Thread: Memory Lane (In my own language)

Now and then in Bangkok

King Rama V (1853-1910) - King Rama IX (1927-2016) --- Golden mountain / Maha Kan fort





Same area but shot from Golden mountain --- Maha Kan fort / (now) Pan-fa-leelad bridge




King Rama IX (1927-2016) - King Rama IV (1881-1925)



(right) - The one of the city gates

(left) - Puwadol tasanai palace; served as a clock tower sited in the Royal Grand Palace built 2 years before the Big Ben in London. King Rama IV had it constructed to give people the standard time. It was demolished in the reign of King Rama V.



King Rama IV was an astronomer. He used the calculation based on the latitude and longitude plus the directions of the sun and the moon to finally be able to set the clock, to be said, as the first country that had the most accurate standard time. (hope I put it right!)

The activity showing that King Rama IV was an expert in astronomy


The solar eclipse at Wakor (courtesy of Wiki)

During his monkhood, King Rama IV (Mongkut) studied both indigenous astrology and English texts on Western astronomy and mathematics, hence developing his skills in astronomical measurement. One way that he honed his mastery of astronomy, aside from the accurate prediction of the solar eclipse of August 18, 1868 (Wakor solar eclipse), was changing the official Buddhist calendar, "which was seriously miscalculated and the times for auspicious moments were incorrect."

In 1868, he invited high-ranking European and Siamese officials to accompany him to Wakor village in Prachub Kirikan province, south of Hua Hin, where the solar eclipse that was to occur on 18 August could be best viewed as a total eclipse. Sir Harry Ord, the British Governor of Straits settlement from Singapore, was among those who were invited. King Mongkut predicted the solar eclipse, at (in his own words) "East Greenwich longitude 99 degrees 42' and latitude North 11 degrees 39'."

King Mongkut's calculations proved accurate. When he made calculations on the Wakor solar eclipse that was to occur, he used the Thai system of measuring time ("mong" and "baht"), but he implemented the Western method of longitude and latitude when he determined where on Earth the eclipse would best be viewed. Upon returning from his journey to Wakor, he condemned the court astrologers "for their...stupid statements because of their negligence of his detailed prediction and their inattention to measurement and calculation by modern instruments."

During the expedition, King Mongkut and Prince Chulalongkorn (later King Rama V) were infected with malaria. The king died six weeks later in the capital, and was succeeded by his son, who survived malaria.

It has been argued that the assimilation of Western geography and astronomy into 19th-century Siam "proved that Siam equaled the West in terms of knowledge, and therefore the imperialists claim that Siam was uncivilized and had to be colonized was unreasonable." This suggests that the Western form of these sciences may have saved Siam from actually being colonized by Western powers.

Note: The asteroid 151834 Mongkut is named in honor of the King and his contributions to astronomy and the modernization of Siam.





King Mongkut and party viewing a solar eclipse, the king seated center in the middle of the pavilion

Sapan (bridge) Kwai (buffalo) are in the 70s


Pradipat road, coming from intersection (Paholyotin r. vs Pradipat r). That cinema is no more.



Intersection (left --- Huay Kwang / right --- Klong Prapa Sam Saen)



Capital Hotel on Paholyotin road. This hotel was very famous in the late 60s. It was a home base for American soldiers during the Vietnam War. you can spot some of them hanging around.



A lot of American cars

Mae Nak Phra Khanong


Mae Nak Phra Khanong ('Lady Nak of Phra Khanong') the most famous ghost story of Thailand. According to folklore, the story is based on events that took place during the reign of King Rama IV (1804-1868).

The story tells about a beautiful young woman named Nak, who lived on the banks of the Phra Khanong Canal, Bangkok, and her undying love for her husband, Mak.


(psychic drawing)


While Nak being pregnant, Mak is conscripted and sent to war (in some versions of the story the war is against the Shane tribe, while others are not specific), where he is seriously wounded. While her husband is being nursed back to health in central Bangkok, Nak and their child both die during a difficult childbirth. When Mak returns home, however, he finds his loving wife and child waiting for him. Neighbors who try to warn him that he is living with a ghost are all killed.




One day, as Nak is preparing nam prik, she accidentally drops a lime through a hole in the porch. In her haste to retrieve it, she stretches her arm down through the hole to pick it up from the ground below. Mak sees it and at last realizes his wife is a ghost. Terrified, he tries to find a way to flee without alarming her.




That night, Mak says he has to go downstairs to urinate. He then runs away into the night.

Discovering her husband has fled, Nak pursues him. Mak sees her and conceals himself behind a Blumea balsamifera (local Thai pronunciation: Nat) bush. According to folklore, ghosts are afraid of the sticky Blumea leaves.




Mak then runs to Wat Mahabut temple, the place where ghosts cannot enter, as Wats are holy ground.




In her grief and anger, Nak terrorizes the people of Phra Khanong for causing Mak to leave her. However, Nak's ghost is captured by a powerful exorcist. He confines her spirit in an earthen jar then threw it into the canal.




There are different versions of the rest of the story. In one, an old couple new to Phra Khanong area finds the jar while fishing. In another, two fishermen dredge up the jar. However, Nak is freed when they curiously open it.

Nak is conquered again by the venerable monk Somdet Phra Phutthachan (To Phrommarangsi).




The learned monk confines her spirit again in the bone of her skeleton’s forehead and binds it in his waistband. Legend says the waistband is currently in the possession of a royal family.




A shrine dedicated to Mae Nak is at Wat Mahabut. In 1997, the shrine was relocated to the nearby Suan Luang district of modern Bangkok.




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Tim Land


In the late 60s, it was a famous tourist attraction for foreigners to learn Thai culture. Every tour always brought guests down here. The shows were various such as elephant sitting, Muay Thai, Thai dance, using buffalo for rice plowing, snake catching and etc.

I have no information about who owned it, might be a farang as for the name “Tim” is surely a farang’s name, or when it was closed but surely a long time ago, in the 70s probably. Now there is only the name of Soi Timland near Ngam Wong Wan Expressway as a memorial of Tim Land.

Those guys in the photos have to be over 70 right now.
























If you miss something like this, there are two great attractions with different themes. One called “Suan Sampran or known to foreigners as ‘Rose Garden'” sited in Nakorn Pratom province.


https://suansampran.com




Another one called “Muang Boran (Ancient the City)” sited in Samut Prakarn province.


https://www.muangboranmuseum.com/en/

Siam Square area (through time; 60s, 70s)


Songkran festival















Taken from Siam Intercontinental Hotel

Originally Posted by aging one

Sadly the Scala is closing this week. The first theater I ever went to in Bangkok. Too many years ago, staying at the Reno hotel right by Jim Thompsons house.

I just knew. I have been out of lights and sounds for a long time. thanks.

No pictures again... sigh


Siam theater




Lido theater




Scala theater

The king’s royal seats (important ones)


พระที่นั่งอัฐทิศอุทุมพรราชอาสน์ – For (see photo) on the King’s coronation day




พระที่นั่งภัทรบิฐ– For (see photo) on the King’s coronation day





พระที่นั่งพุดตานกาญจนสิงหาสน์ – For receiving blessings on birthday




พระที่นั่งบุษบกมาลามหาจักรพรรดิพิมาน – For attending grand meetings




พระแท่นราชบัลลังก์ประดับมุก – For attending grand meetings




พระที่นั่งพุดตานทอง




พระแท่นราชบัลลังก์กง – On full formal parade