Thailand
A surprisingly high number of DS in various conditions can be found throughout
Thailand. This may be explained by the relative prosperity of the country since the
50s, compared to its immediate neighbours, and by the presence of classic car
enthusiasts, from both the Thai and foreign expatriate communities.
Thailand. This may be explained by the relative prosperity of the country since the
50s, compared to its immediate neighbours, and by the presence of classic car
enthusiasts, from both the Thai and foreign expatriate communities.
Cars
I can't help but start with what is probably one of the most beautiful DS
examples in Thailand. Even elephants seem to be watching with
admiration... this I know for sure, for the reason that this DS was formerly
mine. The car now belongs to my friend Pascal in Bangkok, who gives it
the best possible care. Full story and many more pictures
examples in Thailand. Even elephants seem to be watching with
admiration... this I know for sure, for the reason that this DS was formerly
mine. The car now belongs to my friend Pascal in Bangkok, who gives it
the best possible care. Full story and many more pictures
This 1969 DS21, shown together with other classic cars in Bangkok last
April, 2006, has the distinction of having been the car of choice by no
less than former Prime Minister of Thailand, HE Pote Sarasin. More
pictures
April, 2006, has the distinction of having been the car of choice by no
less than former Prime Minister of Thailand, HE Pote Sarasin. More
pictures
Prior to finding its final resting place in 1976, this 1969 DS21 had
covered... 762,000 km. Its former driver, Khun Manit, whom Pascal met,
still has many fond memories. Full story and some more pictures
covered... 762,000 km. Its former driver, Khun Manit, whom Pascal met,
still has many fond memories. Full story and some more pictures
A tad dusty of course, but this 1963 ID19, found by chance at a repair
shop, is full of charm. Pre-1967 models are a rarity in Thailand.. Many
other pictures
shop, is full of charm. Pre-1967 models are a rarity in Thailand.. Many
other pictures
There are simply too many DS in Thailand to fit in one page; pictures of
several other cars are gathered
several other cars are gathered
A Super5, dating back to between 1973 and 1975, found by chance one
evening on the way back from Lopburi, in August 2002. It was spotted in
the rain and in the dark by my friend Heiner, who shouted "DS" and made
our car screech to a grinding halt. More pictures and details
evening on the way back from Lopburi, in August 2002. It was spotted in
the rain and in the dark by my friend Heiner, who shouted "DS" and made
our car screech to a grinding halt. More pictures and details
I was told there was a strange object resembling a DS at the horse-riding
center of Khun Vamchart, in the suburbs of Bangkok. Indeed, a DS there
was, but in what condition... The funny thing is that the wreck remains
there, with nobody seeming to really care about it. Yet, the famously
comfortable seats are still in use... More pictures
center of Khun Vamchart, in the suburbs of Bangkok. Indeed, a DS there
was, but in what condition... The funny thing is that the wreck remains
there, with nobody seeming to really care about it. Yet, the famously
comfortable seats are still in use... More pictures
A vey nice-looking ID19, for sale on a Club site for 420,000 baht (that's
about 11,000 USD), dating from between 1964 and 1967. It was posted
on the forum section of the Classic Car Club of Thailand's site (see
below).
about 11,000 USD), dating from between 1964 and 1967. It was posted
on the forum section of the Classic Car Club of Thailand's site (see
below).
