Hua Lamphong Railway Station

Hua Lamphong Railway Station (Thai: สถานีรถไฟหัวลำโพง), officially known as the Bangkok Railway Station in English, is the main railway station in Bangkok, Thailand. It is located in the center of the city in Pathum Wan District, and is operated by the State Railway of Thailand.

Strictly speaking, Hua Lamphong is the common name that is mainly used only in urban area of Thailand. Official name on the State Railway of Thailand is Krungthep Station. Krungthep is the common way of calling Bangkok in Thai language. However, not only among foreign travellers, but also among local people in Bangkok, it is usually called Hua Lamphong Station, as well as written so in many travel guide books and public press papers, too.

On the other hand, in other local areas in Thailand, it is common to call it Krungthep Station, rather to call Hua Lamphong Station. If you say Hua Lamphong Station in local areas, they may not get you.

In all documents and information of State Railway of Thailand, such as train tickets, timetable, tour pamphlets, it is unified to transcribe as Krungthep (กรุงเทพฯ) in Thai, and Bangkok in English.

The station was opened on June 25, 1916 after six years' construction. The site of the railway station was previously the national railway's maintenance centre, which moved to Makkasan in June 1910. At the location of the previous railway station nearby, a pillar commemorates the inauguration of railways in 1897.

The station was built in an Italian Neo-Renaissance style, with decorated wooden roofs and stained glass windows. The architecture is attributed to Turin-born Mario Tamagno, who, with countryman Annibale Rigotti (1870–1968), made a mark on early 20th century public building in Bangkok. The pair also designed Bang Khun Prom Palace (1906), Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall in the Royal Plaza (1907–15) and Suan Kularb Residential Hall and Throne Hall in Dusit Garden, among other buildings.

TEXT FROM WIKIPEDIA, cba SOME RIGHTS RESERVED.