A journey through Thailand's past part 4
This series provides an overview of events from 1967 to 2017. Each installment covers a period of five years and is sure to hold surprises for even the most knowledgeable Thai history buffs. Today part 4: the period 1982-1986
Dara Rasami, an influential woman between two kingdoms
Dara Rasami (1873-1933) was a princess of the Chet Ton dynasty of Lan Na (Chiang Mai) kingdom. In 1886, King Chulalongkorn of the Kingdom of Siam (Bangkok area) asked for her hand in marriage. She became quite a consort among the other 152 wives of King Chulalongkorn and played an important role in the later merging of Siam and Lan Na into present-day Thailand. She was actively involved in cultural, economic and agricultural reform after her return to Chiang Mai in 1914.
A journey through Thailand's past part 3
This series provides an overview of events from the period 1967 to 2017. Each part covers a period of five years and is sure to hold surprises for even the most knowledgeable Thai history buffs.
Literacy and Libraries in Ancient Siam
How was the literacy of the Siamese in ancient times? What do we know about that? Not very much I'm afraid, but let me try to say something about it. And something about libraries and a bibliophile monk.
A journey through Thailand's past part 2
As the famous scientist Carl Sagan observed, "You must know the past to understand the present." In other words, "to understand how contemporary Thailand has formed, it is worth looking at history". Today part 2.
A journey through Thailand's past part 1
As the famous scientist Carl Sagan observed, "You must know the past to understand the present." In other words, "to understand how contemporary Thailand has formed, it is worth looking at history". This series provides an overview of events from 1967 to 2017. Each installment covers a period of five years and is sure to hold surprises for even the most knowledgeable Thai history buffs.
Sulak Sivaraksa: 'Loyalty requires contradiction'
Sulak Sivaraksa, 82 years old, is a Thai intellectual with an independent spirit who does not allow himself to be pigeonholed. Perhaps that is why he is viewed with some suspicion by all sides of the political and intellectual spectrum in Thailand.
Lampang is more than just Wat Phra That Lampang Luang
Lampang was an important city in the northern principality of Lanna for centuries. Nestled on the banks of the Wang River, between the Khun Tan Hills to the west and the Phi Pan Nam Hills to the east, Lampang was at the strategically important intersection of the roads connecting Kamphaeng Phet and Phitsanulok to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai.
The Ayutthaya of the 'ordinary' man (and of course also woman)
A huge problem for anyone trying to understand the history of Thailand is that historiography or historiography has been monopolized for more than two centuries and to this day by the Thai elite in general and the monarchy in particular. They and they alone have made the country what it is. Anyone who dares to question this theory is a heretic.
A Thai in the German Wehrmacht
For years I have been looking for a book that can shed light on one of the most intriguing pages of Thailand's World War II history. The cover features a photo of a German Wehrmacht officer with unmistakable Asian facial features. This book contains the memoirs of Wicha Thitwat (1917-1977), a Thai who had served in the ranks of the German Wehrmacht during this conflict.
Hendrick Indijck: The first Dutchman in Angkor Wat
One of the men who risked their lives for the VOC was Hendrik Indijck. It is not clear when exactly he was born, but it is true: according to most historians, this happened around 1615 in Alkmaar. Indijck was a literate and adventurous man.
Thailand in World War II
In Thailand you see quite a few Nazi knick-knacks, sometimes even T-shirts with the image of Hitler on it. Many rightly criticize the Thai's lack of historical awareness in general and the Second World War (Holocaust) in particular. Some assume that the lack of knowledge was due to the fact that Thailand itself was not involved in this war. That's a misconception.
The fortress Phi Sua Samut, a piece of dilapidated history
Phi Sua Samut fort is located on an island not far from Wat Phra Samut Chedi and in 2009 there was a tourist plan to renovate the fort, including by building a pedestrian bridge, all in all a good reason to pay a visit.
Wat Yai Chaimongkol in Ayutthaya (video)
Ayutthaya is the ancient capital of Siam. It is located 80 km north of the current capital of Thailand. In this video you see images of Ayutthaya and the Wat Yai Chaimongkol.
Phra Khruba Sri Wichai, the saint of Lanna and the lost battle for religious independence in the North
On the eleventh day of the waxing moon in the seventh lunar month, in the Year of the Tiger, in the 97th year of the Ratanakosin Era, a baby boy was born in the village of Ban Pang, Li districht, Lampun.
Relics of the Srivija Empire in Surat Thani
I really like the traces left by the Khmer civilization in Thailand, but that doesn't mean I close my eyes to all the other beautiful heritage that can be found in this country. In the Chaiya district of Surat Thani, for example, there are a number of special relics that testify to the influence of the Indonesian Srivija empire on the south of what is now Thailand.
Wat Mahatat, the jewel in the crown of Sukhothai
In recent months on this blog I have regularly reflected on the Sukhothai Historical Park, which is littered with important cultural-historical relics. Of course Wat Mahatat should not be missing in a series of contributions on this site.