04.10.11
From a distance, the outside of Bangkok's colonnaded main railway place is impressive, but by the time I have trundled my wheelie-the truth across the traffic-mad square in front of it, I see that, up close, Hualamphong Spot is starting to show its age.
Adding to the distinctly uninviting air, on its dusty steps and in the portal are shady-looking men – smoking, talking, spitting, scratching, scrutinising suffering tourists like me, or just lounging around – waiting for who knows what. I take briskly past and bump up the steps.
But as with books, it seems one should never consider a railway station by its exterior. Inside, the place is cavernous and cathedral-sized, the main concourse case hundreds of red plastic chairs.
Busy booths, shops and bureaus project two-deep around the perimeter.
I later learn that the construction was built in 1915, has 14 platforms and provides for 60,000 passengers a day.
Hualamphong is a megalopolis within a city, catering more lavishly for transient travellers than many Western railroad stations – albeit in a somewhat laid-back and tatty look. But for the weary traveller with urgent needs like me, this last is a lesser consideration.
Source: Stuff.co.nz