Maha Phruettharam is one of the five khwaeng of Bang Rak District, Bangkok.
History
The subdistrict is named after the local temple, Wat Maha Phruettharam Worawihan, or known in short as Wat Maha Phruettharam, the third grade temple of worawihan, an old monastery whose exact origin is unknown, originally named Wat Tha Kwian. The name of temple is derived from the legend about the legendary king ofAyutthaya era, Lord U-Thong. He had escaped cholera which was seriously spreading at the time. He travelled by kwian and came to park his wagon in the area, but was told that area was the resting place from the travellers who travelled by the kwian. Later, King Mongkut named the temple Wat Takien, and he jointly built the new temple with his son, Prince Chulalongkorn. The temple was renovated and being raised to the royal temple and was renamed Wat Maha Phruettharam Worawihan by King Chulalongkorn. This temple is regarded as one of the oldest and most remarkable temples in the area. Highlights of this temple include walls of the ordination hall are covered with beautiful murals depict the 13 ascetic practices of Buddhism from just above the floor right up to the ceiling, regarded as different from other temples, and in the third building, the sanctuary with a 19 m reclining Buddha in gold. Considered as the second largest reclining Buddha after the reclining Buddha of Wat Pho in Rattanakosin Island. The temple situated on the left side of Maha Phruettharam Road, a short road that separates from Rama IV Road at Hua Lamphong Intersection opposite to Bangkok Railway Station, more commonly known as Hua Lamphong, at the corner of Charoen Sawat 36 Bridge and parallel to Khlong Phadung Krung Kasemcanal southward and bend slightly towards the west before terminates at the foot of Phitthaya Sathian Bridge, where it combines Charoen Krung Road. This road also acts as a dividing line between Talat Noi Subdistrict, Samphanthawong District and Maha Phruettharam Subdistrict, Bang Rak District. It is served by BMTA's bus lines: 1, 75.
Geography
Maha Phruettharam can be considered the northernmost area of the district. Neighbouring subdistricts are : Rong Mueang and Wang Mai of Pathum Wan District, Si Phraya and Bang Rak in its district, Talat Noi of Samphanthawong District. Rama IV Road is considered to be one of the main roads and also serves as the boundary line between Maha Phruettharam and Rong Mueang with Wang Mai.
Demography
In 2017 it had a total population of 11,609 people in 6,551 households.
