After the Saochingcha Market was demolished in 1941, Bangkok’s first city hall was built here. The original city hall was a plain 2-story wooden building that was far too small to accommodate the rapid growth of Bangkok. It was later replaced in 1962 by the huge white building you see here now.

On the front of the BMA building is the Bangkok city seal which is also found on all city vehicles, park benches, and lightposts. The seal is based on a painting by Prince Naris of the god Indra riding through the clouds on the mythological three-headed elephant named Erawan. Indra holds a lightning bolt in his hand, which he uses to drive away famine and drought.