Si Lom Road
Si Lom Road (also written as Silom,
History
In the reign of King Mongkut (Rama IV, 1851–1868), Siam (as Thailand was then known) began modernizing and opening up to the West. Major roads were first built in Bangkok, with Thanon Trong (what is now Rama IV Road) built together with a canal in 1857, followed by Charoen Krung Road (popularly considered the first modern road in the country) in 1862, both in response to requests by Western consuls and merchants. Around the same time, the King had a canal dug from the French Consulate to the canal of Thanon Trong, linking the latter to the Chao Phraya River via the existing Bang Rak Canal. The dredged earth was used to build a road, running alongside the canal on its southern bank and linking Charoen Krung and Trong roads. The King also solicited contributions from wealthy property owners, who helped build bridges over canals crossed by the road.[1]
The new canal and road were initially known as Khlong Khwang and Thanon Khwang ('crossing canal'/'crossing road'). They later became known as Si Lom, which literally translates as windmill, probably from a windmill erected in the area by a Western entrepreneur;[1] the road was referred to as Windmill Road in English-language sources until the 1930s.
Areas along the road initially developed agriculturally, attracting a variety of ethnic communities. In the 1890s and 1900s, enterprising developers built roads and canals parallel to Si Lom (
Neighbourhoods
Si Lom Road runs from
On the road's north side (in Suriyawong Subdistrict), some of the even-numbered soi, as well as a few named streets, link it to Surawong. Near the Sala Daeng end, the streets serve a concentration of nightlife venues, and blend into the tourist-oriented red-light district of Patpong, while Thaniya (ธนิยะ, also spelled Taniya) is known as a hub of Japanese establishments. On the opposite side, Sala Daeng and Convent roads link to Sathon, and are home to restaurants and cafes, as well as Saint Joseph Convent School and the Carmelite Monastery. Nearby odd-numbered soi include Soi 5 or Soi Lalai Sap, a popular shopping street.[6]
Past Si Lom–Naradhiwas intersection, the road becomes quieter, and a few old ethnic cemeteries remain on its southern side, especially along Soi 9. Towards Bang Rak Junction to the west, the neighbourhood is home to a significant Tamil Indian community, and the Hindu
On the corner of Bang Rak Junction, the gigantic
References
- ^ a b สุมิตรา จันทรเ์งา (1 April 2019). ""ถนนสีลม" มาจากไหน??". Silpa-mag.com (in Thai). Retrieved 26 January 2021. Partially reproduced from "วันวาน…กับวันนี้ของถนนสีลม". Silpa Wattanatham. May 1993.
- ^ a b "นอกพระนครด้านทิศใต้ ย่านจัดสรรที่ดินรุ่นแรกและชุมชนนานาชาติ". มูลนิธิเล็ก-ประไพ วิริยะพันธุ์ Facebook page (in Thai). Lek-Prapai Viriyahpant Foundation. 9 November 2019. Archived from the original on 2022-02-26. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
- ^ "Bangkok Tram Routes". 2Bangkok.com. 20 October 2002. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
- ISBN 9781579584337.
- ^ วทัญญู เทพหัตถี (21 November 2020). "เปิดประวัติ 'ถนนสีลม' บันทึกความเปลี่ยนแปลงแห่งยุคสมัย โดยสถาปนิกนักอนุรักษ์ 'วทัญญู เทพหัตถี'". Salika.co (in Thai). Retrieved 26 January 2021.
- ^ "มอง "สีลม" ในมุมใหม่ กับทำเลรวมพลคน 3 Generations". TerraBKK Research (in Thai). 24 November 2015. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
- ^ Luekens, David (23 March 2017). "Bangkok's two Little Indias". Travelfish. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
- ^ "…วัดแขก…". จับเข่าเล่าประวัติศาสตร์ (in Thai). 2013-10-15. Archived from the original on 2022-02-26.
- ^ pongsakornlovic (2011-03-22). "CHN 271 ถนนปั้น". ชื่อนั้น...สำคัญไฉน ? (in Thai). Archived from the original on 2021-12-22. Retrieved 2018-02-21.
- ^ Thongmark, Suthima (2017-02-22). "Things to do in Pan Road". timeout.
- ISBN 978-1446236178.
- ISBN 9780195215977.
- ^ "ส่อง 'ราคาประเมินที่ดิน' กรุงเทพฯ สูงสุดตารางวาละล้าน!". Krungthep Turakij (in Thai). 11 September 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2021.