Thon Buri District

Thon Buri covers 8.551 square kilometres on the west bank of the Chao Phraya and had 109,482 registered residents in 2017. Its seven khwaeng are Wat Kanlaya, Hiran Ruchi, Bang Yi Ruea, Bukkhalo, Talat Phlu, Dao Khanong and Samre. This compact formal district should not be confused with “Thonburi,” the former province and everyday name for much of Bangkok west of the river.

From the river to Talat Phlu

The small Wat Kanlaya and Hiran Ruchi khwaeng contain old river and canal communities shaped by Thai, Chinese, Portuguese, Muslim and Mon settlement. Santa Cruz Church, Wat Kanlayanamit and Wat Prayurawongsawat belong to this historic side of the district. Farther south and west, Bang Yi Ruea, Talat Phlu, Bukkhalo, Samre and Dao Khanong form a denser landscape of shophouses, temples, markets, housing and main roads.

Wat Intharam Worawihan is closely associated with King Taksin. Talat Phlu Market is better understood as a food neighbourhood around Thoet Thai Road and the railway than as one enclosed market building. Talat Phlu BTS is roughly a kilometre from parts of the old food area, so the station name does not eliminate the local walk or ride.

Rail, shopping and healthcare

The Silom Line serves the district at Wongwian Yai, Pho Nimit, Talat Phlu and Wutthakat. Wongwian Yai BTS lies near the Khlong San boundary and is separate from the State Railway terminus. Check which system and entrance a route uses.

The Mall Lifestore Tha Phra is in Bukkhalo near Talat Phlu BTS, despite using the Tha Phra name associated with a neighbouring junction. Somdech Phra Pinklao Hospital is a Royal Thai Navy teaching hospital on Somdet Phrachao Taksin Road.

Thon Buri works well for residents who want west-bank neighbourhood life with direct BTS access. Visitors can combine a historic river stop or temple with Talat Phlu food, but should treat them as separate local clusters rather than one continuous walking route.