Ti Thong Road

Ti Thong road view toward Bamrung Mueang road.

Ti Thong Road (Thai: ถนนตีทอง, RTGS: Thanon Ti Thong, pronounced [tʰā.nǒn tīː tʰɔ̄ːŋ]) is one of the roads in inner Bangkok or Rattanakosin Island. A short road, 525 metres (1,722 ft) long, built during the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), connecting Bamrung Mueang and Charoen Krung roads. The two were the first official roads in Thailand built during the reign of King Mongkut (Rama IV).

The road begins at Bamrung Muang road near the corner of Giant Swing plaza and southward past Wat Suthat then cross Khlong Lot Wat Ratchabophit, part of the old city moat, and reaching up to Charoen Krung road. It continues on as Tri Phet road after crossing Chaloem Krung intersection, where Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre is located on the northeast corner of the junction.

In addition, it is also connected to Thailand's third official road, Fueang Nakhon road via Ratchabophit road, a short road in the form of soi (ซอย, "alley") passes Trok Mo Market and beside Wat Ratchabophit.

Its name literally means "gold beating road", referring to "goldsmith road". Because it crosses an area known as Ban Cang Thong (บ้านช่างทอง, "goldsmith hamlet"), the place where the Lao community that migrated from Luang Prabang and Vientiane was settled since the early Rattanakosin period. The territory of Ban Chang Thong also covered as far as the present, Khok Wua intersection on Ratchadamnoen avenue. During the time of road construction, these Lao were all goldsmiths and also served as a gold artisans in the royal court. Then gradually turned the area where most of the inhabitants had their occupation in making gold leaves. The crafts of pounding pure gold into an thin as possible pieces used in the Lai rot nam (ลายรดน้ำ, "Thai gilded black lacquer") other traditional Thai decoration. At present, the making of gold leaves no longer exists. But still appear evidence is a soi on the west side of the road named "Trok Fueang Thong" (ตรอกเฟื่องทอง, "prosperous gold lane").

Nowadays, Ti Thong road is well known as home of uniforms and trappings of Thai official shops, especially military and police officers, including also trophy shops.

Transportation

• BMTA bus: route 12, 42

External links

• "ตึกแถวถนนตีทอง" [Shophouses on Ti Thong Road]. Rattanakosin Island Information Center (in Thai).