King Rama VII and Queen Rampai Phannee visiting the Solar Eclipse Observation Camp in Pattani Province, 1929
Attachment 87670
King Rama VII in Chiengmai
Attachment 87671
Printable View
King Rama VII and Queen Rampai Phannee visiting the Solar Eclipse Observation Camp in Pattani Province, 1929
Attachment 87670
King Rama VII in Chiengmai
Attachment 87671
Attachment 87712(The colorized B&W photo courtesy of ‘Page Siam Colorization by Noomrattana’)
Samut Sakhon Province was formerly called Tha Chin (Chinese Pier) probably because, in the old days, it had been a trading port for a vast number of Chinese junks.
In 1548, a city named Sakhon Buri was established at the mouth of the Tha Chin River. It was a center for recruiting troops from various seaside towns. The name of the city was changed to Mahachai when Klong (canal) Mahachai was dug in 1704 to connect the Tha Chin River to the city. Later, the city was renamed Samut Sakhon by King Rama IV but it is still popularly called Mahachai by its residents.
The rail transport established in the reign of King Rama V called the Mae Klong Line was a good help for saving time of transporting seafood to the City of Bangkok (seen mostly in the photo are the short mackerels).
Phra Sumen Fort is the northernmost of Rattanakosin's original forts, located at the mouth of Khlong Rop Krung (the moat). It was one of the two original forts that are left today (the other one is Mahakan Fort on Rachadumnoen Road).
The location is now at the corner of Phra Sumen and Phra Athit Roads. This octagonal fort has rectangular battlements on the lower level, and was topped by a roofed heptagonal tower, which collapsed sometime during the reigns of kings Rama V to Rama VII and was rebuilt in 1981 to celebrate the bicentennial of the city's foundation. The surrounding area was subsequently developed into Santichaiprakan Park, which opened in 2000
Attachment 87858(In the 70s)
Attachment 87859
According to page 26/650 concerning ‘A Documentary titled: The lottery’
In 1916, King Rama VI formally banned the ‘huay’ and during the time of World War I, he suggested a government lottery to raise money.
People see the government lottery as another rich channel because the rewards received are of high value. These awards cause people to strive for various lucky numbers whether in the world of superstition or else and that always cause a scandal.
During the reign of King Rama VI, there was a very interesting case concerning the corruption of lottery that was managed by the government officials who directly oversaw the issuance of lottery and prizes.
At that time, lottery in the reign of King Rama VI was the issue as "A Million Baht Scout Lottery". 1 million copies were printed and 1 baht for each was the cost.
Attachment 87885
The purpose of this type of lottery was to use for raising funds to provide weapons for the Wild Tiger Corps which he had established. This fundraising lottery was originally conceived and managed by top officers who worked for the King’s Wild Tiger Corps.
However, after the fundraising ended, the process smelled fishy and finally was caught by people and newspapers. They were curious if the names of the lottery buyers who won the first three prizes were reliable. There were three of them, Nai Chuen, Nai Seng and the third whose name was not mentioned in the history. While the prizes were paid but did those three persons exist?
The case was unfolded in a big way when the newspaper titled "Kroh Lek (iron shield)" dug the truth and suspiciously found that all the three awarded numbers started with the same set of three figures ‘183’.
The information spread to other newspapers and they joined heads to dig more and found that the scam was conducted by a group led by a high ranking noble who worked closely to King Rama VI. His name was Praya Nonthisane (for short).
Attachment 87886
The scandal was big enough that the Director-General of the Police Department at that time announced an investigation. All of the officials and committee, mostly were farung, who dealt with the procession of the lottery issuance were interrogated.
The results of the investigation revealed that the names of the three winners did not exist. The fact was according to the newspapers’ suspicion.
The final truth came out at the Supreme Court. All the major suspects were arrested. The first defendant, Praya Nonthisane, was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
The case of this big scandal was said to be the result of the press that helped spreading the information and doubts that finally pushed the police to investigate this fraud which led to a successful ending.
