Recall Bangkok’s quieter side. This is Rat Burana District. It is one of Bangkok’s 50 districts. Rat Burana offers a blend of history and local charm away from the tourist crowds.
Rat Burana sits on the Thonburi bank. It is just south of Bangkok’s city center. The district’s history stretches back to the Ayutthaya period. Settlers made their homes here long ago. Temples in the area serve as proof of this.
After Ayutthaya fell, King Taksin made Thonburi the new capital. Rat Burana became an important defense. It guarded the capital against threats coming up the Chao Phraya River.
Rat Burana was officially established in 1880. King Rama V oversaw this event. Like Phra Khanong and Yanawa, it was under Nakhon Khuean Khan. This province is now part of Phra Pradaeng district.
The name Rat Burana means “restored by the people”. It may also mean “restored by the king”. The district gets its name from Wat Rat Burana. This temple sits near the mouth of the Khlong Rat Burana Canal. The canal flows into the Chao Phraya River. The old temple dates back to the late Ayutthaya period. People think it was built around 1767. This was around the time of Ayutthaya’s second fall.
In the past, Rat Burana was full of orchards. These orchards were next to the Chao Phraya River. Rat Burana residents farmed for a living. They grew areca palms. They also grew rose apples. These Chompoo mamiao were sweet and crispy.
During World War II, Siam was allies with Japan. Japanese troops used Rat Burana’s wharfs for shipping. In 1942, a great flood destroyed many plantations.
In 1972, Thonburi merged with Bangkok. Rat Burana became a district of Bangkok. In 1998, part of Rat Burana became the Thung Khru District.
Rat Burana has many old temples. These include Wat Prasert Sutthawat and Wat Bang Pakok. Also here are Wat Chaeng Ron and Wat Son. The Rama IX Bridge is an important route too. It crosses the Chao Phraya River. It connects Rat Burana with Yan Nawa District. The bridge opened in 1987. It was named for King Bhumibol Adulyadej. It was Thailand’s first cable-stayed bridge. It was the second longest in the world at that time.
You can still visit the Rat Burana Museum today. It is located in the Wat Prasert Sutthawart School. The museum shows the district’s history. It was once an agricultural area.
Rat Burana offers a peaceful riverside lifestyle. It has easy access to Bangkok’s commercial areas. It’s a great place to experience the real Bangkok. It’s perfect for those seeking quiet without losing city convenience.