Wongwian Yai

Wongwian Yai, also spelled "Wong Wian Yai" or "Wongwien Yai" (Thai: วงเวียนใหญ่), is a large roundabout (traffic circle) in Thon Buri, western bank of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, Thailand, where the Statue of King Taksin is situated. It is located in the district of Thon Buri and Khlong San in the centre of Bangkok, at the intersection of Prajadhipok/Inthara Phithak/Lat Ya/Somdet Phra Chao Taksin Roads. Nearby there is Wongwian Yai Station, historical commuter railway terminal to Mahachai (local name of Samut Sakon provincial city) and Mae Khlong (Samut Songkhram) in south-western suburb of Bangkok.

History

The Circle was built following the Memorial Bridge (Phra Phutta Yodfa Bridge) opening on April 6, 1932, commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Chakri Dynasty and Bangkok City. The Bridge from old Bangkok conducted 11 new road projects to be built on Thon Buri side of the Chao Phraya River, also with the Circle. Wongwian Yai, 'Big Circle' in thai was named as there was another smaller circle with clock tower next to the Memorial Bridge called Wongwian Lek, 'Small Circle'. The name became proper as no other circles in Thailand had been called Big or Small Circle officially. The Statue of King Taksin, however, was built 21 years later.

Statue of King Taksin

For memorial to Taksin the Great, one of the great Thai kings who liberated the country after Ayutthaya was taken by the Burmese in 1767, the statue was built here in 1953, in Thon Buri side which the king had established as the new capital in 1768. The statue was executed by the Italian sculptor Corrado Feroci, who worked under the Thai name Silpa Bhirasi. A state ceremony on a day of homage to the king, December 28, has been held annually since 1954.

Wongwian Yai Area

The Circle is one of Bangkok's major traffic intersections, linking residental area in Thonburi side to Bangkok downtown side through the Memorial Bridge in the north. The north-eastern road Lat Ya links to Khlong San Pier with crossing river ferry service to Si Phraya Road or the further Taksin Bridge to Sathon and Si Lom business clusters. The southern road Somdet Phrachao Taksin (or Taksin Road) links to suburban area on Suksawat and Rama II Road and reaches Chulachomklao Fort at the river mouth in Samut Prakan Province. The western road Inthara Phitak is important as it links to the beginning of Petchkasem Road, the first highway to the western and southern of Thailand. At the south-west corner of the circle, there is also the commuter railway station to Samut Sakon Province.

Because of traffic potential, the area was used to be major business area of Thonburi, before urbanization reached outer area of Bangkok. There are many markets, retail shops, department stores, cinemas, and all the accommodations. Apart from fresh or cooked food stalls, the area is also famous as the largest cluster of thai leather traders on Charoen Rat Road opposite the railway station.

Places

  • Statue of King Taksin
  • Wongwian Yai Railway Station (commuter railway)
  • Wongwian Yai Skytrain Station
  • Wongwian Yai Market and Bang Yi Ruea Market
  • Charoen Rat thai leather cluster
  • Robinson Department Store, Lardya
  • Wongwian Yai Complex
  • Merry Kings Department Store, Wongweanyai (abandoned)

Transportation

The Circle is one of the BMTA bus hubs in Thonburi Side. There are bus stops at all the four roads around the circle, for bus lines: 3, 4, 7, 7A, 9, 10, 20, 21, 37, 42, 43, 57, 68 (minibus), 82, 84, 84A, 85, 88, 89, 105, 111, 120, 149, 164, 167, 169, 172, 173, 177, 529, 530, 542.

Besides the historical (since 1901) cheap fares commuter rail service to Samut Sakhon (Mahachai Line) and Samut Songkhram Province (Ban Laem Line), there is also new BTS Skytrain Wongwian Yai station, the Silom Line extension from Taksin Bridge Station. It is located at Taksin Intersection, 1 km south from the circle, now open, as of May 15, 2009.

See also

Listed in the following categories:
Post a comment
Tips & Hints
Arrange By:
There are no tips nor hints for Wongwian Yai yet. Maybe be you will be the first one to post useful information for fellow travellers? :)
6.8/10
11,762 people have been here
Map
208 Inthara Phithak 5, Khwaeng Bang Yi Ruea, Khet Thon Buri, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10600, Thailand Get directions
Mon-Sun 7:00 AM–6:30 PM

Bio Beam Center on Foursquare

Wongwian Yai on Facebook

Hotels nearby

See all hotels See all
Natural White 1 BR 1 BT Peaceful and Luxury Condo

starting $29

360 BigRooftoppool,Fitness,full amenities,Wifi,BTS

starting $0

Baan Talat Phlu

starting $12

Season Place

starting $24

Meyon Holidays Apartment

starting $55

Cana Mansion

starting $20

Recommended sights nearby

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Wat Kalayanamitr

Wat Kalayanamitr Varamahavihara (Thai:

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Memorial Bridge, Bangkok

The Memorial Bridge (Thai:

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Phra Pok Klao Bridge

Phra Pok Klao Bridge (Thai:

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Wat Arun

Wat Arun (ไทย. วัดอรุณ, Temple of the Dawn) is a Buddhist temple (wa

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Wat Pho

Wat Pho (ไทย. วัดโพธิ์), also known as Wat Phra Chetuphon วัดพระเชตุพ

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre

Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre (ไทย. ศาลาเ

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Taksin Bridge

The Taksin Bridge (Thai:

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Grand Palace

The Grand Palace (Thai: พระบรมมหาราชวัง, Phra Borom Maha Ratcha Wang)

Similar tourist attractions

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty (French: Statue de la Liberté), officially

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Monument to the Independence of Brazil

The Monument to the Independence of Brazil (Portuguese: Monumento à

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Statue of Janko Kráľ

Statue of Janko Kráľ is located in the middle of Sad Janka Kráľa (li

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Seven Magic Mountains

Ugo Rondinone (born 1964) is a New York-based, Swiss-born mixed-media

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Tower of the Sun

The Tower of the Sun (太陽の塔, Taiyō no Tō) is a building created b

See all similar places