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| Rattanakosin Island Bangkok History & Tourist Attractions |
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- Rattanakosin Island is that portion of Bangkok on the east side of the Chao Phraya River to the very west side of the eastern bank of the River. Historically it includes the '' Inner Rattanakosin '' and the '' Middle Rattanakosin ''. To the west side the area is bordered by the Chao Phraya River and to the east side is the waterway the Lod Canal [ renamed to Asadang Canal in 1982 ]. The Lod Canal was constructed during the reign of King Taksin The Great whilst the Capital of Siam was then on the west side of the Chao Phraya River at Thonburi. Accordingly the total defence system included the Chao Phraya River as the major obstacle for troops, canons and elephant warfare, the canal rings on the east side and the forts and walls surrounding the total site.
- The Ong Ang Canal which also acted as the second moat was dug in 1785 by approximately 10,000 Khmer prisoners of war. Today this is shown on maps as both Banglampu Canal on the north portion and Ong Ang Canal for the east portion.
- The area has historical significance and is the location for the major tourist attractions in Bangkok. These include, Lak Muang the City Pillar, The Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Phrao Kaeo [ Emerald Buddha Temple ], the Bangkok Fortifications and Bangkok National Museum.
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- When the area was settled as the new capital the whole area was
fortified with 14 forts [ used for canon and tall observation towers ]
and walls as the Bangkok fortifications.
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the east side of Rattanakosin Island and between two moats or water
ways is '' Middle Rattanakosin ''. This lies between Ong Ang Canal to
the east and Banglamphun Canal on the north side. These two join to
form a large semi circle water way joining the Chao Phraya at both ends
and isolating both Rattanakosin and Middle Rattanakosin as separate but
a jointly fortified land mass. On this portion of the total site you
can see the Rama 111 monument, Wat Ratchanadda and fortifications in
the north portion, Wat Suthat and the Giant Red Swing in the middle
portion and the Rama 1 monument and Chao Phraya River in the south
portion.
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| Rattanakosin Island Park Bangkok |
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| The First Canal Moat for Rattanakosin Island |
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- Further to the east is the Outer Rattanakosin
Island. This is to the east of Ong Ang Canal which separates it from
Middle Rattanakosin Island and to the west of Pradung Krung Canal which
flows in the north side from west to east and then turns south to later
join again the Chao Phraya River in a huge semi circle joining the Chao
Phraya at both ends. This Canal was constructed by imported Chinese
labourers between 1851 to 1854. This third canal is the longest canal
and flows from Thewet on the north side to Hua Lam Pong on the south
side. Within this land mass is China Town, on the south side adjoining the Chao Phraya River, Wat Saket Golden Mount Temple Wat Benchamabophit White Marble Wat.
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