Ratchathewi District

SUB DISTRICTS: Thung Phaya Thai, Thanon Phaya Thai, Thanon Phetchaburi, Makkasan

AREA: 7.126 km2 (2.751 sq mi)

POPULATION: 72,304 (2017)

POSTCODE: 10220

Ratchathewi is a district in Central Bangkok. There is a BTS station here that shares the same name. Ratchathewi was a part of Dusit District before 1966 and the for the following three years it was part of Phaya Thai District. It gained District status on its own in 1969. The name is taken from the Ratchathewi Intersection where Petchaburi Road and Phaya Thai Road cross. The name itself comes from a consort to King Chulalonkorn. Phra Ratchathewi, sometimes spelled Rajadevi is a rank given to royal consorts.

One of the most well known landmarks is Victory Monument. The monument was christened in 1942 and pays homage to the army, navy, air force, police and civilian support. Until 2016 Victory Monument was a major bus hub, but this has since been relocated to Mo Chit 2 Bus Station.

Ratchathewi is home to Baiyoke Tower and Baiyoke Tower II. They hold the distinction of being the current and former tallest buildings in Bangkok. Baiyoke Tower II has 85 floors and rises to 304 metres. Both buildings are primarily hotels with commercial businesses on the lower floors.

The palace of Suan Pakkad serves as a museum featuring Thai antiques. There are eight traditional Thai wooden houses inside, each with further exhibits inside. One of the highlights is the Ban Chiang pottery which dates back to around 4,000 years ago.

There are three BTS stations in the district as well as one MRT station. One can also travel by boats on Khlong Saen Saep.