Imagine a small district in the heart of Bangkok, covering only 1.4 square kilometers yet filled with life, color, and stories that never sleep…
This is Phahurat–Chakkrawat, a small yet powerful neighborhood in Samphanthawong district. This time, we didn’t just come to explore it allowed us to see another important dimension: True’s network signals seamlessly supporting everyday life in this community.
A City Trip… That Lets You Understand the “City” More
The trip Network Eatery Trip #3 – Phahurat–Chakkrawat, A Flavor‑Packed Walk with Neighboring Hosts was created through a collaboration between True Corporation, the Chakkrawat community tourism network, and WABU (Walking Buddy) inviting True executives and employees to rediscover the community from a new perspective.
The journey was led by the true “local Hosts”:
- P’Aoy – Pimpimol Kongkriangkrai, Founder of WABU
- Ming – Metas Liamsombat, Key driver of Chakkrawat community tourism
- Julapasorn Panomwan Na Ayutthaya, Expert in history and culture
This was not just a walking tour—it was a living “field study.”
Exploring Hidden Alleys… Discovering Local Treasures
From small alleys to hidden lanes, the route revealed charms known only to locals.
We began at Little India, where the aroma of spices blended with greetings from shops selling betel nuts, sacred statues, and offerings.
We checked in at Gurudwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Temple, a stunning architectural landmark and spiritual center of the community, before enjoying fragrant Indian tea at Mama Restaurant, a long-standing eatery for over 20 years.
The journey continued into Sampeng, a bustling trading hub, where we tasted the famous dessert “Manthip” from Pa Taen Sampeng Delicacies, a humble street cart with extraordinary flavors.
Stories from the Network Local Host: When “Signals” Become Part of the Community
Throughout the walk, beyond culture and food, there was one invisible yet ever-present element—the strength of True’s network.
The True network “local hosts,” led by Khurrum Ashfaq, Thongchai Kwanphut, Wasan Chanplab,and Kesinee Janwijit, along with the network team, shared that this area contains as many as 43 Cell site.
This means network points are installed every 50–100 meters, compared to the usual spacing of around 1 kilometer—due to the high-density usage from tourists, merchants, and local residents who rely heavily on digital connectivity in their daily lives.
However, the challenge goes beyond just high traffic. Narrow alleys, limited access, dense buildings, and restricted installation space make network deployment complex. In cases of emergencies, such as fires, maintenance becomes extremely difficult requiring far more thoughtful network design than usual.
Behind Strong Signals… Is Seamless Design
Network towers here are not the typical tall structures, but include: Tower installations, Wall-mounted poles attached to buildings, Embedded antennas within structures, Fiber optic cables and Internet splitters on utility poles. All are carefully designed to ensure coverage even in the narrowest alleys.
Additionally, True is advancing its 3-year underground cabling plan, starting in 2025, with monthly planning on street-by-street implementation. This initiative is carried out in collaboration with: Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA), Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), NBTC (National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission), Royal Thai Police and other partners
Over the past year, operations have progressed in removing overhead cables and relocating them underground across inner Bangkok areas starting with Sukhumvit, Rama IV, Lang Suan, and Lat Phrao, and expanding further into the historic districts of Phra Nakhon this year and next.The goal: Improve urban landscapes, enhance public safety, lay the foundation for a truly smart city
A Network That Connects “People,” Not Just “Signals”
An important takeaway from the network local hosts is that infrastructure in such areas cannot rely solely on technology. It depends on community relationships, collaboration, and shared ownership.
Employees are not just users they are co-owners of the network, helping monitor, care for, and report any issues.
From Bustling Streets to Timeless Calm
The journey then transitioned into tranquility at Wat Chakrawatratchawat Woramahawihan (Wat Sam Pluem), a royal temple dating back to the Ayutthaya period.
We admired the beautifully blended Thai-Chinese architecture of the ordination hall, paid respects, and received blessings before continuing through time exploring historic buildings across three eras:Colonial, Bauhaus (minimalist style), Art Deco (geometric elegance)
We visited Ama Hostel, located in a nearly 200-year-old Chinese house, decorated in a warm, classic Chinese style.
Walking into a narrow alley lined with traditional Chinese herbal shops, the air was filled with aromatic herbs. Our final stop was Bai Hor Café, a herbal café offering signature dishes from the district including guay jub, fresh spring rolls, satay, salted egg dumplings, fried lotus root, and Taiwanese coriander ice cream.
The experience ended with a unique DIY herbal inhaler workshop, capturing the essence of this vibrant community through all senses.
A Real Experience of “Strong, Reliable Network”
Throughout the journey, True employees didn’t just observe they actively used the network: taking photos, posting, sharing, and engaging in real time.
Even in challenging spots like Saphan Han or dense wholesale alleys, the result was clear: “Strong signal, real usability.”
Though the trip lasted only half a day, it offered far more than great food and memorable experiences it revealed the real picture of the network behind people’s daily lives.
It reminded us that in every customer journey, there is a dedicated network team quietly working behind the scenes.
Phahurat–Chakkrawat is just one example where True’s network has become an inseparable part of the community. There are many more districts like this where similar stories continue to unfold. Because in every moment of life,True is the network that keeps people connected.
