✅ VANISHING BANGKOK EP 1 | Why This City Will Never Be Cosmopolitan | The Scala Theatre & More 

Such an invaluable service. It would be quite something if you were officially recognized for your outstanding services to the Kingdom of Thailand.

The old Bangkok had so much charm. Thank so much for your tour of old and new.

The best Bangkok content by far. Thank you for documenting and sharing all these unique places and pieces of history.

Used to love the Scarla theatre the only place in Bangkok where hypothermia was a possibility😅.

I love your videos. They do not only give nice informations, but also the quiet still sequences with no talking are giving a peaceful feeling. And I love the quiet sequences with the rain and the rainy streets. And the cats.... 🙂

One of the best channels on Thailand/Bangkok. Everything said in here, is always well researched and documented, with excellent filming and narration. Thanks for your work!🙏🙏🙏

Another excellent presentation of how Bangkok has changed over the years. Pat takes us to places we never normally see and these records will become useful to historians in the coming years. Thanks Pat for these first class documentations of old and new Krungthep 👍👍👍👍👍

Thanks for the memories! My family used to live on Sukhumvit Rd, Soi 22, back in the late ‘60s. After our Sunday mass at Assumption Cathedral, near the Mandarin Oriental, we’d frequent Siam, Lido, and Scala. And all the Shaw Brothers flicks at the New Odean on Thanon Yaowarat in Chinatown! Came to the U.S. in ‘72. I’m now a sixty-something world traveler. Where has all the time gone?!!!

You do fantastic work preserving a record of historic Bangkok, Pat. The authorities need to understand that the lure of the city for visitors is its unique Thai character. Turning Bangkok into just another modern metropolis like Tokyo or Singapore is self-defeating. I look forward to part 2.

Seriously how many more shopping malls or high rise buildings with empty condos does Bangkok need

The classiest vlogger on Thailand by far I would say. Fascinating subject matter and a beautifully produced video. Very impressive! I love exploring Bangkok on foot and a few years ago before Covid found the Customs House while on an exploration of the area. I also remember going to an area like Makkasan in the late 90s to eat in a local restaurant with a friend of mine who lives in Bangkok and I remember expressing my surprise that an area full of wooden houses still existed downtown. He told me it was railway land and the inhabitants of the houses were employees of the railway. It was very similar to Makkasan however I cannot remember where it was and I believe it has since been developed. I think the comparison with London is interesting. One of the things that makes London such a great city is the mix of the old and modern. The Thais are throwing that legacy away with their worship of concrete and rampant overdevelopment. Unfortunately this mentality seems to be widespread in southeast Asia. It will not end well as Bangkok desperately needs the green lungs of areas like Makkasan to lessen the heat, humidity and pollution. I wonder if the surfeit of shopping mall development will soon reach a limit as they become unprofitable as there are too many of them. Malls like this seem to be dying now in the West due to the internet and an oversaturated market.

3:21 ... I had a lot of difficulties in that moment not to start dancing !!!!!

You are an amazing documentary producer and story teller. Those old photos of Bangkok are dearly missed

Jeez I love these videos on old Bangkok. Well done, Pat.

Another absolute Gem. Thank you Pat. I'm amazed the Scala Theatre didn't get Heritage status - what a beauty.

Lots of views at the Scala, but 'Ghost' has to be the most memorable. For a decade I think it was #1 in Thailand. Thanks, Pat.

Thanks for posting. I have been a regular visitor to Bangkok since 1979. I was there this year in February. One hotel which has not changed and let’s pray never will is the Atlanta Soi 2. Sadly on this occasion I did not meet any of the original staff many whom I have known since 79. It appears due to the covid shutdown many chose to retire. Back in the day the old Thermae was a lively meeting place with “stairway to heaven” on the juke box, sadly now just a pick up place. Another hotel I used to frequent The Rex Sukhumvit and the nearby Santisok Post office, both now gone with a new complex under construction to cover the entire block. The Sukhumvit crown was another favourite hotel, great atmosphere, I did not find it this time. One more memory the historic Erewan Hotel now replaced by the The Grand Hyatt

Great video, Pat. Yes, the old buildings had character but so did the people. I remember the early 2000s when I frequented Thai traditional restaurants and saw Thai waitresses wearing 'Chut Thai', the traditional wrap around clothing. This outfit is stunning and beautifully graces the female form. Unfortunately, it is rare to see this today. Don't get me wrong. Modernity is great with all its comforts and conveniences, but I miss the self-respect and integrity many Thais used to have when donning the 'Chut Thai.'

