Ways before the founding of the kingdom of Sokhutai/Ayuttaya, Siam and later Thailand, Siyam (Siam) was a small tribe of people migrated from northern India and lived as thieves and robbers. When Mongols invaded China, the Tai (Thai) tribe of Yunnan province of China sought refuge with Khmer. Mostly Tai settled at modern day northwestern Thailand.
When Champa, the country of the Muslim Cham people located in modern day central Vietnam, invaded Khmer in the 12th century, Siem and Tai were recruited by Khmer King Jayavarman 7 to help fight the Cham invaders. After 20 years of fighting, Khmer defeated and conquered Champa. Siem and Tai earned a privilege to live freely as Khmer citizen. By then, they have already became Khmer.
Khmer prophecy had predicted that if Siem/Tai were to have a kingdom, it will play a major role in the deterioration of the Khmer empire. The prophecy was correct. When Khmer empire was slowly becoming weaker and weaker, the Siem/Tai became stronger as one group and beginning to fight Khmer for their own independence.
By early 15th century, Siem/Tai created their own kingdom from captured Khmer territory. Afterward, Siem was on the path of every front to expand its territory. Siem/Tai were fighting Burma, Malay, Issan/Lavo(Laos), and Khmer (Cambodia). By 1939 Siem had its names changed from Siam to Thailand. Thailand still carry its own old mindset as the old Siem (Siam) kingdom.
This is a little short history for those who are curious about the nation of Thailand of who and what these people are.
When Champa, the country of the Muslim Cham people located in modern day central Vietnam, invaded Khmer in the 12th century, Siem and Tai were recruited by Khmer King Jayavarman 7 to help fight the Cham invaders. After 20 years of fighting, Khmer defeated and conquered Champa. Siem and Tai earned a privilege to live freely as Khmer citizen. By then, they have already became Khmer.
Khmer prophecy had predicted that if Siem/Tai were to have a kingdom, it will play a major role in the deterioration of the Khmer empire. The prophecy was correct. When Khmer empire was slowly becoming weaker and weaker, the Siem/Tai became stronger as one group and beginning to fight Khmer for their own independence.
By early 15th century, Siem/Tai created their own kingdom from captured Khmer territory. Afterward, Siem was on the path of every front to expand its territory. Siem/Tai were fighting Burma, Malay, Issan/Lavo(Laos), and Khmer (Cambodia). By 1939 Siem had its names changed from Siam to Thailand. Thailand still carry its own old mindset as the old Siem (Siam) kingdom.
This is a little short history for those who are curious about the nation of Thailand of who and what these people are.
16 comments:
NOT any more the way we see it Khmer way behind will take another five thousand years to catch up Thailand.
Why because Khmer so Defragmented and not United, and because Khmer Killing Khmer. It is the other way around NOW....
I think you are exaggerating here. Yes, the Pol Pot era was a setback for Khmer. But since then, Khmer has improve a lot. Give Khmer another 5-10 years. You will be suprised. Even now, I am suprise by the Kingdom of Cambodia. Both countries are not united. Look who are marching down the streets of Bangkok. Look who are killing each other. In two days, 4 people had died in Thailand. What is this about 100 fetuses found in a Bangkok temple, a place of worship. The point I am trying to make is that both countries have negative and positive side. We should not judge other people. We should learn to get along. The past is the past. Learn from it. Now is the present. Live toward the future. Don't be Greedy. Keep what is yours. Don't steal from your neighbors because your neighbors will protect their properties with their life. Life is too short.
Very wishful thinking there 11:42AM. I know you're just being Siem because you don't know what the hell you're talking about. Cambodia will be catching up with Thailand within a decade or so. Progress in Cambodia is going along just fine. Thailand should focus on its internal political choas than trying to pick a fight with Cambodia over issue that doesn't even concern Thailand. Believe it or not, Thailand is falling apart. Civil war is a possibility. I hope and pray to see the day when Thailand trip and fall on its face. When it falls, it will falls hard.
in order to catch up with the Thai, Khmer have to built arm forces. Cambodia have to built arm forces for match the Thai.
