I believe the idea of lighter skin being 'better' came with the Chinese as they rose in the society's hierarchy.Quote:
Originally Posted by nathanielnong
Dark skin = rural worker. Lighter skin = no need to work, wealthier
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I believe the idea of lighter skin being 'better' came with the Chinese as they rose in the society's hierarchy.Quote:
Originally Posted by nathanielnong
Dark skin = rural worker. Lighter skin = no need to work, wealthier
I think that the photo on the right is not of an anonymous model but of King Rama VI with one of his wives you listed here recently, perhaps the first one, seeing the king in his younger age...Quote:
Originally Posted by nathanielnong
Quote:
Originally Posted by Klondyke
Actually, almost all of the said anonymous models on the photos I have posted here have been identified by the historians. I did not reveal them because it would be irrelevant to my theme of the article.
About the couple that you remarked, the husband was King Rama V’s 5th son (of all 8) born with his Supreme Royal Consort, Queen Sri Pacharintra. His name was Prince Assadang Dechawut (1889-1925 --- He was in the line of the succession to the throne but died young).
His elder brother was King Rama VI (you can see his resemblance, very good!) and his younger brother was King Rama VII (your favorite!).
Your remark shows that you really are interested in Thai history, very impressed.
(Note: The photo of the sitting single lady I said 'you know who' is King Rama VI's wife (#3))
Attachment 59869
(The standing handsome Prince, in the middle, has his interesting story. Working on it!)
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Perhaps the Chinese had some influence on this particular social scheme, but greater evidence suggest that this lighter/darker skin complex had it's origins from King Chulalongkorn and court circles, during his mid-years reign of romancing the "siwilai" Farang manner - including the fashion of lighter skin tone. Quite remarkable, was the fashionable transition of dress, hair, customs and styles of demeanor within the broader circles. Naturally, these trends transferred easily to general society......the base ideals of fairer skin being civilised and whatnot.Quote:
Originally Posted by panama hat
Thanks for the flowers (a bit compensating for the outraged private "appreciations" of some honourable members for my humble contributions to "your" thread - they are too shy to publicise them).Quote:
Originally Posted by nathanielnong
Actually, not really much in-deep knowledgable, just interested in history of country I currently live in.
In fact, some of bits of Thai history (beside books reading) I had gotten many years ago while being member of Siam Society for few years, having a chance to meet and hear many interesting people there - both falangs and Thai (now again I see how I was wrong when uttering that haven't met Thai people interesting in their history - actually that was valid for Thai working class even with a high education) and having a free access to their extensive library. I discontinued the membership when later not staying permanently in Bangkok, no longer being able to attend the regular meetups on Wednesdays at Asoke Rd. Mansion.
As of the handsome prince shown above, you are now preparing something about, isn't he Prince Chakrabongse? His life (and death as well) could constitute surely a lot of interesting stories...
Thanks for sharing your interesting life (while in Bangkok). Are you Buddhist or just interested in Thai history?Quote:
Originally Posted by Klondyke
I used to meet a young Swedish at a wat in Rayong. He came here to ordain to become a monk. It was only him that was deeply interested in Buddhism. His family are not Buddhism. I asked if his parents agreed with this. He said "I've chosen my life". I provided him Buddhism in English for him to study. On that day, his parents flew in to witness their son.
No one knows what lies in the future.
He is now still there, 10 years already. I used to come to visit him a few times but never be able to meet. He was seclusive. I really admire his determination. He first flew here alone, at late 20s and, kind of, being able to speak only few Thai words, and found a way to come to this wat and has never left.
And yes, that was Prince Chakrapong (my way of writing names, according to how we pronounce) I am working on.
Petchara Chaowarat is an icon of the "Golden Age" of Thai cinema who starred in around 300 films from 1961 to 1979. She was known for her round, pool-like eyes and elaborating hairstyles.
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Born in 1943 in Rayong Province, she moved into Bangkok at the age of 15. In 1961, she competed for Miss Hawaiian April pageant and won the title.
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That paved her way into the entertainment world which she proved to be very good at. She co-starred with popular leading man, Mit Chaibancha, and the most popular pair in the entertainment world of the era was born. In that time, none just said “Mit” or “Petchara” but “Mit-Petchara”. Both starred together in more than 150 films.
