The Old Customs House
The former Customs House in Bang Rak, located on the Eastern bank of the Chao Phraya, was once the gateway to Thailand, levying taxes on traders moving in and out of the kingdom. It was designed by Austrian-Italian architect Joachim Grassi back in 1888 in a grand neo-classical style. It's inspiration came from the beautiful Palladian Villas that can be seen in Northern Italy’s countryside, so it certainly stands out amongst the local architecture in Bangkok, Thailand.
The Customs House is a prime example of the prevalent use of Western architecture in public buildings during Thailand's modernisation under the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V).
The building was, after customs moved to the port in Klong Toey in 1949, the location of the Bang Rak fire station. It also housed tenants who have been relocated in the past couple of years. It's been derelict since 2016 & is now development.
The Treasury Department confirmed in 2017 that the project to build an Aman Resorts hotel would go ahead under Natural Park's successor, the U City company.
If there is money to be made, there is no shame in demolishing history in Bangkok, which has seen numerous architectural landmarks & cultural venues torn down in recent years to make way for the consumerism that is so highly valued in contemporary society. The 'powers that be' in Bangkok tend to lean toward gentrification, e.g. tear down paradise, put up a parking lot (or more likely a shopping mall).
The last picture I took at the Customs House in 2015 during a portrait workshop. This stunning grand staircase is no longer accessible, I really hope that is spared or even refurbished during renovation, but I have my doubts...
Read MoreThe Customs House is a prime example of the prevalent use of Western architecture in public buildings during Thailand's modernisation under the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V).
The building was, after customs moved to the port in Klong Toey in 1949, the location of the Bang Rak fire station. It also housed tenants who have been relocated in the past couple of years. It's been derelict since 2016 & is now development.
The Treasury Department confirmed in 2017 that the project to build an Aman Resorts hotel would go ahead under Natural Park's successor, the U City company.
If there is money to be made, there is no shame in demolishing history in Bangkok, which has seen numerous architectural landmarks & cultural venues torn down in recent years to make way for the consumerism that is so highly valued in contemporary society. The 'powers that be' in Bangkok tend to lean toward gentrification, e.g. tear down paradise, put up a parking lot (or more likely a shopping mall).
The last picture I took at the Customs House in 2015 during a portrait workshop. This stunning grand staircase is no longer accessible, I really hope that is spared or even refurbished during renovation, but I have my doubts...
