Thailand History Guide » Bangkok http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com Mon, 14 Sep 2009 06:14:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 en hourly 1 Chakri Dynasty http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/chakri-dynasty/ http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/chakri-dynasty/#comments Sun, 28 Sep 2008 15:53:59 +0000 thailandhistoryguide http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/?p=790 In March 1782 a revolt broke out against King Taksin, who was thought to have become insane.  He was replaced by a prominent military commander who, as King Rama I, founded the Chakri Dynasty and, for strategic reasons, moved the seat of government across the Chao Phraya River to a small trading port known as [...]]]> In March 1782 a revolt broke out against King Taksin, who was thought to have become insane.  He was replaced by a prominent military commander who, as King Rama I, founded the Chakri Dynasty and, for strategic reasons, moved the seat of government across the Chao Phraya River to a small trading port known as Bangkok.  King Rama IV, or King Mongkut, is best known as the hero of The King and I. 

King Mongkut

King Mongkut

To the Thais, however, he is remembered as on of the most far-sighted Chakri rulers, who negotiated important treaties with European powers, introduced modern sciences, and set his kingdom on the part to reforms that undoubtedly helped save it from the colonial fate that befell all its immediate negighbors.  During his reign from 1868 to 1910, King Rama V, or King Chulalongkorn as he is better know, carried his father’s reforms further.  He abolished slavery, reorganized the governmental system, and built the first railways. 

RAMA V Surrounded by his family, this portrait was painted by the Italian artist Gelli.

RAMA V Surrounded by his family, this portrait was painted by the Italian artist Gelli.

The first Thai king to visit European capitals, Rama V also sent most of his sons abroad for futher education Foreced by France to concede some of his territory to Cambodia, Rama V also had to relinquish sovereignty over Laos.  Thus he was able to preserve his country’s independence.

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]]> http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/chakri-dynasty/feed/ 0 Pleistocene http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/pleistocene/ http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/pleistocene/#comments Sat, 13 Sep 2008 21:47:44 +0000 thailandhistoryguide http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/?p=740 Evidence of Pleistocene cultures, dating from 600,000 – 130,000 BC, have been found in various parts of Thailand, from Lampang in the north to Krabi in the south.  The earliest implements found were pebble tools, followed by early flake tools (300,000 – 290,000 BC), then by Proto hoabinhian pebble tools (140,000 – 13,000 BC)

Rock Paintings

Several [...]]]> Evidence of Pleistocene cultures, dating from 600,000 – 130,000 BC, have been found in various parts of Thailand, from Lampang in the north to Krabi in the south.  The earliest implements found were pebble tools, followed by early flake tools (300,000 – 290,000 BC), then by Proto hoabinhian pebble tools (140,000 – 13,000 BC)

Rock Paintings

Several caves or rock faces are decorated with paintings from simple handprints to complete tableaux showing scenes of hunting, fishing and dancing.  These could dae back to the 4th century BC.  Some are easily accessible, like those at Khao Chiang Ngam, 124 miles from Bangkok on the road to Khorat.

Rock Paintings

Rock Paintings

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