I think I understand why some foreigners want Thailand to be like what it was 2-3 decades ago ,because they don’t live in the country ,they just came here to visit not to live. Some people say that Bangkok is starting to looks like just another “developed” city but for Bangkok citizens it is a good thing that they can finally live in a somewhat decent life not in an old dirty crumbling city. No one who lives in Bangkok would want it to be like what it was 20 years ago.
Bangkok Pat delivers once again another stellar episode! I have very fond memories of the Dusit Thani Hotel as the top management hosted the “1995 DePaul University Southeast Asia Business Study Tour,” in which I was a student member. My father was the professor who led a group of 22 MBA candidates as well as a few undergraduates. Anyway, the Dusit Thani hosted my fathers annual study tour (from Chicago to Thailand to study business practices) for nearly twenty years in-a-row! Those employees and management were awesome. This was a great episode!
The shock I felt January last year 2020 (just a month before the CoVid pandemic fiasco) when getting off at Silom’s Salaedang MRT/BTS--the Dusit Thani hotel was gone! Crazy to think that December 2018 would be my first but sadly also the last time I would enjoy the beauty of its amazing landscape -with the bonus of also seeing 80+ of the world’s most beautiful women who were all housed in this beautiful hotel. (I was the appointed sibling escort of a senior citizen former beauty queen who got invited to take part in the 2018 Miss Universe pageant in Bangkok). Now I feel sad thinking about those beautiful marble bathrooms, topnotch wood-carved bed board, the view of Lumpini Park from our room--and the sumptuous buffet meals of both Western and Thai food. I’m sure the new building will be just another high rise equipped with the latest tech gizmo, thus, wiping away any sign of “Thainess”that we all wish to forever hold into. You are very lucky for staying in this hotel for so many times. Wish it was for me, too!
I'm in my 70s, started my life with Thailand at 20 years old. The Thailand I knew is long gone as is the rest of the world. My memories go back to 1970 when Thanom was prime minister and living in a village on the outskirts of town which only had power when they turned on the generator. My place had no power at all. I listened to local stations on a Tanin D-cell radio. I had a cooler that the mom and pop store would keep iced and full of drinks while I was at work. No doors to lock or windows to close, the village was home so there was always family around...where can I go to relive that?
Wow, it's good to listen to someone on the Thaiger that knows Bangkok/ Thailand. I'll start off with one place that Pat would know, the "Old Thermae" and if you used to go there you've done well to be here today. The real rot set in a few years ago when the "Boys" knocked down "Cheap Charlies" on Soi 11, then carried on destroying every farang haunt all the way from Soi 1 right up to the Onnut beer garden..... They're trying to work out now how to destroy Cowboy and Nana at the moment, but I think the BIB might have a say in that one...... They've totally destroyed the atmosphere in Bangkok that attracted millions to one of the most popular tourist cities in the world, and now they're trying to sell it as a tourist destination, absolute lunacy, the place is now competing with Singapore for sterility...... It's hard to believe that this lot took over one of the best money-making operations in the world that never closed 24/7, and within a few years they've destroyed the lot..... Now all the mincers are coming out saying, Oh I don't drink, and I don't go to bars, and I'm in bed by ten, and everything's wonderful for me....... Get a life, if that's what people want, then Milton Keynes is where you should be...... "One night in Bangkok" used to be one of the best nights out in the world, now look at the mess it's in ...... It reminds me of an old haunt of mine years ago, the "Malaysia Hotel", when it used to be full on mayhem and fun into the early hours of the morning, now it's been turned into a very dubious club for the light in the loafers misery mongers and righteous crew...... just like Bangkok/Thailand...... It's sad what's happened........ Rant over, you missed the boat boys.....
Well produced and presented video as always Pat. Best of luck with your association with the Thaiger network. You will bring a positive addition to their programming.
Really great Special! Love the information and the historical facts and images. It's nice to understand Thailand today from Thailand back in the days. Really good presenter and overall great production! 👍
Every big city changes every 10 years significantly. I am coming to Bkk since 1985 and oh yes the warm and humid jungle has changed a lot. A lot more modern buildings. Better venues. Still a fascinating big city. Thai people are still very polite at least the majority. The prices are higher every year, that's absolutely negative.
Yes Bangkok is completely different from 25 years ago when I first went there unfortunately it’s sold out to the dollar but you cannot expect it to stay the same as the whole world changes. You will never get the 25 year old Bangkok back again that’s a great shame but it’s also a reality
Lived in Bangkok for 15 years till 2020 and very sad to see so many iconic buildings destroyed to build lifeless clones of glass towers with no soul. I was exceptionally furious to see the Dusit in Silo go to ground .. For a city with fewer and fewer places of history, the Dusit was a hotel my father used to stay in decades ago as it was one of the few hotels to accommodate airline staff, whil being the tallest building in Thailand. Gone now to create another shapeless box. I understand that the city needs to modernize but like the Siam intercontinental went down and filling the whole place with a cox, there are less places where your eye can stretch without being blocked by a mall.... The Lido, etc.. These places should be protected
Great work Pat. You are a gem for the Thaiger channel. 10 fold+ content quality, delivery and flow.. Good luck with all your future projects. Next stop, the top😍
Thank you so much for this trip down memory lane. I first stayed in the Siam Intercontinental Hotel in 1989 as it was the crew hotel at the time and enjoyed many a good time there. Very sad when it went but I'm still standing as crew 32 years later and look forward to getting back to BKK soon.
