Showing posts with label Thailand. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thailand. Show all posts
Thursday, May 22, 2014
Saturday, November 30, 2013
The Three Anglo-Burmese Wars
A benefit claimed by some for the Second Anglo-Burmese War which took place mostly in Thailand(1852)was the doubling of Bangkok sea trade.
One of the keys to an understanding of these Wars is an understanding of the British East India Company. The Company was the major tool of British Capital.
The British were most actively dominating Burmese trade and that of the Siamese by force of arms and control of the seas from about 1820 to nearly the turn of the century.
One of the keys to an understanding of these Wars is an understanding of the British East India Company. The Company was the major tool of British Capital.
The British were most actively dominating Burmese trade and that of the Siamese by force of arms and control of the seas from about 1820 to nearly the turn of the century.
Monday, September 16, 2013
Back in ChiangMai
If you are ever at bus stations Two in ChiangMai and feel like talking a bit of English and eat something reminiscent of home try this:
Look around or ask around a bit for a largish newish hotel with the English name of Grand Diamond or Diamond Grand. By the way that hotel can be a comfortable place to stay right at the bus station.
Step into the tiny but pleasant lobby, then turn around and walk out the door and make an immediate right and walk a short(ish) way down the road toward an entrance to the Wat. At the Wat the road turns right. Just after that turn look to your left and you may see a tiny laundry down aside street. Look just a bit further down the main road and you will see "D Coffee House." There you can get a variety of coffees, lots of ice cream, bakery snacks, smoothies, and I've heard that sometimes decent pizzas are available.
I go there for a scrambled egg breakfast. Their scrambled eggs could be called an omelet. I like the fact that the are served hot.
If you get lost call them at 086-924-9708 or 090-598-9699.
Look around or ask around a bit for a largish newish hotel with the English name of Grand Diamond or Diamond Grand. By the way that hotel can be a comfortable place to stay right at the bus station.
Step into the tiny but pleasant lobby, then turn around and walk out the door and make an immediate right and walk a short(ish) way down the road toward an entrance to the Wat. At the Wat the road turns right. Just after that turn look to your left and you may see a tiny laundry down aside street. Look just a bit further down the main road and you will see "D Coffee House." There you can get a variety of coffees, lots of ice cream, bakery snacks, smoothies, and I've heard that sometimes decent pizzas are available.
I go there for a scrambled egg breakfast. Their scrambled eggs could be called an omelet. I like the fact that the are served hot.
If you get lost call them at 086-924-9708 or 090-598-9699.
Monday, September 9, 2013
La Na
I may be beginning to learn a bit about Thai history just as I begin to feel attracted to South America again.
Lanna is a name given a large section of the north of Thailand. Petchaboon, where I am now may mark the southern boundary of Lanna. However my guess is that it lies south of that boundary. There is a mountainous area not far north of Petchaboon which seems to mark that boundary pretty well
I see a way to make a home for myself here in Petchaboon, but do not find myself strongly attracted to the idea. I may move back to Chaing Mai before the end of the year. There I may have some more work don on my eyes and prepare for a move to .....perhaps Manizales, in Caldas Colombia.
The beginnings of Lanna fairly well coincides with the beginning of modern Thailand. I'm not very confident of any understanding of Thai history yet, but I'll do the best I can at the moment. Lanna became influential in Siam at about the same time as Mongol-Chinese influence was on the upswing in SEA. The people of Lanna with their King Mengri were among the few to successfully resist that powerful influence.
Southeast Asia which had long been strongly Indianized became so Sinicized that has been called Indo-China.
I guess that what must Thais learn is that Mengri successfully resisted a Mongol led Chinese encroachment on the area and with two friendly kings went on to found Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and other important cities which exist today and began a culture well recognized today.
Lanna is a name given a large section of the north of Thailand. Petchaboon, where I am now may mark the southern boundary of Lanna. However my guess is that it lies south of that boundary. There is a mountainous area not far north of Petchaboon which seems to mark that boundary pretty well
I see a way to make a home for myself here in Petchaboon, but do not find myself strongly attracted to the idea. I may move back to Chaing Mai before the end of the year. There I may have some more work don on my eyes and prepare for a move to .....perhaps Manizales, in Caldas Colombia.
The beginnings of Lanna fairly well coincides with the beginning of modern Thailand. I'm not very confident of any understanding of Thai history yet, but I'll do the best I can at the moment. Lanna became influential in Siam at about the same time as Mongol-Chinese influence was on the upswing in SEA. The people of Lanna with their King Mengri were among the few to successfully resist that powerful influence.