Peter had a DS23 in Germany and missed it so much that he found
another one in Thailand, where he now resides. When I last saw it in July,
2006, the engine was under repair in the hands of Martin, the almighty
mechanic from Switzerland. Many more pictures
another one in Thailand, where he now resides. When I last saw it in July,
2006, the engine was under repair in the hands of Martin, the almighty
mechanic from Switzerland. Many more pictures
An abandoned DS found in the backyard of a country house somewhere
in Thailand, and posted by a tourist on his site a few years ago. Now a
nice playground for kids and cats. More pictures
in Thailand, and posted by a tourist on his site a few years ago. Now a
nice playground for kids and cats. More pictures
Garages
It seems I am not the only one to bring my DS for repair or maintenance
at Khun Pod's garage on Rama IX Avenue in Bangkok. See
at Khun Pod's garage on Rama IX Avenue in Bangkok. See
Cinema
"Invisible waves" is the name of a 2006 movie by thai director Pen-ek
Ratanaruang, shot in Hong-Kong, Macau and Thailand, and featuring... a
DS, in the paradisiac set of Phuket island. The film won applause at the
2006 Bangkok Film Festival. More info and links
Ratanaruang, shot in Hong-Kong, Macau and Thailand, and featuring... a
DS, in the paradisiac set of Phuket island. The film won applause at the
2006 Bangkok Film Festival. More info and links
Clubs
There is an active Citroen Club of Thailand, with a few members with a
DS it seems, and they have a website. Link (Thai):
DS it seems, and they have a website. Link (Thai):
The Classic Car Club of Thailand started in 2004 a very nice site, with
many information and pictures, including a few DS in the forum section.
Link (English and Thai):
many information and pictures, including a few DS in the forum section.
Link (English and Thai):
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Page creation 20/05/2006, revision 18/06/2011
Fabrice Mattei, a Frenchman living in Bangkok, is a true Citroen fanatic,
and he has an impressive collection, which currently includes a Traction
Avant, a pair of 2CVs, and a DS. And no ordinary DS: she is a beauty
contest prize-winner. More
and he has an impressive collection, which currently includes a Traction
Avant, a pair of 2CVs, and a DS. And no ordinary DS: she is a beauty
contest prize-winner. More
Here we have an Italian DS, modified to run on LPG, in Bangkok ?!
Yes... Alvaro missed la bella so much that he decided to bring her to
Thailand with him, back in 1988. After all these years, and in spite of
countless difficulties, they still live together. Story and pictures
Yes... Alvaro missed la bella so much that he decided to bring her to
Thailand with him, back in 1988. After all these years, and in spite of
countless difficulties, they still live together. Story and pictures
All rights reserved DSinAsia 2006-2011, except otherwise indicated
Another fine example of a Super5, owned by Kees, a Dutch classic car
amateur stationed in Bangkok. This car participated in a local rallye in
2006. Gorgeous pictures, more details and the link to Kees' site
amateur stationed in Bangkok. This car participated in a local rallye in
2006. Gorgeous pictures, more details and the link to Kees' site
A DS in Thailand is rare enough; but what about a DS in Thailand driven
by... a Japanese DS enthusiast ? That's a "DS in Asia" that counts
double ! Shingo-san, or should I say Khun-Shingo, explains the whole
thing
by... a Japanese DS enthusiast ? That's a "DS in Asia" that counts
double ! Shingo-san, or should I say Khun-Shingo, explains the whole
thing
A DS21 for sale in the North-Eastern region of Ubonratchathani, last
February, 2007. Not really in pristine condition alas. Some more pictures
February, 2007. Not really in pristine condition alas. Some more pictures
Many Citroens in Khun Suthin's garage "SP Cars Service", close to the
Rawai beach in the Phuket area, including two DS the day Per Norberg
went there. Per's photo album is
Rawai beach in the Phuket area, including two DS the day Per Norberg
went there. Per's photo album is
Could that be a convertible ? In Thailand ? Well, not really. But there are
many sleeping DS waiting for a Charming Prince in this Bangkok suburb.
More pictures
many sleeping DS waiting for a Charming Prince in this Bangkok suburb.
More pictures
A DS restoration project discussed and illustrated in a Thai classic car
site forum. More pictures and the original link
site forum. More pictures and the original link
The body colour may not be original, but Khun Vat's DS was nevertheless
a prize-winner at a classic car show held in Bangkok last May, 2008.
More pictures
a prize-winner at a classic car show held in Bangkok last May, 2008.
