Phaholyothin Road

An Epic Drama
Photograph by H. T. Cowling, circa 1919

Decked out in brilliantly brocaded costumes, these actors engaged in a traditional dance drama, known as lakhon, around 1919 in Thailand. Originally called kohn and performed only for royalty and nobility, this drama changed names once it moved outside the court and became popular with the public. Still enjoyed today, lakhon draws from folk tales and the Thai version of the Indian Ramayana—an epic poem about good conquering evil. The entire poem takes 720 hours of continuous performance, while a shorter version lasts 20.

- National Geographic (2004)

Neal Ulevich won the 1977 Pulitzer Prize for a “series of photographs of disorder and brutality in the streets of Bangkok, Thailand”  

The Thammasat University Massacre took place on October 6, 1976. It was a very violent attack on students who were demonstrating against Field Marshall Thanom Kittikachorn.

F. M. T. Kittikachorn was a dictator who was planning to come back to Thailand. The return of the military dictator from exile provoked very violent protests. Protestors and students were beaten, mutilated, shot, hung and burnt to death.

“Swing ceremony” during the Harvest Festival.

Unknown date—Anon

Bangkok, Thailand

(Source: egokornus)

(Source: thingsinthemselves)

Vintage Thailand festival photograph.

(Source: animis)

Vintage Thailand festival photograph.

(Source: animis)