Lhong 1919

Lhong 1919 is a historic riverside port, heritage site, and cultural attraction on the Thonburi side of Bangkok, at the bottom of Chiang Mai Road in Khlong San District. The site stands beside the Chao Phraya River and is associated with the commercial and migration links that historically connected Siam with mainland China, British Malaya, and British Hong Kong. Its name is derived from Huang Chung Lhong, or 火船廊, an old expression referring to a steamer port. The original complex was built in 1850 by Phraya Pisansuphaphol, also known as Chuen, a wealthy Thai-Chinese figure. Designed around a siheyuan-style Chinese courtyard, the port combined warehouse and maritime functions with a built environment reflecting the commercial communities that developed along Bangkok's riverfront. The property later became associated with the Wanglee family, which acquired it in 1919. That date is commemorated in the attraction's name and forms an important part of its identity. In October 2016, the Wanglee family began renovating the historic port and adapting it for public use. The project repositioned the site from a private or utilitarian commercial compound into a destination combining heritage interpretation, food and beverage, retail, creative activity, and leisure. Lhong 1919 officially opened to the public on 2 November 2017 in a ceremony presided over by Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, then Thailand's Minister of Tourism and Sports. The opening was attended by several prominent Thai public figures and members of Bangkok's cultural and business communities. The attraction's program includes cafés, art and craft shops, co-working space, and a Thai-Chinese history centre. Its principal spiritual landmark is a shrine to Mazu, the Chinese goddess associated with the sea and maritime protection. The shrine connects the restored site with the beliefs and practices of Chinese seafarers and traders who used ports across the region. In 2018, an area beside the river was adapted as an outdoor stage for theatrical performances, extending the venue's role into the performing arts. Lhong 1919 is commonly presented as a riverside heritage destination and a new landmark for the Khlong San and Tha Din Daeng areas. Its concept has been compared with Asiatique The Riverfront, another Bangkok attraction that combines waterfront setting, historical references, dining, shopping, and entertainment. Unlike a conventional retail brand, Lhong 1919 is primarily a place-based cultural and hospitality experience. Its value proposition rests on adaptive reuse, Chinese-Thai history, architecture, riverfront atmosphere, religious heritage, and contemporary creative programming.

Lhong 1919 occupies a historic port and warehouse compound on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok's Thonburi area. The port was built in 1850 by Phraya Pisansuphaphol, also known as Chuen, a wealthy Thai-Chinese figure. Its location supported overseas shipping and commercial exchange involving British Malaya, mainland China, and British Hong Kong. The architecture followed a siheyuan-style courtyard arrangement, creating a spatial form associated with Chinese residential and commercial compounds. The name Lhong is connected with Huang Chung Lhong, written 火船廊 and understood as an old term for a steamer port. This maritime association remains central to the site's historical interpretation. The port formed part of the river-based commercial world that helped shape Bangkok's Chinese communities and the city's links with wider Asian trading networks. In 1919, the Wanglee family acquired the property. The year became part of the site's modern name, Lhong 1919, linking the current attraction to the family's historical connection with the compound. The Wanglee family's ownership also places the site within the history of Thai-Chinese business families whose activities were closely connected with Bangkok's riverfront trade. A major transformation began in October 2016, when the family started renovating the historic complex for use as a tourist attraction and cultural landmark. The project retained the site's heritage character while introducing visitor-oriented functions. Rather than treating the property solely as an architectural relic, the redevelopment created a mixed-use destination with cafés, art and craft shops, co-working facilities, and a Thai-Chinese history centre. Lhong 1919 officially opened on 2 November 2017. Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, then Thailand's Minister of Tourism and Sports, presided over the opening ceremony. The event attracted a number of notable attendees, including Sirikitiya Jensen, Nualphan Lamsam, Chadathip Jutrakul, and Piyapas Bhirombhakdi, according to published descriptions of the opening. The Mazu shrine is the site's principal religious and cultural focal point. Mazu is traditionally associated with protection of sailors and maritime travel in Chinese belief, making the shrine particularly appropriate to a former port. It gives visitors a direct connection to the spiritual traditions that accompanied Chinese maritime commerce and migration. In 2018, the riverside portion of the compound was converted into an outdoor stage for theatrical performances. This addition expanded the site's programming and reinforced its positioning as a cultural venue rather than simply a preserved building complex. Lhong 1919 is now described as a destination for heritage, food, creative retail, work, and events in Khlong San and the nearby Tha Din Daeng area. Its concept is comparable in some respects to Asiatique The Riverfront, although Lhong 1919's identity is more strongly anchored in a specific historic port, Chinese-Thai heritage, and the Mazu shrine.

