Thread: Memory Lane (In my own language)

The colorized B&W photo courtesy of ‘Page Siam Colorization by Noomrattana’ shows a Chinese worker (called in common Thai term as ‘ku-lee’) eating his meal (kao-tom kui) in Sumpeng, 1960.

The colorized old photos are great. When looking at a black and white photo of people it is easy to think they are of another kind and very exotic. The color versions make them look just like us. They could be anyone on the street today.

The colorized B&W photo courtesy of ‘Page Siam Colorization by Noomrattana’ shows a group of King Rama VI’s personal royal guards. (around 1910s).

(Note: Cool shoes!)

The colorized B&W photo courtesy of ‘Page Siam Colorization by Noomrattana’ shows a lady, in 1936, choosing to buy mackerel (pla-too) in Rayong Province.

The original was taken by Robert Larimore Pendleton, an American scientist and soils expert, John Hopkins University.

The early Chinese immigration consisted almost entirely of men who did not bring women. Therefore, it became common for male Chinese immigrants to marry local Siamese women. The children of such relationships were called Sino-Siamese/Thai or look-jene (children of Chinese) in Thai. These Chinese-Siamese intermarriages declined somewhat in the early 20th century, when significant numbers of Chinese women also began immigrating to Siam.

Economic recession and unemployment forced many men to leave China for Siam in search of work to seek wealth. If successful, they sent money back to their families in China. Many Chinese immigrants prospered under the "tax farming" system, whereby private individuals were sold the right to collect taxes at a price below the value of the tax revenues.

From 1882 to 1917, nearly 13,000 to 34,000 Chinese legally entered Siam per year, mostly settling in Bangkok and along the coast of Gulf of Siam. They predominated in occupations requiring arduous labor, skills, or entrepreneurship. They worked as blacksmiths, railroad laborers and rickshaw pullers and etc.

The colorized B&W photo courtesy of ‘Page Siam Colorization by Noomrattana’ shows a wave of Chinese immigration to Siam in the reign of King Rama VI (1910-1925).

and then gradually stole Thailand and practically enslaved the local ethnic groups.

Re #1655

The original was taken by Robert Larimore Pendleton, an American scientist and soils expert, John Hopkins University

Looks so good in colour; mentioned previously RL Pendleton spent time in Chanthaburi province mid 1930s including around the immediate area we now live, Khao Bai Sri, Tha Mai, Noen Sung, Na Yai Am. Look forward to seeing more of his photography in colour in future

Thanks!

Originally Posted by prawnograph

Re #1655


Looks so good in colour; mentioned previously RL Pendleton spent time in Chanthaburi province mid 1930s including around the immediate area we now live, Khao Bai Sri, Tha Mai, Noen Sung, Na Yai Am. Look forward to seeing more of his photography in colour in future

Thanks!

Have heard that the Chinese have occupied parts of Chanthaburi especially durian orchards already. Is it true?

The colorized B&W photo courtesy of ‘Page Siam Colorization by Noomrattana’ of which the original was shot before 1937 in Udonthani Province shows how to make pottery.

Originally Posted by Bonecollector

What I find funny is the original Look Chin are now bitching about the new Chinese, 'cousins', taking over 'their' country. As we can see from many murders, kidnappings and fraud, the new breed are horrendous and the current Jek are right to be concerned. I see a manipulation of the markets and a crash in the near future.

Thanks for posting all these photos, some of the 60's and 70's urbanisation shots are epic!

I am just aware of the new aspect you have given. Never thought about this before and it's so true...

Thanks...

The colorized B&W photo courtesy of ‘Page Siam Colorization by Noomrattana’ shows a part of the Royal Ploughing Ceremony at Sanum Luang which was taken in the reign of King Rama VIII (1934-1946).

I love the colorized old photos. I've been following this thread, but shame I haven't commented yet. Very interesting pics and the history is fascinating.
I recognize some of the photos and places that I've been to in Thailand. I've seen the phallus shrines in Railay and a Chiang Mai I believe. The first time I saw this, I really LOL'd as I had no idea what they were for. Now I realize they are fertility shrines based in animism I believe.

Originally Posted by nathanielnong

The colorized B&W photo courtesy of ‘Page Siam Colorization by Noomrattana’ shows a Chinese worker (called in common Thai term as ‘ku-lee’) eating his meal (kao-tom kui) in Sumpeng, 1960.

I should show this pic to my brother-in-law (my wife's sister's husband). His parents both immigrated from China about 70 years ago and that man looks like he could be his father!

Originally Posted by MarilynMonroe

I love the colorized old photos. I've been following this thread, but shame I haven't commented yet. Very interesting pics and the history is fascinating.
I recognize some of the photos and places that I've been to in Thailand. I've seen the phallus shrines in Railay and a Chiang Mai I believe. The first time I saw this, I really LOL'd as I had no idea what they were for. Now I realize they are fertility shrines based in animism I believe.

Thank you very much for following my thread. Your kind comments mean a lot.

Originally Posted by qwerty

I should show this pic to my brother-in-law (my wife's sister's husband). His parents both immigrated from China about 70 years ago and that man looks like he could be his father!

After the abdication on 2 March 1935, King Rama VII spent the rest of his life with Queen Rambhai Barni in England. He led a peaceful life there, gardening in the morning and writing his autobiography in the afternoon. On 30 May 1941, the King died from heart failure.

His cremation was held at the Golders Green Crematorium in north London. It was a simple affair attended by just Queen Ramphai and a handful of close relatives. The Queen stayed on at Compton House for a further eight years before she returned to Siam in 1949, bringing the King's ashes back with her.

The colorized B&W photo courtesy of ‘Page Siam Colorization by Noomrattana’

^ A great guy!

The colorized B&W photo courtesy of ‘Page Siam Colorization by Noomrattana’ shows a junk boat that carries the first set of ice cubes (big ones I think) imported from Singapore to be presented to King Rama IV (1851 - 1868) and his big Royal family. It was the first time in Siam and everyone experienced hypersensitive teeth in unison.

Those ice cubes must have been very big starting out to travel from Singapore to Bangkok and have anything left but a puddle of water. Now I am curious how they made ice cubes in Singapore at that time.

According to the article on page 42/1027, the colorized B&W photo courtesy of ‘Page Siam Colorization by Noomrattana’ shows Praya Yuen Ching-cha for the "Lo Ching-cha (pulling the swing (= ching cha))” ceremony in the year 1894 in the reign of King Rama V (1868-1910).

The colorized B&W photo courtesy of ‘Page Siam Colorization by Noomrattana’ shows Songkran festival in the old days.

Cesare Ferro Milone (18 April 1880–15 March 1934) was an Italian painter born in Turin. In 1904 he won a gold medal at the Paris Salon, and was invited to travel to Siam in the reign of King Rama V (1868-1910) to help developing various kinds of arts; decorating, painting and much more, in order to keep Siam up with the European.

The colorized B&W photo courtesy of ‘Page Siam Colorization by Noomrattana’ shows Cesare Ferro painting a portrait of King Rama V.

original photo...