Slow Life in Nan Province
Today, I’d like to take you on a photographic journey to Nan province in Thailand. I thus invite you to enjoy the peaceful and serene atmosphere and landscape of this place. Enjoy the beauty...
Tagged: Siam
Queen Suriyothai & The White Elephant War
Every Thai person knows about the White Elephant War of 1563 and the role that Queen Suriyothai played in this context. The King of Burma learned that the ruler of Siam, King Maha Chakkraphat, owned seven white...
The Legend of King Naresuan (History & Movie)
The story of the Black Prince dates back to the historical Ayutthaya period. Prince Naresuan (in Thai: Ong Dam, องค์ดำ) was born 1555 in Phitsanlunok, Thailand. His brother Ekathotsarot was called the White Prince. In contrast to...
Meanings of the Term ‘Farang’ (ฝรั่ง)
We’ve all come across the word ‘farang‘ (ฝรั่ง) in some context or other. We all know that in Thai it describes a European person. However, what are the origins and the meanings of this term? It is...
Kosa Pan – A Siamese Diplomat in France
Among the first Siamese visitors to Europe was an embassy of three ambassadors sent by pro-foreign King Narai (r. 1656-88) to the court of Louis XIV. Among them was the diplomat Kosa Pan who was also...
Pad Thai Noodle – A Popular Thai Dish
Pad Thai (ผัดไทย) might be called the most well-known and common Thai food. Everyone who has been in Thailand, has come across this delicious Thai meal. It is also called Guai Tiau Pad Thai, ‘Guai...
Dara Rasami – A ‘Foreign’ Princess at The Siamese Royal Court
Dara Rasami (in Thai: ดารารัศมี, also spelled ‘Rasmi’), born in 1873, was a Princess of Chiang Mai and a descendent from the Chet Ton Dynasty. Her parents were King Inthawichayanon and Queen Thipkraisorn Rajadevi of...
The Concept of ‘Siwalai’ in Late 19th Century Siam
You’ve probably come across the term ‘siwalai‘ (ศิวาลัย) in some way or other. Just think of the ‘siwalai‘ dress that we’ve dealt with in the context of traditional Thai dresses or the Siwalai garden (Suan...
Ekaterina ‘Katya’ Desnitskaya – The Russian Princess of Siam
Ekaterina ‘Katya’ Desnitskaya was born 1886 in Lutsk, Ukraine. The story of her marriage to the Siamese Prince Chakrabongse Bhuvanath has intrigued many people over different generations, since a marriage between a Russian lady and a...
Thainess, ‘Luk kreung’ & The Siam Renaissance
The Siam Renaissance (Thawiphop, dir. Surapong Pinijkhar, 2004) is a movie about a young Thai woman named Manee/Maneechan (Florence Vanida Faivre). She is from the early 21st century and educated in France but with the help...
