(Kong_Setthavaut / Shutterstock.com)
Bangkok has many large shopping malls in the center of the city, which are tightly built in concrete and modernly furnished to serve the shopping public. However, I read on various websites about the first and now oldest department store in Bangkok: Nightingale-Olympic in Triphet Khwang Road.
Bombastic
In that street, the department store immediately catches the eye because of its rather bombastic facade, which towers high above the low-rise buildings around it. It was opened more than 50 years ago as Bangkok's first shopping mall and you have to imagine that the area at that time consisted mostly of bamboo houses. Walk inside it becomes clear that little has changed since Nightingale's grand opening in the early XNUMXs. The dilapidated atrium space is dimly lit, while the few staff loiter despondently, seemingly having been there since it opened.
Living museum
Nightingale-Olympic almost feels like a living museum. You get the sense that the items on display were once sourced brand new, but gradually became obsolete and eventually evolved into the contemporary “vintage-retro” category. This means there are actually some great finds for sale or at least you can marvel at.
Departments
The main sections seem to be where sporting goods and musical instruments are for sale. In addition to rather bizarre massage devices, you will also find tennis clothing and articles, rusty iron fitness equipment, foosball tables and mini golf sticks, all still in their original packaging. The music department has a nice collection of guitars, drums, retro accordions and miniature pianos. Another department is where cosmetic items are offered. There you will receive advice from a few beauticians, who have apparently been working there since the opening.
(Suptar/Shutterstock.com)
Summary
As Bangkok's first department store, this was truly the Siam Paragon or EmQuartier of its time. It was a pioneer in the capital's emerging retail scene, employing more than 100 people on several floors. Next to Bangkok's oldest shopping mall, Nightingales certainly wins the title of the "weirdest" department store, as one simply cannot understand how it has stayed open for so long.
Visit
Be surprised and amazed when you visit Nightingale-Olympic on Triphet Kwang Road, near the corner of Pahurat Road.Opening hours: 09:00 AM – 18:00 PM (closed on Sundays)
Source: several websites on the internet – Photo center: The Big Chili
nice article. reminds me of a department store with a zoo on the roof.
Really no idea where this was in Bangkok and possibly still is. Anyone??
Sure. That is Pata department store, near Pinklao bridge and also not so far from the Grand Palace and Khao San Road. Live nearby.
Interesting, I'll definitely take a look.
Remind me (you don't easily forget that facade!) that I walked past it a while ago, even took a picture of it, but then it was closed.
Dear Koen Olie,
I certainly don't want to be a moral preacher but if you want to go to an animal park why not go to a park that is more animal friendly? Here animals have been locked up for years in cages that are too small, where poorly cared for animals, which apparently include monkeys with tears in their eyes. It seems to be from someone who has a very good relationship, therefore can treat animals like this.
But everyone can go where he wants, only if you want to waste your time on something like that go ahead I would say.
Seeing this only now, my response was (I thought pretty obvious) to the Nightingale-Olympic article and not about that horrible zoo…
Reading is an art…
Pata “zoo” is disgusting! https://www.smugmug.com/app/library/galleries/LDH4WL
Dear Victor,
It seems that it is in pata zoo Khwaeng bang Yi Khan, Khet Bang Phat, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10700.
According to my wife, that's a sad thing, the animals are in small cages on closed.
Across the street is The Old Siam Plaza. Here you will find the original Thai confectionery. Really worth visiting.
http://www.theoldsiam.co.th/index.php?lang_id=EN