My first trip to Thailand was 18 years ago. I've now lived here the past 7 years. All of Thailand has lost some of its "charm". I'm sure there are those that go back much further than me, who notice the changes much, much more.
100% agreed, Thailand is Thailand, from what I've seen and experienced there it's very Thai. With that said I'm sure the CCP would love to destroy the country one day.
I bought a couple of dress shirts at Robinsons in 1990. You couldn't try on clothes, but you could return anything that didn't fit. After I paid, a young woman ironed them by hand and put them on coat hangers.
I am loving Bangkok Pat coming on this channel, his channel is awesome and deserves way more sub for the amount of effort he puts into each and every video.
Well, what to say? Even before the pandemic, the amazing place was already seemed to have losing out its charming gradually. 😢 The most obvious part felt was the friendliness and smiles of the people there are getting less and lesser. Another good piece from Bangkok Pat 👏🏼👏🏼 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Pat, mate,honestly that was one of the best videos I've watched about Thailand in a long time... no mention of a single bar girl and still I was watching until the very end, really good video well done...👍
I’ve been traveling to to Thailand for years, I seen BKK change with time, but it has lost its exotic look to became just like any other western city. There are small towns around Bangkok that still have that slow relaxing type of life that I really enjoy and I rather stay now.
You should be heading for headier heights, your reporting style and in-depth knowledge and research shows. CNN, CNA, and Al Jazeera look out, he's good👍👍👍👍
A lot people dislike modernization n progress…it is maybe better living for local Thais., but in the eyes of outsiders, they love the old charm which always means cheap goods n services, The outsiders want the old Krabi to be so rural and isolated from other tourists, best yet, the entire sandy beaches are reserved for the a very limited ones. When resorts n hotels moved in and brought jobs n prosperity to the local. They complaint that Krabi lost it’s old charm. So I don’t know the answer either. If I were Thai parents, I would like progress where my kids can swim in the pool with all the farangs, not just selling coconuts on the beach.
Hi Pat - good to see you on here. I really don't want to be an *rse, hoping I can comment without doing so! I understand your opinion - and you make it often. I find the juxtaposition of old and new just as thrilling. I'd love to see positive side of Bangkok from you - one that doesn't bemoan the loss of places and things - perhaps something that shows how you appreciate the changes (or dare I say improvements) that have been made to Bangkok and its inhabitants - if not just for balance. Hope I didn't insult! Just looking for more positive content from you to watch. Thanks for your contributions!
Another wonderfully researched effort from Bangkok Pat I really appreciate the “then and now “ pics. What would a Bangkok Pat video be without music references or cats ? I had no idea Combat Rock cover was taken there but some songs on the album are incredibly appropriate and timely :-) Thank you once again for the insight :-)
Ya, I am an "old timer" and have been coming to Thailand for over 20years. When I first started coming to Thailand is was the "land of Smiles" or LOS, but that is not the case now. The openness of the Thai culture has been largely eroded away by the Military Junta Government and their 1960's communist thinking. Back 20 or even 10 years ago, Thailand (Bangkok) was a lovely mix of old (good for everyone) and the new (places for the tourists to stay). You could stay in a nice hotel at a good rate and venture out and see the "old" Thai charm, and not just a show but real Thai life and be apart of it. The golden rule was .... smile, be respectful & pay your bill .... and if you did, everything was ok and you could have a great time. Western style shopping malls & poorly designed "western style living" condos are the only thing that seems to be growing now. Everything else is dying away and a meanness is setting in.
'Old timer?' I lived there for 32 years and things changed when they started to build the Sky Train and companies decided to rebuild to match the 'new cement' being shown off all around Bangkok, especially Sukhumvit. In those days it used to sometimes take 3 hours to drive from Bangna to the landmark hotel!
@@BrianCRPG well ... I am over 60yo now, an old timer to most, 20 years Thailand experience & I lived there 2014-2017.... so, I think I can claim that status. The BTS is good, without it, Bkk at least, is not navigable. Seems every time I come back, a Mum&Dad restaurant I like to eat at has been closed and more and more attractions fall to the "dual pricing" arse holes. It's not my LOS anymore. I do plan a trip early next year, maybe my last, let's see.
Great video! I agree that Bangkok has changed since I first moved to Thailand in 2001. Much more Western influence has taken over in the business sector and attitudes of the people. I thought Bangkok was the greatest city to live in but in 2014 I moved. I'm still in Thailand and I do not miss Bangkok. I have had to go there a few times in the past year and it's not the same.
The ugly BTS destroyed the view and sights of prominent roads being placed in the center of main roads. It WAS a beautiful walk from Siam Square roundabout to either Silom or Nana area. Now massive towers combined with the BTS blocks view as well as made a traffic mess as well as open sidewalks now crammed with street vendors leaving no room to walk, as well as motorcycles using them as roads.
I've had a 20 yr affair with Bangkok (& Thailand) . I still visit, but It has lost a little of "something", call it Thai-ness or charm, although you said it more eloquently? It's a big city but now it looks like many other big cities (i.e. New York, Tokyo, San Francisco). How many malls? How many luxury condos? I guess there are still some of what we reminisce about but now you have seek it out if you want to find it. The historical perspective of your vlogs is great, looking forward to more, on The Thaiger or Bangkok Pat
It's the development of modern culture and civilization. All countries lose some of traditional charms and history. Although people need to understand that Thailand is much more than it's more known tourist areas.
