Wang Burapha

Wang Burapha (Thai: วังบูรพา, pronounced [wāŋ būː.rā.pʰāː]) is a historic neighbourhood in Bangkok, regarded as the first commercial and entertainment district in contemporary Thailand (after 1932 revolution).^[1] It is surrounded by Charoen Krung, Maha Chai, Phahurat, Tri Phet and Burapha roads, as well as short streets branching off the main road including Phiraphong and Phanu Rangsi roads, near the eastern edge of the old city centre of Rattanakosin Island in Wang Burapha Phirom Subdistrict, Phra Nakhon District. The neighbourhood is named after Buraphaphirom Palace, which used to be located here until the 1950s, when it was demolished to make way for commercial developments. The neighbourhood became a major commercial district and a centre of youth culture during the 1950s–60s.^[2]

During its prosperous era, it was the best hangout place for youngsters creating a large impact on the newly emerging youth culture known as "Koh Lang Wang" (โก๋หลังวัง), translate as "mobster behind the palace". They had a unique dress style with Western fashion, favor listening to Elvis Presley or Cliff Richard's music, and most favorite star was James Dean. Because Thailand at that time was influenced by American culture through enlisted soldiers (G.I.) who set up the base to fight in the Vietnam War. Their stories have been referred into at least three Thai movies, including Dang Bireley's and Young Gangsters in 1997, Born Blood in 2002, and The Gangster in 2012.^[1]

In that era, Wang Burapha was a home to three movie theatres, namely Kings, Queens, and Grand, also the Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre was located adjacent to each other separately. There were also markets and shops of foreigners located nearby, such as Ming Mueang Market, Bampen Bun Market, Bombai, Rattana Mala, Wiang Fah, Lilly, Yong Tiang Store, etc, and also filled with many cafés and restaurants including photo studios. Central Wang Burapha, the first branch of the major department store chain opened here in 1956, considered a modern and fully integrated mall.^[3] In addition, during the New Year festival, Wang Burapha also holds celebrations by blocking the surrounding roads as pedestrian street. There were concerts, likay and comedy performances with tens of thousands of attendees, some groups charter buses from other provinces. The four movie theatres were showing till dawn. Meanwhile, there was also similar event at Sanam Luang, but it was still less popular than that.^[4] In terms of travel it was also regarded as a bus terminal and had a tram running through as well.

Wang Burapa began to gradually decline in popularity in 1965 when Siam Square and Ratchaprasong Shopping Centre were replaced. Ming Mueang Market was dismantled in 1978 and the last movie theatre, Queens, was dissolved in 1990.^[1] The Old Siam Plaza was built on the former site of Ming Mueang Market, it was opened in 1993.^[5] Central Wang Burapha was closed in 2008 and transformed into Chinaworld department store.^[3]

Wang Burapha is also known for its legal gun shops, where a number of famous shops located. Many of these shops were in business long before it became a commercial district. In addition, it also being the centre of many leading bookstores as well. In the area of some restaurants that have been operating since the heyday era, they are still operating as in the past even though the general condition of this neighbourhood is very sluggish.^[1][5]