Thread: Memory Lane (In my own language)

The colorized B&W photo courtesy of ‘Page Siam Colorization by Noomrattana’ shows durian business in the reign of King Rama V (1868-1910).

Being continued to 1689,

The colorized B&W photo courtesy of ‘Page Siam Colorization by Noomrattana’ shows the Royal Tonsure Ceremony of the first Crown Prince of Siam/Thailand, Prince Maha Vajirunhis (1878 – 1895). A part of the miniature model of Mount Kailasa, the mythical abode of Shiva is seen in the photo.

This ancient rite of passage would be performed for the royal prince and princess around the age of thirteen. The ceremony, sometimes lasting seven days of festivities, involves a purifying bath and the cutting of the traditional topknot hair of the royal child. The latter act was done by the king himself, the hair is later thrown into the Chao Phraya River as an offering. For this purpose there is a miniature palace on the summit for the ceremony to take place. The lower part of the mountain is populated with stone sculptures of miniature mythical animals of the Himavanta Forest. The mount is situated behind the walk way between the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall and Ho Plueng Krueng. This area is considered part of the Inner Court and is not opened to the public.

The colorized B&W photo courtesy of ‘Page Siam Colorization by Noomrattana’ shows Siamese children getting smallpox inoculation in the reign of King Rama V (1868 – 1910).

The colorized B&W photo courtesy of ‘Page Siam Colorization by Noomrattana’ shows an election campaign poster for Siamese Prime Minister in 1957. The person was Plaek Phibunsongkram.

It was known as “the dirtiest election in Thai history.” Alleged vote-rigging led to the victory of the pro-military party, headed by Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkram. Newspapers reported many of the poll abuses and denounced the results. Public protests forced the government to declare a national emergency. The chaos deepened divisions between the army and the police.

The army commander, Gen. Sarit Thanarat, withdrew the support of the army faction in parliament and then led a coup in September that ousted the Phibun government.

^ To the outside observer, with all the bribery during elections things don't seem to have improved much. Still, hoping the Junta is how history with MF and PT.

The colorized B&W photo courtesy of ‘Page Siam Colorization by Noomrattana’ shows Siam city pillar, the new one, which was built in the reign of King Rama IV (1851-1868).

The colorized B&W photo courtesy of ‘Page Siam Colorization by Noomrattana’ shows a nobleman’s wife in a popular dress trend in the reign of King Rama VII (1925-1935).

The colorized B&W photo courtesy of ‘Page Siam Colorization by Noomrattana’ shows people picking rice grains after the Royal Ploughing Ceremony was finished. The traditional scene was taken in the reign of King Rama V (1868 – 1910).

Tennis as a new sport came first to Siam in the reign of King Rama V (1868-1910). It was introduced by the Europeans. First Siamese who played this game were students coming back from Europe after their study.

The royal family of Siam played the major role in the starting development of tennis in Siam/Thailand. At first, Siamese men wore ‘jong krabane’ and farung wore white pants. The uniform was changed into white shorts in, around, 1900 facing the criticism concerning the cultural appropriation of Siam good manner. A tennis racket cost around 20 baht.

In 1926 King Rama VII founded the official Lawn Tennis Association of Siam.

The colorized B&W photos courtesy of ‘Page Siam Colorization by Noomrattana’ shows King Rama VI (1910-1925)’s favorite posing with his tennis racket. He was King Rama VI’s favorite. The second photo shows the manor (just a part) being bestowed by the King himself.

The Customs House was built in 1888 and designed by an Austro Hungarian architect of Italian descent named Joachim Grassi. Built in the Palladin style, it is a fine example of the prevalent use of Western architecture in public buildings during Siam's modernisation under the reign of King Rama V (1868 – 1910). The building, sitting on the eastern bank of the Chao Phraya River in Bang Rak District and being symbolically considered the gateway to the country, fell into disrepair during the mid-20th century. Beginning in 2019, it is undergoing restoration and re-development as a luxury hotel.

The colorized B&W photo courtesy of ‘Page Siam Colorization by Noomrattana’ shows the Customs House being shot in 1907. The building was decorated to welcome King Rama V back from his second visit to the European countries.

At least they have saved one, such a shame many of the old buildings in BKK went the way of the bulldozer



not my pic

Originally Posted by malmomike77

At least they have saved one, such a shame many of the old buildings in BKK went the way of the bulldozer



not my pic

Yes, what a shame! Especially those manors/palaces that belonged to the royalty.

The colorized B&W photo courtesy of ‘Page Siam Colorization by Noomrattana’ shows Jacqueline Kennedy shopping at an antique shop in Ratchaprasong area on November 9^th, 1967.

The colorized B&W photo courtesy of ‘Page Siam Colorization by Noomrattana’ shows tram in Bangkok (early 1960s).

Tram services started in late 1800s. In 1968, they were all suspended following discussion that they took up road space, coupled with the significant increase in road traffic, as well as cheaper bus operation on the same line. Tram fares ranged from 10 to 50 satang (100 satang = 1 baht), depending on class.

The colorized B&W photo courtesy of ‘Page Siam Colorization by Noomrattana’ shows the statue of King Rama I (1782 – 1809) housed inside Prasat Phra Thep Bidon which is located within the Grand Palace.

Known in English as the Royal Pantheon, the purpose of the building serves as a memorial to the Chakri Dynasty predecessors. King Rama VI had full-size, lifelike statues of the first five Chakri kings made and installed in the pantheon. Further statues were added in 1927, 1959 and 2020. Currently, the pantheon contains nine statues. Normally closed to the public, the pantheon is opened annually on 6 April for Chakri Memorial Day.