More pictures
Noooooo ! How could they ! Beware: some photos of this, er, car, may
hurt sensitive persons. Now if you really insist, go
hurt sensitive persons. Now if you really insist, go
Another page for a few more siamese DS,
Documents
"From Bangkok to Malaya by Car" is the title of the report of one of the
very first attempts to drive overland from Thailand to Penang, on the
Malay peninsula, published in the Bangkok Post in April, 1958. The car
was... yes, a DS19. What else. The story is right
very first attempts to drive overland from Thailand to Penang, on the
Malay peninsula, published in the Bangkok Post in April, 1958. The car
was... yes, a DS19. What else. The story is right
A nice-looking DS, the day I visited this Bangkok garage, specialized in
classic cars. Photos
classic cars. Photos
Jacques Paris was sent by Citroen to Bangkok in 1957 with a mission:
help introduce and sell the DS in Thailand. Siam Motor Supplies, already
Citroen's local importer and distributor, did it best. But It has not been
easy, to say the least. See the Part 1 of the saga
help introduce and sell the DS in Thailand. Siam Motor Supplies, already
Citroen's local importer and distributor, did it best. But It has not been
easy, to say the least. See the Part 1 of the saga
A wagon version, quite a rarity in Thailand, spotted in a Bangkok garage
by Ryosuke Nagaya. More photos
by Ryosuke Nagaya. More photos
Always a couple of DS and other weird cars in Khun Prasert's garage in
Bangkok. More pics
Bangkok. More pics
The very same car has been used for another movie, aired on Thai TV in
2009, and again shot in Phuket, called "Dong Poo Dee" ("Blue blood
territory"). Here again the car features prominently, being driven by the
hero himself. Screen shots, trivia, and more about the car itself,
2009, and again shot in Phuket, called "Dong Poo Dee" ("Blue blood
territory"). Here again the car features prominently, being driven by the
hero himself. Screen shots, trivia, and more about the car itself,
Khun Worasak is not your average Thai Citroenist; he actually even owns
a SM ! Too bad he does not live in Thailand anymore, I could have
started a "SM in Asia" site... From California where he now resides, a
few pics of the two DS his family used to own in Thailand, together with
some info about the SM in Thailand while I'm at it,
a SM ! Too bad he does not live in Thailand anymore, I could have
started a "SM in Asia" site... From California where he now resides, a
few pics of the two DS his family used to own in Thailand, together with
some info about the SM in Thailand while I'm at it,
A DS for sale in Chiang Mai, the major city of Northern Thailand. And in
the background, another Citroen for sale... yes, a Traction. See
the background, another Citroen for sale... yes, a Traction. See
An amazing document: a convertible DS, used in rallies in Thailand in
1969 ! Vithaya Chuchai worked in France as an engineer for Air France.
He brought this car upon his return to Thailand, and used it in a couple of
local rallies, according to his son, who inherited his garage in Bangkok...
To my knowledge, this is the only example of a convertible DS in Asia,
excluding recent imports to Japan.
1969 ! Vithaya Chuchai worked in France as an engineer for Air France.
He brought this car upon his return to Thailand, and used it in a couple of
local rallies, according to his son, who inherited his garage in Bangkok...
To my knowledge, this is the only example of a convertible DS in Asia,
excluding recent imports to Japan.
Expositions
An early DS was one of the highlights of an exhibition held in Bangkok
during the summer of 2010, and called "Icons of French Design". More
pictures
during the summer of 2010, and called "Icons of French Design". More
pictures
Another early DS was again the only car in a permanent exhibition titled
"What is Design ?", in 2010 in the TCDC (Thailand Creative & Design
Center) in Bangkok. More pics and the curator's comments
"What is Design ?", in 2010 in the TCDC (Thailand Creative & Design
Center) in Bangkok. More pics and the curator's comments
A DS under restoration in a garage somewhere in Thailand. More
pictures
pictures
Nice shots of his DS21 by a Thai amateur, on the roadside, upcountry.
Photos posted on the Bangkok Classic Car website. See them, and the
link,
Photos posted on the Bangkok Classic Car website. See them, and the
link,
By 1966 it became clear that Siam Motor Supplies did not have the
financial means to develop the Citroen business by itself. Another local
trading company, Bara Windsor, gave it a try; but finally Jacques Paris
took over again, starting new companies for that purpose. See the Part 2
of the saga
financial means to develop the Citroen business by itself. Another local
trading company, Bara Windsor, gave it a try; but finally Jacques Paris
took over again, starting new companies for that purpose. See the Part 2
of the saga
