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Operating day: Daily

Operating time: 08.00 - 17.00

 

Bang Li Market Song Phi Nong, Song Phi Nong, Suphan Buri. Many people unfamiliar with Bang Li Market often mistakenly believe that "Bang Li" is the name of a district, when in fact it refers to a large market community. This misunderstanding arises because the area serves as a hub of prosperity and development in all aspects, much like Tha Chang Market in Doem Bang Nang Buat District.

 

Song Phi Nong District was once located in the vicinity of Bang Li Market. However, it remains unclear whether it was ever officially named Bang Li District. Bang Li Market is situated in the lowland basin of Song Phi Nong District, on the southern bank of the Song Phi Nong Canal. This canal has historically been an essential source of water for consumption and daily use, as well as a key transportation route for the Bang Li Market community and Song Phi Nong residents in the past.

 

The founding of Bang Li Market is based on two hypotheses, as researched by Khun Sakuna:

The first account suggests that Bang Li Market was established after the Old District Market (located near the Yojo bottled water factory) or what was once referred to as the "San Market" (some believe it might have been called the "Court Market"). This old market was likely the central hub of Song Phi Nong District as it was located near the original Song Phi Nong District Office and police station.

 

In the past, the Old District Market was likely the center of commerce for the district, with caravans carrying goods from the forests of Don to sell. Before reaching the San Market, the caravans had to pass through two canals, Lam Rang Bang Noi and Lam Rang Bang Yai. During the dry season, the canals were dry and accessible, but during the rainy season, water from the Song Phi Nong Canal would flood into the canals, forcing the caravans to stop in an open area before Lam Rang Bang Noi. This area is now where the Hok Heng Tua Shrine is located in Bang Li Market.

 

Here, enterprising Chinese merchants encouraged the caravans to gamble and trade, leading to the development of a new community. The first row houses were built for Chinese traders to live and conduct business. Over time, more Chinese settlers joined, forming the large Chinese community that is today’s Bang Li Market. If this account is true, Bang Li Market was likely established during the reign of King Rama V, as Song Phi Nong District was founded around 1896 (B.E. 2439) during his reign.

 

The second account claims that Bang Li Market was formed by a group of pioneering Chinese merchants who migrated from China and initially settled in the Song Phi Nong Village, an old Thai settlement. However, due to the area’s low elevation and prolonged flooding, which made trade difficult, the group relocated to the higher ground where Bang Li Market currently stands.

 

The relocation also addressed the issue of limited space in the original village, which had become crowded with growing families. Over time, more Chinese immigrants followed their relatives to this new area, expanding the community into the large Chinese settlement that is now Bang Li Market.