The original photo was shot in early 1900s.

The colorized B&W photo courtesy of ‘Page Siam Colorization by Noomrattana’ shows one of King Rama V’s Queen Consorts dressed in a combination of Siamese and western style.

The colorized B&W photo courtesy of ‘Page Siam Colorization by Noomrattana’ shows a replica of Dusit Maha Prasat Palace (one of the minor palaces located within the vicinity of Grand Palace) that was soon to be shipped, among the other stuff, to be displayed at The Centennial International Exhibition of 1876, the first official World's Fair to be held in Philadelphia, United States.

The colorized B&W photo courtesy of ‘Page Siam Colorization by Noomrattana’ shows one of King Rama IV (1851 – 1868)’s wives (b. 1840 – d. 1924) who was born a commoner. In the reign of King Rama V (1868 – 1810), she gained the King’s trust and was appointed as the head of the internal administration and also the treasury supervisor.

Admiral Prince Abhakara Kiartivongse, Prince of Chumphon (1880 –1923) was the 28th child of King Rama V. He was commonly revered as "The Father of the Thai Navy".

Away from his navy duties, the Prince also studied medicine and had a particular interest in herbal medicine. Treating patients from all walks of life, he was famously known as ‘Moh (Doctor) Phon (read as Porn)’.

With a reputation for compassion, he was also believed to possess supernatural powers. Although he died in 1923, those who believe in the powers of Sadej Tia (the ‘Royal Father’) say his spirit is still around. Some people, especially those involved with the navy or those who work at sea, will carry amulets of the Prince which they believe will protect them.

The colorized B&W photo courtesy of ‘Page Siam Colorization by Noomrattana’ shows Moh Phon in his laboratory at his home.

Originally Posted by nathanielnong

Admiral Prince Abhakara Kiartivongse, Prince of Chumphon (1880 –1923) was the 28th child of King Rama V. He was commonly revered as "The Father of the Thai Navy".

Away from his navy duties, the Prince also studied medicine and had a particular interest in herbal medicine. Treating patients from all walks of life, he was famously known as ‘Moh (Doctor) Phon (read as Porn)’.

With a reputation for compassion, he was also believed to possess supernatural powers. Although he died in 1923, those who believe in the powers of Sadej Tia (the ‘Royal Father’) say his spirit is still around. Some people, especially those involved with the navy or those who work at sea, will carry amulets of the Prince which they believe will protect them.

The colorized B&W photo courtesy of ‘Page Siam Colorization by Noomrattana’ shows Moh Phon in his laboratory at his home.

Great Mustache!

Originally Posted by CalEden

Great Mustache!

In the early Rattanakosin period (between the reigns of King Rama I and Rama V or 1782 - 1910), Siamese had a tradition of not cremating the dead within the city walls, because it was believed to be an evil portent. Wat Saket was outside the city walls and the closest, so it was often used as a place to cremate dead bodies, which were carried through the Pratu Phi or 'ghost gate'.

In 1820, during the reign of King Rama II (1809–1824), cholera spread from Penang to Bangkok, leading to more than 30,000 deaths in the capital. Wat Saket became the main receiving ground of many dead bodies that were moved in everyday, along with Wat Sangwet in Bang Lampoo area and Wat Choeng Lane in Sampheng area.

Due to the large number of deaths, the temple was unable to cremate every dead body; some of the bodies were therefore left in the open area of the monastery, and vultures began coming down to devour them.

The temple became the main food court for vultures, and there were outbreaks of cholera every dry season until the early reign of King Rama V. The severest outbreak was in 1840 during the reign of King Rama III when one in ten people in Siam and the surrounding areas were killed by the disease. The last spreading of the disease took place in 1881, when many hundreds died each day.

The vultures became a grim image and reminder of the deaths, and Raeng Wat Saket ('vultures of Wat Saket') has become a common saying, often paired with Pret Wat Suthat ('preta of Wat Suthat', probably a reference to legends surrounding the wall murals of that temple).

The colorized B&W photo courtesy of ‘Page Siam Colorization by Noomrattana’ shows a ‘all you can eat’ buffet at Wat Saket. A few undertakers were seen organizing the discipline.

The colorized B&W photo courtesy of ‘Page Siam Colorization by Noomrattana’ shows the demolition of the ‘all teak’ palace of the rulers of Chiengmai Kingdom. The land on which the palace was built was located on the banks of the Chao Praya River, Bangkok. It had been granted since the reign of King Rama IV (1851-1868). This was the place for the rulers of Chiengmai who came to pay respect and tribute to the kings of Siam.

The last of Chiengmai royalty who resided in this palace was Dara Rasami (1873-1933), one of King Rama V’s Queen Consorts.

The demolition began after the Princess moved back to Chiengmai after her husband, King Rama V, died in 1910. The right of the land was returned to the government’s.

Now, the land is a part of Siriraj Hospital.

The colorized B&W photo courtesy of ‘Page Siam Colorization by Noomrattana’ shows ‘kuay teaw ruea’ in 1936. The history of ‘kuay teaw ruea’ can be traced back to Ayuthaya Kingdom which was sold by ‘kon jene’ migrating from China. It was sold by the rivers because around that time the business in Siam was water based.

(cool hat!)

Originally Posted by nathanielnong

The history of ‘kuay teaw ruea’ can be traced back to Ayuthaya Kingdom which was sold by ‘kon jene’ migrating from China.

Nathaniel, is that the root of the 'boat noodle shops' that sell noodles, often with a wooden boat at the front? I have eaten at them many times and I'm still not sure what makes them different from other noodle shops without a boat.