Hua Lamphong (Bangkok Train Station): The history, the neighbourhood, the future

Hua Lamphong has about 3 weeks to go before it's closed down. Here's a look at the legendary station's past and future, plus a look at the local neighbourhood and working life at the station. The iconic station has been open for over 100 years and been the host of many happy, and sad, arrivals and departures. Please don't let it be another mall!

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[jeremyfielding]

So many memories of Hualamphong going back 30+ years. It will be missed.

[williamhartz]

In 15-20 years shopping malls will be closing up as they are in other Western countries. Keep the historical train station and put some boutique restaurants and convert part of it into a museum and outdoor park.

[colinsmith]

The most interesting report ever from the Thaiger.

[Geoffreyboucher]

Fantastic channel Pat has going on, really in-depth research and quality old footage of Siam..

[pslaw]

What a cool report! I hope to see more of history of Bangkok 😁

[mickvallantine]

Thanks Pat, with the news of things today that was a wonderful break.

[lauc]

During 15 years I travelled regularly 3 times a year from Butterworth, Malaysia to Hua Lampong. It was so pleasant trip, and a nice feeling arriving in Bangkok.

[richardwolter]

And it is so sad, that the majority of young people in Thailand, I had met during my time of teaching, are not interested at all, while I am watching this with a tear in my stomach. Since 1979 I had used this train station fifty times or more.

[williamcrossan]

Thank you PAT!
I love these in depth historical segments.

[ivanalvarez]

I like your presentation, awesome video. I feel like I traveled back in time seeing the history of the Hua Lamphong train station. 🙏👍

[gary]

On my first trip to Thailand in 1976, I arrived at Hua Lampung Station from Malaysia. I complained to the station staff that I had paid for a sleeper, but I had to sit up the entire journey. Months later, a $US2 cheque arrived at my Australian address. I was impressed by the honesty of Thai railway staff.

I stayed nearby at the infamous Thai Song Greet Hotel for 25 Baht a night. This hotel is now closed. I think this hotel was copied for the Bangkok hotel used in the film "The Beach". The hotel was so bad, I moved after one night to the Station Hotel for 50 Baht a night.

In 1976 Khaosarn Road was not the backpacker centre, it later became. The area around Hua Lampung Station had that distinction.

[gerd]

Another captivating video of you Pat. A masterpiece of balancing the past, the present and the presumably sad future. A shiny addition to your clip from a few months ago. Each of your videos has something particularly valuable that draws me into your story. I would like to expressly thank you for this and look forward to more episodes. Greetings from Sattahip - Gerd 🌈🍀💖🌴🌈

[stephenmason]

The most engaging Thai vlogger (nevermind Bangkok) on Youtube. Another fascinating video Pat. I remember catching the train to the Thai town that borders Poipet Cambodia, 5 - 6 hour journey, 3rd class trains only, and all for around £1

[phillange]

Thank you for this thoughtful, evocative video essay. You showed us what the station has meant to the people over the years. You have a gift for incisive analysis... ... if they destroy the beauty of Hua Lamphong and leave the Brutalist buildings standing... a crime.. I found your site due to an article in the BBC on this remarkable train station, so glad I saw your work. (I subscribed.)

[gertdrok]

Thanks again Pat. See you on your channel. 🙏

[marcp]

I love this train station. Regularly (before COVID) would travel down to Hua Hin and would eat at the restraunts across the road.

[saiprom]

Thank you for sharing, the history of Houlampone Station 🚉, it’s very interesting and it’s would be sad if it’s tuned into the mall or plaza, I love that place, every time I visit Thailand I would go there to look at historic and use the train to travel to the other part of the country, I always feel so proud and happy with historical about Thailand, if they would build the mall and still connect to train station and keep historical the same like in New York city rains station that would be cool to see too

[allanbeesey]

this should be used in a campaign to save the station for heritage purposes, well done.

[GypsyVictorious]

Aw :(. I loved Hua Lamphong. Whenever I would visit Thailand, I'd take the train from the airport to Hua Lamphong. I went to Chiang Mai and Cambodia, both from HL. So much nostalgia!

[masajo]

Your History Lessons are always awesome. Thank you.