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), […]
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 […]
The river of Kings: The Menam Chao Phraya River
Physical Geographers have never placed the Chao Phraya River on the list of the world’s longest rivers like the Nile, or on the list of rivers with the highest volume flow like the Amazon. They have never included the Chao Phraya on the list of rivers with the most spectacular viewpoints like the Colorado River […]
The first time I ever heard the name Thailand: Wat Trimitr Witthayaram – Temple of the Gold Buddha, Bangkok
I remember exactly when I heard the story when and how the solid Gold Buddha image was discovered at Wat Trimitr for first time. I was in the 5th grade. It was a beautiful spring day back in April 1962. And I was reading about how and when the priceless statute was found in a […]
Beach foam and a frozen waterfall: Wednesday’s best photos
The Guardian’s picture editors select photo highlights from around the world Selected by Natasha Rees-Bloor
Seasonal scenes: autumn at National Trust gardens
Guardian photographer David Levene visits National Trust houses at Chartwell and Emmetts Gardens to capture the spectacular colours of autumn Nyssa sylvatica in the south Emmetts Garden in Ide Hill near Sevenoaks, Kent Photograph: David Levene/The Guardian Fly agaric mushrooms Photograph: David Levene/The Guardian Weeping willow (Salix babylonica) at Chartwell, the home and gardens of Sir […]
You heard it here first: Bangkok’s early newspapers and broadsheets.
Early newspapers in Thailand were always a hit or miss proposition. However, that did not stop several stalwarts from trying. The first newspaper in any language began in 1844 by Dr. Dan Beach Bradley, an expat who lived here for 35 years. Called ‘The Bangkok Recorder’, it was printed in Thai and English. But the […]
IT’S ‘DÉJÀ VU’ ALL OVER AGAIN!
This year marks 45 years since I first came to Thailand. There have been a few changes over the decades. But remarkably there have been more than a few things that haven’t changed at all. Some random thoughts. I instantly fell in love with the country as soon as I got off the plane. I […]
The Hunter – Giant Woodcuts by Ralph Kiggell – 12 September – 15 November 2020 – Toot Yung Art Center
THE HUNTER A suite of Giant woodcuts by Ralph Kiggell 12 September 2020 – 15 November 2020 Toot Yung art center, Mae Rim, Chiang Mai Opening reception Saturday September 12, 2020 from 5pm Kiggell will be residing at the Toot Yung art center in August of 2020 to produce an exclusive suite of giant woodcut prints. […]
Slow boat from China – Bangkok’s Chinatown
It is both ironic and amusing to think of the original Bangkok most probably always had a Chinatown. It is believed Chinese traders were living in the small trading post and later customs port from the 15th century. Originally, the Chinese settlers had congregated where the Grand Palace is located today. Following the fall of […]