Praya Nonthisane originally was a commoner. His father was a German whose last name was Falck. Once his family was granted surname, it was ‘Sean-saewee’ (derived from the German meaning (falck = falcon), to Thai meaning using Sanskrit alphabets). So, the original name of him was ‘Max Sean-saewee’.
After being declared the first defendant of the scandal, he was considered a disgrace to his descendants who shared the same surname. The embarrassment was up to the point the they decided to drop the original surname and change to a new one. The new surname only just indicates that they are descendants of a German family.
The image of Praya Nonthisane has almost never been found (on the internet).
Attachment 87887(The caricature of his was drawn by King Rama VI)
Farung in Tang Chungwat in the 70s
Attachment 87965
Attachment 87966
Attachment 88013(The colorized B&W photo courtesy of ‘Page Siam Colorization by Noomrattana’)
Originally, the National Theater started in 1932 when the Fine Arts Department was assigned from the Bureau of the Royal Household to take care of Siamese traditional performances such as khon, la-korn (plays) and music. This caused the Fine Arts Department to bring those performances to be displayed in its Department's theater which was converted from the auditorium.
This theater is small comprising of a stage, theatrical scene, a space for a band to play background music and rows of chairs for the audience as seen in the photo above.
Until on 9th November, 1960, this theater was completely destroyed by fire. After that, there was an idea to build the National Theater. The new theatre was built from 1960 to 1965 beginning under the supervision of Luang Wichit Wathakan, the prolific author and playwright who contributed much to the development of Thai nationalist discourse during the mid-20th century.
The building was designed in applied Thai style, with a modernist plan superimposed with a traditional-Thai-influenced gabled roof. It sits in the northern end of Sanam Luang. Currently, the National Theater is under the supervision of the Fine Arts Department. Ministry of Culture
Attachment 88014
An interesting read.
https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.ne...OHF5GGSLRBV4ZA
Note:
King Borommakot was the king of Ayutthaya Kingdom from 1733 to 1758. His reign was the last blooming period of Ayutthaya as the kingdom would fall nine years after his death.
"His reign of 25 years is important for being the last peaceful period of Ayutthaya during which literature with the arts and crafts flourished."
However, the King himself was known for "cruelty to people and animals alike," with seven of his sons meeting violent deaths.
Much of what survives in Ayutthaya Province today dates back to King Borommakot's massive renovations of Ayutthaya temples in the second quarter of the 18th century.
According to the article above,
Thammathibet Chaiyachet Suriyawong, the Prince Senaphithak, also known as Prince Kung or Chao Fa Kung (? – 1746) was the eldest son of King Borommakot (1733 - 1758) and Princess Aphainuchit or Phra Phan Watsa Yai. The Prince was Viceroy of the front palace of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya from 1732 – 33 though he was much more known as one of Thailand's most important poets. He also created the music for the Royal Barge procession.
<font size="4"><a href="https://youtu.be/WR19ZJiXlSI" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/WR19ZJiXlSI
In his poetic works praised for their lyrical language, Thammathibet describes the beauty of the Royal Barge procession, illustrating the work of the rowers, the individual boats, and the sight of the entire procession fleet. Nature, both plant and animal life, are also themes of his poetry. He often dealt with the beauty of women. This last topic finally jeopardized his life.
Little birds tell that...
Prince Thammathibet and his half-brother Chao Sakaeo (Prince Sunthon Thep) had an argument about an elephant, which had made this overly pompous. In April, 1746, it was reported that the Prince laid siege to the palace of his half-brother, forbidding any entrance or exit.
Nevertheless, Chao Sakaeo and his sons could escape to enter the Royal Palace and bring his complaints to their father, King Boromakot. The King was perplexed by the causes. Prince Thammathibet also hurried into the Royal Palace to defend himself but he was not allowed to enter, so he returned to his own palace.
Later, the Prince was summoned before his father who asked him about the reason for his large-minded behavior, and why he presumed such an authority. Prince Thammathibet remained silent, which gave the King even angrier so he sent his son to be chained in a single cell. No one was allowed to visit him.
