Reference articles on history, science, culture and more
Encyclopedia

Taling Chan district

Khet in Bangkok, Thailand

Image credit is listed at the end of this article.

Taling Chan (Thai: ตลิ่งชัน, pronounced [tā.lìŋ tɕʰān]) is one of the 50 districts (khet) of Bangkok, Thailand. Its neighbours, clockwise from the north, are Bang Kruai district of Nonthaburi province and Bang Phlat, Bangkok Noi, Bangkok Yai, Phasi Charoen, Bang Khae, and Thawi Watthana Districts of Bangkok.

01History

Taling Chan is an old district, dating back to the time when Thonburi was a separate province; now, Thonburi has merged into Bangkok. In 1998, part of the district was split off to form the new Thawi Watthana district. Historically, much of the area was used as orchards and kitchen gardens, many of which remain today; it has been called "Bangkok's Kitchen."

About 1,000 years ago, the landscape of Taling Chan is believed to have been part of the Chao Phraya river delta, consisting of muddy mangrove forests with no evidence of human settlement.

Two areas of Taling Chan, Bang Ramat and Bang Chueak Nang, were mentioned in the Kamsuan Samut of the Ayutthaya period; they are regarded as among Bangkok's oldest zones.

During World War II, a southern railway line running through the district was one of the targets of Allied bombing.

Taling Chan covers a rectangular area and is intersected by many waterways. It is an agricultural area, which makes access by road difficult. Today, many roads pass through the district, such as Kanchanaphisek, Borommaratchachonnani, Ratchaphruek, Phutthamonthon Sai 1, and Phran Nok-Phutthamonthon Sai 4; however, the most convenient route is still by water. Taling Chan is served by both BMTA and affiliated buses, but only on a few lines. There was no electricity in the area until 1972.

District office
District office

02Administration

The district is divided into six sub-districts (khwaeng).

No.NameThaiArea
(km2)
Map
1. Khlong Chak Phraคลองชักพระ1.251
2. Taling Chanตลิ่งชัน5.183
3. Chimphliฉิมพลี7.338
4. Bang Phromบางพรม4.253
5. Bang Ramatบางระมาด8.539
7. Bang Chueak Nangบางเชือกหนัง2.915
Total29.479

The missing number 6 belongs to the sub-district which was split off to form Thawi Watthana district.

Taling Chan floating market
Taling Chan floating market

03Places

Taling Chan Floating Market is on the canal Khlong Chak Phra (คลองชักพระ) Canal in front of the district office. It is open only on weekends from about 08:30 to 16:00. Orchard produce such as fruits, and vegetables, as well as fish are sold from boats. There is a live traditional Thai music performance from 11:00 to 14:00. The idea for the floating market here was initiated by Chamlong Srimuang in 1987 to honour King Bhumibol's 60th birthday. This is a new attraction since floating markets, an old way of life of the Thai people, had vanished entirely from Bangkok for quite a long time.

In addition, There are also 4-5 other floating markets in the district, including Wat Champa Floating Market, which is on the way to Khlong Bang Ramat (คลองบางระมาด). Here, locals have a traditional way of life and preserve like the past. Now, there is a homestay in cultural tourism form for tourists.

Flower Market Thailand is a new center flower trade of Thailand apart from Pak Khlong Talat in Phra Nakhon.

Floating market in Taling Chan
Floating market in Taling Chan

04Accident

In 1979, 54 people were killed in the worst accident in Thai railway history when a commuter train collided with a freight train at Taling Chan.

Watch videos about Taling Chan districtExplainers and documentaries on YouTube (opens in a new tab)

Sources and credits

This article is adapted from the Wikipedia article Taling Chan district, written by its contributors and licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Fathomly has changed the layout, removed citation markers, navigation and maintenance notices, and adjusted punctuation. This adapted version is shared under the same license. For references, see the original article.

Images, from Wikimedia Commons:

Fathomly is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Wikimedia Foundation. Spotted a problem? Tell us.