U-Tapao and the end of the Vietnam War
The long Vietnam War ended on April 30, 1975 with the capture of Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam. No one had expected that the North Vietnamese and the Viet Cong could conquer the country so quickly and, moreover, no one had any idea of the consequences and consequences.
In every Thai house hangs a portrait of King Chulalongkorn, Rama V. Usually dressed in a neat Western costume, he proudly looks out into the world. And with good reason.
Muay Thai: The Legend of Nai Khanom Tom
Nai Khanom Tom is considered the “Father of Muay Thai” who was the first to dignify Thai boxing with a reputation abroad.
Chit Phumisak, the Che Guevara of Thailand
Chit Phumisak, the idol of many Thai students, was born on September 25, 1930 in a simple family in Prachinburi province, which borders Cambodia. He went to the temple school in his village, then to a public school in Samutprakan, where his talent for languages was discovered. Chit spoke Thai, Khmer, French, English and Pali. He later successfully studied linguistics at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok. There he joined an academic discussion group suspected by the authorities.
History of Thai Railways
In October 1890, King Chulalongkorn approved the establishment of a Ministry of Railways, and in 1891, the first railway was started in what was then Siam, from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima. The first train from Bangkok to Ayutthaya ran on March 26, 1894 and the railway network was steadily expanded.
The rise and fall of Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai has existed as a city for more than 700 years. It is older than Bangkok and probably as old as Sukhothai. In the past, Chiang Mai was the capital of Lanna Kingdom, an independent kingdom, rich in resources and unique in its culture and traditions.
King Anouvong of Vientiane
Gringo describes a bit of history about Phraya Lae the Brave a leader of Lao migrants who sided with the Siamese king “in a regional uprising” and was named the first governor of Chaiyaphum in thanksgiving.
VOC in Thailand
It has been several years since the Dutch embassy, on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of King Bhumibol Adulyadej's reign, published a book about a journey made by a Dutch VOC captain in 1737, at the invitation of the then king.
Bangkok 80 years ago (video)
It's nice to look at old images of Siam or Bangkok every now and then. We received this video from Tino.
How did things go 'in the past' with floods in Thailand?
The population accepted the floods as inevitable and it was a nuisance, but not too disturbing. They were, so to speak, fun times with plenty of opportunities to complain, to laugh and plenty to talk about. After all, floods and droughts have been part of normal life in Thailand for centuries.
The Thai poet Phra Sunthorn Vohara
In the village of Ban Krum in Kluang District, Rayong, there is a statue in memory of Phra Sunthorn Vohara, better known as Sunthorn Phu.
Politics & Buddhism: Red & Yellow Monks
Today you will read about the polarization that arose within the Sangha around the so-called Red Shirt Movement, that wave of protests caused by the army coup against the government of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in September 2006.
Bangkok, October 14, 1973
It seems very likely that October 14 will lead to a new upsurge of anti-regime protests in Bangkok. It is absolutely no coincidence that the protesters will take to the streets again on that very day. October 14 is a very symbolic date because on that day in 1973 the dictatorial rule of Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn came to an end. I also bring this story to indicate how past and present can become intertwined and how striking historical parallels can be established between Bangkok in 1973 and Bangkok in 2020.
Prostitution in Thailand: a piece of history
Thailand is not only known for its delicious food, friendly people and beautiful beaches. The country has an international reputation as a haven for prostitution.
Archaeologists have discovered a prehistoric cave (ถ้ำดิน), believed to be about 2.000 to 3.000 years old, in Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park in Prachuap Khiri Khan province.
A fast prince in Pattaya and eleven other Siamese
Prince Bira, in full HRH Prince Birabongse Bhanubandh, was born in 1914 as the grandson of King Mongkut (Rama IV). During his studies in London (visual arts!) he became addicted to fast cars and started a career as a racing driver.
KNIL veteran Julius Ernst on the Burma Railway
You have read the pre-announcement of the Remembrance Day on August 15 in Kanchanaburi, a beautiful tradition that is very rightly maintained by the Dutch embassy in Thailand.