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In 1964, Petchara was named best actress by the Thailand National Film Awards committee for her role in Nok Noi (the name of her role which means ‘little bird’) and received the award from King Rama IX.
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Her last film was Ai Khuntong, which was released in 1979.
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Her public appearances have dwindled over the years attributed to her near blindness then finally went blind caused from her many hours of working in front of the bright lights on film sets.
Petchara was named a National Artist of Thailand in 2018.
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Computer colored versions of B&W photographs
The Siamese from Lopburi Province were gathered around to witness and offer food to their beloved King Rama V (1905)
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Andreas du Plessis de Richelieu (1852 – 1932) was a Danish with French descendant naval officer and businessman.
He commanded forces at the Pra Chulachomklao Fortress in the Paknam Incident of 13 July 1893 that ended the Franco-Siamese War and went on to become the first and only foreign-born commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Navy, ranking Vice Admiral, from 16 January 1900 to 29 January 1901 in the reign of King Rama V. He was granted the Thai noble title “Phraya Chonlayuttayotin”.
He returned to Denmark in 1902, suffering from malaria and died in Copenhagen.
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One of King Rama V’s concubines
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The uniform of court chamberlain in the reign of King Rama VI (1910-1925)
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King Rama VII’s wife, Queen Rampai Pannee (1904-1984) when being young
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Mit Chaibancha was the legendary Thai film actor who made 266 films from 1956 to 1970.
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Born in 1934 from a poor family in Petchaburi Province, at the age of 8, Mit moved to Bangkok where he was enrolled in a Thai boxing school. He became the lightweight boxing champion for his school in 1949 and 1951 then went on to win three lightweight division titles.
After finishing secondary school, he studied at a community college before being accepted into the Royal Thai Air Force aviation school where he was trained as a pilot.
After graduation, he worked as a flight instructor at Don Muang Royal Thai Air Force Base. Shortly after that, his handsomeness and manly look drew him into the entertainment world.
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One of his best known movies, Pet Tad Pet (Operation Bangkok) released in 1966, was shot in both Bangkok and Hong Kong. The film starred a lot of famous Thai actors/actresses at that time and featured Hong Kong's then top actress, Regina Piping. The result was a blockbuster. It earned more than 3 million baht within 1 month.
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Back in 1961, Mit starred in a film titled “Bantuk Rak Pimchawee (Love Diary of Pimchawee)”.
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It was his first film being paired with Petchara Chaowarat. This was the beginning of the most celebrated hero-heroine partnership in Thai cinematic history. The Mit-Petchara duo made about 165 films together.
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One of the pair's most famous films was 1970's Mon Rak Loog Tung (roughly means in English as “Magical Love of the Countryside”), a musical romantic comedy rhapsodizing Thai rural life.
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At the height of his career in the 60s up to early 70s, Mit, along with Petchara Chaowarat, made a string of hit films that packed cinemas all over Thailand, starting from north to south and east to west. No one did not know them.
"Mon Rak Loog Tung” was one of Mit's last films. It played in Bangkok cinemas for a solid six months in 1970 and took in 6 million baht and 13 million all over Thailand which considered a phenomenon. Its popularity spurred by the best-selling soundtrack album.
Mit met his death untimely in October 1970 while filming “Insee Tong” (Golden Eagle).
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Insee Tong was the first film that Mit produced himself and it featured the return of his popular character, the masked crime-fighter, “Insee Daeng” (Red Eagle), the secret alter ego of alcoholic detective Rom Rittikrai of which the first of the series was released in 1959.
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On the last day of shooting “Insee Tong” at Dong Tan Beach, Pattaya, the script called for Mit, having vanquished the villains, to fly off into the sunset by a helicopter. As the camera rolled, Mit leapt from the ground to grab a rope ladder hanging from the aircraft only managing to reach the very last rung.
Unaware of this, the helicopter pilot flew higher and higher. Mit finally lost his grip and fell to the ground.
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The accident was all caught on film and was actually left in the final theatrical release. The fatal fall has since been removed from DVD version of the film with Mit simply flying off into the distance and some onscreen text paying tribute to the star.
Mit's death was the headline of every newspaper in Thailand. The incident was ruled as a tragic accident. For safety, there should have been two takes for the final scene. The first would have been of Mit grabbing the ladder and flying off at low altitude. Then a stuntman would have performed a second shot at a higher altitude but that did not happen for Mit normally had never called for a stuntman.
