“Bang Khen?” a puzzled tourist asks. The name echoes a rich history. Bang Khen is one of Bangkok’s 50 districts. This district has transformed over time.
Bang Khen’s story starts in 1897. Back then, it was an amphoe. It belonged to Phra Nakhon province. The area was a vast plain. Locals called it Thung Bang Khen. This translates to “Bang Khen Field.” Farms filled the landscape.
Interestingly, the name “Bang Khen” has a tale. It may come from “Bang Ken.” Bang Ken means “Place of Push.” The story involves Lord Uthong. Not the King of Ayutthaya though. His gold tanker got stuck in a canal. People had to push it through. Ken means push in Thai.
In 1933, Bang Khen saw conflict. It was a battleground. Prince Boworadet’s army fought government troops. This was part of the Boworadet rebellion.
Big changes came in 1972. Thonburi and Phra Nakhon merged. They became Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or Bangkok. Amphoe became khet or districts. Bang Khen became a district with eight sub-districts.
Bang Khen used to be much larger. Over time, its boundaries shifted. In 1989, parts became Don Mueang and Chatuchak districts. In 1997, Sai Mai district was created from Bang Khen’s northern part. But Bang Khen gained some area back. It received Mu 8-10 of Chorakhe Bua subdistrict. This came from Lat Phrao district.
Today, Bang Khen has two sub-districts. They are Anusawari and Tha Raeng. In 2017, the population was over 190,000.
Don’t miss Wat Phra Si Mahathat. It is also known as the Temple of Holy Relics. The Constitution Defense Monument stands at Lak Si Circle. It honors those who fought in the Boworadet rebellion. Sathira Dhammasathan is a Buddhist retreat center. Ying Charoen Market is also called Saphan Mai Market. Saphan Mai’s original name was Saphan Sukoranakhaseni.
Bang Khen also focuses on education. Phranakhon Rajabhat University is located here. Rattanakosin Somphot Bangkhen School is another educational institution.
Bang Khen Station is not actually in Bang Khen. It’s in Chatuchak now. This happened after Chatuchak separated in 1989. The station has a history. The original structure was demolished in 1990. This was for the Hopewell BERTS project. The new elevated station opened in 2021.
So, Bang Khen is more than just a name. It’s a place with stories. It’s a district of Bangkok with a unique past and present.