อ่านภาษาไทย
Wang Burapha now refers to a subdistrict of Bangkok. It was originally used to refer to the entire area that used to be the palace of Prince Bhanubandhu Vongsevoradej, or simply called Somdej Wang Burapha. This Somdej Wang Burapha was the younger brother of the same mother as King Chulalongkorn or King Rama V. This palace is fully named Wang Burapha Phirom. In the era when Bangkok was still a city, this palace used to be an entertainment venue for royalty, as the owner of the palace was fond of entertainment. Inside Wang Burapha, there were singing, dancing, and theatrical performances, and there were always Thai music competitions.
If anyone watches the movie Hom Rong, there will be a scene that takes place inside Wang Burapha.
It is said that both King Rama V and King Rama VI both liked to attend the festivities at Wang Burapha.
Later, Wang Burapha was sold to a private company. The buyer was a business network of Bandhur Ongwisit or Sia Kok, who was a rather strange businessman at that time. He once thought of turning Bang Khae district into a large city with an underground shopping center.
After Wang Burapha was sold, this area became a large shopping center with up to 3 cinemas: King's Cinema, which showed foreign films, Queen's Cinema, which showed Indian films, and Grand Cinema, which showed Thai films. Sala Chalermkrung Cinema was already there, making Wang Burapha an entertainment venue for the public, until it became a gathering place for retro teenagers. At that time, Wang Burapha became the most luxurious and modern area in Bangkok.
Movie ticket of Queen's Cinema, taken from Baan Kudichin Museum
Not only were there 3-4 cinemas, but Wang Burapha was also the location of the first Central Department Store, which is now China World. In the Wang Burapha area, there were also many modern bookstores, such as Phrae Phitthaya, Khlang Witthaya, Odeon Store, Ruam Sarn, Progressive Bookstore, and Padung Sueksa Burapha. It can be said that if you want to read books, you have to come to Wang Burapha.
In addition, Wang Burapha is also a center for eyeglasses, such as Phirom Kan Waen or Washington Optical Shop.
On Lok Yun is still open for sale today. This used to be a meeting place for movie stars in the past, including supporting actors, film directors, and producers, because it is close to Sala Chalermkrung, and most of the extras like to walk around looking for work in this area. As for Ji Zhong Wo, it is located opposite Queen's Cinema. This shop opened before the cinema. Now Queen's Cinema has become a parking lot and you can walk through to the back.
In addition, in the Wang Burapha area, there are also restaurants and nightclubs, but what was new at that time was ice cream.\t
And nearby, Ming Mueang Market, which used to be a clothing sewing market, has now become The Old Siam. And if we want to meet real retro Wang people, we have to come to the food court of this mall. It is said that there are still retro people who come to reminisce.
Later, Siam Shopping Center was established by Chulalongkorn University, which developed the area opposite Wang Sa Pathum, and there were also 3 cinemas built: Siam, Lido, Scala, and a bowling alley was built according to the trend. The Siam Square area caused the Wang Burapha shopping center to decline in popularity. Nowadays, only the word Wang Burapha remains.
King's Cinema became Merry King's Department Store, and later expanded the building into the area of Grand Cinema and became Mega Plaza Saphan Lek at this time.
All of this is what remains of the era when Wang Burapha was the most modern area of Bangkok, which has now all become the past.