Totally agree. Americans no longer ride horses, but we are still American. Modernization is not the same as Westernization. I remember when I was 23 in 1987 at A&W in Siam Square, endless charm when Chula let out or earlier at lunch time. There is still plenty of charm in the city. Many people who complain are actually more concerned that Bangkok is no longer poor and backward, and their money does not go as far, and they no longer hold the same status as they once did. Swensen's single scoop was 10 baht. Now it is 65 baht. Most other things have increased to about four times.
@bangkokpat what a great vlog. Can see you doing more vlogs for the Thaiger. Unfortunately no where stays the same. Hopefully there will still be some pockets of the old things we use to love and know. !!!!!! The scala cinema is such a shame . I wish a someone millions would buy it and restored it .
It's a shame the Thai authorities haven't found a way to incorporate those historical sites into the new developments. I think it's a lost opportunity to preserve such landmarks, which have become well known to tourists and locals alike over the years.
It's a pity you didn't mention Washington Square or all the other bar areas that have been shut down since 2000. More than 150 bars and other types of venue if you added them all up.
Thanks Pat - I don't think you're capable of making a poor video! I have that Clash album on Vinyl btw :) Quite sad to see some of the old buildings gone or going.
It has become another almost indistinguishable Western branded city that you can see in hundreds of other cities these days. Same with the top tourist destinations. But, head into rural Thailand and here you find real Thailand. It must be said that some developments are advantageous. For example, many cities have replaced their ugly waterfront shipping ports and power plants with public areas, improved the ability to travel around the cities, added public utilities. The glorious olden days were also in many cases dark, smelly, dirty, ugly, areas that were hard to get to, and often flooded.
@@clivebaxter6354 Haven't been there since covid. They still in business? A great American Breakfast for 65 Baht. Was there in the old days when you had to wait for a chair at the counter. Very interesting group there in the morning. Great times!
As always a very good documentary from Pat. Well done. Since I visit Bangkok first time Iin 2011 the city change dramatically. I think the goal of the bkk government is to build a "Singapore 2" and so the old feel of Bangkok will be gone in the next 10-15 years
Great information. Sadly Bangkok has jettisoned much of it's unique history. Thank god Chiang Mai has shown greater deference to its heritage with most of the old city's architecture still intact. There's a lesson to be learned here.
In the year, 2000. I first went there. Renting a flat, Called, Grand Living Place., Right under the flight path to, Don Muang where there was an, old wooden sign, saying. Welcome To The Land of Smiles. Nowadays here from, Leeds.14. I send the kindest of, Wishes. You have ever imagined. Thanks.
We're often working to time limits, sometimes it's handy to have the pause button handy. But I will keep it in mind for the next videos. Thanks for politely pointing that out!
Great content and well researched, O liked the historical pictures in contrat with the new; yes, the transitions are a tad too fast; good contend I'm any event. Thank you.
Great Video and i love the nostalgia. It is rare to get this these days, please keep it up... im comming to Bkk .. i will be doing youtube, hope its as good as yours
One thing as got much better - it is possible to cross a road without people try to hit You, also transportation is better and do not have to bargain with taxi drivers. Can use also BTS that goes to much more places.
Bangkok Pat has the best history telling of Bangkok. Wish he would be here more often. He is the very best, see you soon again, and thanks for sharing. I have been there in 1968, wish you would show some places during that time and thanks.
I really miss the old face of Siam square,,it’s was a great place back then now I got lost in the place because it’s so big and all you can see is building after building,, I miss the garden and the green
I agree with you. It is so sad when governments don’t fully develop mass transit links with airports. Is there still hope that Thailand will do so in the future?
The government just started to deliver lands for CP to built a High-speed rail linking 3 airports. They said that the EEC High-speed train will open in 2026.
So privileged to have come to Bangkok first 35 years ago when it was truely amazing will always hold those memories dear , Vietnam should be visited now as that soon will also lose its charm
Is Bangkok losing its Thai charm? It would definitely if it remained the same! Nietzsche said: "The snake that does not cast its skin is to die!". And as far as I know, correct me if I am wrong, snakes are not seen as evil in Buddhism as they are in Christianity (what animals are not seen as evil in the Bible, except sheep and lambs??). And as far as I know, correct me if I am wrong, people in Bangkok are mostly Buddhist. Actually, I think on the contrary, Bangkok does keep its charm through changing. Notice that the snake only casts its skin, but keeps its bones, muscles, eyes, tongue : as long as Bangkok casts its old slums and its ugly 1960s-Corbusier-like buildings while keeping its ancient buildings and pagodas from Ancient Siam, where is the issue. Anyway, those building had never been designed to last over centuries like ancient palaces and pagodas have been. The Scala has been mentioned in this video; this building has been named after the _Teatro alla Scala_ in Milan: remember how _Maestro_ Riccardo Muti's 19-year-long reign brutally ended there? Everything has an end. Everything, except sausages that have two...
It's sad to hear Bully's is closed. That was my go to place for a nice meal and some billiards. I live in Khon Kaen and would frequent Bangkok regularly. Haven't been there since January 2020 due to COVID.
