Democracy Monument in Bangkok

by Leonard le Blanc: History of The Democracy Monument, Bangkok

Bangkok’s Democracy Monument was built in 1939 to commemorate the Siamese Revolution of 1932 which established a constitutional monarchy in the kingdom. The imposing statue is situated in the middle of a traffic roundabout where Ratchadamnoen Avenue meets Dinso Road. The monument is located about halfway between the temple of the Golden Mount (Phu Kao […]

A picture of Chatuchak Market in Bangkok Thailand

by Leonard le Blanc: The History of Chatuchak Weekend Market

The Chatuchak Weekend Market, on Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok, is the largest market in Thailand. Also known as JJ Market, it has more than 15,000 stalls and 11,505 vendors (2019), divided into 27 sections. Chatuchak Market sells many different kinds of goods, including plants, antiques, consumer electronics, cosmetics, pets, fresh and dry food […]

Victory Monument in Bangkok, Thailand

The History of Victory Monument in Bangkok

Victory Monument in Bangkok was created in 1941 to commemorate the Thai victory over the French during the very short-lived Franco-Thai War. This impressive statue is located in the middle of the traffic roundabout at the intersection of Phahonyothin, Ratchawithi, and Phraya Thai Roads, near Victory Monument BTS station. In 1940 – 41, Thailand was […]

Coconut Tree in Thailand

Nuts for Coconuts

If famous products help define Thailand to the world, like silk and rice, then the country’s coconuts have a strong case to be included on the list. Coconuts here are renowned for their many positive attributes. They include: Having many health benefits Being used for beauty treatments Bring a strong part of Thailand’s diverse culture […]

Traffic in Ho Chi Minh City

Good Morning Vietnam! Revisiting Ho Chi Minh City After 30 Years

My recent trip to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam was uneventful, but unique in a number of ways. Firstly, I showed up at the airport check-in counter for my flight two hours early. I was the only one standing there. Everyone else had already checked in. A first for me. Second, as soon as they […]

Khao Sam Yot, Lop Buri, Thailand

A City of History – Lop Buri

Lop Buri is one of the oldest settlements in the country. It has a history dating back almost a millennium and a half to the Dvaravati period. However, it is fascinating to me, that millenniums ago Lop Buri was situated at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River. The river mouth has moved South by […]

Thailand is just like Hollywood

– when they need you, they need you very badly when they don’t need you, they don’t need you at all There is an old Hollywood saying: “When they need you, they need you badly; when they don’t need you, they don’t need you at all”. Thailand is exactly the same as Hollywood concerning Thai expats […]

CLOTHING MAKES, ER, SAVES THE MAN VIGNETTE

I was working as an international advisor on a US-sponsored counter-narcotics project in 2007-08 over in Helmand Province in the southern part of the country, where half the world’s opium is grown. I got up to Kabul a few times. Naturally I had to go souvenir hunting for friends and family. The only place to […]

Raiders of the Lost. . .er, Fortress?

An old college friend asked me to dispose of his son’s banknote and coin collection since he is going into US government service and has lost interest in the hobby. For the past 25 years or so, every time I would go to an exotic location around the globe, I would raid whatever local markets […]

It’s déjà vu all over again – back to Vietnam Part 2

My pending trip to Vietnam next month has brought a flood of memories of my many previous trips there. I did not serve there during the Vietnam War. I was stationed in Thailand right at the end of the conflict. I was told that the Dan Sinh Market (also called the “American” market) was notorious […]