Southeast Asia which had long been strongly Indianized became so Sinicized that has been called Indo-China.
I guess that what must Thais learn is that Mengri successfully resisted a Mongol led Chinese encroachment on the area and with two friendly kings went on to found Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and other important cities which exist today and began a culture well recognized today.
Sunday, September 8, 2013
Monday, January 28, 2013
An Adventure
On the 6th of this February I expect to land at Bangkok tired and jet-lagged. I'll arrive without a visa. Isn't that a bit like showing up on your front porch unannounced and expecting to stay? Still I have high hopes that the Thai will let my stay awhile. Without leaving BKK, I intent to get a flight to Chiang Rai and begin to get comfortable there.
I think that Chiang Rai gets smoky in March and stays that way for over a month. Might go as far as Vietnam to get better air during that time.
Sold my nice little Suzuki and expect to get a rental car today. This JT house is just about empty of furniture and belongings. I've sold and given away much, but will still leave a lot in storage. I may put this computer there tomorrow.
Looking at what I have post here so far, I don't see much beautiful adventure shinning through. Could I be doubting my capacity for adventure? Whatever the state of my writing or capacity may be, I feel satisfied and energized. I feel pleasant anticipation in the knowledge that it is likely that i will soon be surrounded by the novelty and beauty of Thailand and the rest of SEA.
The prospect of shopping for used first grade(or kindergarten) textbooks with which to begin to learn to read and write Thai pleases me.
It also pleases me that I may one day soon compose worthy posts to you from SEA.
I think that Chiang Rai gets smoky in March and stays that way for over a month. Might go as far as Vietnam to get better air during that time.
Sold my nice little Suzuki and expect to get a rental car today. This JT house is just about empty of furniture and belongings. I've sold and given away much, but will still leave a lot in storage. I may put this computer there tomorrow.
Looking at what I have post here so far, I don't see much beautiful adventure shinning through. Could I be doubting my capacity for adventure? Whatever the state of my writing or capacity may be, I feel satisfied and energized. I feel pleasant anticipation in the knowledge that it is likely that i will soon be surrounded by the novelty and beauty of Thailand and the rest of SEA.
The prospect of shopping for used first grade(or kindergarten) textbooks with which to begin to learn to read and write Thai pleases me.
It also pleases me that I may one day soon compose worthy posts to you from SEA.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Queen's Botanical Garden
Me in Thailand.I think that I heard that this tree had been bad so they thought it best to treat it a bit like a rogue elephant.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
More Thai History Notes
I seem to have misplaced many posts on Thai history. Among those posts on Thailand were two or three which were the beginning of an extensive timeline of the very early history of Thailand.
Below are a series of dates related to more recent Thai history which I intended to add to the more inclusive time-line:
1238 AD: Sukkothai city founded. It was the capital of the Thai Empire for about 140 years.
1262: Chang Rai founded in the north by King Mengrai. This city has been the home of the famous jade Buddha, sometimes called the Emerald Buddha.
1296: Chang Mai became the capital of the Lana Kingdom after Chaing Rai.
1327: Sanskrit was used in Ankor until about this year.
1331 - 1351: Plagues, which may have killed as many as half of all living Chinese* at the time, seems not to have reached Lanna or Sukuthai.
1350: From this date onward there seems to have been continuous contact between Siamese and Cantonese.
1374: Armies of Ayurveda firs invaded Sukhothai. Ayudhaya was a natural port.
1409 - 1424: King Itaracha recieved the Ming admiral Cheng Ho(Jung Huh).
1441 - 1487: reign of Tilokaracha, called the greatest of Lanna kings.
1500 - 1560: Ayudahaya was a great sea trading capital of more than a million inhabitants.
1570: Ayudahaya had expanded to 'boarders' roughly those of modern Thailand.
1765: A Burmese army with Shan troops and contingents from Lanna moved into Ayudhaya.
1767: The Ayudhaya Kingdom was destroyed after dominating mainland South East Asia for nearly 400 years.
1782: Bangkok became the capital of Siam. The walls of Bangkok were made, in part, of bricks from Ayudhaya.
1782 - 1932: The Rattanakosin Kingdom or Kingdom of Siam was the fourth Thai Kingdom and was centered on Bangkok.
1800s: Early in this century of English colonialism John Crawford, governor of Singapore, praised the justice system of Siam as superior to other Asia countries and comparable western countries.
1900s: Not a colony.
*Chinese were estimated at 65 million persons.
Below are a series of dates related to more recent Thai history which I intended to add to the more inclusive time-line:
1238 AD: Sukkothai city founded. It was the capital of the Thai Empire for about 140 years.
1262: Chang Rai founded in the north by King Mengrai. This city has been the home of the famous jade Buddha, sometimes called the Emerald Buddha.