Meanwhile, the accusations against the Prince increased. King Borommakot entrusted his people such as Chao Sakaeo along with Okya Chakri (Chancellor) and more with the prisoner's case. It was a choice that did not promise anything good to the Prince. However, Prince Thammathibet did not give a word and was punished with twenty blows including having his soles burnt by the fire.
More investigation was done and finally some interesting stories were revealed. Prince Thammathibet had the keys to the chambers of the King, the Queen, and the royal concubines. So he could get access to these places at night.
In addition, the Prince had hidden a stockpile of weapons presumably to be used at the right moment. Also, they got a confession that the Prince was responsible for the death of several monks and the mutilation of some of his subordinates. Thereupon the King ordered fifty blows to him.
During the further interrogations, Prince Thammathibet confessed that he had visited and consummated four of his father’s Royal Concubines including his plan to assassinate the King (his father) and his family and seize power in Ayutthaya.
This final confess made the King order to give Prince Thammathibet fifty more blows and burn his forehead, arms, and legs. Along with him, the four Concubines and plus some accomplices also got severe blows. The pain was insufferable so much that all of them died.
Prince Thammathibet was cremated in Wat Chai Watthanaram in Ayutthaya.
Attachment 88258
50s
A birdcage
Attachment 88292
A Kao-Lam (baked sticky rice stuffed in bamboo rod)
Attachment 88293
Christmas feast at a ‘farung’ club in the reign of King Rama VI (The colorized B&W photo courtesy of ‘Page Siam Colorization by Noomrattana’)
Attachment 88354
Attachment 88451
The colorized B&W photo courtesy of ‘Page Siam Colorization by Noomrattana’ shows what was left of the Palace of Wang Na (story on page 23/562).
After the current Wang Na died in 1885, King Rama V took the initiative of abolishing the former title of the heir, and in order to keep up with the western custom, officially created the title of “Crown Prince of Siam” instead.
Thus the Palace, having been abandoned since, finally became deteriorated. Later on, the Chinese rented the land to dig trenches to make vegetable plots.
Finally, King Rama V had the area renovated and then included it to become a part of Sanam Luang seen today.
E.M. Khateeb was a big department store located on the corner of Bamrungmuang and Atsadang Road. The business had been established by a Muslim family since the reign of King Rama V. It was moved to the recent location in 1932. The department was famous for importing porcelains from Germany including gold gilded coffee mugs, crystal wares and crystal perfume containers.
The colorized B&W photo courtesy of ‘Page Siam Colorization by Noomrattana’ shows the family who owned the business. The original was taken by Robert Lenz in the reign of King Rama VI.
Attachment 88481
Attachment 88482
Bangkok in the 50s
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Attachment 88563
I am taking a hiatus for a period of time. See you when I am back!
Enjoy your Holiday. Will miss your posts!Quote:
Originally Posted by nathanielnong
Quote:
Originally Posted by CalEden
Hi… Nope! Didn’t travel anywhere. It was Dad (91) hanging in his balance in a hospital and finally has passed. Now, I'm in Bangkok staying with Mom (90). They lived alone together in the house where I grew up in. Here, there was no internet access and in the beginning, I didn't want to have it fixed for thinking that it was temporary, not worth the money.
I had packed for a few nights thinking that Dad would come back soon and I would go back home resuming my routine this and that but no, he was gone forever. One thing led to another, beyond expectation, I have to relocate (for Mom was left alone)! Being busy with his funeral, I had to borrow Dad’s clothes for casual time and mourning suit (black suit) from my cousin for the funeral ceremony. I had no time long enough to go get my stuff at mine in Rayong.
After his funeral, came the time for arranging his stuff and boy, what a hoarder he was. Being a handy man, he collected everything from sewing machine to hammers and imagining his accessories starting from tons of pieces of clothes, nails, screws and etc. On the bright side, everywhere in the house there were power sockets, faucets.
