Taweethai Boriboon's passion for vintage bikes and rare collectibles stems from his interest in their back stories
It is hard to imagine Bangkok's streets without cars. Cars have long been a dream _ sometimes a fantasy _ an indication of social status, and a necessity in a city where public transport is far from adequate. But there was a time, long ago, when the Thai people had a craze for another kind of vehicle: Bicycle.
At the Bicycle House, a facet of a relatively unknown but rich in local riding scene history has been well kept and displayed here.
Located on Suan Phak Road in Taling Chan district, the museum-cum-antique shop hides itself behind an entrance of lush greenery. Visitors immediately feel at home and calm upon entering, despite the arid heat outside. Alongside the shady pathway is a car _ a popular model after World War Two _ parked in silence together with other collectibles from the past. The walkway leads to another shelter where bicycles of up to 100 years old are on display. Space management and engineering brilliance have been taken into account. Several bicycles hang from the ceiling, including a tricycle, while other distinguished pieces are arranged in an artistic position on the ground. Collector bicycle licence plates and other parts including lights, frame, seat and wheels are also on display.
Unlike some collectors whose passion for bicycles is merely to ride them or admire their beautiful shape, Taweethai Boriboon, owner of Bicycle House, became a collector simply for his interest in the story behind each bicycle. But instead of collecting priceless antique blue and white porcelain or Ban Chiang ceramics, he prefers to collect ordinary daily life items that portray a story about the Thai people in olden times.
''When you keep these items, you keep history,'' said Taweethai.
The bicycle, is in fact, a product of Westernisation and modernisation during the reign of King Rama V _ a scheme to direct the Kingdom and survive imperialism.
MR Kukrit Pramoj wrote in his masterpiece Si Phandin (Four Reigns) describing a phenomenon called ''Royal Preference'', where new products, systems and manners from the West, including bicycles, were first introduced to the royal court. Their popularity soon spread to ordinary citizens. According to Old Bicycle, written by Taweethai, the very first bicycles were imported by HRH Prince Worawanakorn and HRH Prince Rapeepattanasak. Many members of the royal family owned Royal Psycho and Dayton bicycles. Riding a bicycle became a fashionable leisure activity for aristocrats and a main means of transportation for the ordinary people. During the reign of King Rama VII, cyclists were required to register their bicycle with the government and carry a two-wheeled vehicle licence.
More than 60 of the foreign bicycle brands imported into Thailand were from Germany, the UK and France, but UK brands were the most favoured. Rudge, Phillips, Hercules, Robinhood and Berminghan Small Arms (BSA) were popular brand names. But for the few who were aware of bicycles some 60 years ago will have a vivid memory of the Raleigh and Humber bicycles. Riding on any one of these was akin to driving a Jaguar or Bentley; they were the posh brand names for transportation on two wheels.
The Raleigh manufacturing company was founded in 1887, in Raleigh Street, Nottingham, and became a prominent bicycle brand. They later produced motorcycles and three-wheeled cars.
At first, Raleigh bicycles were imported into Thailand by British entrepreneurs but they could not attract Thai consumers, possibly due to the language barrier. Kanok Leeissaranukul, then the owner of a bicycle repair shop in the Talad Noi area, was offered to be a distributor of Raleigh Bicycles in 1919. His success granted him the privilege to be the only Raleigh distributor in Thailand, up until the present. Kanok's store, Seng Guan Hong, therefore started with two-wheeled vehicles and later expanded its business by offering products including rubber tyres, lightbulbs, chains, spark plugs, batteries and oil. The company's name was changed to The Sittipol 1919 Company.
Raleigh's rival, Humber, originated 10 years earlier in Nottingham. Kenglian Sriboonrueng of Thep Nakorn Panich store ordered the very first Humber in Thailand for personal use, and then imported the bikes to meet the growing demand of customers.
Besides bicycles, Taweethai also collects watches, clocks, packages, soft drink bottles, classic cars, rare plants and even local Thai dogs. For Taweethai, everything has its own history and significance.
For whatever item he decides to keep Taweethai puts his full passion and interest into; he learns as much as he can about it. Published books about Thai dogs and old bicycles are the results of his hard work.
''These things contain lots of information but we just don't study about them. Why is an ointment bottle called ya mong, for example,'' he noted.
But keep in mind that all of the items at the museum will not be there forever. Taweethai is more than happy to sell his items to anyone looking to buy.
''There were a few items that went missing without a trace. So I thought, why shouldn't I offer to sell it if people want it so much? It's normal human behaviour to desire, and if they can't get it they might steal it!'' explained the former university lecturer and owner of ceramic factories.
''I can sell practically everything, even my house and land. I'm not attached to my belongings,'' he mused.
This leads to his rather unique collecting philosophy: Collect but do not hoard.
''Keeping things to yourself is greedy. I like the idea that treasure should be appreciated by many people,'' he added. ''The beauty and happiness of owning your object of desire is in the moment you acquire it. That's it. After that they only give you worries,'' he remarked.
However, items available at the Bicycle House are usually priced higher than other stores and Taweethai does not hide that fact.
''I have more costs, so logically, I should charge higher prices. You can bargain but I will probably say no,'' Taweethai confirmed.
But if you are a true fan of old bicycles or nostalgic items, Taweethai is willing to share what he has learned and experienced.
Though Bicycle House is open to the public, Taweethai asks for respect and courtesy. Visitors are welcome so long as they follow these simple rules: Ask permission before taking a picture, don't tease the dog, and of course, if you wish to obtain a certain piece, buy it, don't steal it.
Bicycle House, Suan Phak Road Soi 6. Call to confirm office hours on 02-424-4705.
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