The growth in Bangkok has truly been a double-edged sword. Anyone who tried to get around the city before the BTS will surely appreciate the progress that brought some decent mass transit to areas of Bangkok, particularly the Sukhumvit area. Then again, the increased tourism has brought higher prices. Higher rents in many popular tourist areas has resulted in the closure of many independent dining and entertainment establishments and growth in big shopping centers and big condominium buildings. That has most definitely had a negative affect on the character of the surrounding neighborhoods. I find the people are still generally nice and hospitable, with a few exceptions in the very popular tourist areas where it seems we (tourists) have had a bad influence of some of the people. Now it seems that money is all that matters in some of those tourist areas. I still visit Thailand, and still enjoy it quite a bit. Of course, I have lots of friends there so that helps a lot.
The hot backpackers brought the charm. The ugly rich people came to where the backpackers went and they needed swimming pools and jacuzzi everywhere they go. Thailand forget that people just came to chase those hot backpacking Brits or Germans and the even hotter Scandinavians and French and Swiss travelers. Now they want to kick out these beautiful travelers which make millions of Chinese people visit Thailand. Thailand minus the Khaosarn Universe is like a body without a soul or a monk without his free meals.
That's good that you pointed that out, so I could have climbed over after all. But there are so many of those all on the surrounding wall, all about litter...
Bangkok lost its charm many years ago. In 10 years time, it will just be one long connected shopping mall .Absolute crying shame that the Scala has been knocked down.
That would be seen as progress, everytime they announce some new glossy project like a skyscraper or mall, they say ''it will attract tourists'' which I'm not sure about, maybe good for the lower end Chinese and Indians who buy into that theory. that these glossy buildings make the place look modern and rich, typical 3rd world mentality And of course none of the real issues are tackled like poverty, garbage on the streets and infrastructure. So it'd have to be one long mall connected by skywalks so nobody can see the real city. They can only paper over these cracks for so long. The city is already sinking under the weight.
I would say that Thailand in general has lost much of it's charm since I began visiting in the 1990's . not the Thais fault, just a result of the phonification, monetisation and general globalism which has taken place everywhere. Most places now feel like "everywhere" and the personal charm and openness of Thai society has largely gone. I guess that's progress.
Why is nothing ever the fault of the Thais? It is their country. And they certainly have no problem denying rights to farang, no problem having the courts up hold the discrimination of dual pricing, no problem keeping farang from owning land, no problem blaming COVID on dirty farang, no problem allowing police corruption… Thailand has lost face to the rest of the world. Yup, your greatest fear has come to pass. Deal with it.
I remember the Dusitaini in the 80's it had the best buffet in Bangkok, across the road there were German beer gardens . At one there was an orangutang and cockatoo , these middle-aged Germans would moan about the Thais all day, and watch the two animals annoy each other.
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I think I understand why some foreigners want Thailand to be like what it was 2-3 decades ago ,because they don’t live in the country ,they just came here to visit not to live. Some people say that Bangkok is starting to looks like just another “developed” city but for Bangkok citizens it is a good thing that they can finally live in a somewhat decent life not in an old dirty crumbling city.
No one who lives in Bangkok would want it to be like what it was 20 years ago.
I like this host especially. Very clear and polished presenter. More of him please.
Bangkok Pat is much more interesting and informative than Pattaya Pat.
^____^
By far the most knowledgeable presenter on the Thaiger
It’s Bangkok Pat, he’s a bonafide historian.
@Pat B hsve been since our first lockdown :-)
Bangkok Pat delivers once again another stellar episode! I have very fond memories of the Dusit Thani Hotel as the top management hosted the “1995 DePaul University Southeast Asia Business Study Tour,” in which I was a student member. My father was the professor who led a group of 22 MBA candidates as well as a few undergraduates. Anyway, the Dusit Thani hosted my fathers annual study tour (from Chicago to Thailand to study business practices) for nearly twenty years in-a-row! Those employees and management were awesome. This was a great episode!
The shock I felt January last year 2020 (just a month before the CoVid pandemic fiasco) when getting off at Silom’s Salaedang MRT/BTS--the Dusit Thani hotel was gone! Crazy to think that December 2018 would be my first but sadly also the last time I would enjoy the beauty of its amazing landscape -with the bonus of also seeing 80+ of the world’s most beautiful women who were all housed in this beautiful hotel. (I was the appointed sibling escort of a senior citizen former beauty queen who got invited to take part in the 2018 Miss Universe pageant in Bangkok). Now I feel sad thinking about those beautiful marble bathrooms, topnotch wood-carved bed board, the view of Lumpini Park from our room--and the sumptuous buffet meals of both Western and Thai food. I’m sure the new building will be just another high rise equipped with the latest tech gizmo, thus, wiping away any sign of “Thainess”that we all wish to forever hold into. You are very lucky for staying in this hotel for so many times. Wish it was for me, too!
Love the way, you bring back the history of Bangkok. Great work will follow you for more
Bangkok pat or bkk pat
I'm in my 70s, started my life with Thailand at 20 years old. The Thailand I knew is long gone as is the rest of the world. My memories go back to 1970 when Thanom was prime minister and living in a village on the outskirts of town which only had power when they turned on the generator. My place had no power at all. I listened to local stations on a Tanin D-cell radio. I had a cooler that the mom and pop store would keep iced and full of drinks while I was at work. No doors to lock or windows to close, the village was home so there was always family around...where can I go to relive that?
Bangkok is evolving beautifully. I've been coming back for 12 years, and I love it more every time.