Now things have been less hectic, so, yesterday, I had the wi-fi fixed. Tomorrow I would go back home to collect stuff and bid farewell to my home for good. Unexpectedly, my home in Rayong has to be left abandoned for the being. I still have no idea what to with it. My beautiful garden would be ruined though a lot were saved by had them moved to Mom’s (which is now mine so, I now own 2 houses!).
About my work here, there are still more that I have already finished waiting in queue. Once I came back from Rayong and after arranging my stuff, I will post them until the last one. After that I will see if I have time enough to create more for you know how time consuming it is to finish one and I am not alone anymore.
Thank you everyone for following my work, really appreciate that.
Attachment 89336
Attachment 89337
Good to have you back Nat but sorry to hear of your loss. I hope you have some quality time with your mum, i expect she will appreciate having her son around.
Amen.Quote:
Originally Posted by malmomike77
Sorry for your loss.
Thank you for the great photos and info in this thread
Yes, good to have you back. You are so lucky to have your parents for so long. Having already gone through this cycle of life understand what you are going through. This is the time you return all the love your Mom and Dad gave you as a young lad. When they are gone a major portion of what you are is confined to the memory of them.
Sorry to hear of your loss.
K. Nong, my condolences on your loss.
I note from the "kot" and five tiered umbrellas that your father must have had a very prestigious position in Thai society. I hope I am not causing any offence but would be interested in hearing anything about this that you may want to share with us.
Quote:
Originally Posted by malmomike77
Thank you so much. Obviously, Mum seems happy though we don't chit-chat much because I had been away for over 40 years. Having been alone for almost all of my life and now back to live with someone under the same roof, though it is Mom, needs time for adjustment.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Edmond
Thank you!
Very touching. Thank you very much.Quote:
Originally Posted by CalEden
Quote:
Originally Posted by DrWilly
Thank you...
My father was a General in the Royal Thai Army. He was 'Big Chew''s close friend. Sorry that I can't find the title of his last position in English term.Quote:
Originally Posted by Shy Guava
Thank you for your interest....
According to the article 1027 on page 42, the colorized B&W photo courtesy of ‘Page Siam Colorization by Noomrattana’ shows the last Praya Yuen Ching-cha named Praya Pradipatpooban.
Attachment 89559
There was one time when Praya Pradipat accompanied King Rama V to visit Java. One night the King with his entourage were invited to come and watch a play at the Palace of the Sultan of Solo. The play consisted of the Sultan’s 30 concubines. They all performed the dances elegantly.
The King perceived with impression. He mused that “Your ladies are so young and beautiful”. Sultan replied that “Your Majesty’s ladies are hundreds, mine are just tens”.
The King returned with an excuse that “But mine aged from 30 up to 60 unlike yours, just 15 or 16”.
Both kings laughed merrily.
Then the King turned to his Supreme Queen Consort and said “Could you please give me one of the rings on your fingers. I very much would like to give it to the leading actress of the show as a reward”.
The Queen, displeased, told the King that “Please ask for one on Praya Pradipat’s fingers”. Praya Pradipat, after hearing, unwillingly removed a 5 karat diamond ring he bought from one of the department stores in Bangkok from his finger and gave it to the King.
The King after taking the ring from Praya Pradipat said thank you and “When we came back to Bangkok. I will buy for you a new one”.
It never happened.
Note: Pradipat Road in Sapan Kwai area, has been named after this Praya’s because it was built on his land.
Its a strange thing but before both my father and mother passed we went through a period of family reflection, looking into the family history and their involvement in it. During these times i learnt a huge amount about the family i never knew and all sorts of nic nacs appeared and photos. Reflecting afterwards i felt i didn't really know my mum and dad as well as i thought, it was both their second marriage and they'd had a whole life before me. Nevertheless it was an amazing time, not least the fact we spent so much time together talking as adults not as parent child.Quote:
Originally Posted by nathanielnong
Quote:
Originally Posted by malmomike77
Your story is very interesting. Thank you so much for sharing. Lives are like movies or movies reflect lives??
