FAMOUS BUILDINGS - Old
Customs House Building |
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ศุลกสถาน |
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Address: |
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37 Charoen Krung Rd, Bang Rak, Bangkok |
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Known as: |
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Description: |
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The Age of Sail, in which international trade and naval warfare
were dominated by sailing ships, ensured that navigable
waterways were the veins of cities. In the late 19th century, as
Siam moved from a monopolized economy to one of free trade, King
Rama V (also known as King Chulalongkorn) commissioned the
construction of a custom house on the Chao Phraya riverfront in
historic Bangrak to levy taxes on traders entering and exiting
the country. Its function saw it become the gateway to Bangkok.
With such an important role, it is no wonder its design was
designed to stun viewers.
Now referred to as the Old
Customs House, this structure in the Creative District was
designed by an Italian architect Joachim Grassi in the late
1880s towards the turn of the century when Western influence on
public buildings was rather prevalent. The Old Customs House
grand façade and front door faced the river. Its Palladian
architecture is easily discernable from the top triangular
pediment embedded with a clock, windows with arched transoms,
and strong theme of symmetry. Unfortunately, the Old Customs
House had a few decades of life before shuttering its doors. The
customs office moved to Khlong Toei in the 1949. Since then, the
building has been decaying.
Today, one can visit the Old
Customs House to get a glimpse of its former glory. Though its
yellow paint is peeling, wooden floorboard and shutters are
rotting, and roof sections are collapsing, visitors can still
easily grasp its beauty at first sight. So much so that the
building has become a favorite setting for photo and movie
shoots. Its most notable cameo is in Wong Kar Wai’s In the Mood
for Love. |
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Province |
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Bangkok |
Direction: |
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District |
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Bang Rak |
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City |
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Comments: |
View from Chao Phraya boat |
Official Web: |
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Genre |
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Famous Buildings |
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Related links: |
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Best exposure |
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Afternoon |
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Rating |
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Opening time |
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n/a |
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Entry fee |
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Free |
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GPS : |
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13.72519, 100.51394 |
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