Thread: Memory Lane (In my own language)

In the early Rattanakosin (King Rama 1 – 3 [1782-1851]), Siam’s territory was vast. It has borders connected with countries from north to south.

The vast area was difficult to know where exactly the borderlines between Siam and such countries were but from the traditions and customs that had continued since ages ago, it was enough to just know who ruled this or that land. There was no need to make the borderline precised by creating evidence.

When Cambodia fell under French custody, ancient principles that had been held for hundreds of years was abandoned. France managed modern cartography and drew the boundary line and embedded boundary stones along the lines all the way from Phanom Dong Rak Mountain ranges down to the Gulf of Thailand.

The new method, at that time, seemed practical and also maintained the old traditions if only they had done it true to the geometrical fact.

The case of a dispute over the Temple of Preah Vihear including its land surrounding the Temple was the clear evidence which has created a wound to Siamese that has never been healed until now.

The computer colored photo shows the Siamese soldiers of the Eastern Army during the case of the 1941 Indochina Dispute posed with a boundary stone between Siam and Cambodia that was embedded by France during the reign of King Rama V.