Attachment 89655
The colorized B&W photo courtesy of ‘Page Siam Colorization by Noomrattana’ shows the wreck of Phra That Phanom being tumbled down by heavy rain and storm on August 11th, 1975 (page 6/137).
It began in March 1975, when an earthquake caused the cracks on the sides the tower which ran down to its base. Later on, during the months of July through August, the heavy monsoons caused the brick foundation, holding much water, begun to deteriorate.
On August 11th, 1975, the plaster on the east side of the tower began to fall off. When evening came, pieces of bricks forming the tower started to fall intermittently. An inward survey revealed that the core inside was more soil than brick. Later, the tower began to tilt eastward until 7:38 p.m., the whole building tumbled down giving thunder-like sound.
Attachment 89718
The colorized B&W photo courtesy of ‘Page Siam Colorization by Noomrattana’ shows an old Chinese lady (called in Thai as ‘amah’) selling cigarettes in paper packs and tin cans. You could buy only one cigarette and it was alright. She also had an incense stick ever lit to light your cigarette for free (matchsticks were more expensive).
Attachment 89808(The standard of the Honorable Corps of Wild Tiger, named Maha Saradul Dhvaj "The Great Tiger Flag.")
The Wild Tiger Corps was a national paramilitary corps founded in Siam on May 1st, 1911 by King Rama VI. Inspired by the British Volunteer Force, the unit was intended to maintain civil order.
The corps was meant to be a nationwide paramilitary corps, answerable only to the monarch. At first a ceremonial guard, it became a military force of 4,000 within its first year.
Filled with commoners, the King would often mingle with them and socialize with them openly. The corps eventually rivaled the army in strength and the civil service in influence. The King even went so far as appointing some to high ranks in the army and nobility.
While the King socialized with members of the corps, the regular army and aristocrats were deeply dissatisfied. Army officers were not permitted to join the organization.
They saw these new appointments and the corps as a threat to the honor of the army. Combined with the King's money spending on new palaces’ construction and attention on dramatic productions, the Kingdom was deeply in debt and was in danger of financial collapse. This dissatisfaction partially led to the Palace Revolt of 1912.
The Wild Tiger Corps also included a junior division known as ‘Look Sua’ (= "Tiger Cubs") based on the Boy Scout movement.
Wild Tiger Corps have ranking like military. The ranks started from Captain General which was exclusively for King Rama VI himself and in 1915, he created the rank "General of the Wild Tiger Corps" for members who are leaders of the corps. The rank was equivalent to Brigadier General.
There were two main groups of the Wild Tiger Corps; the Royal Wild Tiger Corps and the Territorial Defense Wild Tiger Corps.
The Royal Wild Tiger Corps was directly under the King’s administration. The members were the royalty and noble officials worked in the royal court. Each was given an orderly sequence of identification number.
The movement of the Wild Tiger Corps was quietly disbanded after the death of the King in 1925.
Attachment 89809(The colorized B&W photo courtesy of ‘Page Siam Colorization by Noomrattana’)
Attachment 89911(The colorized B&W photo courtesy of ‘Page Siam Colorization by Noomrattana’)
Norasingha House was built in 1923 by the command of King Rama VI given to his most favorite named General Chao Phraya Ram Rakop who was granted the highest noble rank when he was just 31 thus, being considered the youngest Chao Phraya in the history of Rattanakosin era.
When the King died in 1925, his favorite’s glory was waned. In 1941 Ram Rakop offered to sell his graceful mansion built and decorated by Italian architects to the government for 2 million baht but the number was down to 1 million and the mansion now renamed as ‘Thai Khu Fah’ has become the prime minister's office (the Government House) that year.
Attachment 89912
Attachment 89992(The colorized B&W photo courtesy of ‘Page Siam Colorization by Noomrattana’)
Phitsanulok Mansion or formerly known as Banthomsinth House was also built at the behest of King Rama VI and given to another of his favorite who was his aide-de-camp named Phraya Aniruth-deva who was Chao Phraya Ram Rakop’s younger brother.
