Memory Lane (In my own language)

**nathanielnong** · 15-07-2022, 05:42 PM

Originally Posted by CalEden

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.

Very touching. Thank you very much.

**nathanielnong** · 15-07-2022, 05:44 PM

Originally Posted by DrWilly

Sorry to hear of your loss.

Thank you...

**nathanielnong** · 15-07-2022, 05:52 PM

Originally Posted by Shy Guava

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.

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.

Thank you for your interest....

**nathanielnong** · 15-07-2022, 05:54 PM

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.

Memory Lane (In my own language)-001-09-jpg

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.

**malmomike77** · 15-07-2022, 07:43 PM

Originally Posted by nathanielnong

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.

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.

**nathanielnong** · 16-07-2022, 04:47 PM

Originally Posted by malmomike77

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.

Your story is very interesting. Thank you so much for sharing. Lives are like movies or movies reflect lives??

**nathanielnong** · 16-07-2022, 04:48 PM

Memory Lane (In my own language)-001-10-jpg

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 11^th, 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 11^th, 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.

**nathanielnong** · 17-07-2022, 03:34 PM

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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).

**nathanielnong** · 18-07-2022, 04:20 PM

Memory Lane (In my own language)-04-01-jpg

(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 1^st, 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.

Memory Lane (In my own language)-04-02-jpg

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

**nathanielnong** · 19-07-2022, 04:15 PM

Memory Lane (In my own language)-05-01-jpg

(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.

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**nathanielnong** · 20-07-2022, 03:28 PM

Memory Lane (In my own language)-06-01-jpg

(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.

Memory Lane (In my own language)-06-02-jpg

**nathanielnong** · 21-07-2022, 03:41 PM

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).

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Memory Lane (In my own language)-a000-05-00-jpg

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.

**nathanielnong** · 22-07-2022, 04:20 PM

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.

Memory Lane (In my own language)-a01-jpg

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

**nathanielnong** · 23-07-2022, 04:51 PM

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”

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**malmomike77** · 24-07-2022, 12:13 AM

some of these colourized photos are incredibly well done, must have taken ages.

**Reg Dingle** · 24-07-2022, 12:40 AM

^ Takes seconds nowadays.
Send us some pics of you up to when you hit 40(sans sheep)and I'll sort them for you.

Great thread nong.

**malmomike77** · 24-07-2022, 12:50 AM

^ Dill lets not pollute Nong Nats thread with your ongoing tirade against me.

Apologies Nat but there are a few on here who have wasted a chunk of their lives and cash on trying to maintain a veneer of a millionaire lifestyle in Asia but it doesn't last, the money runs out or their health and they just end up all bitter.

**nathanielnong** · 24-07-2022, 02:05 PM

Originally Posted by Reg Dingle

^ Takes seconds nowadays.
Send us some pics of you up to when you hit 40(sans sheep)and I'll sort them for you.

Great thread nong.

Thanks you for your compliments. Apart from that, I really don't understand at all. Sorry, not very good at informal English.

**nathanielnong** · 24-07-2022, 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by malmomike77

^ Dill lets not pollute Nong Nats thread with your ongoing tirade against me.

Apologies Nat but there are a few on here who have wasted a chunk of their lives and cash on trying to maintain a veneer of a millionaire lifestyle in Asia but it doesn't last, the money runs out or their health and they just end up all bitter.

I really don't understand at all what is going on here but I thank you so much for your precious friendship...

**malmomike77** · 24-07-2022, 02:12 PM

Don't worry Nat, its Dill, he's got blown off course into your thread and tried to be funny, no harm meant.

**nathanielnong** · 24-07-2022, 02:17 PM

The Free Thai Movement (Seri (Sae-ree) Thai) was a Thai underground resistance movement against the Imperial Japan during World War II.

In the aftermath of the Japanese invasion of Thailand on 7–8 December 1941, the regime of Prime Minister Plaek Phibunsongkhram (Phibun – page 12/297) declared war against the United Kingdom and the United States on 25 January 1942. Seni Pramoj, the Thai ambassador in Washington, refused to deliver the declaration to the United States government.

Memory Lane (In my own language)-02-001-jpg

Accordingly, the United States refrained from declaring war on Thailand. Seni, a conservative aristocrat whose anti-Japanese credentials were well established, organized the Free Thai Movement with American assistance, recruiting Thai students in the United States to work with the United States Office of Strategic Services (OSS).

Memory Lane (In my own language)-02-002-jpg

(Seri Thai – American branch)

The OSS trained Thai personnel for underground activities, and units were readied to infiltrate Thailand. Apart from the American OSS, the Free Thai Movement was also supported by British Force 136. Both provided valuable intelligence from within Thailand.

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(Telegram sent from USA to England consulting about establishing the Seri Thai, British branch)

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(Seri Thai – British branch)

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(Queen Rampaipunnee, King Rama VII’s wife, was also a member of the Seri Thai, British branch; seen here with her brother)

In the meantime, Japan had stationed 150,000 troops on Thai soil, and as the war dragged on, the Japanese increasingly treated Thailand as a conquered country rather than an ally.

Although the United States had not officially declared war, on 26 December 1942, US Tenth Army Air Force bombers based in India launched the first major bombing raid which damaged targets in Bangkok and elsewhere and caused several thousand casualties. Public opinion and even more importantly the sympathies of the civilian political elite finally moved perceptibly against Phibun’s alliance with Japan.

In June 1944, Phibun was forced out of office and replaced by the first predominantly civilian government since the 1932 coup. Allied bombing raids continued, and a B-29 raid on Bangkok destroyed the two key power plants on 14 April 1945, leaving the city without power and water.

Throughout the bombing campaign, the Free Thai network was effective in broadcasting weather reports to the Allied air forces and in rescuing downed Allied airmen.

Memory Lane (In my own language)-02-006-jpg

The new government was headed by Khuang Aphaiwong, a civilian linked politically with conservatives such as Seni. The most influential figure in the regime, however, was Pridi Banomyong (who was serving as Regent of Thailand), whose anti-Japanese views were increasingly attractive to the Thais.

Memory Lane (In my own language)-02-007-jpg

In the last year of the war, Allied agents were tacitly given free access by Bangkok. As the war came to an end, Thailand repudiated its wartime agreements with Japan.

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Throughout the war, Seri Thai were an important source of military intelligence for the Allies in the region. More than 50,000 Thai had been trained and armed to resist the Japanese by Free Thai members.

Memory Lane (In my own language)-02-010-jpg

**nathanielnong** · 24-07-2022, 02:36 PM

Originally Posted by malmomike77

Don't worry Nat, its Dill, he's got blown off course into your thread and tried to be funny, no harm meant.

Okay, thank you very much...

**aging one** · 24-07-2022, 03:40 PM

Originally Posted by nathanielnong

Nong Nats

You are going to confuse him more. Nong Nat is the most well know Thai porn star. He is Nathaniel.

**nathanielnong** · 25-07-2022, 04:42 PM

Originally Posted by aging one

You are going to confuse him more. Nong Nat is the most well know Thai porn star. He is Nathaniel.

Thanks!

**nathanielnong** · 25-07-2022, 04:44 PM

The colorized B&W photo courtesy of ‘Page Siam Colorization by Noomrattana’ shows the first Crown Prince of Siam/Thailand (page 23/562)

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