Ranger (CV 61) - Naval Cruise Book

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iDNl-dnu.-.-..-..-.f4------- .-,.., 1.h.,1 .... . ...1, g,.....,..-....w-f T HAILA D Thailand is a paradox, a visible contrast in values that can be both enchanting and confusing for the visitor. Throughout Asia traditional values and cul- tural patterns are being eroded under the impact of Western styles of materialism and political change. The Thai people are adopting foreign so- cial and material attitudes at an amazing pace. Television, for example, with foreign films and pro- ductions, has taken over from the temple fair as a major source of entertainment. Little is known of the early history of Thailand, although recent discoveries in one small village, Ban Chiang, indicate that a sophisticated Bronze Age culture existed there as long as 5,000 years ago. It is assumed that the original Thais gradually migrated south ward from Yunnun Valley of south central China as a result of pressure from warlike northern neighbors. The great push of the Thais finally came in the 18th century when Kublai Khan 's hordes forced them out of China. ln 1928 they founded the kingdom of Sukothai, the Dawn of Happiness. The period 's most important ruler was King Ramkamhaeng, a man of wisdom and foresight who adopted the Khmer alphabet, thus giving the Thais - already united by customs and spoken word - their first written language. The beginning of the 1 7th century saw initial con- tact with Europeans, first with the Dutch and Eng- lish who established trade relations, and later with the French. With the steady influx of Western ideas Thailand 's absolute monarchy was doomed to end. In 1952, a junta of amry officers took over, giving Thailand a constitutional monarchy, and in- troducing a limited measure of democracy. During World War ll, Thai sympathies lay with the West. Allied soldiers were given aid and refuge during the Japanese occupation of the country. PH5 ROBERSON l'z H' inane,-nrr'?H C WO2 MARTIN PA TTA YA BEA CH cwoz MARTIN CWO2 MARTIN LAND AT LAST i I I ..,-rr ,AH . .4 ' . rv' Q5 V. Q.-I' rj ...A 1 r N R Q. , 3. if we ,A . 1 -X 1 1k f :ir ' 'P K LIBERTY BOATS THIS IS THE LIFE I L r. 5, P 5 1 if 3 Az ii Y!! I x 282 THAILAND 1111 .1111 . 11 ...1, .11 :QW-.,. ...L .QW 4' -amass,

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