Hello. It is a cold, rainy day again here in Germany. So another geography lesson about Krungthep is most welcome. Thank you Pat

FYI: Read news today of a plan to expand Bangkok's canal boat system by nearly half. That sounds like a welcome development. Hopefully the canalside footpath network will be extended too...

A very difficult subject and one in which you can't please everyone. Do you knock down slums to rehouse people in better conditions, or just improve the slums and not tear people up from where they have lived all their lives. A sympathetic look at life in BKK, imo you have to have progress, all those new rail lines are changing BKK forever and look unsightly to many but their benefits with improved traffic flow and hopefully lower pollution are required to move things forward for the majority. This, to me, is the real problem, the individual or small community can end up suffering just to appease the masses, who is right and who is wrong, the only thing I can say is make sure what you are doing is right because you can never put the clock back. Another insightful video, cheers Pat. :)

Ohh yay another shopping mall 😴 just what Bangkok needs

Saddens me to see what is happening to Bkk, but makes me happy to see another BKK Pat vid

The demolition of Scala theater is pretty hard to watch. Fond memories of this along with Siam, Lido, Pratunum's Petchrama, Paramount and Metro theaters. All gone now for the benefit of more malls and condos. Thank you for documenting this so younger generations can learn about them.

16:13 The montage of photos, from successive decades, is remarkable. The images are indelible, ineffably so. Bangkok, City of Angeles, is a palimpsest of urban sprawl that’s continually being built over, and never perfectly so.

I've lived here for 5 years and I never watch RU-vid content about Thailand or Bangkok in particular, mainly because it's polluted with skint backpackers and miserable folks only seeking out the potential revenue aspect of it. This video however was very refreshing, entertaining and informative to watch. Loads of stuff I didn't know about, most particularly The Clash album. I also found the part at 7:10 to be very entertaining and true. Hope to see more content like this of yours.

Same thing happened to Vancouver. Greed has knocked down every old building in order to build higher for more density. All glass city now

I suggest you make a list of areas that will fall to the development cancer, in order of the soonest to go so that people who MIGHT want to see it before it's all gone can do so and focus in future on outlying areas that MIGHT survive with some traditional look. I'm guessing those are going to go soon to UNLESS there is not a wave of rich people investing in or occupying condos, filling upscale shops restaurants and hotels etc. These areas being on the new BTS lines you have been featuring. In other words a short requiem series and a longer "get it while it lasts" series. The more serious loss is the COMMUNITIES if you ask me.

Great content, Pat. I am a Thai 90's kid who missed the old architectures and the old scenes when I grew up. In Summer, I spent time in BKK for ice skating or spending time at the shopping malls, lol. To be honest, Thai retails know how to draw shoppers to the mall , being apart of their lifestyles. I have had great experiences in Thai malls more than The USA . Siam Square has a different vibe for the next generation. In 2021 article, an up-font payment was required for 600 mil Baht from CP Development (1st spot Thai Retail Developer )to pay PMCU for 600 Mill Baht only 2.76 acres. In order to connect Block A and Siamscape. The idea is to develop the Street Shopping scene.

Yet another brilliant video, Pat. Heartbreaking to know that all them beautiful old wooden houses will be demolished to pave way for bricks, marble and glass. Didn`t know my all time favourite band The Clash shot the cover Photo for Combat Rock in Bkk by the way, thanks for that information :)

This was a very time-consuming video to produce, and your efforts are greatly appreciated. Superbly done! This video will be more valuable in the future, as younger generations will, as you suggested, want to look back. Thank you so much for this!

That Scala building looked awesome....such a shame!....i was nearby many times yet never watched movies in theatres.

I agree you might not get the views you deserve. But those of us that do ‘tune-in’ appreciate them all the more. Great video Pat.

6:50 I really appreciate you filming this area. It’s quite shocking to see that they still exist. It shows how peaceful Bangkok was in the old days. Man, a house on one side across from a small canal covered with overgrown trees. Even in the summer, I bet with some wind, it still feels great sitting under those trees. It’s too bad.

