Just been showing my son what Songkran used to be like and thought there may be others interested.  The huge crowd outside Kad Suan Kaew was an epic occasion with a band that took their lives in their hands given that all the equipment was soaked too.                SONGKRAN 2009

 

Wow, they didn't wear helmets back then when on a scooter.

 

Times sure have changed after 14 years -----  NOT!!!!!

My first Songkran was 1993, BKK........now that was an experience.......I remember catching a bus where everyone on board was soaking, including a British business guy in a suit.....he was not a happy camper.

Songkran photos taken by the Frenchman Georges Condominas in 1958.

@CMHomeboy78

   Thanks for the interesting historical photos.

All new to me. I've seen others of Songkran crowds in the river under older wooden bridges, but the Nawarat Iron Bridge is a first for me.

Nice to get a positive date on its still being there.

The concrete bridge must have been built some time not too long after 1958.

3 hours ago, DeaconJohn said:

@CMHomeboy78

   Thanks for the interesting historical photos.

All new to me. I've seen others of Songkran crowds in the river under older wooden bridges, but the Nawarat Iron Bridge is a first for me.

Nice to get a positive date on its still being there.

The concrete bridge must have been built some time not too long after 1958.

For sure.

My wife remembers the present Nawarat Bridge as a small child in the early '60s.

So far, I've been unable to find the exact date it was built.

1848 is a year I have in my head for the building of the Iron Bridge which was located where the Nawarat Bridge now stands and is the one in Condominas' photos.

However, I'm far from sure that's correct. It came from one historical source and I haven't seen it confirmed anywhere else.

As always, getting accurate information about local history can be a challenge.

Wonderful old photos.

Only a Frenchman would fully appreciate that luscious cul on display in the first one.

Oh! Calcutta! right here in Chiang Mai on the Ping River.

On 4/19/2023 at 9:28 AM, CMHomeboy78 said:

For sure.

My wife remembers the present Nawarat Bridge as a small child in the early '60s.

So far, I've been unable to find the exact date it was built.

1848 is a year I have in my head for the building of the Iron Bridge which was located where the Nawarat Bridge now stands and is the one in Condominas' photos.

However, I'm far from sure that's correct. It came from one historical source and I haven't seen it confirmed anywhere else.

As always, getting accurate information about local history can be a challenge.

A plaque informs (in translation) about the first Nawarat Bridge: “The construction of this bridge started in 1906 and was completed in 1910. Borneo Co, Ltd contributed 600 teak logs for its construction.” The bridge was a so-called Bowstring Bridge aka tied-arch bridge.