The Reign Of King Taksin....

[Thongkorn]

Classic

(Mind you a few more heated posts back and forth before Tywais post would have made it even better...)

the broacher is only about 9 months old unless they have changed the name again, but my link works so something must be right

[SteeleJoe]

Classic

(Mind you a few more heated posts back and forth before Tywais post would have made it even better...)

the broacher is only about 9 months old unless they have changed the name again, but my link works so something must be right

They changed the name. You were/are right. So were the people (me among them) who thought it was called "Ancient City". Your "broacher" (sic) is correct.

Get it?

(A classic example of a not unusual occurrence on forums -- the tiff about something of virtually zero importance; in this case both parties were actually right).

[Thongkorn]

Classic

(Mind you a few more heated posts back and forth before Tywais post would have made it even better...)

the broacher is only about 9 months old unless they have changed the name again, but my link works so something must be right

They changed the name. You were/are right. So were the people (me among them) who thought it was called "Ancient City". Your "broacher" (sic) is correct.

Get it?

(A classic example of a not unusual occurrence on forums -- the tiff about something of virtually zero importance; in this case both parties were actually right).

To true But in future i will not bother with volunteering any Information let people find for themselfs , I have found that if you are not 110%correct and dot the I-s and cross the T-s then theres always some padantic person ,who will pick holes in anything that is said or posted,

[MrsMills]

Ancient Siam (formerly known as Ancient City) - WiKi

This topic should be stopped immediately.

Any discussions involving The Royal Family past or present are treading on extremely thin ground, add that with the many anti Thai posts on ThaiVisa forum, you're asking for trouble.

[Richard4849]

There is nothing whatsoever insulting to the monarchy in this message thread. It's mostly talking about Ancient Siam / Ancient City!

[Tywais]

This topic should be stopped immediately.

Any discussions involving The Royal Family past or present are treading on extremely thin ground, add that with the many anti Thai posts on ThaiVisa forum, you're asking for trouble.

If I thought that was the case I would have closed it already. I had already placed a warning up regarding the rule as it was stepped on initially but in case you missed the wording ...

2) Not to express disrespect of the King of Thailand or anyone else in the Thai royal family, whether living or deceased, nor to criticize the monarchy as an institution. Speculation, comments and discussion of either a political or personal nature are not allowed when discussing HM The King or the Royal family.

Nothing so far in this topic is in breach of this. My link certainly was not which was to both clarify and supply additional information regarding the tourist attraction. If anything, it may be closed for going off topic too often.

[chalks]

In any case, I have resolved to go see this place again ASAP. Maybe this weekend. So this thread had a positive impact after all :-) Maybe I'll get the Thai price, or maybe I'll have to show them my driving license, work permit, or a report of how much bloody tax I've paid this year and how it's more money than they've ever seen in their life. I'll let you know how it goes.

[coolhandjoe]

Classic

(Mind you a few more heated posts back and forth before Tywais post would have made it even better...)

the broacher is only about 9 months old unless they have changed the name again, but my link works so something must be right

They changed the name. You were/are right. So were the people (me among them) who thought it was called "Ancient City". Your "broacher" (sic) is correct.

Get it?

(A classic example of a not unusual occurrence on forums -- the tiff about something of virtually zero importance; in this case both parties were actually right).

To true But in future i will not bother with volunteering any Information let people find for themselfs , I have found that if you are not 110%correct and dot the I-s and cross the T-s then theres always some padantic person ,who will pick holes in anything that is said or posted,

There is a wealth of knowledge by TV members and sharing is good for 99.9 % of the membership.

Keep up the good work and don't be put off by some pedantic person.

[coolhandjoe]

There is nothing whatsoever insulting to the monarchy in this message thread. It's mostly talking about Ancient Siam / Ancient City!

seconded

[coolhandjoe]

Ancient Siam (formerly known as Ancient City)(Thai: เมืองโบราณ, Mueang Boran) is a park constructed under the patronage of Lek Viriyaphant and spreading over 200 acres (0.81 km²) in the shape of Thailand.

