# Samran Rat > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Samran_Rat > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Samran_Rat.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samran_Rat > Source revision: 1314809548 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) This article is about the Bangkok neighbourhood. For the *tambon* in Chiang Mai Province, see [Samran Rat, Chiang Mai](/source/Samran_Rat%2C_Chiang_Mai). Khwaeng in Thailand Samran Rat สำราญราษฎร์ Khwaeng Nameplate of Rommaninat Park (on Siriphong Road side) Etymology: "happy citizen" Location in Phra Nakhon District Country Thailand Province Bangkok Khet Phra Nakhon Named after Pratu Phi Area • Total 0.230 km2 (0.089 sq mi) Population (2021) • Total 2,829 • Density 12,300/km2 (32,000/sq mi) Time zone UTC+7 (ICT) Postal code 10200 Area code 100104 **Samran Rat** ([Thai](/source/Thai_language): สำราญราษฎร์, pronounced [\[sǎm.rāːn râːt\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/Thai)), formerly and still colloquially known as **Pratu Phi** (ประตูผี, [\[prā.tūː pʰǐː\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/Thai)), is a historic neighbourhood in Bangkok. The neighbourhood roughly occupies the area of its namesake subdistrict and road junction in [Phra Nakhon](/source/Phra_Nakhon) district. ## History The name *Pratu Phi* means "ghost's gate", because the area was once the location of the city gate through which dead bodies were transported out of the [fortified city](/source/Fortifications_of_Bangkok) for cremation during the early [Rattanakosin period](/source/Rattanakosin_period). Cremations usually took place at the nearby [Wat Saket](/source/Wat_Saket), located just across the city moat known as [Khlong Rop Krung](/source/Khlong_Rop_Krung). The area was later officially renamed Samran Rat, meaning "happy citizen", in an effort to bring auspiciousness. However, the name Pratu Phi is still commonly used by many locals.[1] In modern times, Samran Rat is known as a hub of well-known eateries, especially for [Thai](/source/Thai_food) [street food](/source/Street_food_of_Thailand) at night. The area is packed with vendors and small restaurants offering popular dishes such as [pad thai](/source/Pad_thai), [yen ta fo](/source/Yen_ta_fo), and [salapao](/source/Salapao), as well as various [traditional cafés](/source/Kopitiam). Among the most famous are [Jay Fai](/source/Jay_Fai), which received a [Michelin star](/source/Michelin_star) in 2017, and [Thipsamai](/source/Thipsamai), renowned for its pad thai.[2][3][1] Samran Rat is also home to Thailand's first [pawn shop](/source/Pawn_shop), which has been operating since the reign of King [Mongkut](/source/Mongkut) (Rama IV).[4] Behind [Mahakan Fort](/source/Mahakan_Fort), which was one of the original fortresses of Rattanakosin, stood the Mahakan Fort Community. Its residents had lived there since the early days of Bangkok, making it one of the city's oldest and most distinctive communities. However, in 2018, the government and the [Bangkok Metropolitan Administration](/source/Bangkok_Metropolitan_Administration) (BMA) ordered the demolition of their homes and the removal of all residents to clear the land for a new [urban park](/source/Urban_park).[5] ## Geography Samran Rat is considered to be the central part indented to the east of the Bangkok's old town zone or [Rattanakosin Island](/source/Rattanakosin_Island). Within the area there are two main traffic junctions: **Samran Rat Intersection** is a [four-way junction](/source/Road_intersection) where [Bamrung Mueang](/source/Bamrung_Mueang) and Maha Chai roads cross. From the intersection, Bamrung Mueang continues over the nearby [Sommot Amonmak Bridge](/source/Sommot_Amonmak_Bridge) into the [Ban Bat](/source/Ban_Bat) subdistrict of [Pom Prap Sattru Phai](/source/Pom_Prap_Sattru_Phai) district. The next junction along Bamrung Mueang is [Maen Si](/source/Maen_Si). **Ruan Cham Junction** is a [T junction](/source/T_junction) where Maha Chai and [Luang roads](/source/Luang_Road) meet. The point is known by this name because it used to be the location of the Special Bangkok Metropolitan Prison (*ruan cham* in Thai), built by the order of King [Chulalongkorn](/source/Chulalongkorn) (Rama V) in 1889. It served to detain and train prisoners so that they could become good