Wow, it's good to listen to someone on the Thaiger that knows Bangkok/ Thailand. I'll start off with one place that Pat would know, the "Old Thermae" and if you used to go there you've done well to be here today. The real rot set in a few years ago when the "Boys" knocked down "Cheap Charlies" on Soi 11, then carried on destroying every farang haunt all the way from Soi 1 right up to the Onnut beer garden..... They're trying to work out now how to destroy Cowboy and Nana at the moment, but I think the BIB might have a say in that one...... They've totally destroyed the atmosphere in Bangkok that attracted millions to one of the most popular tourist cities in the world, and now they're trying to sell it as a tourist destination, absolute lunacy, the place is now competing with Singapore for sterility...... It's hard to believe that this lot took over one of the best money-making operations in the world that never closed 24/7, and within a few years they've destroyed the lot..... Now all the mincers are coming out saying, Oh I don't drink, and I don't go to bars, and I'm in bed by ten, and everything's wonderful for me....... Get a life, if that's what people want, then Milton Keynes is where you should be...... "One night in Bangkok" used to be one of the best nights out in the world, now look at the mess it's in ...... It reminds me of an old haunt of mine years ago, the "Malaysia Hotel", when it used to be full on mayhem and fun into the early hours of the morning, now it's been turned into a very dubious club for the light in the loafers misery mongers and righteous crew...... just like Bangkok/Thailand...... It's sad what's happened........ Rant over, you missed the boat boys.....
Well produced and presented video as always Pat. Best of luck with your association with the Thaiger network. You will bring a positive addition to their programming.
cool perspective, Bangkok Pat is terrific addition to Thaiger channel!
Really great Special! Love the information and the historical facts and images. It's nice to understand Thailand today from Thailand back in the days. Really good presenter and overall great production! 👍
Love this series. Very informative and interesting!
Yes!
One of the best videos “Thaiger” uploaded so far.
Every big city changes every 10 years significantly. I am coming to Bkk since 1985 and oh yes the warm and humid jungle has changed a lot. A lot more modern buildings. Better venues. Still a fascinating big city. Thai people are still very polite at least the majority. The prices are higher every year, that's absolutely negative.
I loved this series on "The Thaiger" channel. It gives a brief insight of, what Bangkok was earlier.
The host is awesome.
Keep up the good work 👍
Yes Bangkok is completely different from 25 years ago when I first went there unfortunately it’s sold out to the dollar but you cannot expect it to stay the same as the whole world changes. You will never get the 25 year old Bangkok back again that’s a great shame but it’s also a reality
Lived in Bangkok for 15 years till 2020 and very sad to see so many iconic buildings destroyed to build lifeless clones of glass towers with no soul. I was exceptionally furious to see the Dusit in Silo go to ground .. For a city with fewer and fewer places of history, the Dusit was a hotel my father used to stay in decades ago as it was one of the few hotels to accommodate airline staff, whil being the tallest building in Thailand. Gone now to create another shapeless box. I understand that the city needs to modernize but like the Siam intercontinental went down and filling the whole place with a cox, there are less places where your eye can stretch without being blocked by a mall.... The Lido, etc.. These places should be protected
I really enjoy these calm well researched glimpses into a side of Thailand I definitely would not see if it wasn't for your videos. Excellent work. 👍
Great work Pat. You are a gem for the Thaiger channel. 10 fold+ content quality, delivery and flow.. Good luck with all your future projects. Next stop, the top😍
Thank you so much for this trip down memory lane. I first stayed in the Siam Intercontinental Hotel in 1989 as it was the crew hotel at the time and enjoyed many a good time there. Very sad when it went but I'm still standing as crew 32 years later and look forward to getting back to BKK soon.
My first trip to Thailand was 18 years ago. I've now lived here the past 7 years. All of Thailand has lost some of its "charm". I'm sure there are those that go back much further than me, who notice the changes much, much more.
been going to BKK since 1980 and have to say "Change is good my friend"
100% agreed, Thailand is Thailand, from what I've seen and experienced there it's very Thai. With that said I'm sure the CCP would love to destroy the country one day.
Just what bkk needs, more shopping malls and gyms. So sad to see the changes. Thailand trying to be like the USA but it should be more like Thailand.
I bought a couple of dress shirts at Robinsons in 1990. You couldn't try on clothes, but you could return anything that didn't fit. After I paid, a young woman ironed them by hand and put them on coat hangers.
Really enjoying the clear insights - fab!
I am loving Bangkok Pat coming on this channel, his channel is awesome and deserves way more sub for the amount of effort he puts into each and every video.
Well, what to say? Even before the pandemic, the amazing place was already seemed to have losing out its charming gradually. 😢 The most obvious part felt was the friendliness and smiles of the people there are getting less and lesser.
Another good piece from Bangkok Pat 👏🏼👏🏼 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Farangs are not special anymore in BKK or other tourist area's. Up north of way down south is amazing. Really. :)
Pat does a great job of reviewing the history of many Bangkok neighborhoods. I always learn new facts regarding Thailand's history.
Fascinating. Great footage.
I love this series, thank you Pat!
Great Video! just subscribed to Pat and going to binge-watch all his videos this weekend.
Pat, mate,honestly that was one of the best videos I've watched about Thailand in a long time... no mention of a single bar girl and still I was watching until the very end, really good video well done...👍
Love the insights from Bangkok Pat! He’s great at this! 😎
Bangkok can never ve tha same before since the former king passed. Nothing is the same anymore!