The founder's original idea was to create a golf course with miniatures of Thailand's historically significant structures spread around the course. During his research he found most structures being severely damaged over time and decided instead of creating new miniatures to save the original structures when possible or re-creating them full size or scaled down.

Ancient Siam is dubbed as the world's largest outdoor museum. Situated close to the Crocodile Farm in Samut Prakan province, the 320-hectare city features 116 structures of Thailand's famous monuments and architectural attractions. The grounds of Ancient Siam correspond roughly to the shape of the Kingdom, with each of the monuments lying at their correct places geographically. Some of the buildings are life-size replicas of existing or former sites, while others are scaled down.

The replicas were constructed with the assistance of experts from the National Museum to ensure historical accuracy. Outstanding works include the former Grand Palace of Ayutthaya (destroyed in the Burmese invasion of 1767), Phimai Sanctuary in Nakhon Ratchasima, and Wat Khao Phra Viharn on the Cambodian border.

Mueang Boran is located on the old Sukhumvit Highway, about 33 km east of central Bangkok. Golf carts and bicycles can be hired for moving around the park, and private vehicles are also allowed at a fee.

http://www.fotopedia.com/wiki/Ancient_Siam

It would be nice to hear about some more lesser known places in the Kingdom .

[kdc1899]

The kids just saw the youtube video.

I asked them if they want to go see the place. They said they just saw it. I said it's different in real life. They said "yea,in real life it's hot and sweaty with bugs and no bathrooms".

Thanks for the link. I just saved about 10K baht all in.

[Thongkorn]

The kids just saw the youtube video.

I asked them if they want to go see the place. They said they just saw it. I said it's different in real life. They said "yea,in real life it's hot and sweaty with bugs and no bathrooms".

Thanks for the link. I just saved about 10K baht all in.

There are plenty of toilets there, and as for the Bugs thats Thailand, the place is very clean and looked after don't be put off, We had bikes and it was fun just ambling around the place .

[SteeleJoe]

The kids just saw the youtube video.

I asked them if they want to go see the place. They said they just saw it. I said it's different in real life. They said "yea,in real life it's hot and sweaty with bugs and no bathrooms".

Thanks for the link. I just saved about 10K baht all in.

It's sort of sad (but not surprising) that they'd have that attitude. But it has to be said -- pretty smart kids.

(But maybe 'too smart for their own good' ? I can recall countless times where my parents dragged me off to places I didn't want to go -- National Parks, Europe, Museums...) but I wound up being glad I went. I'm not a dictatorial type dad at all -- but sometimes kids just aren't qualified to judge what they might like.)

[Deeral]

It is a sad truth that Thai "history" isn't actually history. The academic study of history in Thailand is a rare thing. Most of what we read is in fact myth, legend and of course stories designed to engender a feeling of "Thai" nationalism.

Take what you read with a pinch of salt - just because it's in a book doesn't mean it's accurate.

[SteeleJoe]

It is a sad truth that Thai "history" isn't actually history. The academic study of history in Thailand is a rare thing. Most of what we read is in fact myth, legend and of course stories designed to engender a feeling of "Thai" nationalism.

Take what you read with a pinch of salt - just because it's in a book doesn't mean it's accurate.

You're preaching to the choir, when it comes to me: I tell people the above every time Thai history comes up. Indeed I nearly mentioned it in response to the OP, which included a reference to an historian...

[Thongkorn]

It is a sad truth that Thai "history" isn't actually history. The academic study of history in Thailand is a rare thing. Most of what we read is in fact myth, legend and of course stories designed to engender a feeling of "Thai" nationalism.

Take what you read with a pinch of salt - just because it's in a book doesn't mean it's accurate.

You're preaching to the choir, when it comes to me: I tell people the above every time Thai history comes up. Indeed I nearly mentioned it in response to the OP, which included a reference to an historian...

