I am not telling you a secret when I say that the influence of the Thai army on the social and political developments in the country in the last century has been indispensable. From coup to coup, the military caste not only managed to strengthen its position but also – and this until today – to maintain its grip on the country's government.
In the two previous contributions about foreign influences in Siamese and Thai architecture, I paid attention to the Italians. I like to conclude by taking a moment to reflect on the intriguing figure of the German architect Karl Döhring. He did not produce nearly as much as the aforementioned Italians, but the buildings he erected in Siam are, in my humble opinion, among the most beautiful that the strange mix between local and Farang architecture could produce.
If you've ever wondered why there are so many classic, Italianate government buildings in the heart of Bangkok, you should read on now…
With the arrival of the first Europeans in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, it was not long before Western elements appeared in Siamese architecture. The leading class in Ayutthaya looked with surprise and perhaps also some admiration at the strange structures that were erected by these foreigners on the outskirts of the city and especially the craftsmanship with which this was done.
In the years 1940 to 1944, the Catholic community in Thailand was persecuted for being seen as a 'fifth column' in the conflict with French Indochina.
The disappearance of the Thai Noi script
In many cases, languages disappear as a result of cultural struggles, unequal power relations or simple language constraints, where the problem often lies much deeper than the purely linguistic but has everything to do with threatened self-esteem and identity, the denial of self-determination and the freedom to maintain cultural traditions . A good example of the latter can be found in Thailand, more specifically in Isaan, where Thai Noi had to disappear for the majority written language.
How Siam/Thailand responded to the pull of the West
How did Thailand respond to contacts with the West? How did they view the West? Which things did they admire and which aroused their aversion? What did they adopt, how and for what reasons, and what did they reject? A short cultural guide.
Wat Ku Phra Kona: a remarkable example of heritage care
Some time ago, when I was looking for monumental Khmer relics in the vicinity of my home in Satuek, I stumbled upon Wat Ku Phra Kona in the south of the province of Roi Et. Coincidence, because this Khmer ruin is missing from just about every self-respecting travel guide. It is, however, one of the northernmost Khmer shrines.
Ya Mo: Not a kitten to handle without gloves
Strong women have often played a key role in Siam's turbulent history. One of the most famous examples of this is undoubtedly Thao Suranaree or Ya Mo as she is called in Isan. However, there was nothing in her youth to indicate that she would play a decisive role at a turning point in Siamese history, on the contrary.
Bang Rajan: a touch of Wahrheit and a lot of Dichtung….
Bang Rachan is a household name in Thailand. In fact, it illustrates how thin the line is in Thai historiography between Wahrheit & Dichtung. It's kind of like a Thai version of the well-known Asterix & Obelix stories: We go back to the year 1765. All of Siam is under the Burmese knot except for the brave inhabitants of one small village who stop the Burmese legions…
'The fable of the lame hare'; a 19th century fable from Siam
A fierce-looking, wide-eyed dog sits in the shadow of a boulder next to a horse track on the edge of the jungle north of Ban Lao. He hears the voices of two animals about to emerge from the jungle: a monkey and a hare; the latter is lame and holds a forepaw in the air. They stand trembling in front of the dog they immediately recognize as their master and from whom they will accept judgment on their dispute.
Kudichin, a touch of Portugal in Bangkok
It is a typical Thai neighborhood of Bangkok, nice to stroll through narrow sois, where you can now and then taste a touch of Portugal on the outside of houses, thanks to the use of the Portuguese blue azulejos (tiles). Of course the Santa Cruz church is the center of the neighborhood. It is not the original church, which was made of wood, but newly built in 1916.
The original conjoined twins
The most famous Siamese twins come from Thailand - then Siam - which also gave rise to the expression Siamese Twins. The two brothers Eng and Chang became celebrities in Europe and America in the 19th century.
The downfall of the Trentinian
On February 4, 1928, an emergency telegram arrives in Paris at Mrs. Bartholoni with the announcement that an explosion has taken place on the Trentinian off the banks of Nakhon Phanom in Siam resp. Thakhek in Laos. There are at least 40 dead and many injured; her husband has not been found up to that point. He was one of the crew on board.
Gender relations in Southeast Asia in past times
What was the purpose of those golden jingling bells? How easy was a divorce? Why was virginity an obstacle to marriage? Why did a Malaysian nobleman have to strangle his married daughter? Tino Kuis delves into sexual relations and marriage in 16th and 17th century Asia.
Stories from Ancient Siam (Part 3, Closing)
How did foreigners view Siam in the past? Andrew Freeman (1932): 'This people is incapable of governing itself. Watch how they do things. The Oriental will never appreciate what the white man did for him.' Sixteen stories in a row, translated by Tino Kuis.
King Naresuan the Great
In January each year, one of Thailand's greatest heroes of the past, King Naresuan the Great, is traditionally worshiped in Ayutthaya. But especially in Pitsanulok, once the capital of the Siamese empire.