Guys, frankly I'd like to say that Cambodia is better than Thailand or will catch up with Thailand in another 5-10 years. But, the reality pointed otherwise, so I can't be too proud to make such claim. We must know that Thailand is 4 times bigger than Cambodia, its population is 7 times bigger than Cambodian population and Thailand's GDP is about 100 times bigger than Cambodia's GDP. Thai Army is 3 times bigger than Cambodian army, Thai navy is about 3 times bigger than Cambodian navy. Cambodia doesn't have the air force and Thai Air Force has about 300 fighter jets, more than 1000 military helicopters and more than 1000 tanks. With this sort of disparity, it would be hard for Cambodia to stand up and catch up with Thailand. However, we must not deter when it comes to defending our country against Thailand. This is 21st century, not 15th century. The world and the UN will not let Thailand bully or invade Cambodia easily if we stand up to them and let the world know about it.
I agree with all the comments. Khmers must United if we want to defeat Thais some day. We Khmers wants our land (Surin,,,and more) back. Also, we want Kampuchea Krom back as well.
We must United for the sake of our motherland (King Jayavaraman VII). He coquered Vietnam, Thailand before and we can do it again. Khmer gov't must modernize the Air Force (buy the fighter jets from China if we have to). ..
I am willing to move back to Cambodia to join the arm forces to defend Khmers.
Khmer Angkorian.
We must conquer Thailand ....some day...
Khmer Angkorian, Khmer USA
12:59PM I agree 100%. Thai can't invade Cambodia. But I do wish that the Cambodian government invest more on military built-up would be a great way as Cambodian GDP growth. Cambodia is a small country, but if equal arsenal weapons I am sure the thai will respect that. One word "ISREAL"
Khmer can be oncce used to be Khmer againe if all Khmers are United And its mean mentaly, emotionly, culturally,history and lastely Khmer should Understand world politics
"you could be right but if you are at wrong side you are still wrong"
We can catch up in 2 years if we use all the money we have and buy the better weapons from the USA but china!!!
I don't think the populations, territory, or military size dictate that bigger is better. That is not always the case. If you look at Singapore, it's the smallest country in ASEAN, but has the biggest economy. What is that telling you. Sometime smaller is better. This is also saying that just because Cambodia is 14.5 millions people and the country is smaller that Thailand, doesn't mean Cambodia can't have great economy like Thailand. Cambodia has been blessed with good natural resource and fertile land for agriculture. Soon the industrial zone near the coastal ereas will have many factories and manufacturing facilities. Soon Cambodia will be exporting more and more. Many jobs will be created. People living standard will improve. GDP will rise. More money can be spend to upgrade infrastructure and military. The main focus for Cambodia now is improving economy, not building the military. Only the pessimistic people who love to see Cambodia going down would think of such negative ideas of Cambodia. They assumed Cambodia is a hopeless country that can never ever achieve anything again. Given times and through trial and error, Cambodia will prove them wrong. I am very optimistic for Cambodia. As far as government, they have no choice but to change for the better if they wanted to see their children and grandchildren live in peace and prosperity.
3:42 PM, bigger means a lot in the case of Cambodia and Thailand at the present time. You are right about Singapore, Taiwan and especially Israel. But Cambodia is not Singapore, Taiwan or Israel. Cambodia is small, poor and weak in every aspect.
As a result, do you think that Cambodia can militarily stand up to Thailand at this present time? I don't talk about the future because may be Cambodia might have better leaders in the future and be more prosperous and stronger than Thailand militarily.