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Mit was a devoted actor to his career. He was extremely busy with his work and was always on the move, going from set to set and sleeping as little as two or three hours per night.
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Geez . . . and to have a picture of it as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by nathanielnong
I remember Mitr's death and the huge press coverage surrounding it. There was a shrine dedicated to his memory at Pattaya. I am guessing it is still there unless swallowed up by development. Maybe one of the Pattaya residents will know?
Whenever I mention his name these days nobody knows who I am talking about, unless it is a fellow geriatric.
^ You’ve been around a while! Are you Thai? In 1970, I wouldn’t have been able to point out Thailand on a map. :)
Thanks for asking, not really a Buddhist nor belonging to any religion. However, when attending numerous tamboons with my wives, following the customary procedures...Quote:
Originally Posted by nathanielnong
Attachment 60061Quote:
Originally Posted by Klondyke
May I introduce you to the our good old uncle giants named “Sahadsa-Daecha” and “Tosakan” who has been guarding the entrance to the main hall of Wat Aroon Rachawararam, or known locally as Wat Chaeng, since the reign of King Rama III (1824-1851). The roof of the entrance was built in ‘Thai crown’ style.
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When you are in a wat. The corridor with roof that runs around the area inside of the wall is called “ra-beang (corridor) kot”. It’s usually a place to keep Buddha images collected from various times and places. This photo shows ra-beang kot at Wat Benchamaborpit.
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In the old days, 50s-60s, the only bank that provided “moving bank” service is the Government Savings Bank. Blue with sky blue stripe, I remember very well.
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Before cooking gas, every kitchen starting from the top (palaces’) to the bottom (people houses’) used hard wood charcoal as fuel to cook food.
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A three-part miniseries and one spin-off. Not by intention. The deeper I dug the funnier I got. I hope you guys feel the same...
Part 1
Prince Chakrapong Puwanad was born in March 1883. He was the 43rd child (sorry K.Pickel, a typo!) of King Chulalongkorn (King Rama V) and the 4th child of the Supreme Royal Consort, Queen Saowapa Pongsri. His big brother, Crown Prince Wachirawut, later had taken the throne as King Rama VI.
Attachment 60080
He was standing in the middle. Sitting on his right was the future King Rama VI. Sitting cross legged far on his left was the future King Rama VII.
Since Prince Chakrapong’s another elder brother died young so he was appointed as the heir to the throne but that was as far as he could go for he, also, died sooner than his brother, King Rama VI, and another reason that confirmed his fate was him marrying a foreign lady.
The reign of King Rama V was said to be the first that opened the door of Siam to the western lands. So, it was very popular at sending the royalties to study abroad to bring various knowledge back and help developing the country. Prince Chakrapong who was one of his father’s favorites was one of them.
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In 1897, King Rama V visited Russia and accepted an invitation by Emperor Nicholas II, the last Emperor of All Russia, who was his close friend. They met first in 1890 when the Emperor, who was then Nicholas Alexandrovish, Tsesarevich (Crown Prince Nicholas) of Russia, took a royal visit to Siam and was very pleased with the very warm welcome by the King.
The invitation was to send one of the King’s sons to study in Russia under the care of the Emperor himself. His son would be treated like a close relative. The King decided to appoint Prince Chakrapong who was at the time studying in England to further his education in Russia.
Attachment 60082
Nicholas Alexandrovish, Tsesarevich of Russia with King Rama V and Crown Prince Wachirawut in Siam in 1890
Attachment 60083
In Russia in 1897
A year later at the age of around 16, the handsome Prince Chakrapong was sent to study at Imperial Corps de Pages (a military academy) in Russia.
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He studied hard to master the Russian classics. With all the classes conducted in Russian, the young prince had to study the language in extra classes, as well as playing the piano, violin, balalaika, dancing, horse riding and hunting; all of which were new and challenging activities for the young Siamese Prince.
Nevertheless, in September, 1901, the Prince passed all his exams with the highest mark that set the record of the school and entered as a cornet of the Hussar regiment.
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In winter uniform
During that time, he met and fell in love with a 17-year-old young lady born from a Russian commoner family in Kiev, Ekaterina (Katya) Desnitskaya. They met while she was a nurse.