This is such an incredibly important topic. The challenge is how to bring Bangkok into the future without erasing or acknowledging it's past culture. The move to sterilize the urban culture with faceless high rise architecture misses the understanding of how street life in the heart beat of what makes the city so fantastic. Tall buildings with empty plazas may look great but no one wants to live in a place that is only that. The challenge is to have both. It takes more sophisticated urban planning. The current style is because doing it were educated 20 -30 years ago when this idea for modernization was fashionable. It's out of date. Tall buildings are fine, but at street level use the opportunity to interact for retail activity. The tall buildings are full of staff that need lunch and other day to day needs met. Use that space to enliven the city not sweep is all away with broad plazas with no place to sit and chat with friends. Keep it up Pat and hopefully start a conversation with the leadership to acknowledge and engage the ordinary folks that create culture and the color that makes the city great!

Thanks Pat it is a mix of national, city and family heritage being lost all in one. I am amazed that Bangkok keeps putting up shopping mall where as many in the west are being abandoned or are only at 50% occupancy.

Looking forward to Episode II in the near future 😊.

LOVE BANGKOK , such a great top travel destination , perfect to have fun

Another great episode. I was just there and walked down the Haroon Mosque Soi. I'm glad to hear that at least the old customs building will still stand and be renovated. Hopefully, the community can still thrive there in the future

12:41 "Rue de brest" wow that's actually a very interesting reference because in Brest, there is a street called "Rue de Siam" or Siam street which refer to when siamese ambasador came to France in Brest, it left quite an impression on the locals hence changing the name of the main street to "Siam Street"

I hope Bangkok finds a middle ground between preserving its heritage and becoming a modern city. At the end of the day it needs to do what is best for the people. Those decisions shouldn't be left to the property developers. A shame what happened to the Scala theatre, not even in my country would we bulldoze a beautiful building such as that. On a side note, it's about time I bought a copy of Combat Rock, London Calling is one of my favourite albums.

Great video Pat. I especially enjoyed the Makkasan part as my condo is right next to the ALR Makkasan station looking west with a view of that whole area. I enjoy watching the conventional trains on the the Eastern line as well as the newer ARL. I can see cars moving around in the maintenance depot also. A couple weeks ago I jumped on the conventional train going west at Asoke (it stops even though it's not a station) and rode it to Hua Lamphong. 2 baht! There is a deteriorating cycling track next to the Makkasan station and now I know why it's been abandoned. I still use it occasionally if it looks like rain because I can move to the area under the rail link if it starts raining.

Bangkok Pat's videos makes Bangkok stand out as THE city. What is London, Paris and New York compared to old but changing Krung Thep. Venice has its canals but Bangkok has khlongs Maybe the khlongs will be the last defence against the ongoing battle between commercial modernization and heritage.

Totally agree with you Pat. If we don't remember our history we're bound to repeat it.

at 9:31 - WOW had no idea the Combat Rock cover shot was taken in Bangkok. Thanks for bringing that up, amazing! 🙏

Awesome ! I never knew that about the Clash album. I actually saw the Clash Live in concert in 1983 when they opened up for The Who at Shea Stadium in Queens, New York City.

Brilliant on many levels: historical documentation, analysis of loss of Bangkok’s heritage, assemblage of b-roll and effort to uncover older photos and videos,…

Mate, your channel is a gift. It’s a time capsule in itself

I was first in Bangkok Christmas '73. Loved what I saw and experienced but so sad I didn't take photo's! No digital cameras of phones of course and films and developing very expensive to me as a 21 year old! * Better to spend the money elsewhere in those days!! Cheers Pat.

Im sad to see this happening. I love history and you do a great job taking us back in time. Thanks for the work that you do.

Old Bangkok was very nice thanks d for sharing

Wonderful video! I remembered the OG Siam Square/Centre, and I do miss them. It's not glitzy, but it has its own charm. Scrapping the tram network is probably the most shortsighted thing for Bangkok and left the old town with no proper transportation network. P.S. I'm not holding my breath for Makkasan redevelopment though - it would be a decade before anything would be done in a meaningful way. The silver lining is at least it is not being managed by SRT.

