Stunning vintage pictures of Thailand before it was discovered by tourists

This klong in the central plain of Thailand looked a bit different in the 1890s. - Courtesy 25 Blythe Road/Shutterstock

Stunning vintage pictures of #Thailand before it was discovered by tourists have been auctioned in London

In 2019, tourism accounted for 19.3% of Thailand’s GDP. But in the 1890s, during the reign of King Chulalongkorn, of “The King and I” fame, tourists were about as scarce as skyscrapers.

25 Blythe Road, an antiques auctioneer in London, auctioned off a collection of photographs that show what Thailand looked like before it became the popular tourist destination it is today.

The album, which likely belonged to a member of the Royal Engineers, shows landmarks like the Grand Palace with not a selfie stick or fanny pack in sight.

The Grand Palace in Bangkok didn’t have many visitors in 1892.

 
Courtesy 25 Blythe Road

Nowadays, it’s a must-see.

 
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Ayutthaya was the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Siam.

 
Courtesy 25 Blythe Road

Today, it’s a popular spot for elephant rides…

 
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…and a Starbucks pit stop.

 
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Only a few locals dotted the steps of this temple in Ayutthaya.

 
Courtesy 25 Blythe Road

Today, those steps are a little more crowded.

 
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Bang Pa-In Royal Palace was a summer getaway of Ayutthaya kings.

 
Courtesy 25 Blythe Road

Even with some new additions, it’s still as serene as ever.

 
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King Chulalongkorn’s birthday festivities in 1892 drew a crowd.

 
Courtesy 25 Blythe Road

With Thailand’s bustling nightlife, crowded streets are the norm.

 
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This Naval depot in Bangkok was sparsely populated in the 1890s.

 
Courtesy 25 Blythe Road

Houses and small boats lined the sides of a canal known as a ‘klong’ in the central plain of Thailand.

 
Courtesy 25 Blythe Road

Today, they have been replaced by sleek skyscrapers and tourist shuttles.

 
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The Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Bangkok opened in 1876.

 
Courtesy 25 Blythe Road

It’s still around today, but with an updated look.

 
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The Wat Chang Temple, nestled on the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, was built 300 years ago.

 
Courtesy 25 Blythe Road

It holds up well.

 
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