Above picture: Captain Bush
Above picture: Charoenkrung 30 sign, also known as Captain Bush Lane
Captain Bush Lane was named for the Englishman John Bush who was an English sea captain, and was appointed Bangkok’s Harbor Master in 1858 and held the position for the next 30 years. He came to serve as Harbor Master in 1853, during the reign of Rama IV. His knowledge, abilities and ingenuity in performing official duties resulted in his receiving royal titles. In the reign of Rama V he served as Commander of the Royal Barge and captained several trips for him to Singapore and India in 1870 and 1871 so “Captain” was added to his name. Privately, he set up the first shipyard of Phra Nakhon, called Bangkok Dock and became very wealthy. He built a grand house on the banks of the Chao Phraya River near the Marine Department’s office. Today no trace of Captain Bush’s house remains, only a memorial. People had been calling the lane where it was located “Captain Bush Lane” from the time it was built but currently it is officially known as Soi Charoenkrung 30.
Top picture (1918): Extreme left: Partial view of Capt. Bush House
Bottom picture: The Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel now occupies his plot of land