Siam area
Siam (Thai: สยาม, RTGS: Sayam) is an area in the Pathum Wan district of Bangkok. It is a de facto district/neighborhood that consists of roughly 43 acres (170,000 m2) of the Thai Royal Family's estate, of which 17 acres (69,000 m2) is the Sra Pathum Palace; the remaining 26 acres (110,000 m2), formerly home to the Siam Intercontinental Hotel and its royal gardens, are leased by the Crown Property Bureau to several vast, upscale shopping complexes that are located on either side of Rama I Road. Though no district of Bangkok legally exists by the name "Siam," local Thais refer to this area as such, and consider it to be the very heart of Bangkok. Siam is connected to the adjacent Ratchaprasong area via a number of footbridges.
History
During the 4th reign of the present Thai dynasty (1851–1868), King Mongkut ordered the construction of a small palace for royal recreation in this area. The palace was built, and His Majesty named it "Pathumwan Palace," meaning "Lotus Palace". The Siam area was also the location of the nation's first airport.
When the Don Mueang Airport opened in 1914, the land was freed, and inherited by Prince Mahidol Adulyadej of Songkhla, the father of the present King.[1] The prince ordered the construction of the Sra Pathum Palace ("Lotus Pond Palace.").[1]
Sra Pathum Palace is situated on 17 acres (69,000 m2) of the Royal Estate's 43 acres (170,000 m2). The palace hosted the weddings of the Prince Mahidol Adulyadej and the Princess Mother in September 1920, and the current king and queen on April 28, 1950. The late Princess Mother formerly lived at the palace; it has recently been renovated to serve as the residence of the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.[1]
At one time, the remaining 26 acres (110,000 m2) were leased to the former Siam Intercontinental Hotel with its gardens. The walls of the hotel were shared on one side with the palace, and the other with Wat Pathum Wanaram, a temple that was built over a hundred years ago.[1]
On December 11, 1964 at exactly 10:00am (the hour designated by the Royal Astrologer as being auspicious), Her Royal Highness, the Late Princess Mother, unveiled the foundation stone of the hotel. The Siam Intercontinental was one of the first international hotels in Bangkok.[1]
Naming
Places and companies bearing a name with reference to the "Siam" neighborhood began with the Siam Intercontinental Hotel in 1964, followed by Siam Square in 1965, Siam Theater in 1967, Siam Bowl and Siam Center in 1973, Siam Discovery in 1997, and Siam Station, the focal point of the BTS Skytrain, in 1999. Following the demolition of the Siam Intercontinental Hotel, the Siam Paragon was constructed in 2005. Among companies bearing a similar name, Siam Piwat was the developer of the Siam Center. Siam Cement, however, refers to the Siam Cement Public Company Limited or SCG, the largest cement company in Thailand.
Shopping
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There are several large malls in the Siam Area and the adjacent Ratchaprasong.
- Siam Paragon mall houses designer and name brand stores as well as entertainment, including an IMAX, and Siam Ocean World.
- Siam Center has various local and international brand stores.
- Siam Discovery.
- MBK Center "Mah Boon Krong" specialises in electronics.
- Bonanza, is a smaller scale shopping center.
- Siam Square.
Tourism
Aside from shopping, Siam is a tourist destination for several reasons. BTS Siam Station is the main interchange station for the BTS system, which makes it the most crowded station. Erawan Shrine is located very close by, also the National Stadium is within walking distance from the famous Jim Thompson's House. Wat Pathum Wanaram is right next to Siam Paragon.