Little was known about Bang Kapi's rich culture and tradition until recently when the district was honoured by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.
Children leave school near a mosque in Bang Kapi district which last month celebrated 100 years since being given its official name. Today, as in the past, the district has a large Muslim population. PATIPAT JANTHONG
This came in the form of a Dec 26-27 exhibition called "Recounting History, Reliving the Past in Bang Kapi, 100 Years On".
The event, however, only drew small crowds as post-flood recovery efforts had dampened people's moods.
But for those that went, the exhibition opened visitors' eyes to the fact that Bang Kapi is one of the few districts where a century-old culture is not only still alive, but vibrantly so.
There are a number of theories on how Bang Kapi got its name.
The literal translation is the "District of Shrimp Paste", and some think the abundance of small shrimps in waterways in the district many years ago was used to make shrimp paste which gave the area its name.
Others, however, believe it comes from the traditional cap Muslim men wear and which is pronounced in Thai as "kapi yoh".
Alternatively, the name could possibly be the result of mispronouncing "krabi", which were monkeys that roamed in the forests in the old days before the district was officially established.
The district's emblem also depicts Hanuman, the central monkey character in the Ramayana epic.
Bang Kapi district chief Sin Nititadakul said the district was covered by dense forest before it became a settlement for families who came from vassal states during King Rama III's reign. The families set up communities near what is now Khlong Saen Saep and Khlong Kum.
As the population expanded, the district was given the name of Bang Kapi in 1911.
With the old Phra Nakhon and Thon Buri provinces being merged to create Bangkok metropolis between 1971-1972, districts including Bang Kapi were formally designated.
The district spans 28,523 square kilometres and comprises the two sub-districts of Khlong Chan and Hua Mak with a total registered population of 148,819, the district chief said.
Bang Kapi provides the setting for one of the best-known classic literary tales, Plae Kao (Old Scar), which has been turned into a movie and television series.
Plae Kao, which is comparable to William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, is closely identified with Khlong Saen Saep, the setting for the main characters' romance which has had many fans riveted.
The canal meanders through 17 other Bangkok districts and despite becoming polluted, has maintained its strategic importance as a transport route.
It was dug between 1837-1840 by Chinese labourers. The canal, which runs from Hua Mak to Bang Kanak in Chachoengsao, was intended as a supply route for the army fighting against the Vietnamese in the Anam Sanamyut War (1831-1845), a territorial dispute over Cambodia. Present-day Bang Kapi holds many national treasures from the Rattanakosin era.
One of the most-visited attractions is the Prasat Museum on Krungthep Kreetha Road. Exhibits also include pre-historical objects.
The museum also houses replicas of exquisite structures such as the teak pavilion of Tam Nak Daeng where old chinaware and tea sets are on display.
There is also the wooden Lanna Pavilion which enshrines Buddha images of the northern architectural influence.
Mr Sin said Bang Kapi is also a "carpet of green areas" with 53 public parks covering a total of 124 rai. Popular ones are the Klongchan Botanic Garden, Sriburapa Small Park and the Praram Kao Small Park.
The district is also home to five of the city's landmark temples: Buengthonglang Temple, Sriboonruang Temple, Thepleela Temple, Phra Kraisi Temple and Chantara Wongsaram Temple.
There are also a number of places for religious worship for Muslims as the district today is home to a large Muslim population.
Some of the mosques where the Muslim community go to pray include the Masjid Yamee-ul Islam, Masjid Seeror-ul Ibadah, Masjid Ridwanul Islam and Masjid Darul Ibadah.
The many Christian residents of the district are also cared for. Bang Kapi has five churches, namely the Jaisaman Full Gospel Church, the Siam Krungthep Church, the Hua Mak Church and the Santisuk Community Church.