In the Embassy of Denmark in Bangkok’s most recent update in their series of “ON THIS DAY”, the embassy shares this interesting historical fact about Thailand’s first-ever railway line:
On the day – 16 July 1891
On this day, King Chulalongkorn initiated the construction of the first-ever railway line in Thailand – a railway line, which was built by Danes
After King Chulalongkorn visited Europe in 1886, where he traveled by train and was introduced to the concept of railway management, he decided to establish a railway in Siam.
The King foresaw that a railway line from Bangkok to Samut Prakan would contribute greatly to the economic capabilities of Siam and therefore he decided to establish The Paknam Railway.
The King handed a 20-year concession to the Danish company, The Paknam Railway Co. Ltd., which had been established by the Danish brothers Andreas and Louis de Richelieu and Alfred John Loftus, a British navigator. The company began construction on this very day in 1891 and in April 1893 the railway was completed. The Paknam Railway became the only privately owned railway in Siam and it quickly became popular and, thus, a lucrative business for the Danish brothers.
As competition with buses and private cars increased after World War II, the railway slowly lost its popularity and by the 1950s, the railway was operating at a loss.
In 1959, the Paknam Railway was closed down to allow for the construction of Rama IV Road, but it once again emphasizes the close infrastructure collaboration between Denmark and Thailand at the end of the 19th century.
Photo credit: Museum Østjylland
Photo Credit: Museum Østjylland
Hi Coco,
My name is Elden Lai. I am an old boy of La Salle College, Hong Kong and have been helping the school to research into the stories of its pre-war students, as all the school’s official records were destroyed in the last war. I happen to come across 4 brothers by the name of Gottsche (namely Wather, William, Amandus and Alvin) who attended the school in the 1930s. I think one of them was your dad and the others were your uncles. My research shows that they were (especially William) keen sportsmen and excellent in their studies. My research also shows that before they came to Hong Kong, they attended Assumption College in Bangkok, and in 1932 your grandfather took them to Hong Kong to attend La Salle College. I understand that one of their cousins, Peter Hans Amandus Ulrich, also came with them in 1932, and Peter’s brothers (Albert and Friederick) joined up with them in Hong Kong later.
I believe their mother’s maiden name was Berta Gottsche (sister of your grandfather?). Sadly, both Peter and Albert were killed in action during the Japanese invasion in December 1941. I wonder if you would have any information about the Ulrich brothers? If so, I would appreciate it very much if you could share them with me, thanks!!
I look forward to hearing from you.
Best regards,
Elden Lai
Hi Cheryl,
The Walther Gøttsche that your aunt was married to, was my half-uncle although he did not know me. He saw me once at my half-sister’s wedding at the Oriental Hotel in Bangkok. I cannot remember if we were introduced or not. Diana is their oldest child. She is married to a Thai. I don’t think they have kids. Her sister, Patricia, is married. My father called her Patsy. So, I know her by that name. I remember she has a daughter, Ann. I don’t know if she has more than 1 child or not. I don’t know Uncle Walther’s occupation. The Walther Gøttsche who worked for the railroads was a different Walther. His full name was Frederick Theodore Vilhelm Gustav Walther Gøttsche. He was my grandfather. So, he was the father of your aunt’s husband. Your aunt and her husband lived in Bangkok. They passed away. His younger brothers, Joseph Amandus and Alvin had also passed away. Joseph died in Thailand. Alvin died in Texas. I don’t know when or where Uncle Walther or his wife died.
My grandfather married Emma who was his first cousin after he had met my grandmother. Emma was half Danish half Thai. Her mother was a Thai. Emma was born in Thailand. She was not my real grandmother.
Sincerely,
Coco Gøttsche
Hello Coco,
My name is Cheryl Brown. My aunt Ledah May Day was married to a Walther Gottsche, who I was told was Danish and worked on railways. They lived in Bangkok. I am not sure if this can be the same Walter as the only children I knew of were my cousins Patricia and Diana, but I would be interested to know if you have learned any more about him.
Kind regards,
Cheryl Brown
Today I found your article, Thailand’s first-ever railway line was built by Danes. I am surprised that someone wrote about it. My family came to Thailand around the time the project railway started. My grandfather, Walther Gøttsche, was an engineer from Århus and his later-on father-in-law Captain Theodore A. Gøttsche. Both of them were involved in that project. Did you come across any info about them or anything that related them? I do genealogy and I would appreciate any info about them. Your article is very informative. It has a piece of my family history. I do appreciate what you wrote. Thank you so much.
Coco M. Gøttsche