The problem with most countrys in Asia, is that they did not write it down, So they recalled a lot of things , There always looked on the good side and only recalled the good times, the same as most other countrys in the world,

[SteeleJoe]

It is a sad truth that Thai "history" isn't actually history. The academic study of history in Thailand is a rare thing. Most of what we read is in fact myth, legend and of course stories designed to engender a feeling of "Thai" nationalism.

Take what you read with a pinch of salt - just because it's in a book doesn't mean it's accurate.

You're preaching to the choir, when it comes to me: I tell people the above every time Thai history comes up. Indeed I nearly mentioned it in response to the OP, which included a reference to an historian...

The problem with most countrys in Asia, is that they did not write it down, So they recalled a lot of things , There always looked on the good side and only recalled the good times, the same as most other countrys in the world,

Not so simple -- or necessarily so benign: you characterization of things implies that they do the best they can with what information that they "recall" and -- in a sort of happy "glass half full" sort of way -- were inclined to put a positive slant on things just because...that's human nature? It's all well-intentioned and perfectly reasonable. Even sort of admirably optimistic...

The fact is a significant amount of it was deliberately distorted or fabricated. And often, perhaps mostly, with specific political objectives and not just excessive nationalism (which was an element of it too).

Given the subject is Thailand, I won't get into what "most other countrys" (sic) have done other than to briefly (and in a simplified-- or simplistic? --way) point out that now and for a very long time, many, many countries who used to 'only recall the good times' now tell a much truer version of their own history and moreover a wealth of relatively objectively factual information is often available for said countries That's not the case for Thailand (particularly the former).

[Thongkorn]

So how would one go about researching the History of Thailand ,bearing in mind that there are some sensitive subjects in the not so far past .I Think as i have said you will only get the sanitized version of the past , but at least the Ancient Kingdom of Siam is still a place to go to see with out getting into the politics . The place is about the Buildings .

[SteeleJoe]

So how would one go about researching the History of Thailand ,bearing in mind that there are some sensitive subjects in the not so far past . I Think as i have said you will only get the sanitized version of the past...

if one wants to find more than the sanitized -- and sometimes fabricated -- version, it can be done within some limitations. Some of the information is to be found outside the country but not all of it.

And it's not always a matter of it being inherently sensitive subjects, some of it just has to do with certain priorities of the ruling elite et al -- but the truth becomes a sensitive subject because what would have otherwise been a harmless topic is all tied up with a nationalism and cherished beliefs that are in fact based in fallacy.

But this is getting deeper than I wanted to...

...at least the Ancient Kingdom of Siam is still a place to go to see with out getting into the politics . The place is about the Buildings .

I've no issue with the place -- it's no more sanitized and idealized than its counterparts elsewhere and see it as a worthwhile attraction that gives us a reasonable facsimile of things past we'd not otherwise see.

[HeavyDrinker]

We used to get vouchers for the Ancient City regularly in our electric bill so visited a lot a few years ago.

It is a lovely place, if for nothing else, escaping the concrete and smog for a few hours.

Be alert if you're visiting during the week though as there can be hordes of schoolkids there hassling Western tourists/Visitors with those bloody questionnaires.

[klikster]

Don't complain about the Bt 400 .. Muang Boran would be cheap at twice the price. It's very hard to "do" in a day. Open, spacious, clean, quiet, excellent statuary and even better cultural reproductions .. may at 100% scale.

Places for very reasonably priced food and drink.

As someone mentioned, you can drive your vehicle around, rent a golf car (expensive), rent a bicycle, or walk .. and walk .. and walk. It's about 1000 rai.

Signage in English and Thai explain the exhibits. The "White Temple of Ayuttaya" is very nice as is the 5/8 scale "Grand Palace".

If you have time, it's also rather awe inspiring to stand at the base of the three headed elephant statue nearby.

[coolhandjoe]

Don't complain about the Bt 400 .. Muang Boran would be cheap at twice the price. It's very hard to "do" in a day. Open, spacious, clean, quiet, excellent statuary and even better cultural reproductions .. may at 100% scale.

Places for very reasonably priced food and drink.

As someone mentioned, you can drive your vehicle around, rent a golf car (expensive), rent a bicycle, or walk .. and walk .. and walk. It's about 1000 rai.