• 2018

  Riverside performance space is introduced

  [1]Lhong 1919en.wikipedia.org

  A riverside section of the complex is adapted into an outdoor stage for theatrical performances.

• 2017

  Lhong 1919 officially opens

  [1]Lhong 1919en.wikipedia.org

  The restored attraction opens on 2 November with Thailand's Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul presiding.

• 2016

  Heritage redevelopment begins

  [1]Lhong 1919en.wikipedia.org

  Renovation begins in October to convert the historic port into a public tourist and cultural destination.

• 1919

  Wanglee family acquires the property

  [1]Lhong 1919en.wikipedia.org

  The Wanglee family acquires the historic port, an event commemorated in the site's modern name.

• 1850

  Historic port and warehouse complex is built

  [1]Lhong 1919en.wikipedia.org

  Phraya Pisansuphaphol (Chuen) establishes a Chinese courtyard-style port and warehouse complex on Bangkok's Chao Phraya River.

A heritage-led riverside destination that combines Chinese-Thai history and architecture with cafés, creative retail, co-working, cultural interpretation, and live performance.

• Cultural attraction · 2017

  Heritage port and courtyard complex

  The core offering is the restored nineteenth-century port and warehouse compound, arranged in a Chinese courtyard style. Visitors encounter historic structures, riverfront surroundings, and architectural details associated with Bangkok's Thai-Chinese maritime commerce. The complex provides the physical setting for the site's other cultural, retail, food, and event activities.

• Religious and cultural heritage · 2017

  Mazu shrine

  The Mazu shrine is the spiritual focal point of Lhong 1919. Mazu is traditionally regarded in Chinese maritime belief as a protector of sailors and travelers. At a former steamer port, the shrine connects the visitor experience with the religious practices and seafaring traditions of Chinese trading communities.

• Hospitality · 2017

  Cafés and food-and-beverage spaces

  Lhong 1919 includes cafés and related food-and-beverage spaces integrated into the heritage setting. These venues support the attraction's role as a leisure destination and encourage visitors to spend time within the restored port rather than treating it only as a short architectural stop.

• Creative retail · 2017

  Art and craft shops

  Art and craft shops form part of the attraction's creative-retail offer. They complement the historical environment with contemporary maker and design activity, helping position Lhong 1919 as a lifestyle and cultural destination in addition to a heritage site.

• Museum and interpretation · 2017

  Thai-Chinese history centre

  The history centre interprets the site's Thai-Chinese background and its relationship to river-based trade, overseas shipping, and the communities that shaped Bangkok's commercial life. It provides an educational layer within the broader visitor experience.

• Performing arts venue · 2018

  Riverside outdoor stage

  Introduced in 2018, the outdoor stage uses the riverfront as a setting for theatrical performances. The space extends Lhong 1919's programming beyond retail, dining, and historical interpretation into live cultural events.

• 2018

  Expansion into theatrical programmingOther

  Background

  After the attraction opened, its riverside setting provided an opportunity to add cultural programming beyond the existing heritage, dining, and retail offer.

  Action taken

  An area beside the Chao Phraya River was converted into an outdoor stage for theatrical performances.

  Aftermath

  The change broadened Lhong 1919's role as a cultural venue and gave the site a format for live performance beside the river.

  Source

• 2016

  Adaptive reuse of the historic portStrategy

  Background

  The Wanglee family sought to give the historic port a new public role as a tourist and cultural landmark while retaining its architectural and historical character.

  Action taken

  Renovation began in October 2016, converting the former port and warehouse compound into a mixed-use attraction with hospitality, retail, work, interpretation, and event functions.

  Aftermath

  The redevelopment culminated in the attraction's public opening in November 2017 and established Lhong 1919 as a heritage-led destination in Khlong San.

  Source

• 2018

  Riverside area converted for theatrical performances[1]Lhong 1919en.wikipedia.org

  Other

  An area adjoining the Chao Phraya River was adapted into an outdoor stage, broadening Lhong 1919's role from heritage attraction and lifestyle venue to a location for theatrical performances.

• 2017

  Renovated Lhong 1919 opens as a new Bangkok riverside attraction[1]Lhong 1919en.wikipedia.org

  Product launch

  The restored historic port officially opened on 2 November 2017, presenting its Chinese courtyard architecture, Mazu shrine, cultural spaces, cafés, and creative retail to the public.

• 2016

  Lhong 1919 renovation project begins[1]Lhong 1919en.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The Wanglee family began renovating the historic port in October 2016 with the aim of creating a public tourist and cultural landmark in Bangkok's Khlong San area.

1. 1Lhong 1919en.wikipedia.org
2. 2Lhong 1919lhong1919.com