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After completing his training at the Military Academy, Prince Chakrapong was made a Colonel in the Hussar Regiment of Emperor Nicholas II of Russia and received The Order of St. Andrew the Apostle the First-Called which was the highest order of the Russian Federation. He then headed for Constantinople where he and Katya married in secret at an Orthodox church in 1906. Prince Chakrapong’s parents knew nothing of the marriage at the time.
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Not long after that, Prince Chakrapong along with his wife returned to his homeland, where he was made a General and became the closest advisor to King Rama V who after hearing the news was dead-set against his son’s marriage to a foreigner. The news of the Prince taking a non-Buddhist commoner wife was widely considered scandalous. So, it was extremely forbidden among the Siamese royalties.
However, Katya eventually gained the support of Queen Saowapa, her mother-in-law. The young foreigner willingly took the Queen’s advice and swapped her European clothes for traditional Thai garments.
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The fact that Katya was pregnant also brought the two women closer together. Prince Chula Chakrapong, the son of Katya and Prince Chakrapong, was born on March, 1908.
Two years later the King accidentally saw his grandson in the royal palace. In the evening he told his wife: “I met your grandson today. He’s so nice. He resembles his father and he doesn’t look like a European at all. I loved the boy from the first moment I saw him”.
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Later, King Wachirawut (King Rama VI, the first son of King Rama V) elevated his foreigner sister-in-law, Katya, to the Duchess of Phitsanulok and legalized her marriage to Prince Chakrapong.
Personally, Prince Chakrapong was wealthy in all respects. Apart from owning several businesses, he himself might possibly be an heir to inherit the throne. The future seemed bright but after seven years of marriage, his relationship with Katya became distant.
Katya’s isolation in Siam turned into a longing for her homeland but the chaos concerning with the great Revolution followed by the execution of the Romanov family in 1918, going home wasn’t an option.
While Katya took a long vacation abroad away from Siam, her husband met a young Thai Princesses, a 15-year-old named Chawalit. They became close and eventually, Princess Chawalit moved in with Prince Chakrapong.
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Katya returned home to learn that the rumors she’d heard of her husband falling for his young niece were true. Prince Chakrapong wanted to make Princess Chawalit his second wife.
For the first time, the culture gap was too wide to cross. Katya could not accept her husband having a second wife officially and the Prince could not understand the western concept of a woman wanting to be the only wife.
In the end, her mother-in-law, the Queen, gave her official permission for a divorce ending thirteen years of their marriage. The family fell apart and Katya left Siam promising never to set foot on this country again.
However, less than a year later she had to come back to attend her ex-husband’s funeral.
Attachment 60092
At the age of 37, Prince Chakrapong died suddenly of pneumonia. King Rama VI vetoed the Prince’s testament which was in favor of his second wife, Princess Chawalit and divided all of the Prince's assets equally between the Princess and Katya.
When all the business was arranged, Katya moved on to Beijing to stay for a while with her brother who was serving as Chief of the Chinese Eastern Railway.
After that she headed for Shanghai where she met and married former US soldier and engineer, Harry Clinton Stone then moved with him back to America. This time, she left Siam for good.
Attachment 60093
New marriage life of Katya did not go well. She could not get along with her husband’s parents. The only happiness she could grab at that time was to come to England and meet her beloved son, Prince Chula Chakrapong who at the time had become a handsome young prince.
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Finally she and her husband decided to move away to settle down in Paris where she could be closer to her son who would come to stay with her during his school breaks and also closer to her own family that had migrated from Russia since the Revolution.
Katya moved back to American once again when England joined the WWII. She died there at the age of 71.
--- End of part 1 ---
Arai Wa!!Quote:
Originally Posted by nathanielnong
All hail King Chulalongkorn! That's a lot of offspring, and that's only the sons.
His Father, beloved King Mongkut, had twice that many - so it's been said.Quote:
Originally Posted by pickel
Sired by the way of a few proper queens, princess consorts, and numerous concubines.
Accepted tradition. All of which ceased [within royal circles] in the first quarter of the 20th century.
Official information says that King Rama V had 97 offspring. Among them 32 were sons and 44 were daughters. The rest were stillborn. About his wives, (so far as recorded) there were 9 who were born royalties and 144 commoners.Quote:
Originally Posted by pickel
It was told among little birds that on his first European royal visit in 1897, the rumor of him having a lot of wives and children went before him to the European countries.
