Makkasan

Makkasan (Thai: มักกะสัน, pronounced [mák.kā.sǎn]) is an intersection and neighbourhood in Bangkok's Ratchathewi district. Moreover, it's also one of the 180 sub-districts in Bangkok. For intersection, it's divided into two separate intersections, one is the meeting point of Ratchaprarop, Chaturathit, Si Ayutthaya roads, including Soi Ratchaprarop 10 or Soi Mo Leng (Ratchaprarop 10 alley, Mo Leng alley) named Makkasan, Mo Leng or Ratchaprarop intersection. And another is the intersection of Ratchaprarop and Nikhom Makkasan roads named Nikhom Makkasan intersection. It's considered one of the most traffic jam area in Bangkok especially during rush hour.[1] Makkasan is not far from major shopping districts and Bangkok's traffic centers, such as Pratunam or Victory Monument.

Makkasan Interchange in the Makkasan neighbourhood at night

The word "Makkasan" comes from "Makassar", the provincial capital of South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Since it was a place where Makkasan people lived in the past.

Makkasan people are Muslims who migrated from Celebes to Siam since Ayutthaya period in the end of King Narai reign. Siamese in that time called them Khaek Makkasan (แขกมักกะสัน), for the word in Thai khaek literally guest, that refers to non-Westerners (farang) or Christians mostly Muslims, Hindus or Indians or those from the Middle East and Malay Peninsula etc.[2]

From the record of Claude de Forbin, a French naval who lived in Ayutthaya kingdom at the time, stated that the Makkasan rebels on July 14th, 1686. The suppression of Ayutthaya rulers with foreign aristocrat such as Constantine Phaulkon must used a harsh approach until it ended. But the cruel and terrible appearance of Makkasan was remembered by the Siamese to be compared to the Yaksa.[3] The incident was called "Makkasan Rebellion" (กบฏมักกะสัน, ขบถมักกะสัน).[3]

When the King Phutthayotfa Chulalok (Rama I) established Rattanakosin kingdom (today's Bangkok) in 1782, he allowed Makkasan people from Ayutthaya to settle in this area. It also was called "Makkasan" to the present.[3] It has become the name of many places in this area such as Makkasan Station, the biggest rapid transit station on the Airport Rail Link, Makkasan railway station, a class 1 railway station include namesake depot, Bueng Makkasan, a large artificial lake in the center of Bangkok built in 1931 by State Railway of Thailand (SRT), or Makkasan Interchange, a part of Chaloem Maha Nakhon Expressway and Sirat Expressway etc.[4] [5]