During the reign of General Chao Phraya Chakkri, founder of the ruling Chakkri dynasty, Bangkok became the capital of Siam (as Thailand was known before). The new capital moved the court from the west to the east bank of the Chao Phraya River. The city became a popular destination for U.S. military personnel, increasing tourism. After World War II, Bangkok has grown at an unprecedented pace, which has caused problems with transportation, communication, housing, water supply, drainage, and pollution.
They modernized the Siamese public, and American influences molded Bangkok into an enchanting, charming, soft, sophisticated, relatively orderly but accommodating city. Throughout Thailand, rapid changes occurred from the 1950s on. A free-wheeling social scene and free enterprise in commerce dominated the day. The pleasure-loving, gracious and hospitable Siamese made it easy for Americans to thrive here.
Here are some fascinating vintage photos that will take you back to Bangkok in the 1950s.
A few of them you could say you took them last week and no one would bat an eye.
I was thinking that too. Like the street vendors along the road. The cock fighting pic too. Clothes are different but still the same.
As a child I rode on the electric trams with my older brothers. The one we rode was a 200m from our house and 400m from grandparents. I think they disappeared in the late 60’s or early 70’s. The truck buses were US surplus. Tons of old and newer surplus US military trucks, jeeps, and motorcycles were on the streets in the 60’s and early 70’s. Coke and Pepsi signs were everywhere, some very sexy.
Some observations:
Fab became so popular here it became the generic term for detergent.
That pin up over the American Magazine store would probably be even more controversial today than it was back then.
Until just a few years ago you could you could see those old Dodge trucks running around here. The first photo shows one being used as a bus and it says Federal on the bumper in Thai.
Sailboats for fishing disappeared many, many decades ago.
I would love to know where that Welcome to Bangkok sign was located.
Fab is now owned by P&G and becomes another brand name of Tide.
Reminds me of some of the old photos I saw when the short lived Patpong Museum opened just before COVID. A friend was hired as the curator and gave us a guided tour. Hard to believe it was a plantation.