About:
Ratchathewi is a district in central Bangkok. It is also name of a BTS Skytrain station. Neighbouring districts are (from the north clockwise) Phaya Thai, Din Daeng, Huai Khwang, Watthana, Pathum Wan, Pom Prap Sattru Phai and Dusit. The district was part of Dusit district prior to 1966, and part of Phaya Thai district from 1966 to 1989, when it was elevated to its own district. The name is inherited from Ratchathewi Intersection, which is the intersection of Phetchaburi Road and Phaya Thai Road. The name originally comes from a royal consort to King Chulalongkorn, Phra Nangchao Sukumalmarsri Phra Ratchathewi. The term Phra Rachathewi (also spelled Phra Rajadevi) is a rank in Thai royal and noble titles for royal consorts.
The district is sub-divided into four sub-district (khwaeng): Thung Phaya Thai, Thanon Phaya Thai, Thanon Phetchaburi and Makkasan.
Landmarks:
Victory Monument was built by Prime Minister Plaek Phibunsongkhram to honour the 59 soldiers who died in the French-Thai War.
The Baiyoke Tower (151 meters high, 43 floors) and Baiyoke Tower II (304 m, 85 fl), formery the tallest buildings in Bangkok, cannot be missed from the skyline. They are located in proximity in the area known as Pratu Nam. (Also see Shopping section below.) The construction of Baiyoke Tower was finished in 1987 and remained the tallest until 1993. Baiyoke Tower II was finished in late 1997 and opened to the public January 1998.
Suan Pakkad Palace, a museum exhibiting Thai antiques, from ancient to recent times. The museum compound contains eight traditional wooden Thai houses with exhibits inside. The old Ban Chiang pottery dates back to 4,000 years ago is among one of the highlight exhibits and is located in a modern Chumbhot-Pantip gallery building.
Pratu Nam is an area renowned for low-cost clothes. Not evident from outside on Phetchaburi Road, there are hundreds and hundreds of small clothes shops along the small pedestrian lanes and the shopping complexes inside, both wholesale and retail. The easiest entrance to Pratu Nam is walking southward from Baiyoke Tower. The shops now extend to various malls in the area such as City Complex, Pratunam Plaza, and The Platinum Fashion Mall.
Pantip Plaza is the biggest IT shopping centre in Thailand. There you can find computers (brandnamed and self assembled from components), computer accessories, software, music, movies (legal and illegal), mobile phones and digital cameras.
Transportation:
BTS skytrain - Three stations: Ratchathewi, Phaya Thai and Victory Monument, MRT - One station: Phetchaburi, Express boats - Khlong Saen Saeb, in the southern district border.