Royal Turf: Sanam Luang
Of all the major or important sights in Bangkok that have changed the least, then Sanam Luang (Thai: สนามหลวง, or literally “royal turf”) is most likely at the top of the list. The spacious grounds has served a multitude of official and unofficial functions for almost two and a half centuries. The royal field is […]
The Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand (FCCT)
The renowned U.S. late night TV comic, Jay Leno, always jokes that: “If my mother hasn’t heard of you then you aren’t famous.” We have exactly the same gold standard to measure famousness here: If you haven’t given a speech, made a presentation, done an author’s book launch, sat on a discussion panel, or made […]
Thai Samurai – The Life of Yamada Nagamasa
Thailand has had a fascinating history of unique “farangs” who came here to live and work throughout its recent history: Constantine Phaulkon – prime minister to King Narai of Ayutthaya; Jim Thomson – the American silk king of Thailand; billionaire William E. Heinecke – Head of Minor International, a huge regional conglomerate and Louis T. […]
Second times the charm – Louis T. Leonowens
For good or bad, the family name Leonowens continues to be spoken in Thailand more than 150 years after Anna Leonowens and her son, Louis, first disembarked on the ship Chao Phaya in August 1862 here in Bangkok. If Louis’s mother is still reviled for her libel against the Kingdom through her two memoirs and […]
Captain Bush Lane
It is fascinating that up to a dozen Thai Thanons (or avenues or streets) and Sois (lanes) have been given ‘farang’ nicknames. At least one, Henri Dunant Road, was given a name change back in 1965 (formerly known as Thanon Sanam Ma), but the several others include Soi Bearing (actually Behring or Sukhumvit Soi 107), […]
A legend in his own time – Jim Thompson
The most famous American expat in Thai history is “Jim” Thompson, who singlehandedly revived Thailand’s silk industry after WWII. Thompson remains a real legendary figure in Thailand, and throughout all of Asia, even to this day. He continues to inspire the imaginations of those who want to make it big here through hard work and […]
Before it was money it was a unit of weight: The Thai baht
Exactly like the British pound sterling in ancient times, the Thai baht (Thai: บาท) was originally used as a unit of weight or mass. Specifically, 1 baht was equal in value to 15 grammes of silver. The baht is still used today as a unit or measure of weight for other precious metals, like gold. […]
Two Danes of fame: Admiral Andreas du Plessis de Richelieu and Jenny Nielsen
It is most interesting to note that Danes were at the forefront of the modernisation of Bangkok. The British, Chinese and other nationalities were busy transforming the country through trade, concessions and commerce, but several residents here from Denmark helped to develop the infrastructure and transportation systems that really laid the early foundations of the […]
Dr. Soraj Hongladarom Interview
We are speaking to Dr. Soraj Hongladarom, Professor of Philosophy, Department of Philosophy, Chulalongkorn University who is one of the world’s leading experts of social media. What has changed the most in Thailand? Thailand has become a more open society. Many youths are coming out because they feel their future is at stake; they have […]
Dr. Ananya Tritipthumrongchok Interview
We are speaking today with Dr. Ananya Tritipthumrongchok. She is a Professor of Fortune Telling and Leadership Development, The American University of Sovereign Nations (AUSN), a new U.S. based online institution; Sales Manager of Unicity-Thailand, a U.S. based corporation dealing in health supplements and high quality air filtration systems, General Manager of the Eubios Bioethics […]