I first roamed around Thailand in 1983. Yes, it's changed a lot. Some nice, some - well, I guess its the price of development.
Yes I roamed around Thailand that year too but mostly in the south and north not too much in bkk.
I’ve been traveling to to Thailand for years, I seen BKK change with time, but it has lost its exotic look to became just like any other western city.
There are small towns around Bangkok that still have that slow relaxing type of life that I really enjoy and I rather stay now.
You should be heading for headier heights, your reporting style and in-depth knowledge and research shows. CNN, CNA, and Al Jazeera look out, he's good👍👍👍👍
A lot people dislike modernization n progress…it is maybe better living for local Thais., but in the eyes of outsiders, they love the old charm which always means cheap goods n services, The outsiders want the old Krabi to be so rural and isolated from other tourists, best yet, the entire sandy beaches are reserved for the a very limited ones. When resorts n hotels moved in and brought jobs n prosperity to the local. They complaint that Krabi lost it’s old charm. So I don’t know the answer either. If I were Thai parents, I would like progress where my kids can swim in the pool with all the farangs, not just selling coconuts on the beach.
Awesome documentary great work
Hi Pat - good to see you on here. I really don't want to be an *rse, hoping I can comment without doing so! I understand your opinion - and you make it often. I find the juxtaposition of old and new just as thrilling. I'd love to see positive side of Bangkok from you - one that doesn't bemoan the loss of places and things - perhaps something that shows how you appreciate the changes (or dare I say improvements) that have been made to Bangkok and its inhabitants - if not just for balance. Hope I didn't insult! Just looking for more positive content from you to watch. Thanks for your contributions!
Another wonderfully researched effort from Bangkok Pat
I really appreciate the “then and now “ pics.
What would a Bangkok Pat video be without music references or cats ?
I had no idea Combat Rock cover was taken there but some songs on the album are incredibly appropriate and timely :-)
Thank you once again for the insight :-)
Ya, I am an "old timer" and have been coming to Thailand for over 20years. When I first started coming to Thailand is was the "land of Smiles" or LOS, but that is not the case now. The openness of the Thai culture has been largely eroded away by the Military Junta Government and their 1960's communist thinking. Back 20 or even 10 years ago, Thailand (Bangkok) was a lovely mix of old (good for everyone) and the new (places for the tourists to stay). You could stay in a nice hotel at a good rate and venture out and see the "old" Thai charm, and not just a show but real Thai life and be apart of it. The golden rule was .... smile, be respectful & pay your bill .... and if you did, everything was ok and you could have a great time. Western style shopping malls & poorly designed "western style living" condos are the only thing that seems to be growing now. Everything else is dying away and a meanness is setting in.
'Old timer?' I lived there for 32 years and things changed when they started to build the Sky Train and companies decided to rebuild to match the 'new cement' being shown off all around Bangkok, especially Sukhumvit. In those days it used to sometimes take 3 hours to drive from Bangna to the landmark hotel!
@@BrianCRPG well ... I am over 60yo now, an old timer to most, 20 years Thailand experience & I lived there 2014-2017.... so, I think I can claim that status. The BTS is good, without it, Bkk at least, is not navigable. Seems every time I come back, a Mum&Dad restaurant I like to eat at has been closed and more and more attractions fall to the "dual pricing" arse holes. It's not my LOS anymore. I do plan a trip early next year, maybe my last, let's see.
@@MrTallpoppy58 Wish I was 60 now, one of the joys of living in Thailand for so long is that I'm now 77 lol
@@BrianCRPG "a joy" is being 77yo ? For me 63 sucks .... give me 36 any day.
Too good for the Thaiger - found your channel and subscribed.
Sadly it's not just Bangkok, I moved here 11 years ago because London has very few Londoners left and has most certainly lost all of IT'S charm.
Great video! I agree that Bangkok has changed since I first moved to Thailand in 2001. Much more Western influence has taken over in the business sector and attitudes of the people. I thought Bangkok was the greatest city to live in but in 2014 I moved. I'm still in Thailand and I do not miss Bangkok. I have had to go there a few times in the past year and it's not the same.
Modernising & becoming expensive due to high tourism over the past 20 years
The ugly BTS destroyed the view and sights of prominent roads being placed in the center of main roads. It WAS a beautiful walk from Siam Square roundabout to either Silom or Nana area. Now massive towers combined with the BTS blocks view as well as made a traffic mess as well as open sidewalks now crammed with street vendors leaving no room to walk, as well as motorcycles using them as roads.
@Tawan Paradize in 72 73 75 many lady boys all over in Thailand, nothing new
I've had a 20 yr affair with Bangkok (& Thailand) . I still visit, but It has lost a little of "something", call it Thai-ness or charm, although you said it more eloquently? It's a big city but now it looks like many other big cities (i.e. New York, Tokyo, San Francisco). How many malls? How many luxury condos? I guess there are still some of what we reminisce about but now you have seek it out if you want to find it. The historical perspective of your vlogs is great, looking forward to more, on The Thaiger or Bangkok Pat
It's the development of modern culture and civilization. All countries lose some of traditional charms and history. Although people need to understand that Thailand is much more than it's more known tourist areas.