1296: Chang Mai became the capital of the Lana Kingdom after Chaing Rai.
1327: Sanskrit was used in Ankor until about this year.
1331 - 1351: Plagues, which may have killed as many as half of all living Chinese* at the time, seems not to have reached Lanna or Sukuthai.
1350: From this date onward there seems to have been continuous contact between Siamese and Cantonese.
1374: Armies of Ayurveda firs invaded Sukhothai. Ayudhaya was a natural port.
1409 - 1424: King Itaracha recieved the Ming admiral Cheng Ho(Jung Huh).
1441 - 1487: reign of Tilokaracha, called the greatest of Lanna kings.
1500 - 1560: Ayudahaya was a great sea trading capital of more than a million inhabitants.
1570: Ayudahaya had expanded to 'boarders' roughly those of modern Thailand.
1765: A Burmese army with Shan troops and contingents from Lanna moved into Ayudhaya.
1767: The Ayudhaya Kingdom was destroyed after dominating mainland South East Asia for nearly 400 years.
1782: Bangkok became the capital of Siam. The walls of Bangkok were made, in part, of bricks from Ayudhaya.
1782 - 1932: The Rattanakosin Kingdom or Kingdom of Siam was the fourth Thai Kingdom and was centered on Bangkok.
1800s: Early in this century of English colonialism John Crawford, governor of Singapore, praised the justice system of Siam as superior to other Asia countries and comparable western countries.
1900s: Not a colony.
*Chinese were estimated at 65 million persons.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Expat-Newsletter-issue-66
www.chiangmaisos.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Expat-Newsletter-issue-66Final-web.pdf
Click the link above and see a photo of Yingluck Shinawatra, Thailand' first female prime minister.
There is some more news about Thailand and about, mostly Brit, expats.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Viewers and Viewed
Today had visitors to the blog from Thailand, U.K, France, Austria, Malaysia, Hungary, Canada, and Denmark. Danes were the most numerous.
Visitors most viewed my little driving trip, info on modern Medellin, and photos of Cambodia of 1920s with commentary.
Visitors most viewed my little driving trip, info on modern Medellin, and photos of Cambodia of 1920s with commentary.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Religion in Maritime South East Asia
Old Javanese sources from the 1100th century mention three religions under the supervision of the central government: Saivas(worshipers of Siva), Buddhists, and Reis Brahmins). Important Tantric rites were performed by Buddhist monks and court Brahmin. In Java, then as now, there were other religions and sects at greater distance from the large centers of power. Saints referred to by Saivas of the time were: Kusika, Garga, Maitri, Kurusya, and Patanjali. They also mention he teacher Agastya.
It is good to realize that from, at least, 400 BC to 1300 AD there is nearly constant sea commerce with India and more intermittent commerce with China and Maritime SEA.
As we well know Islam later became the main religion of Maritime SEA with the exception of the Philippines. Buddhism became the main religion of mainland SEA. Islam took hold in SEA more than 6 centuries after the foundation of Islam in the Middle East. The first center of power for Islam in SEA was probably a Aceh, of recent tsunami fame. Islam rose in Malacca and spread in all directions, including Patani in southern Thailand.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Human Rights Intelligence: Thailand
Human Rights Intelligence: The “Long-Shot” & The “Sure Thing” with the International Criminal Court & Thai Royalism Global Shield « Thai Intelligence News Study Center
Thailand is far from perfect. Still, it has beauty. There is even some thing attractive about its politics. Thailand
has kept on its feet and kept its head through two World Wars and Vietnam. I pray that the good sense and good luck of the people of all of Thailand continues. I suspect that they are in for some difficult times. Just having Indian and China competing for influence in Myanmar is a difficulty.
has kept on its feet and kept its head through two World Wars and Vietnam. I pray that the good sense and good luck of the people of all of Thailand continues. I suspect that they are in for some difficult times. Just having Indian and China competing for influence in Myanmar is a difficulty.
You can begin to learn a bit about Thai politics here.
Phra Jao Phrom Maharat
In an attempt to learn a bit about Thai history I began to take a few notes. In doing so I came across the name Phra Jao Phrom Maharat. I suspect that as one came to know more of this personage one would come to a truer understanding of the people of Thailand or at least have a useful foothold in Tai history.
Phrom Maharat was born about 1040 AD as son of King Pangkart and became king at Mae Sai.
I once crossed into Mayanmar from Mai Sai and so know that it is in the far north of Thailand.
