The POW Surgeon Who Cheated Death I’ve always found it remarkable that when we stand among the quiet forests and mist-covered hills of Kanchanaburi today, it’s almost impossible to imagine the suffering that unfolded here in 1943. Yet these peaceful mountains became the route of the infamous Japanese Death Railway where thousands of Allied prisoners … Read more
Samurai in Thailand: The Rise and Fall of Yamada Nagamasa in Ayutthaya Hi Folks, I’m guessing many of you have visited Ayutthaya, the ruins of the ancient capital city of Siam. Amongst the historical debris, you may have stumbled upon the “Japanese Village”, but do you know why a Japanese Village would be in the … Read more
When Siamese Troops Occupied A German City Siam in World War I: The Forgotten Story of Thailand’s Role in the Great War When people think of the First World War, images of muddy trenches in France, British and German soldiers battling across Europe, and the collapse of great empires often come to mind. Few realize … Read more
The White Elephant, the Warrior Queen, and the Nine Armies For centuries, the kingdoms of Siam and Burma stood like rival tigers across the forests and mountains of Southeast Asia. Between them lay trade routes, fertile lands, ancient grudges, and the ambitions of powerful kings. Their struggles produced many legends, but few stories capture the … Read more
Si Thep World Heritage Gem Back in September 2023 the Dvaravati era city of Si Thep officially became Thailand’s 7th historical spot on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. Si Thep World Heritage Gem rubs shoulders with other UNESCO heavy hitters like Sukhothai’s historic towns, Ayutthaya’s ruins, the Thungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng wildlife sanctuaries, Ban Chiang’s ancient digs, … Read more