Official orders were launched not to mention this delicate subject during his (King Rama V’s) presences.
Yet, in Denmark, at a royal feast Princess Marie d' Orleans, Prince Valdemar’s wife asked him bluntly (my own translation).
“Why do you have so many wives?”
King Rama V replied her immediately “Because I hadn’t met you first!”
The Princess blushed.
Attachment 60109
Attachment 60111
Attachment 60107 In Rome
Attachment 60108 In Germany
Note: His father, King Rama IV, had 3 wives born royalties and 56 commoners. He had 84 children, among them, 33 sons and 43 daughters. The rest were stillborn.
It was told among little birds that King Rama V won because his father (King Rama IV) had spent quite a long period of time (27 years 7 months) under the monkhood!
Quote:
Originally Posted by nathanielnong
I think I got confused. It should have been "fun" not "funny". Some English words always confuse me such as "goat/sheep". If you show me one, I can't say in English whether it's called a "goat" or a "sheep". Or, if I read the word "goat" or "sheep", I can't figure out what it looks like between the two of them.
Same goes to "papaya/pajama", "desert/dessert" and more.
^ Imagine how the world feels about the Thai language :smile:
Thank you, again, for your thread. It really is excellent, your efforts are appreciated
Attachment 60212 Attachment 60212 Attachment 60212Quote:
Originally Posted by panama hat
Part 2
While his family was gone shattered, young Prince Chula Chakrapong remained at the royal palace. After the death of his father and the departure that never came back of his mother, the young Prince was well taken care of by his uncle, King Rama VI, who had planned the future road for him.
Attachment 60213
At the age of 13, he was sent to study in England and stayed there to learn how to stand on his own feet. His father's death had left him an amount of allowance. Plus, after his father’s widow wife, Princess Chawalit decided to remarry, the King made her legally transfer all of her legacy inherited from her former husband back to his son, Prince Chula Chakrapong. That made his wealth finally grew more significant. He, later, bought his mother a house near Paris, where he could spend his holidays.
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In 1925 the last surviving son of King Rama V, Prince Prachatipok, became the King of Siam (King Rama VII) but these were troubled times with the Siamese economy dragged down by the Great Depression.
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With the situation in the country deteriorating each month, King Rama VII abdicated in March 1934 after handing the First Constitution to the people of Siam in 1932. His nephew (Prince Ananta Mahidol) became King Rama VIII.
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Around that time, Prince Chula Chakrapong, at the age of 24, was in England and despite all of his efforts he couldn’t return to Siam. Democracy was in full swing and new rulers were already running the country. Nobody was interested in the fate of the half-Russian half Thai Prince who had no strong supporters.
In England, he met his fellow cousin, Prince Peera. Together, they set up a garage and competed in well-known international races. Prince Chula had inherited his father’s organizational skills and his cars driven by Prince Peera won the most prestigious pan-European races.
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The Prince eventually met and married a British lady born in a Gentry family named Elizabeth Hunter against his uncle, King Rama VII,’s advice “Not follow the path that your father had done”. They married in 1938.
Later in the same year, the young couple managed to visit Siam for the first time making the big headlines on every newspaper but the couple never settled down there.
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Even though residing in England for the whole of his life, the Prince always carried royal tasks, taken placed in foreign lands, by the commission of the Kings of Thailand.
In 1956, Prince Chula Chakrapong’s daughter, Narisara, was born.
Attachment 60220
Narisara later married twice. Her only son with the first husband, Allen Levy, has entered the world of entertainment and is well known as an artist named “Hugo Chulachak”
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Prince Chula Chakrapong died of cancer in 1963 at the age of 55.
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---End of Part 2---
Part 3 - I think this episode is very fun, like a fiction.
Back when Prince Chakrapong Puwanad, by the decision of his father, King Rama V, was sent to further his education in Russia, he did not go alone…
Attachment 60296
Mr. Poom (to pronounce, make it quick) was born in the year 1883. He was the first student ever who received the King’s Scholarship in the reign of King Rama V.
In 1898, Poom was chosen to accompany the King’s son, Prince Chakrapong to Russian Empire to study in the Military Academic Staff School.
