As I am a ska musician, the Clash are one of the most influential bands. Shameful that I lived in Bangkok, Thailand for a few year, I had never known that they played in Bangkok in 1982!
Sound track for this blog post.
Other day, I came cross this article which claims that the Clash visited Thailand and photoshoot for Combat Rock album. In addition, from the Clash Facebook, 27th of Feb 1982, The Clash played Thamasat University in Bangkok, Thailand. While there, Pennie Smith shot the image for the Combat Rock cover. It really inspired me to pay a visit those places. To sum up, there are three significant locations in Bangkok
- Thamasat University for playing a gig
- Bangkok Palace Hotel where they stayed
- Railway for Combat Rock image
I just simply did not have time to visit Thamasat University. It will be my next trip. Anyhow I caught a local bus from On Nut. As slowly driving through dusty/polluted roads to Makkasan, it gave me an opportunity to think how it was like back in 80s in Bangkok, when the band were here.
After getting off the bus, I walked through local market area for 10 minutes. I found Bangkok Palace Hotel. I have no idea what it looks like back in the day. As I looked the hotel, i guess it has been renovated. To be honest, I cannot say it’s the best location in Bangkok right now.
However if you want to stay, you can! You can book your stay from here, Booking.com.
Then I went to Makkasan railway station. A Journey to Combat Rock gives a great deal of clues, the band wandered off from the hotel and Pennie Smith took the photo. But I did not find exact location for the photo from my research. However judging by the photo, it was on a rail way with a cannel.
I walked along side of railway from original Makkasan railway station to Airport link Makkasan station. By the way, airport link opened in 2010. When the band were here, the landscape must have been so much different.
According to Google map, there should have been a little cannel half way through between two Makkasan stations. However no matter how much walk, I could not find any cannel or some water way in 2022. Additionally it was so hot. Heat in Bangkok was just unbearable. Unfortunately I had to give up this time.
Not too sure I nailed the place. Hopefully I will try again with better information. Has anyone tried it before? Or do you know where is the exact location? To be continue…
Ska Overlander 