The culturally iconic rail station, Hua Lamphong in the Thai hub city of Bangkok is closing down, having been replaced by a newer, more generic station. The station has been in use for 100 years but will be closing routes as they move to the new station.
Siriphong Preutthipan, deputy governor of the State Railway of Thailand, said in December the station will cease operating on Dec. 23, however the Transport Ministry has since said some train services will be retained to avoid disruption during the transition.
The station was designed by Italian architects and opened in 1916. Some are hoping the station will be preserved and while other local residents have begun to protest plans to turn it into a commercial building.
At its peak, the station averaged 60,000 passengers a day arriving and departing at the station, up until two years ago. The new station, Bang Sue Grand Station, is already in operation and has been drawing passengers away.