Coming from a well-off family, Poom was not only a good student but also a person with good personality as well as good manners. He was then chosen as an outstanding student by the civil servant selection committee at that time.
In 1897, King Rama V visited Russia and accepted an invitation by Emperor Nicholas II, the last Emperor of All Russia, who was his close friend to send one of the King’s sons to study in Russia under the care of the Emperor himself.
Attachment 60297
Crown Prince Wachirawut – the future King Rama VI (right)
The King decided to appoint Prince Chakrapong who was at the time studying in England to further his education in Russia.
He also had an idea to select one more student to accompany the Prince. A list of the students which comprised of students from royal families, noble descendants and one outstanding student chosen by the civil servant selection committee which was Poom was submitted. He won.
"…Though not born a noble son, Nai Poom is considered diamond in the rough. He has good manners and is likeable among people. He is also very wise and intelligent…”.
King Rama V answered that
"... Nai Poom would provide a good government service in the future. Also according to my son’s satisfaction, the boys would be happy working together…”
The King also sent Emperor Nicholas II a message to kindly honor Mr. Poom to receive the same education and well-being and everything like his son, Prince Chakrapong, in order to make Mr. Poom the Prince’s true friend in a foreign land and to inspire the Prince more perseverance in his studies.
At the Corps des Pages military academy, in spite of being disadvantaged in language and having to attend various events conducted by the royal court and more, the results of the final exam came out that Prince Chakrapong took the first place and Mr. Poom the second place. The two men then were placed in the rank of lieutenant of the Cavalry Regiment of Hussar.
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Lieutenant Poom accompanied Lieutenant Prince Chakrapong to Thailand for the first time in 1903 and entered the service in the Royal Thai Cavalry Regiment, received the rank of captain of the cavalry.
Not long after, the two friends returned to study more in the Russian Empire again to be educated at the Higher Command School and graduated in 1905.
Attachment 60302
Lt. Poom came back to be active in the Cavalry Regiment of Hussar once again and was awarded the rank of Colonel Poom of the Hussar Cavalry Regiment being famous in the battlefields.
Attachment 60303
Col. Poom had begun to distance himself from Prince Chakrapong since the Prince courted a Russian lady, Katya. After the Prince married, the two friends parted ways. While the Prince along with his wife coming back to Siam, Col. Poom made a request to stay further in Russia to study French.
In this regard, the Ministry of Defense of Thailand refused. A heated argument occurred and ended up with the detention of Col. Poom within the area of the Royal Thai Embassy in St. Petersburg.
This imprisonment of Col. Poom caused resentment, concerning of dishonoring, to the Cavalry Regiment of Hussar Office so much that a kidnapping of Col. Poom from the embassy was expedited. The action was aggressive that made Col. Poom change his citizenship to become a Russian. This political incident barred him from returning to Siam.
In 1917, the great revolution turned Russia into communism. Many Russian officers were discharged from service. The lower ranking soldiers were allowed to choose their own commanders. Col. Nicholai Poomsky (The Russian name of Poom) was among ones that had been selected.
Due to his loyalty to Emperor Nicholas II, Col. Nicholai Poomsky did not accept this position.
It was told among the little birds that not long before the mass execution, Emperor Nicholas II called him in “This is the matter among the Russians. It does not involve you so, Go!”
The Col. then took an opportunity to escape from Russia to France. There he was known as Mr. Poomsky and found a clerk job at a bank to live by until he met Prince Chakrapong’s son, Prince Chula Chakrapong.
Attachment 60304
In his search for his father’s best friend, Prince Chula Chakrapong finally found Poom. The man was given a shelter and also assigned a new job to be the secretary of his mother, Katya (his father’s ex-wife, remember?).
Attachment 60305
Left
After 33 years away from homeland, Col. Nicholai Poomsky returned to Thailand once again excitedly. Prince Chula Chakrapong proposed to change citizenship for him back to Thai once again as Mr. Poom and now with Sakorn as his surname for, since 1916, King Rama VI had enacted a law that required all families to have surnames.
The arrival of Mr. Poom Sakorn was the talk of the town. The Prime Minister invited him to teach at the Command and Staff School with the appointment of Lieutenant Colonel of the Royal Thai Army but he refused.
Later on, he, along with Prince Chula Chakrapong, traveled back to England. The Prince invited the man to stay with him for good at the Tredethy, his residence located in Bodmin (now a country house hotel).
