Rediscovering Tuk Khao Tuk Daeng History

One of the most famous areas on the Thon Buri side north of Pak Klong San in Bangkok is Tuk Khao Tuk Daeng, literally means white building, red building, which has been called by that name because of the colors of a building in the area.

This building belonged to Indian traders, which are said, in some historical records, to have come from Sulad city in India. But in Dr. Bradley's book, Khun Wichitmattra called these Indians living on the Thon Buri side, opposite to the Ratchawong pier, 'Mussul Man'. The Indians at Tuk Khao Tuk Daeng were Persians, wo were recognized as 'new millionaires'.

So the call Mussul Man seems to correct, since these words were derived from the Persian language, meaning new millionaires.

In the book Roi Pat (Thi) Krung Thep, the writer So Plainoi said that Tuk Khao Tuk Daeng was a commercial building, which later became a "store". This building was constructed in the reign of King Rama III. When asked how they came to Thailand, these Indians would say they came by merchant ship.

Most products sold in the Tuk Khao Tuk Daeng area in those days were clothes, as described in Nirat Pak Lat written by Khunying Khuenphetsena, "Upon arrival at Tuk Daeng, we seen many Indians selling silk".

This shows that the Indians really brought in fabrics for sale at Tuk Khao Tuk Daeng, where trade was actively conducted. Today, fabrics are no longer been sold in this area.

Another significance of Tuk Khao Tuk Daeng is that it was the area of the Krairiksh family. It is said that Chao Phraya Mahithorn received his inheritance from Phraya Phetcharat. After he moved from the Thon Buri side to the Bangkok side, his house was left unattended. Two Cantonese used to rent his house, and Dr. Sun Yat-sen, leader of Kuomintang, which changed political system in China, came to Thailand and stayed at this house. Thao Kae Chong, the Chinese house owner, was one of the revolution leaders. He was granted a lifelong allowance and later he returned to China and died there. His children and grandchildren have received high promotions in the government service in Thailand.