok that have been named after members of the Royal Family, including two that were named after Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana. However, Wattana is the only district in Bangkok that was named by the Princess.

Published on January 7, 2008

She granted the use of the word "Wattana", which is the same as "Vadhana" (and means development) for the district's name on June 16, 1997, according to the Wattana District Office.

"The name is also from "Villa Vadhana", the name of her estate in Le Dix Palace located between Sukhumvit Soi 43 and 47," district director Vorapoth Indulak said.

He said the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration requested the Princess to name the district after it had been separated from the Klong Toei district in 1997.

The emblem of the district also relates to the Princess as it contains a picture of a pavilion, which refers to her residence. The emblem also contains the colour red - the colour of the Princess's birthday - as well as golden rays of light rising up from the roof of the pavilion, showing her divine grace to Thais of every class, race and religion. The lotus shape of the emblem represents an offering to pay respect to the Princess with loyalty.

The district is separated into three subdistricts - Klong Toei Nua, Klong Ton Nua and Phra Khanong Nua - with a population of 80,000 plus.

The district covers an area of about 13 square kilometres - and covers odd-number Sukhumvit sois from 1 to 81. It shares a border with Ratchatewi and Huai Khwang districts to the north, Suan Luang district to the east, Phra Khanong and Klong Toei districts to the south and southwest and Pathumwan to the west. Apart from the Wattana district, the Princess's name is also used for "Narathiwat Ratchanakharin" Road in Bang Rak, Sathorn and Yannawa districts.

According to Bang Rak district office, the road was named Narathiwat Ratchanakharin by His Majesty the King after it had been expanded from two traffic lanes to four in 1986. The former name was Liab Klong Chong Nonsi Road.

The road is 4.25 kilometres long and begins at Surawong Road, crosses Silom, Sathorn, Chan and Sathorn Tai roads and ends at Rama III Road.

Wannapa Phetdee

The Nation