Attachment 60306
Mr. Poom Sakorn passed away on 20 November 1947 at the age of 64 from a heart attack while Prince Chula Chakrapong, the son of his true friend, was away to America on business. His was buried in a cemetery near the Prince’s residence.
Attachment 60307
----End of Part 3----
Ps The last part (a spin-off) is coming
Fascinating - thank you
Quote:
Originally Posted by panama hat
Attachment 60340
What did I wrote?Quote:
Originally Posted by nathanielnong
Yes, what's wrong on this? Especially when we write about Thai families and especially about royal families?Quote:
when attending numerous tamboons with my wives,
However, my case is quite different. Yes, I had attended numerous tamboons with my first (Thai) wife who lost her fight with a fast cancer many years ago. And still attending numerous tamboons with my present (Thai) wife...
Nong, I know you took it with a smile as it's always the case in Thailand when speaking about "wives"...
Not so my friend who never disappoints to find always anything not only on my opinions wrong (in his pure democratical view) but mostly on the language he is so superior in.
Even in such an unpolitical topic as this thread is, he did not disappoint to give me his 3rd red (how does he manage to be able to give so many reds in a short time period?):
Quote:
Thread: Memory Lane (In my own language)
"wives" . . . oh, do get the very basics of English right . . . unless you're a mormon. Singular/plural
A spin-off…
Prince Peerapong Panuded (1914 – 1985) or better known as Prince “Pee Ra” of Siam or by his name given in the racetracks, "Por (Thai pronunciation for the Thai letter 'พ' or 'P' in English) Pee Ra" was a member of the Thai Royal Family. He was an athlete, a racing driver, a sailor, and a pilot, to name just a few, but what made him most famous was a racing driver.
Attachment 60342
Being just a boy, Prince Pee Ra was sent to get more education aboard and graduated from Eton then Cambridge in England where he met and became close friend with his cousin, Prince Chula Chakrapong.
Attachment 60343
Together, the two close friends formed a racing garage and Prince Pee Ra entered Formula One and Grand Prix races for the Maserati, Gordini and Connaught teams.
Around that time, he was the only Southeast Asian driver to compete in Formula One until much, much later, Malaysia’s Alex Yoong joined Minardi in 2001.
He also was the only Thai driver to compete in Formula One until Alexander Albon made his debut in 2019.
Moreover, he competed in sailing events at four Summer Olympic Games and always flew back and forth between London and Bangkok in his own twin-engine Miles Gemini aircraft.
Focusing on car racing, Prince Pee Ra started after he turned 21 years old. He became well-known internationally especially in Europe where he competed. He raced a series of English Racing Automobiles (ERA) cars painted in striking blue and yellow livery that had fanciful nicknames from mythology such as “Romulus, Remus and Hanuman”. His signature color is now known as Pee Ra Blue. He favored racing the ERA Romulus while abroad, and ERA Remus while in England.
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His first triumph was at the Coupe de Prince Rainier in Monaco on 11 April 1936.
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King George V of England bestowed upon Prince Pee Ra the high honor of “BRDC Road Racing Gold Star” in a row for three years (1936-1938). He also received the honor of being named in the British Racing Association Hall of Fame.
Prince Pee Ra died at Barons Court tube station in London on 23 December 1985 at the age of 71. Having suffered from a major heart attack, he collapsed and died. Since he carried no identification with him, his body could not initially be identified.
A handwritten note was found in his pocket by the Metropolitan Police and was sent for analysis at the University of London where it was shown as being written in Thai language and addressed to Prince Pee Ra.
The Thai Embassy was notified and realized his significance. A Thai funeral service was held at the Buddhist Wat in Wimbledon. Later, according to Thai and Buddhist tradition and customs, he was cremated.
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Chob Laew Krub (the end!... Phew!)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Klondyke
I am relieved that Thai language does not have singular/plural or tense involved. That's why I had to excuse myself first with "in my own language".
Each article that I write (type, I mean) here, it takes more time than others who are farangs because this is not my own language. While writing a paragraph containing a few lines in Thai takes less than 1 minute, but in English it might consume me 10 minutes at least before letting it go (and hope that it is all right, though not always). I have to check and recheck and recheck.
