Bangkok:Sapan Han

[ncr]

I think it's justified to dedicate a thread to that flickr series of slides from 1956.

Some of those photos are fantastic because of their historical value.
For example, I found these 2 taken from the Golden Mount quite remarkable.

Looking west: the best image of the no more existing Sala Chalerm Thai (the massive structure in the middle, torn down and replaced by a small park with royal sala) that I have seen so far..... Mahakan Fort community in the foreground, Wat Ratchanadda on the left.

Also note how much greenery there is in the background - like the western bank of the river (Bang Phlat) was just a forest. Today it's almost completely built-up.

Looking north: Khlong Mahanak community in the foregrund, the building that is now the King Prajadhiphok Museum center left, Thai Airways Lan Luang Office right in the center of the image, and Ananta Samakhom throne hall in the distance in the upper right.

And some more:

The Golden Mount itself (though its colour is rather white here!)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrymc...7594143583454/

The backside, looking east over Wat Saket. Again, note the relative emptiness of the background...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrymct/166116857/
A recent picture for comparison.

Which road is this? Where were the Pan American and BOAC offices?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrymct/166117310/

Yaowarat
http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrymc...7594143583454/

Another view of Yaowarat with tram tracks in the foreground.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrymct/165167783/

They already had Kloster Beer in 1956.... the department store is called "Hang Tai Fa" - where's that?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrymc...7594143583454/

New Road
http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrymc...7594143583454/

Tuk-Tuk. Nice cap and interesting number plate!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrymc...7594143583454/

Victory Monument
http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrymc...7594143583454/

[Wisarut]

The 1956 Bangkok Photo Series is definitely Awesome

1) Hang Tai Fah Department Store is a major Department Store in Yaowaraj ... Now, it has become Grand China Hotel ....

[qualtrough]

I can't get Flickr to work right now, but last week I blew up the Hang Tai Fah picture and beneath the Thai it read New World Department Store, so it must be the predecessor to the ill-famed store that was recently torn down.

I left a comment under one picture which was the one of a trade exhibit. I am pretty certain that the car in the image is one of the King's, and I speculated that might be the reason his father took that particular photo. I am pretty sure it is a Delahaye, and it looks similar to one I saw about 25 years ago at one of the Lufthansa vintage car shows.