5
Walk Whisperer Mark made another apt and timely route selection for BPG’s 119th photo
walk – it’s almost like he’s doing it on purpose! Walking the day after the 105th anniversary
of the end of the First World War, 45 photographers followed a wide loop around the 22
July Circle. The traffic circle and the extravagant fountain within were built in January 1918 to
commemorate Thailand’s participation in World War I. It is named for the day that Thailand
declared war – 22nd July 1917. Nineteen Thai soldiers died in the conflict.
Of course, traffic circles are not notably photogenic, so you won’t see any pictures of it
from the 34 photographers who sent their best to Greg for this issue of Bangkok Photo Walks.
The highlight of the route was Wat Mangkon Kamalawat, the largest and most important
Chinese temple in Bangkok. Built in the early 1870s, it’s also among the oldest of its kind and
is currently undergoing extensive renovations, sadly limiting access.
Before we reached the temple, the photo walk explored the Pom Prap Sattru Phai district
(ป้อมปราบศัตรูพ่าย), which took its name from a fort that once stood near where Nopphawong
Bridge is now. The area was previously known as Rong Liang Dek (โรงเลี้ยงเด็ก), meaning
‘child care house’. That was the name of Thailand’s first nursery, built here in 1890. It was
founded by Princess Saisavali Bhiromya, the royal consort of Rama V, after they lost their
eldest daughter to typhoid at the age of five. Like the fort, the nursery was also demolished
long ago.
The district today is extremely tightly packed, with entire businesses and communities
found down every narrow alley. In fact, with more than 24,000 people per square kilometre
(over 62,000 per square mile), it has the highest population density of any district in
Thailand. This made the walk route rather complicated, with a lot of twists and turns, but also
introduced us to lots of friendly people to meet and photograph.
Thankfully, Chitima is now helping us to keep as many photographers as possible on the
planned routes. She’s also providing some very important support, including helping us talk
to locals to find lesser-known highlights. Her invaluable assistance helped us refine this walk
route, leading to some unique images in the following pages.Have fun,
Greg, Mark, Chutima, and Ben.Bangkok Photo Walks
Magazine Issue #95 • Walk #
Bangkok Photo Walks is a not-for-profit, community-created
publication. All photographs herein are copyrighted by their
respective creators and published only with their permission.
Reproduction of this magazine in any form is not permitted
without the written permission of the publishers.
Please contact: [email protected]
Head of BPG Greg Rhodes
Magazine Editor Ben Reeves
Photo Walk Coordinator Mark A. Hathaway
Photo Walk Support Chutima Panjapan
Logo Design Ubonpayom Ongsara
Front Cover Photo Goran Ehren
Title Page Photo Kana Wakaiki
Group Photo Greg Rhodes
Back Cover Photo Kim Kalanon
© 2023 Bangkok Photographers GroupThe Walk to End All Walks