An important community which grew with the Royal city, it is a centre of government, art and culture. The road lines the Chao Phraya river bank with the palaces of nobles and courtiers and ordinary houses on both sides of the road. The prosperity of the Phra Athit Road community has been intertwined with the history of Bangkok up to the present.

          The building of large palaces started in the reign of King Rama III, with architectural influences from China and Europe. Some palaces have been converted into offices and modern buildings, and the community's way of life has been completely transformed from before.