citizens. Later in 1987, the [Department of Corrections](/source/Department_of_Corrections_(Thailand)) moved the prison from this place to where is now [Khlong Prem Prison](/source/Khlong_Prem_Prison) in [Chatuchak](/source/Khet_Chatuchak) district's [Lat Yao](/source/Lat_Yao_subdistrict%2C_Bangkok) subdistrict. BMA turned it into an urban park, named [Rommaninat](/source/Rommaninat_Park), to present to the Queen [Sirikit](/source/Sirikit) on her fifth cycle birthday in 1992. Some of the buildings were developed into a [Bangkok Corrections Museum](/source/Bangkok_Corrections_Museum). ## Surroundings[a] - [Giant Swing](/source/Giant_Swing) - [Bangkok City Hall](/source/Bangkok_Metropolitan_Administration) - [Devasathan](/source/Devasathan) - [Wat Suthat](/source/Wat_Suthat) - [Mahakan Fort](/source/Mahakan_Fort) - [Wat Ratchanatdaram](/source/Wat_Ratchanatdaram) and Loha Prasat - [Wat Thepthidaram](/source/Wat_Thepthidaram) - [Wat Saket](/source/Wat_Saket) and Golden Mount - Royal Pavilion Mahajetsadabadin and King Rama III Memorial - [Phan Fa Lilat Bridge](/source/Phan_Fa_Lilat_Bridge) - [King Prajadhipok Museum](/source/King_Prajadhipok_Museum) - Samranrat Police Station - [Rommaninat Park](/source/Rommaninat_Park) - [Bangkok Corrections Museum](/source/Bangkok_Corrections_Museum) - [Benjamarachalai School](/source/Benjamarachalai_School) ## Gallery - [Fort Mahakan](/source/Fort_Mahakan) one of landmarks of Samran Rat area (although in truth, it is located in neighbouring [Bowon Niwet subdistrict](/source/Bowon_Niwet_subdistrict) - [Shophouses](/source/Shophouses) along Bamrung Mueang road, Samran Rat intersection is ahead - Community behind the Mahakan Fort - Cooking area of [Jay Fai](/source/Jay_Fai) restaurant - Thipsamai [pad thai](/source/Pad_thai) restaurant - [Bangkok City Hall](/source/Bangkok_Metropolitan_Administration) - Ruan Cham Junction (seen from Luang road, [Bangkok Corrections Museum](/source/Bangkok_Corrections_Museum) is ahead) ## Notes 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Some places like [Mahakan Fort](/source/Mahakan_Fort), [Wat Saket](/source/Wat_Saket) and Golden Mount, [Wat Suthat](/source/Wat_Suthat), [Giant Swing](/source/Giant_Swing) and Bangkok City Hall are not actually in this subdistrict, but are in adjacent areas such as [Ban Bat](/source/Ban_Bat), [Sao Chingcha](/source/Sao_Chingcha_subdistrict) or [Wat Ratchabophit](/source/Wat_Ratchabophit_(subdistrict)). ## References 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Pra_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Pra_1-1) ["อร่อยมื้อดึกย่านประตูผี"](https://www.sanook.com/travel/531571/) [Delicious late-night supper at Pratu Phi quarter]. *[Sanook.com](/source/Sanook.com)* (in Thai). 2008-11-06. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Rojanaphruk, Pravit (2017-12-06). ["Star for Street Food Joint As Michelin Bangkok Revealed"](http://www.khaosodenglish.com/life/food/2017/12/06/star-street-food-joint-michelin-bangkok-revealed/). *[Khaosod](/source/Khaosod)*. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Thipsamai Phad Thai (Pratuphee)"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180828035944/https://guide.michelin.com/th/en/bangkok/thipsamai-phad-thai-pratuphee/restaurant). *Michelin Guide*. Archived from [the original](https://guide.michelin.com/th/en/bangkok/thipsamai-phad-thai-pratuphee/restaurant) on 2018-08-28. Retrieved 2018-03-18. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["ประวัติโรงรับจำนำในประเทศไทย"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180319151115/https://talk.mthai.com/inbox/374408.html) [History of pawn shop in Thailand]. *Mthai.com* (in Thai). May 2013. Archived from [the original](https://talk.mthai.com/inbox/374408.html) on 2018-03-19. Retrieved 2018-03-18. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["ปิดตำนาน "ชุมชนป้อมมหากาฬ" ขีดเส้นรื้อทุกหลัง 29 เม.ย.นี้"](https://news.thaipbs.or.th/content/271857) [Close the legend "Mahakan Fort Community" draws all demolition lines on 29 Apr]. *[Thai PBS](/source/Thai_PBS)* (in Thai). 2018-04-25. --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Samran Rat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samran_Rat) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samran_Rat?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.