Tha Phra Chan

[5] Tha Phra Chan today used to be the palace of Prince Prachaksinlapakhom (founder of Udon Thani Province) who dedicated the land to the privy purse.

Its name is derived from Fort Phra Chan (ป้อมพระจันทร์), one of 14 fortifications around the Grand Palace dating to the early Rattanakosin period.

These forts and moats were built to protect Bangkok (or Rattanakosin in those days), given their proximity to the Grand Palace and the Chao Phraya River.

As time went on, the forts were demolished, but with their names still used for the streets and places around Rattanakosin Island.

[7] Tha Phra Chan is busy during the day, as its Wang Lang Pier ferries commuters between the Phra Nakhon side (Bangkok) to the Thonburi side (Chao Phraya River west bank).