Jan 02

Traffic Jam in 1950's Bangkok

By Richard Barrow Email

Friday 2nd January, 2009 | 160 words | Category: Old Photos of Thailand | 6 feedbacks »

These old black and white photos of Bangkok in 1950 were taken by Dmitri Kessel for Life magazine. This one is labelled as "traffic jam in Bangkok". It is interesting to look at these old photos. I think it helps you to understand Thai culture better if you can see what life was like for them in the past.

The rickshaws in these pictures are still around today. However, you will no longer see them in Bangkok. The samlors have been taken over by the motorized tuk tuks. Apparently samlors cause traffic jams and so you only see them these days in provincial towns. We have them still in Samut Prakan.

The way these guys are dressed, they are probably "Chinese coolies". This is the poor man's version of a samlor as they are pulled by hand. You don't see these any more. I don't know if they are still there, but I did ride one once in Calcutta in India.

Do you have any questions about Thailand? Maybe you are planning a holiday or just want to learn more about Thai culture. Have all of your questions answered for free at ThailandQA.com. These forums are part of the family friendly Paknam Web Network.

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Comment from: Nokky [Visitor]
Please keep going your good-quality weblog,sharing very interesting life experiences,doing noteworthy quality work,and giving something away kha.
02/01/09 @ 23:07
Comment from: Emerald [Visitor]
*****
this blog is WONDERFUL!!!!!!!
13/01/09 @ 01:35
Comment from: Jackie [Visitor]
*****
I will second that. It is good to have a blog about Thailand that doesn't resort to writing about bar girls or night clubs. We are not all sex tourists!
13/01/09 @ 08:19
Comment from: Tim [Visitor] Email
*****
awesome pictures! do you have more?
16/06/09 @ 02:05
Comment from: i will support you [Visitor]
*****
its a good idea to intoduce the thailand in 1950.
17/07/09 @ 21:05
Comment from: Find Bangkok Hotels [Visitor] · http://www.modernthailand.com/bangkok-hotels/
Must say " Bangkok is the center for a wide range of tourism: culture, boat travel, shopping, food,entertainment by day & by night. Bangkok is an enchanting colorful city that attracts many tourists. Each year many travelers from all over the world head to Bangkok for business and travel, especially in November through April which is the high season in Thailand."
07/09/09 @ 11:51

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