Phra Nakhon

The Phra Nakhon district

A central stop on the Bangkok audio-guided tour, Phra Nakhon, literally the royal city, is probably the most emblematic district of the city. It was here, in 1782, that King Rama I established the new capital.

The historic heart of Bangkok

Bangkok today has fifty districts, but Phra Nakhon is its beating heart and the richest in discoveries. Here are the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and other famous temples, but also the National Museum, the Siam Museum and the flower market, open day and night.

What to see

Every street corner tells a different facet of the city, between spirituality, history, culture and daily life. Strolling through Phra Nakhon, you explore both the roots of the capital and the vibrant energy that still animates it today.

Practical information

The Phra Nakhon district is on the bank of the Chao Phraya, in the historic centre of Bangkok. Freely accessible, it can be explored on foot and gathers most of the great sites of the old city.

What does Phra Nakhon mean ?

Literally the royal city; it is the district where Rama I founded the capital in 1782.

What is found in Phra Nakhon ?

The Grand Palace, Wat Pho, the National Museum, the Siam Museum and the flower market, among others.