But this present time, i don't see any comparison at all. Thailand has 7 times more population than Cambodia so it means it has more military-age people to serve in the army than Cambodia. Thai economy is about 100 times bigger than Cambodian economy, so it means it has more money to buy more modern weapons than Cambodia. Thailand has more soldiers, tanks, war planes, warships and Cambodia has none, so I don't see any chance that Cambodia will be better than Thailand in the battlefields or when it comes to war.
But, like I said, even we are smaller and weaker we must not let Thailand invade us, we must fight to defend our territory.
For sure Cambodia has a potential to be better and prosperous. When our economy become prosperous it means we have more money to improve the life of people and eventually upgrade our military. This will take time, but not at this present time. We need good and non-corrupt leaders. This will take at least 30-50 years, not 5-10 years.
Khmer Friend, you have to strengthen relationship and keep a balance between US and China. Do not waste "much" time engage with the smart ass talker who show plentiful of contempt, barbaric,ill thinking toward Khmer. Do not expose sensitive data that your enemy will benefit from it. Present yourselves as always as a victim to the world.
Unite beyond Blog to the level of real personal friend among you.Discuss your best strategy not on Blog because you share it with your enemy.
Thai prediction said :
All the oppressed civilians who captured from Cambodia,Lao,Hansavati,Dwaravati ect..by the barbaric Thai army during Thai expansion expedition will unite among themselves and rise up against Tais their common aggressor .
The world liberators (USA?) will help those suffered people to the glorious victory.
5:41 PM, withdraw your thought on your unfair comparison between Cambodia and Thailand at present time. According to you, you seem to put Thailand up high on the peddlestoll and putting Cambodia low on the ground. No one said Cambodia will be like Singapore. No one should say, Cambodia can't be like Singapore or close. No one should say that Cambodia can't be a well develop nation amongst ASEAN. In the 60's, Cambodia was on her way to achieving high status in development. However, Vietnam War, Khmer Rouge, Vietnam invasion and occupation of Cambodia were what set Cambodia back at least 10-20 years. At the current rate of growth and development, I would guess that it might take Cambodia 5-10 years to catch up with most ASEAN countries. Notice, I'm not comparing to Thailand. We don't know what Thailand economy or development will be like in 5-10 years. There is always a fluctuation in growth in an economy. No country experience constant grow forever, not even the mighty America.
If you're Khmer, you shouldn't undermine Cambodia's ability to heal and built herself. Currently, Cambodia appears to be very promising when it comes to rebuilding her economy. There are alot of things happening. When the econmy is strong, more money can be allocate to strengthen the military. The upgrade of modern high-tech weapons would come automatic when there are more money pump into the military. At the moment, Cambodia has other priorities. Her priority isn't competing with Thailand in military build up. Cambodia isn't making herself go broke by fancying herself with expensive military toys just to make Thailand think twice on bullying Cambodia. This thinking is unwise. Cambodia is being conservative and wise when it comes to military spending. Cambodia is not copying Thailand's style.
I encourage you not see too negatively of Cambodia. Try not to see Cambodia as 5 or 10 years ago. 5-10 years ago was more politic than economic. Let Hun Sen barks all he wants, what should concern Cambodia most is development. As long as Hun Sen creates jobs by encouraging foreign investement, more money will reach average people' pocket. When people are well fed, they will be more happy and Cambodia will be strong and no neighbor can look down on Cambodia.
Omega (USA)
I have read all your comments. They are wisely spoken in analytic terms. You are great Khmer-minded people.
Yes, Khmer Country can be better in all aspects when Khmers stop dividing among themselves. When it comes to build up or rebuild the country, Khmers have to unite for a single or common purpose or goal. When it comes to politics, Khmers must broaden their political arena both internal and external. It means they must learn to agree or accept one another’s disagreements without killing or torturing one another. Khmers must reset their ways of thinking or doing things. Khmers must always choose better strategies over desperation. Khmers are born for reasons and purposes. You are a warrior of your own destiny. You are not born to be slave or into a defeated life or a life that is full of poverty and disadvantages. Khmers can change all things around…
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