Bang O, Bangkok

Bang O (บางอ้อ, ) is a khwaeng (subdistrict) of Bang Phlat District, in Bangkok, Thailand. In 2020, it had a total population of 24,225 people.

History and naming
Bang O is the uppermost part of both Bang Phlat and Thonburi side, the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. The area assumedly used to be full of O (Arundo donax), a type of reed. The name therefore means "A Place of O".

For the word "Bang" is central Thai name for a populated place or settlement situated on the bank of the waterway.

Bang O has been the residence of Muslims since ancient times. Their ancestors were Sunni Muslims who immigrated from Persia (modern Iran) to Siam (modern Thailand) since the Ayutthaya period, at least 300 years ago.

During the 19th century, around the King Rama V's reign, Bang O was considered a place for the lumber trade, as was Bang Pho on the opposite side of the Chao Phraya River, with the terrain being a bank sloping down to the river. Therefore, Bang O was suitable as a place for mooring ships and loading and unloading goods. The lumber business operators were Muslim. They usually live on the riverside houseboats. These Muslims were therefore often referred to as Khaek Phae (แขกแพ, "Muslim living on a raft"). Those who received timber trade concessions from the government at that time were mostly foreign companies, such as Bombay Burmah and East Asiatic (modern EAC Invest A/S), etc.

The first shophouse along Charansanitwong Road in Bang O had 20 units located on the outbound side. It was owned and operated by the Manajit clan, a local old Muslim family. It opened at the same time as the road construction was completed in 1956. When it opened for rent, every rental unit was full.

The opening of the Krung Thon Bridge (colloquially known as Sang Hi Bridge) in 1958 made road traffic between Phra Nakhon side (Bangkok core) and Thonburi side easier, and resulted in the ferry crossing between Bang O and Bang Krabue on the Phra Nakhon side. This was a business that had continued for a long time since the King Rama V's reign. It had to stagnate and eventually closed.

Once Bang O was the location of the residence of Chonlathee Thanthong, a renowned luk thung (Thai country song) composer.

Geography
It lies in northeastern fringe of Thonburi side, neighbouring the subdistricts of Bang Kruai in Bang Kruai District of Nonthaburi Province, Bang Sue in Bang Sue District and Thanon Nakhon Chai Si in Dusit District of Bangkok, Bang Phlat in its district of Bangkok, and Bang Kruai in Bang Kruai District of Nonthaburi Province (clockwise from north).

The subdistrict is crossed by small khlong (canal)-like waterways including Khlong Tao It, Khlong Bang Rak, Khlong Bang Phra Kru, Khlong Bang Phlat, Khlong Mon, Khlong Bang Lamut.