After the King’s death in 1925, the high cost of maintenance forced Phraya Aniruth-deva to offer the mansion to King Rama VII which he declined.
During the WWII, the Japanese government wanted to buy the mansion and use it as an embassy. However because the mansion is located in such an important strategic area, the Thai government decided to buy the mansion and use it as a state guest house instead.
Later it was decided that it should become an official residence of the Prime Minister of Thailand because its location was close to the Government House.
The house is reportedly haunted. Only two prime ministers, Prem Tinsulanonda and Chuan Leekpai, used to stay there. Prem moved to another premise after a few days. Chuan stayed there during his two terms, thus the longest but he slept on a sofa in the office section instead of the master bedroom.
Attachment 89993
In the reign of King Rama VI (1881-1925), there were two royal courtiers that were his favorites. Those two were siblings born of royal blood but minor rank. The elder one named Mom Luang (minor royal rank) Fer and the younger one, Mom Luang Fuen.
The two siblings especially the younger one, were said to be standout that is much handsome yet much beautiful at the same time in both look and manner.
The elder one, the King’s most confidant, had achieved the highest rank as Chao Praya (rank) Ramrakop (name given by the King). While the younger one who served as the King’s aide de camp, Praya (rank) Anirudh Dheva (name given by the King).
Attachment 90081
Attachment 90082
The costume photos were shot during a played performed in the royal court by the King. There were 2 types of plays; all male plays and all female plays.
Before Siam issued its first stamp, there was a limited mail service, mainly for the royal family. Domestic mail traveled by messengers while international mail traveled by steamboats to post offices in nearby countries, such as the Straits Settlements.
The earliest recorded mail from Bangkok dates back only to 1836 when American missionary named Dan Beach Bradley sent a letter to his father in a stamp-less cover.
The British Consular Post Office in Bangkok was established by Great Britain in 1858 as a consequence of a treaty signed between Great Britain and Siam on 18 April 1855, and in response to a demand by expatriate merchants and missionaries.
Stamps, initially from India and later from Straits Settlements, were used. It ceased to provide service on 1 July 1885, the day Siam joined the Universal Postal Union and started its own international postal service. During that time most of the mail from Bangkok was sent by diplomatic pouch to Singapore for forwarding.
During 1875—1876, there was a daily newspaper named "Court" produced by 11 young princes of Siam. The publication started on 26 September 1875. In its early days, newspaper must be picked up at its office in Grand Palace.
So Prince Bhanurangsi Savangwongse, brother of King Rama V, and one of the 11 princes, set up postman in blue dress to deliver the newspaper. Stamps were sold and used for the delivery of the newspapers.
The first real postal service was established in Siam in 1880. Prince Bhanurangsi Savangwongse was appointed by his brother, the King in 1881 to set up and run the service, due to his earlier experience in running newspaper delivery services.
Attachment 90143(The colorized B&W photo courtesy of ‘Page Siam Colorization by Noomrattana’)
After the conflict between the French Third Republic and the Kingdom of Siam which was called ‘The Franco-Siamese War of 1893’ (page 49/1207) was over, in 1897, King Rama V and his entourage embarked on the royal vessel and set sail for Europe for the first time.
In Russia, the King was Tsar Nicholas II of Russia’s personal guest. His close personal ties with the Royal House of Russia directly helped Siam vis-a-vis French and British colonialist ambitions and also, the Franco-Russian alliance also worked well in Siam’s favor.
On 3 July 1897, Tsar Nicholas II welcomed and escorted him to Peterhof Palace. The colorized B&W photo courtesy of ‘Page Siam Colorization by Noomrattana’ of which the original was taken on 5 July was sent to all the presses in the important European countries with message reads (something like this) “Siam is a developing country not a backward country that other nations may use this as an excuse to colonize it”
Attachment 90209
some of these colourized photos are incredibly well done, must have taken ages.