Thai netizens in their 30s up to retirement age on Sunday recalled the good old days of visiting Dan Neramit (Magic Land), Thailand’s first stand-alone amusement park, which opened 41 years ago today.
The 33-rai park was officially opened on Phaholyothin Road in the Lat Phrao area on Jan 29, 1976 and became part of many Bangkokians' lives, both young and old, before it closed in mid-2000 when its land lease expired.
Reluctance by the land owner to renew the 25-year lease was cited for the shutdown, but a hidden reason reported to be the park executives’ view of the long-term financial viability of leisure parks.
For 25 years, Dan Neramit was a dream for children and one of the trendiest places for teenagers to meet or have their first dates. It was also the entertainment compound where parents could watch the smiles on their children's faces.
Many adults who lived through the “Dan Neramit era” on Sunday took to social media to share their vivid childhood memories of first visits to the park and the thrills they had with different types of park rides and attractions including rollercoasters.
Some parents recalled how their children were awestruck by Sleeping Beauty's Castle at the entrance and ran to greet the cartoon characters who were walking around, giving them big hugs.
“Rollercoasters are something very new at that time,” Facebook user Sak Manutpanlarn recalled.
Another user Punchy Tudatu Tu said: “I was so scared inside the Haunted House. I ran, collapsed and ripped my T-shirt”.
Punchy Smitra Chuaichart said: “When I was young I was very excited during my first visit there. I miss this legendary amusement park”.
Sukanya Phumi Peem said she participated in the park’s farewell event on its last operating day and almost cried. Another user shared the nostalgic mood, saying she often took her daughter there until the park was closed. “Now my daughter is 20 years old”.
The former ground of Dan Neramit is now leased for a go-kart racing business, but the park’s iconic Sleeping Beauty's Castle has not been demolished yet and serves as a reminder of its good old days for all Dan Neramit fans.
