Sam Phraeng (Thai: สามแพร่ง, pronounced [sǎːm pʰrɛ̂ŋ]), also spelled as Sam Praeng, is the name of a neighbourhood that is historic area in Rattanakosin Island, San Chaopho Suea Sub-District, Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok. It is an area in the middle between Atsadang (run through Pak Khlong Talad to Sanam Luang) and Tanao Roads (run through Si Kak Sao Chingcha to Bang Lamphu). In addition, it is considered in the same neighbourhood as other attractions, such as Sao Chingcha, San Chao Pho Suea, Wat Suthat, Wat Ratchabophit, Ministry of Defense, Saphan Chang Rong Si etc.[2]
The term Sam Phraeng in Thai generally means "three-way intersection", which according to ancient Thai beliefs, are the path that the ghost or various spirits used as the path through, therefore is an inauspicious place and no one dares to build houses for living.[3] The name is derived from three soi (alleyways), which were the location of palaces of three princes, namely Phraeng Phuthon, Phraeng Nara and Phraeng Sanphasat respectively.[3]
Nowadays, especially at Phraeng Phuthon and Phraeng Nara, the small shophouses mostly built during the reign of King Chulalongkorn remain beautiful as an epitome of Sino-Portuguese style. Moreover, this neighbourhood is also known as the center of the well-known restaurants and many delicacies such as Cantonese noodles, beef noodles, grilled pork meatballs, cafés, milk cafés, rad na and pork satay, pad thai, kai yang, yen ta fo, mango sticky rice from Kor Panich, popiah and barbecued red pork in sweet gravy with rice, Thai style ice cream and rare traditional Chinese cuisine, pig's brain soup.[3][4][5][6]
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