Southernmost serenity. That’s Bang Khun Thian District. Bangkok’s hidden gem. It’s a place where the city melts into the sea.
Bang Khun Thian District is an ancient district. It was established in 1867 as part of Thonburi. Thonburi and Phra Nakhon Provinces merged in 1972. Bang Khun Thian then became a district of Bangkok. It was initially composed of seven sub-districts. Over time population growth led to the creation of new districts. Chom Thong District split from Bang Khun Thian in 1989. Bang Bon followed in 1997.
Today Bang Khun Thian boasts Bangkok’s only seashore. Imagine a five-kilometer muddy coastline. Mangrove forests thrive there. Shrimp farms dot the landscape. Access to the Bay of Bangkok is by boat only. A unique fishing community lives here. Their seafood restaurants are famous. Crab-eating macaques inhabit the coast. These monkeys are a special sight. Bang Khun Thian’s mangrove forests also shelter Bangkok’s last smooth-coated otters. These elusive creatures are a testament to the area’s unique ecosystem.
Tha Kham Sub-district is the heart of Bang Khun Thian’s economy. Shrimp aquaculture is the dominant industry. Seventy to eighty percent of Tha Kham’s residents are aquaculture farmers. Coastal erosion is a major threat. The shoreline has receded over a kilometer since 1952. Wastewater pollution has further impacted the industry. Farmer incomes have plummeted by 30 to 90 percent since 2009.
Bang Khun Thian has several important temples. Wat Kamphaeng Wat Kok Wat Tha Kham Wat Hua Krabue and Wat Bang Kradi are amongst the most significant. Wat Bang Kradi in Samae Dam is particularly notable. It is believed to be the traditional home of the Thai Mon people. CentralPlaza Rama II is the main shopping mall. Taweethapisek Bangkhunthian School and Khlong Pittayalongkorn School are the primary educational institutions.
Bang Khun Thian offers a unique blend of urban and natural beauty. It is a reminder of Bangkok’s rich history and its delicate coastal ecosystem. A visit to Bang Khun Thian is a journey into a world. A world both ancient and modern. A world both bustling and serene. It is a world you won’t soon forget.