Totally agree. Americans no longer ride horses, but we are still American. Modernization is not the same as Westernization. I remember when I was 23 in 1987 at A&W in Siam Square, endless charm when Chula let out or earlier at lunch time. There is still plenty of charm in the city. Many people who complain are actually more concerned that Bangkok is no longer poor and backward, and their money does not go as far, and they no longer hold the same status as they once did. Swensen's single scoop was 10 baht. Now it is 65 baht. Most other things have increased to about four times.
Is Bangkok losing its Thai charm? *YES!*
First went to Bangkok 1980 and over a hundred times singe, wild and wonderful then, but i don't go any more I prefer to live on my memories.
Very well presented sir. Easy to watch.
@bangkokpat what a great vlog. Can see you doing more vlogs for the Thaiger. Unfortunately no where stays the same. Hopefully there will still be some pockets of the old things we use to love and know. !!!!!! The scala cinema is such a shame . I wish a someone millions would buy it and restored it .
It's a shame the Thai authorities haven't found a way to incorporate those historical sites into the new developments. I think it's a lost opportunity to preserve such landmarks, which have become well known to tourists and locals alike over the years.
I am just doing a ramble through Petes past. Such good quality stuff.
Once again, very enjoyable and informative.
It's a pity you didn't mention Washington Square or all the other bar areas that have been shut down since 2000. More than 150 bars and other types of venue if you added them all up.
Now do a video with all the authentic cultural Thai neighborhoods still a huge part of Bangkok.
@@clivebaxter6354 I stand corrected. I will look it up and I look forward to watching.
Thanks Pat - I don't think you're capable of making a poor video! I have that Clash album on Vinyl btw :)
Quite sad to see some of the old buildings gone or going.
It has become another almost indistinguishable Western branded city that you can see in hundreds of other cities these days. Same with the top tourist destinations. But, head into rural Thailand and here you find real Thailand.
It must be said that some developments are advantageous. For example, many cities have replaced their ugly waterfront shipping ports and power plants with public areas, improved the ability to travel around the cities, added public utilities. The glorious olden days were also in many cases dark, smelly, dirty, ugly, areas that were hard to get to, and often flooded.
Excellent well done. Thank you
Love Foodland & the breakfast at Took Lae Dee. Alway stop there during the last 25 years have been visiting BKK
@@clivebaxter6354 Haven't been there since covid. They still in business? A great American Breakfast for 65 Baht. Was there in the old days when you had to wait for a chair at the counter. Very interesting group there in the morning. Great times!
As always a very good documentary from Pat. Well done. Since I visit Bangkok first time Iin 2011 the city change dramatically. I think the goal of the bkk government is to build a "Singapore 2" and so the old feel of Bangkok will be gone in the next 10-15 years
2:45 Oh damned 😞 I am really disappointe now. had a plan to visit Scala cinema, it was on my bucket list.
in the early 80's the Scala and the Lido were the only cinema's in Thailand showing English sound track films!
Wow! The Clash took a photoshoot here at Makkasan?! That is one bit of tidbit nugget here!!!
is one of the things I most enjoy about being in Bangkok. The old mixed with the new. now it's looking like any old city, no charm.
Great information. Sadly Bangkok has jettisoned much of it's unique history. Thank god Chiang Mai has shown greater deference to its heritage with most of the old city's architecture still intact. There's a lesson to be learned here.
Well put together video.
In the year, 2000.
I first went there.
Renting a flat,
Called, Grand Living Place.,
Right under the flight path to,
Don Muang where there was an,
old wooden sign, saying.
Welcome To The Land of Smiles.
Nowadays here from, Leeds.14.
I send the kindest of, Wishes.
You have ever imagined. Thanks.
Good video with substance but the images change too quickly before you can read the descriptions.
We're often working to time limits, sometimes it's handy to have the pause button handy. But I will keep it in mind for the next videos. Thanks for politely pointing that out!
Great content and well researched, O liked the historical pictures in contrat with the new; yes, the transitions are a tad too fast; good contend I'm any event. Thank you.
Pat, your videos are amazing. Thank you.
Oh I loved to learn about Bangkok’s past I’m subscribing to your channel now.
Thank you
This guy and this kind of video is great.
Great Video and i love the nostalgia. It is rare to get this these days, please keep it up... im comming to Bkk .. i will be doing youtube, hope its as good as yours
Great series. Why is Pat's voice so familiar?
One thing as got much better - it is possible to cross a road without people try to hit You, also transportation is better and do not have to bargain with taxi drivers. Can use also BTS that goes to much more places.
Pat's links arent working. Can you repost?
If you’re having a problem, just search for Bangkok Pay on TH-cam
His channel is Bangkok Pat
@@TheThaiger not Bangkok Pay
Bangkok Pat has the best history telling of Bangkok. Wish he would be here more often. He is the very best, see you soon again, and thanks for sharing. I have been there in 1968, wish you would show some places during that time and thanks.
I really miss the old face of Siam square,,it’s was a great place back then now I got lost in the place because it’s so big and all you can see is building after building,, I miss the garden and the green
I agree with you. It is so sad when governments don’t fully develop mass transit links with airports. Is there still hope that Thailand will do so in the future?
The government just started to deliver lands for CP to built a High-speed rail linking 3 airports. They said that the EEC High-speed train will open in 2026.
@Bangkok Pat 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
So privileged to have come to Bangkok first 35 years ago when it was truely amazing will always hold those memories dear , Vietnam should be visited now as that soon will also lose its charm
Did Seoul or Tokyo lose their charms? Or Taipei? Things change and develop, one way or another.