Just a note of thanks for you very excellent efforts, and we hope that you continue this for a long time to come. (Been here since 1983)

I first flew into Bangkok in December of 1987, Pat--and as you HAVE so correctly pointed out, Krung Thep HAS changed a great deal since I first got there almost forty years ago! Some changes HAVE been for the better but a lot of "Old Bangkok" HAS been lost to modern-day crapola. Thank you kindly for showing us the capital of Siam when it WAS such a vastly different place--and that WASN'T all that long ago, either! I'm very much looking forward to your next chapter.

Government needs to start developing legislation to protect buildings of significant cultural and architectural history.

Most properties in Bangkok are long term lease that have expire and new development are form through new lease making a lot of money for the land owners.

Bangkok is constantly changing even in just the short time I have been here! Amazing deep dive into the history with this video

It’s used to have one of the best Peking Duck restaurants in Bangkok at Scala theater.

Great video as always Pat. Brought back alot of memories for me of Bangkok back in the 80s and 90s. The last film I saw at the Scala was Slumdog Millionaire. It seemed to be the perfect theatre to watch that movie in for me. Dana of Idea Studio has a couple of the seats from there at his place.

Thank you, Pat. Your videos will age like fine wine.

Bangkok Palace is where I stayed on my first night in Thailand, good memories, miss those days 🙃

Many thanks for all your videos Pat, they are all so very interesting. The face of many cities around the world is changing, alas it is for the worse. I first went to Singapore in 1975, and there was so much beautiful Chinese architecture, all that has been replace by ugly glass monstrosities, the same is happening where I live, Phnom Penh is loosing its French Colonial architecture and being replaced by ugly modern design skyscrapers. Carry on with your excellent videos Pat, I am thoroughly enjoying them.

Love the documentary format Pat.

Great vid!

You must know every bit of central BKK Pat! Wonder when Soi Cowboy will be demolished? It's surrounded by modern buildings & the real estate value must be huge!

Awesome content.. thanks Pat and see you in the next one!

Another great video Pat, thanks.

Great videos as always mate 👍

Fantastic vid, Pat. Thanks.

Those railway houses similar down here in Malaysia are slowly diminishing in the name of development. I just love the environment of these houses, small roads/lanes, lush greenery, close knitted neighbours.

thanks Pat! Great vlog

I'm just starting to watch this, but I do remember your video with Gary Butler, and I also remember that in one of his recent videos where he said that all the street food and the vibe I loved will very likely be gone by 2030. I need to get back there soon before I won't have the opportunity. Change is natural, but some changes are just not what we need. Just heard you say that there will be more episodes. I will be watching.

Thank you Pat of do this kind of documentation for Bangkok. Not many Thai people is see the value of our old house style. When I going back to Thailand for good I would like to buy you a 🍺 thank you so much for all the documentation about Thailand.

Lower Sukhumvit will eventually be torn down and high rise bulding will replace them. You can see the large high rises moving closer every year.

Absolutely on point!

Thank you for making such an informative video!

You have a deeper storytelling than other Vloggers.

Super interesting, Pat! Looking forward to the next one!

Wow! You've done your research. I'm looking forward to episode 2.

Awesome! Keep rolling buddy.

Excellent stuff. Loving these videos Pat. Good to see you are keeping well mate. Roger👍

Very insightful. Thank you!

An other excellent video. Thank you Pat.

Awesome episode! Great work Pat!

Fantastic work again Pat 😊😊😊😊😊

Fantastic video and information as always.

This is just fantastically interesting, thank you 😊

i absolutely love your geeky videos. top notch

Another great, thought-provoking and informative video. Thank you for all your hard work!

Great video Pat. That Scala Theatre was so beautiful and elegant, so sad they knocked it down. The Makasaan development looks interesting, especially the three red brick sheds being saved for a railway museum. One I'd definitely visit. Looking forward to episode 2!

Good video. Thank you - keep up the good work.

In Thailand we’re talking a lot to keep the original architecture alive. However we can do our best in our generation and can’t expect for the next generation that not respect in our history 😂

Such a good video!

Loved this one Pat.. can’t disagree with much you mentioned .. a throughly good watch

Interesting vid, especially for those of us that have known Bangkok since the mid 1980s as I have

Great piece of work Pat.

Another great segment Pat!!!

Enjoyable again Pat 😊, keep up the good work you do . 👊

Always interesting videos.

Thanks Pat, as a 1960's resident of the Makkasan area I appreciate the documentation of the old neighborhood. I have watched Thailand change over the last 50 some years not only in BKK, but most parts. Nice to see the history noted.