All of my friends here are so supportive and sympathetic such as K.Panama Hat (sorry I fail to remember the others' names. K.Panama Hat comes in very often). He understands how much effort I have put in to make an article.
Anyway, in my own Thai language, I am so strict about using it, may it be writing or speaking because it is Thai language, unique. It defines who we are, Thai people. Yet, for example, no one (Thais) knows the difference of how to utter the letter "ร" and "ล" anymore.
I really sympathize with what is happening to you. I have always considered this kind of website is a place to find friends not foes. Please do not let it bother you much.
Get over yourself and allow Nathaniel to continue instead of whining and whining.Quote:
Originally Posted by Klondyke
You wrote 'wives', plural. Nathaniel joked that you have several wives. Capisci?
Can we continue now, tovarish?
You might be right, however, as you can see, it's not always the reality. (Quote:
Originally Posted by nathanielnong
You might be disappointed but K. Panama Hat comes in very ofen because of me...:)Quote:
K.Panama Hat comes in very often
Some just see the chance to heal their "Minderwärtigkeitskomplex", waiting like a vulture on their prey.
But it does not bother me - as you think. They are just so stupid that they do not see how graphically it shows their character.
And it was as I predicted when writing "my wives": awaiting that he will swallow the bait (den Speck angebissen).
And not only once, another 4th one: (he surely will have to make many others happy with his red/green favors to be able to make me happy within short time again either):
Quote:
Thread: Memory Lane (In my own language)
Still whining . . . no-ne gives a fuck about you and your whining and self-pity, fuckwit. Go whine elsewhere, you utter piece of shit
Please continue Nathaniel.
(Klondyke, your whining about repo belongs in the repo thread, please continue there and allow this thread to thrive)
Something light...
From bird’s eye view, the Memorial Bridge was in a form of an ‘arrow’. It was constructed in 1932 in the reign of King Rama VII who had another name as King Prachatipok Suckdidet. Focusing on the word ‘det’ or officially spelled as ‘dej’, it is an, kind of, aristocratic word which means ‘arrow’.
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(above is his royal seal; three arrows are shown)
In the old days, around 70-80 years ago, every the little girl would have this thing covering her “jim (cute Thai slang)”. We call them “ta-ping”.
The material making “ta-ping” could tell the financial status of their families such as “ta-ping” made of gold, silver, copper and etc. (My mom and aunties, each had one).
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British Embassy, the old location (on Charoen Krung Road) before being replaced by the Grand Postal Post Office.
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French Embassy
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American Minister, 1887 (King Rama V's)
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Charoen Krung and See Praya intersection (1920)
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Have seen plenty of pictures of Saphan Phut and did not even notice the arrow configuration, let alone understand the significance of it.
Thanks Nong, I hope you have the patience to continue this thread for years.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shy Guava
Indeed, SG -
There certainly is a place for an outstanding historic thread of this nature within the confines of a Thailand-themed venue, as the base thematic has dwindled significantly in recent years.
Folks - don't forget to mark the "rate this thread" tab along the page bar above.
Probably deserves to be included in famous threads before the year is out - admin/mods will make that decision accordingly.
Well done, Nat.
:)
Good point, shall be remedied forthwith!Quote:
Originally Posted by HuangLao
Speaking of which, why did you stop adding to your very enjoyable Siam picture thread?Quote:
Originally Posted by HuangLao
K. Shy Guava (I just carefully read your name (didn't want to misspell it) and realized that it did not read "S (C) he Guevara" like I had understood it was since the beginning!),
K. HuangLao,
K. Panama Hat,
... Thank you very much for your very kind support.
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Some old photos of Central Department Store
At Wang Burapa (1957)
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At Ratchaprasong (1964). It was in the same area as Thai Dai Maru, the same back row but I am not sure of the exact coordinates.
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This is irrelevant but it was at the same area as well. Maybe you guys might remember.
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At Silom (1968). I always rode a bus to buy records here regularly. Not far located the Narai Hotel. Narai pizzeria was the best. On the opposite site of the road and close to Wat Kaek (Indian Wat), there was an old styled Chinese/Western restaurant named “Silom Patrakan”, splendid food.
Attachment 60393
At Chidlom, first ever one-stop department store (1973)
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In 1995, short circuit burned the building down. Over 1,535 million baht gone with the flame along with 4 lives and 11 badly injured
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