Phrom Maharat was born about 1040 AD as son of King Pangkart and became king at Mae Sai.
I once crossed into Mayanmar from Mai Sai and so know that it is in the far north of Thailand.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Some SEA Beliefs
In most of South East Asia Buddhism might be called he state Religion. However in Viet Nam the Chinese custom of state authority moderates this influence. Chinese tradition supplies an ideology that legitimized authority over many phases of life. That means that it is justified in regulating the affairs of Buddhist monks to a greater degree than is generally accepted elsewhere. The ideology I mention is, of course, Confucianism.
Of the great religions, Brahmanism seems to be the first o take hold in maritime SEA as it was in much of the mainland realms. I was followed by Saivism and Mahayana Buddhism before the arrival of Islam. Brahmanism, without much evidence of the cast system of Hinduism, was evident in most of SEA before the 7th century and was probably several centuries earlier.
Old Javanese sources from the 11th century on mention three religions under the supervision of the central government: Saivas(worshiper of Siva), Buddhists, and Reis(court Brahmins). Important Tantric rites were performed b Buddhist monks and the court Brahmin. In Java, then and now, there were other religions and sects at a greater distnce from the larger centers of power. Saints referred to bu Saias of the time were Kusika, Garga, Mairi Kurusya, and Patnjali. Also the teacher Agastya is mentioned.
Is good to keep in mind that from at least 400 BC to 1300 AD there is nearly constant commerce with India and intermediate commerce with China.
As we well know Islam became the main religion of maritime SEA with the major exception of the Philippines. Theravada Buddhism became the main religion of mainland SEA. Islam took pervasive hold in the area more than six centuries after the foundation of Islam in the Middle East. Te first center of power of Islam was probably at Aceh of recent tsunami fame. Islam rose in Malaca and in ll directions including Patani in southern Thailand.
Of the great religions, Brahmanism seems to be the first o take hold in maritime SEA as it was in much of the mainland realms. I was followed by Saivism and Mahayana Buddhism before the arrival of Islam. Brahmanism, without much evidence of the cast system of Hinduism, was evident in most of SEA before the 7th century and was probably several centuries earlier.
Old Javanese sources from the 11th century on mention three religions under the supervision of the central government: Saivas(worshiper of Siva), Buddhists, and Reis(court Brahmins). Important Tantric rites were performed b Buddhist monks and the court Brahmin. In Java, then and now, there were other religions and sects at a greater distnce from the larger centers of power. Saints referred to bu Saias of the time were Kusika, Garga, Mairi Kurusya, and Patnjali. Also the teacher Agastya is mentioned.
Is good to keep in mind that from at least 400 BC to 1300 AD there is nearly constant commerce with India and intermediate commerce with China.
As we well know Islam became the main religion of maritime SEA with the major exception of the Philippines. Theravada Buddhism became the main religion of mainland SEA. Islam took pervasive hold in the area more than six centuries after the foundation of Islam in the Middle East. Te first center of power of Islam was probably at Aceh of recent tsunami fame. Islam rose in Malaca and in ll directions including Patani in southern Thailand.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Chiang Mai pleads for govt help for damaged tourism
Chiang Mai pleads for govt help for damaged tourism
Learn a bit about Thailand here.
I liked the north very much.
Still the people of the south are the ancestors of those who made world trade possible before the Roman Republic and through some of the great days of early Islam.
Learn a bit about Thailand here.
I liked the north very much.
Still the people of the south are the ancestors of those who made world trade possible before the Roman Republic and through some of the great days of early Islam.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Political Strategy
Let's keep American blood and bullets out of Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, and as many other places as we can.
Let's begin to build a stronger and wiser foreign policy and political strategy that we all mostly understand.
Let's try to ask questions first and shoot later a bit more often.
Let's begin to build a stronger and wiser foreign policy and political strategy that we all mostly understand.
Let's try to ask questions first and shoot later a bit more often.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Live and Invest Overseas Showcases Country Budgets for Argentina, Ecuador, India, Laos, Nicaragua, Thailand and Uruguay
Live and Invest Overseas Showcases Country Budgets for Argentina, Ecuador, India, Laos, Nicaragua, Thailand and Uruguay
Lots of places a woman or a man can live well for under $1600 usd a month. I plan to do so on about $1300 a month. With a little adaptive care you may have two or three servants to help you in a place like India and ,at least every other day hotel type maid service in any other country on this list.
Lots of places a woman or a man can live well for under $1600 usd a month. I plan to do so on about $1300 a month. With a little adaptive care you may have two or three servants to help you in a place like India and ,at least every other day hotel type maid service in any other country on this list.
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