Main Street in Jakarta, 1966

M. H. Thamrin Street in Jakarta, 1966 (Co Rentmeester/LIFE)

The street was busy, classic cars were milling about, bicycles, rickshaws and horse-drawn carriages occasionally passed, that was the atmosphere of the main street in Jakarta in 1966.

We can clearly see the Welcome Monument that was built in 1962 to welcome the Asian Games athletes after competing at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium Complex and will return to Hotel Indonesia where they stayed.

(Co Rentmeester/LIFE)

Even though it looked calm in the photo, the atmosphere in Jakarta and Indonesia was in turmoil at that time because of the September 30 Movement incident which took place a year earlier. The incident then culminated in President Soekarno's fall from power and General Suharto's rise to power.

M. H. Thamrin Street is still a main street in Jakarta until now, with many tall buildings where the most prestigious offices in Indonesia are located.