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Bangkok photographs
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Images of Bangkok preserving a bygone era
Are there windmills in Bangkok?
In the 1870s royal concessions were awarded to individuals to build canals and roads. The concession-holder was granted ownership to the strips of land 1,600m wide on both banks of the new canal. The Silom canal was one result of this concession. The surrounding area consisted of fruit orchards and windmills were used to draw water from the canal for the orchards.
In the mid 20th century, the canal was covered up for the expansion of Silom (windmill) road. Today, there’s only one windmill left at the junction of Silom and Narathiwat Roads; a monument to a bygone era.
Last windmill in Bangkok
What are your favorite Bangkok photographs? Share your special travel pictures with us here.
Postman in old Bangkok
It was only in 1880 that Thailand started her postal services. Before that people sent letters through messengers or friends. Here’s a photo of an early “postman” in Bangkok taken probably in the 1800s. Note the jong kra bane* worn by the people in the picture. (*piece of cloth worn round the waist, the ends are pulled between the legs and tucked at the back)
Early postman – photo courtesy of the Philatelic Museum Bangkok
Traditional Thai houses
It’s hard to find traditional Thai houses in Bangkok today. Most of them are gone except for heritage homes and museums. However, you can still view old Thai houses in designs from the four major regions of Thailand at Traditional Thai houses. Here’s a sample.
Traditional Thai house from the central region
Rattanakosin antiques
Here are some of the photographs of antiques which are hardly ever used today except for display and ceremonies. Please see Rattanakosin antiques taken at an exhibition of items from private collections.
Gold and neillo cosmetic set
Memorable Bangkok photographs
Wat Kanlayanamit
Images of famous landmarks set against a rising or setting sun have always been appealing to me. On the way to Wat Kanlayanamit on a river ferry, I snapped this photo of the old temple built in 1765. It was late afternoon and I regretted taking it against the strong afternoon sun. Little did I realize then, that it would turn out like this.
Wat Kanlayanamit
The golden necklace
Since my first visit to Wat Soi Thong I’ve been struck by the beautiful buildings in this neighborhood temple in the northern city limits of Bangkok. The structures live up to the name of the temple, “golden necklace”.
Krathongs galore
One of the most wonderful images of Bangkok is the sight of numerous lighted krathongs afloat on Loy Krathong night. But this is rarely possible on the Chao Phraya River owing to strong wind, current and splash from passing boats.
The candles on the krathongs are doused almost immediately and the krathongs just drift away. It’s only in inland waterways and ponds that you can catch this unforgettable image of Loy Krathong night in Bangkok.
Here’s one of the Bangkok photographs of the pond in Benchasiri Park on Loy Krathong night 24 November 2007.
Lighting up the dark waters
Old stamps
The old stamps at the 20th International Stamp Exhibition in Bangkok provided memorable photographs; images of “firsts” in the world, stamps commemorating momentous events, great men and women. Here’s an example.
Solot the first Thai stamp 1880
There’re more at Old stamps.
Unusual travel pictures
These Bangkok photographs capture some unusual and sometimes humorous scenes I’ve come across while moving around the city. Some of these travel pictures were taken by sheer chance.
The boat temple
Wat Yannawa is one of those wats in Bangkok with a very unusual structure, in the shape of a Chinese junk. Here’s a photograph feature of this Bangkok temple.
Wat Yannawa – the boat temple
A most undoggish sleeping posture
While rushing along Ploenchit Road one afternoon, I couldn’t help notice this doggie on his back with all his paws up in the air. At first I thought he was just scratching his back. On a second look, I noticed that he was fast asleep!
Taking a dog nap
That was until a passerby whistled and woke doggie up from his slumber. From his annoyed look, he probably thought I was the culprit. 
It wasn’t me
This old tree almost wrapped round a lamp post is located opposite the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel near the Si Phraya pier.
I wonder what came up first; the tree or the lamp post?
Any tree experts care to venture an estimate?
What came first?
Fancy sleeping on a bed like this?
For highly unusual beds, nothing beats the ones in the Siam Society Hotel and Resort. Here’s a sample of a bed on a boat in an actual pond in one of the rooms. Wait till you see the bed on a tuk tuk and the one in a full-sized Muay Thai boxing ring!!
Water bed?
Bangkok photographs feature a selection of travel pictures and images of Bangkok taken as I traveled around the city. There are more to come.
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