Signage in English and Thai explain the exhibits. The "White Temple of Ayuttaya" is very nice as is the 5/8 scale "Grand Palace".

If you have time, it's also rather awe inspiring to stand at the base of the three headed elephant statue nearby.

Last time driving on the motorway around Bangkok we saw a massive three headed elephant statue, was wondering what it symbolised in Thai culture.

[SteeleJoe]

Don't complain about the Bt 400 .. Muang Boran would be cheap at twice the price. It's very hard to "do" in a day. Open, spacious, clean, quiet, excellent statuary and even better cultural reproductions .. may at 100% scale.

Places for very reasonably priced food and drink.

As someone mentioned, you can drive your vehicle around, rent a golf car (expensive), rent a bicycle, or walk .. and walk .. and walk. It's about 1000 rai.

Signage in English and Thai explain the exhibits. The "White Temple of Ayuttaya" is very nice as is the 5/8 scale "Grand Palace".

If you have time, it's also rather awe inspiring to stand at the base of the three headed elephant statue nearby.

Last time driving on the motorway around Bangkok we saw a massive three headed elephant statue, was wondering what it symbolised in Thai culture.

That's Erawan. Like many aspects of Thai culture, it comes from India (and specifically, in this instance and many others, Hinduism). If you want to know what it symbolizes, familiarize your self with the Ramayana ( in Thailand called the Ramakien) also of Indian origin. Note the prefix "Rama"...

[klikster]

Edit what I posted about 1,000 rai .. I once heard 400 acres so ..

From the book:

Area: 320 acres

Shape: Corresponding to map of Thailand

Ground Breaking: 1963

Official opening Day: 11 Feb 1972

Monuments: As of publication of guide book (2004) 116 (and more to come)

[endure]

As someone mentioned, you can drive your vehicle around, rent a golf car (expensive), rent a bicycle, or walk .. and walk .. and walk. It's about 1000 rai.

How much is a golf cart?

[Thongkorn]

This is the Elephant it is bigger than you think , you can go inside

[Thongkorn]

As someone mentioned, you can drive your vehicle around, rent a golf car (expensive), rent a bicycle, or walk .. and walk .. and walk. It's about 1000 rai.

How much is a golf cart?

about 300baht. there is a tram to , we biked because it as more fun.

[endure]

As someone mentioned, you can drive your vehicle around, rent a golf car (expensive), rent a bicycle, or walk .. and walk .. and walk. It's about 1000 rai.

How much is a golf cart?

about 300baht. there is a tram to , we biked because it as more fun.

Cheers

[Hermes100]

According to their website, they practice TRIPLE pricing (so not only foreigners can be incensed, Thais can too!):

400 baht for foreigners

200 baht for Thais

100 baht for Thai residents of Samut Prakan Province

Not sure if DL, work permit, etc. will work. It has been ages since I was there and don't recall.

That's me not going. Pathetic....

[coolhandjoe]

Don't complain about the Bt 400 .. Muang Boran would be cheap at twice the price. It's very hard to "do" in a day. Open, spacious, clean, quiet, excellent statuary and even better cultural reproductions .. may at 100% scale.

Places for very reasonably priced food and drink.

As someone mentioned, you can drive your vehicle around, rent a golf car (expensive), rent a bicycle, or walk .. and walk .. and walk. It's about 1000 rai.

Signage in English and Thai explain the exhibits. The "White Temple of Ayuttaya" is very nice as is the 5/8 scale "Grand Palace".

If you have time, it's also rather awe inspiring to stand at the base of the three headed elephant statue nearby.

Last time driving on the motorway around Bangkok we saw a massive three headed elephant statue, was wondering what it symbolised in Thai culture.

That's Erawan. Like many aspects of Thai culture, it comes from India (and specifically, in this instance and many others, Hinduism). If you want to know what it symbolizes, familiarize your self with the Ramayana ( in Thailand called the Ramakien) also of Indian origin. Note the prefix "Rama"...

Thanks for the info.