Is Bangkok losing its Thai charm? It would definitely if it remained the same!
Nietzsche said: "The snake that does not cast its skin is to die!".
And as far as I know, correct me if I am wrong, snakes are not seen as evil in Buddhism as they are in Christianity (what animals are not seen as evil in the Bible, except sheep and lambs??).
And as far as I know, correct me if I am wrong, people in Bangkok are mostly Buddhist.
Actually, I think on the contrary, Bangkok does keep its charm through changing. Notice that the snake only casts its skin, but keeps its bones, muscles, eyes, tongue : as long as Bangkok casts its old slums and its ugly 1960s-Corbusier-like buildings while keeping its ancient buildings and pagodas from Ancient Siam, where is the issue. Anyway, those building had never been designed to last over centuries like ancient palaces and pagodas have been.
The Scala has been mentioned in this video; this building has been named after the _Teatro alla Scala_ in Milan: remember how _Maestro_ Riccardo Muti's 19-year-long reign brutally ended there?
Everything has an end. Everything, except sausages that have two...
It's sad to hear Bully's is closed. That was my go to place for a nice meal and some billiards. I live in Khon Kaen and would frequent Bangkok regularly. Haven't been there since January 2020 due to COVID.
Love these videos by big Pat
I used the lido and scala at least twice a week until they closed down . A great shame .
Love your videos and added your own channel asap! Thank you
I cannot find Pat’s TH-cam channel.
Yooo, this guy is fantastic.
The growth in Bangkok has truly been a double-edged sword. Anyone who tried to get around the city before the BTS will surely appreciate the progress that brought some decent mass transit to areas of Bangkok, particularly the Sukhumvit area. Then again, the increased tourism has brought higher prices. Higher rents in many popular tourist areas has resulted in the closure of many independent dining and entertainment establishments and growth in big shopping centers and big condominium buildings. That has most definitely had a negative affect on the character of the surrounding neighborhoods. I find the people are still generally nice and hospitable, with a few exceptions in the very popular tourist areas where it seems we (tourists) have had a bad influence of some of the people. Now it seems that money is all that matters in some of those tourist areas. I still visit Thailand, and still enjoy it quite a bit. Of course, I have lots of friends there so that helps a lot.
The hot backpackers brought the charm. The ugly rich people came to where the backpackers went and they needed swimming pools and jacuzzi everywhere they go. Thailand forget that people just came to chase those hot backpacking Brits or Germans and the even hotter Scandinavians and French and Swiss travelers. Now they want to kick out these beautiful travelers which make millions of Chinese people visit Thailand. Thailand minus the Khaosarn Universe is like a body without a soul or a monk without his free meals.
08:00 - it's actually a 2,000 baht fine for littering. Nothing about being off limits.
That's good that you pointed that out, so I could have climbed over after all. But there are so many of those all on the surrounding wall, all about litter...
Bangkok lost its charm many years ago. In 10 years time, it will just be one long connected shopping mall .Absolute crying shame that the Scala has been knocked down.
That would be seen as progress, everytime they announce some new glossy project like a skyscraper or mall, they say ''it will attract tourists'' which I'm not sure about, maybe good for the lower end Chinese and Indians who buy into that theory. that these glossy buildings make the place look modern and rich, typical 3rd world mentality
And of course none of the real issues are tackled like poverty, garbage on the streets and infrastructure. So it'd have to be one long mall connected by skywalks so nobody can see the real city. They can only paper over these cracks for so long. The city is already sinking under the weight.
so glad it changed from that
Great video Bangkok Pat.
I would say that Thailand in general has lost much of it's charm since I began visiting in the 1990's . not the Thais fault, just a result of the phonification, monetisation and general globalism which has taken place everywhere. Most places now feel like "everywhere" and the personal charm and openness of Thai society has largely gone. I guess that's progress.
Why is nothing ever the fault of the Thais? It is their country. And they certainly have no problem denying rights to farang, no problem having the courts up hold the discrimination of dual pricing, no problem keeping farang from owning land, no problem blaming COVID on dirty farang, no problem allowing police corruption… Thailand has lost face to the rest of the world. Yup, your greatest fear has come to pass. Deal with it.
Subbed to Bangkok Pat
Sometimes progress comes at a cost. Great job 👏
Good morning Thailand 🇹🇭 ☀️
I remember the Dusitaini in the 80's it had the best buffet in Bangkok, across the road there were German beer gardens . At one there was an orangutang and cockatoo , these middle-aged Germans would moan about the Thais all day, and watch the two animals annoy each other.
The Orangutang and Cokatoo are now MPs serving in the cabinet. The Germans moved to a new bar… conversation probably the same.
I remember the restaurant buffet but not the biergarten. I miss the one on Sukhumvit 23 near Soi Cowboy that roasted a pig every Friday night.
So even back in the 80s moaning about Asians is a German sport?
Nothing has changed about the old folks complaining about Thailand and never will
@@davidleeconnellys1027 40 years ago , there was a guy on every barstool crying about Thai bar girls doing them wrong. Should make up songs about it.
That’s so sad for me. My partner and I went on our first date in bully’s 10yrs ago. Don’t get into the centre of town much these days, I’m shocked 😢
I was there 2016 and 2018. It was mostly better and people just as nice. A few things were less good, but mostly ok.
The place is lively she their is nothing to loose,the market mixed with the city..