Pitak Court: A Bangkok Classic on Sathorn
The pool at Pitak Court, a classic building from the early ‘70s.
พิทักษ์ คอร์ท | A Glimpse into Bangkok History
Ten years ago, at 2am in the morning a friend posted on Facebook, “there is a unit coming available in my building, someone should grab it because nothing ever comes available at Pitak Court.” So the next morning I bombed over from my old place near Soi Rang Nam and put down my deposit. There are very few old-school places like this left in Bangkok: tons of character, huge with teak floors, massive balconies, pool, garden, 650 meters from the MRT and a short walk to Soi Suan Phlu, one of Bangkok’s greatest streets IMO.
Pitak Court (พิทักษ์คอร์ท) is a funky old building on Sathorn Soi 1, with the Malaysia Hotel (and Wongs Bar!) on one side, and a bunch of embassies and on the other side.
These ‘courts’ are uniquely Thai, and from an interesting era of Bangkok history.
It was built for American Army types during the Vietnam War, but has been apartments ever since. Some people have been here for decades. This area, around Soi Sri Bumphen is the original backpacker neighbourhood, before the growth of Khao San Road. There are remnants of that era still scattered about. Wong’s bar is still going strong, although I haven’t been in years. I don’t tell locals the story connecting the 7-11 and The Serpent, far too many ghosts in the aisles over there. (If they knew!)
The Changing Face of Sathorn & Tung Maha Mek
This area is about to change, of course. A 600+ Centrepoint Hotel and a USD4.5 Billion development One Bangkok have opened 600 meters away.
My Pitak Court Photography Studio
I have a studio in my big old apartment where I do simple headshot type portrait photoshoots, a change from my normal family photography. After spending so many years working with natural light on location, it’s nice to shoot at home and take time to make these types of photos.
This studio space is perfect for simple headshots, but my true passion is capturing families in their own environments. The skill set required to document a historic building's character—or a local neighborhood's changing face—is the same skill I use to capture the authentic, candid stories of families. To see that lifestyle approach applied to my professional work, please view my Hong Kong family photoshoot portfolio.
Connecting Documentation to Family Storytelling
Recently my neighbour of many years, who found his place through me, was moving out. I posted it on Facebook and it was gone in five minutes. One of my old gang from my mid-90s days at The Cambodia Daily newspaper is now my neighbour. But it’s always worth checking if you are interested, there are a lot of units, and people are always moving in and out.
Bottom line in Bangkok, work your network for cool apartments, you aren’t going to find it on Facebook
Linda Chevrier, founder of EcoShift
\
Pitak Court
