Through the lens of photographer Rammy Narula this century-old train station is still as full of life as ever – despite the fact it’s about to go into retirement
by Kelly Harvey
by Kelly Harvey
AS plans get underway to move the central Bangkok railway station to Bang Sue, more and more artworks and exhibitions featuring the iconic station have begun to be displayed at Hua Lamphong as well as other galleries arcoss the city.
Designed by Mario Tamagno and Annibale Rigotti in the early 1900s, Hua Lamphong is not your typical Thai-style train station. Featuring Italian Neo-Renaissance architecture, stained glass windows, and a decorated wooden roof, the structure is a piece of art in itself and has both inspired and become the subject matter of many artists.
Designed by Mario Tamagno and Annibale Rigotti in the early 1900s, Hua Lamphong is not your typical Thai-style train station. Featuring Italian Neo-Renaissance architecture, stained glass windows, and a decorated wooden roof, the structure is a piece of art in itself and has both inspired and become the subject matter of many artists.
| In 2016, the station celebrated its 100th year anniversary, but one year prior to the celebrations an annoucement was made that the Bangkok Railway central station would be reloacted to Bang Sue by 2019 and the historic train station would be turned into a musuem. With the development and modernisation of Bangkok already at an all time high not everyone was jumping for joy at the thought of retiring the cultural gem, including Bangkok-based photographer Rammy Narula. Rammy has spent hours taking photos at Hua Lamphong and has exhibited two Hua Lamphong Train Station series. The second series entitled ‘Platform 10’ was shot from a single platform between May and November 2015 and has now been published as a photo book. “I was born and raised in Bangkok, growing up in the concrete jungle that is its CBD area. In high school, we were often taken on field trips away from the centre but never to Hua Lamphong. I came to see the central station for the first time in 2012 as a photographer and immediately fell in love with it. I was looking for something interesting and this place felt so different to the Bangkok I grew up in. “The most striking feature of the station I would say is its architecture. Bangkok feels overrun by buildings trying to be modern, but Hua Lamphong has kept its look over the years. The station for me felt like the Thailand I wish I knew. |   |
“At the station the most common sight is people waiting for their trains. Some folks are lying down on mats, some sleeping, and many kids travelling with their parents. I once saw a father giving a shower to his son using the hose in the middle of the tracks. It’s really quite a fascinating place.
“Life moves quickly and a lot can happen when you’re not looking here. The station, renowned for being very slow-paced, wakes into life each time a train makes a short stop. Passengers move. Train officials usher them on. Custodians begin their maintenance work. Supplies get loaded. Due to the train’s very short stop, all of it begins and ends in an instant. As an obeserver, the feeling it evokes when everything happens at the same time in that way feels oddly harmonious. Like watching an orchestra performing without a conductor.
“I was lucky to have found myself on Platform 10 one morning when its daily scheduled train came in. The light shifted as the train blocked the sun, giving the platform a different feel.
“I tried to focus on the isolated moments. The little pauses while everything was in motion.
“Unfortunately, the platform has already been covered. The natural lighting I used will never be the same.
“It’s a shame they’re closing it. I wish they refurbished it and kept it in service. Museums are nice to look at but you lose the experience. I’ll keep going back for as long as it stays open that’s for sure.”
“Life moves quickly and a lot can happen when you’re not looking here. The station, renowned for being very slow-paced, wakes into life each time a train makes a short stop. Passengers move. Train officials usher them on. Custodians begin their maintenance work. Supplies get loaded. Due to the train’s very short stop, all of it begins and ends in an instant. As an obeserver, the feeling it evokes when everything happens at the same time in that way feels oddly harmonious. Like watching an orchestra performing without a conductor.
“I was lucky to have found myself on Platform 10 one morning when its daily scheduled train came in. The light shifted as the train blocked the sun, giving the platform a different feel.
“I tried to focus on the isolated moments. The little pauses while everything was in motion.
“Unfortunately, the platform has already been covered. The natural lighting I used will never be the same.
“It’s a shame they’re closing it. I wish they refurbished it and kept it in service. Museums are nice to look at but you lose the experience. I’ll keep going back for as long as it stays open that’s for sure.”
 | Platform 10 the Exhibition by Rammy Narula is on display at S Gallery at Sofitel Bangkok until February 14. His PhotoBook is available for 40 US dollars and can be purchased directly through his website: rammynarula.com |
