Watthana วัฒนา | |
|---|---|
 Sukhumwit Road intersection with the Asok Montri Road in Watthana District to the right | |
 Khet location inBangkok | |
| Coordinates:13°44′32″N100°35′9″E / 13.74222°N 100.58583°E /13.74222; 100.58583 | |
| Country | Thailand |
| Province | Bangkok |
| Seat | Khlong Tan Nuea |
| Khwaeng | 3 |
| Khet established | 6 March 1998 |
| Area | |
• Total | 12.565 km2 (4.851 sq mi) |
| Population (2017) | |
• Total | 84,967[1] |
| • Density | 6,762.19/km2 (17,514.0/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+7 (ICT) |
| Postal code | 10110 parts of Phra Khanong Nuea: 10260 |
| Geocode | 1039 |
Watthana orVadhana (Thai:วัฒนา,pronounced[wát.tʰā.nāː]) is one of the50 districts (khet) ofBangkok,Thailand. Neighbouring districts are (from the north clockwise):Ratchathewi,Huai Khwang,Suan Luang,Phra Khanong,Khlong Toei, andPathum Wan.
Watthana became a separate district by splitting from Khlong Toei in 1998 to provide better service to its population. The district obtained its name from PrincessGalyani Vadhana, the elder sister of KingBhumibol Adulyadej. Watthana or Vadhana means 'development'. The area is among the most developed parts of Bangkok.
On 1 January 2009, Watthana was the location of theSantika Club fire, which killed 66 and injured 222.
The district is divided into three sub-districts (khwaeng), from west to east:
| 1. | Khlong Toei Nuea | คลองเตยเหนือ | from the railway to Soi Sukhumvit 31 (Sawatdi) |
| 2. | Khlong Tan Nuea | คลองตันเหนือ | from Soi Sukhumvit 31 to Soi Sukhumvit 63 (Ekkamai) |
| 3. | Phra Khanong Nuea | พระโขนงเหนือ | from Soi Sukhumvit 63 to Soi Sukhumvit 81 (Siri Phot) |
They are all named by adding Nuea, meaning North, to the corresponding subdistricts in Khlong Toei district.
Encompassing the area betweenSukhumvit Road andKhlong Saen Saep, Watthana is one of the commercial districts in Bangkok, with manycondominiums and hotels.Expatriates of many nationalities reside there.
Besides the eastbound Sukhumvit, prominent roads in the district include several odd-numberedsois (branch roads) from Sukhumvit: Nana Nuea (Sukhumvit 3),Asok Montri (Sukhumvit 21), Phrom Phong (Sukhumvit 39),Thong Lo (Sukhumvit 55), Ekkamai (Sukhumvit 63), Sukhumvit 71 (Pridi Banomyong) and a small portion of On Nut (Sukhumvit 77).
The emblem of the district shows a pavilion, which refers to the residence of Princess Galyani Vadhana, the name patron of the district. Also the red colour refers to the princess, as red is theday colour of her birthday. The golden rays of light extending from the roof of the pavilion are said to symbolise her divine grace to all Thais. The lotus shape is supposed to be an offering to pay respect to the princess.[2]
Several international schools are in Watthana District, includingThe American School of Bangkok's Sukhumvit campus;Anglo Singapore International School's Anglo campus;Ekamai International School;NIST International School; and Wells International Kindergarten's Thong Lor campus.[3]
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