WOULD WE NOW BE IN BURMA…..

…..but for Captain Jensen and the Thais he led to rout the Shan rebels? Well, think about it for a while - and bear in mind the wise words of the French Consul of the time whom we quote in the main feature.

If indeed the rebels had succeeded in taking and holding Lampang, Phrae having already fallen to them, serious students of this fascinating portion of history say that the French would have probably followed and annexed that portion of the north, while the Brits would have reacted quickly by sending British Indian troops to "protect" Mae Hong Son, Chiangmai etc. In other words extended Burma (which they then controlled), eastwards.

It's all conjecture of course, but imagine if you will a Thailand with a northern border running roughly east-west just north of Uttaradit. What was left of the north then sub-divided by a north-south curve running from Mae Hong Son, round to the east of Chiangmai, through Lamphun somewhere and ending at the "Thai border" around Thoen.

As modern history evolved, the western sector would have become part of Burma and the eastern a part of Laos. NOT happy thoughts! King Chulalongkorn would have been all too well aware of the risks of these foreign incursions at the time. No wonder he posthumously rewarded Jensen and his widowed mother so well!

Footnote to the feature

Having read the fascinating 'De Mortius' several years ago, I've been waiting for the 100th anniversary to recall this gripping tale. Enthused by the drama, I've mentioned it to several folks during that time, one of whom set off for the cemetery almost immediately to see for herself.

Her name was Lisa and she was a bright young lecturer from Glasgow University, Scotland, with whom I've since, sadly, fallen out of touch. A very spiritual person was Lisa and, together with her boyfriend, she knelt at Jensen's memorial and tried to visualise the man and his struggle.

"I was immediately subjected to intense feelings of anger, injustice and sorrow" said Lisa. "This was not a spirit at rest, not at all! My boy friend had a less strong sense of the same. As I sat there trying to concentrate harder, I felt an intense pain in the back of my head and a feeling almost like a small door opening there. I am certain that this man was shot, not in the front by someone he was pursuing, but in the back. There was the incredibly strong feeling of injustice. I think he was shot by one of his own men!"

JUST LIKE THE REAL THING? Almost! The Spitfire Mk V111 in RAAF livery (no red to avoid confusion with the enemy by ground gunners), arguably the best looking piston-engined plane ever! Framed in dark Thai timber, each piece is numbered and only 1000 pieces will ever be produced. Made by Thai craftsmen with care. Measurement: 24 x 15 x 3.5 cm email: gmorning@chiangmai-online.com PRICE: 1000 BAHT PAYMENT CAN BE MADE ONLINE VISA & MASTER CARD WELCOME

A flowering talent

Last month we wrote about the plight of a young Chiangmai flower seller, too exhausted by her nocturnal duties to go to school very often. We used 2 of her extremely talented crayon drawings in the magazine and introduced her to noted local artist Alain from France.

Now 12 years old, our anonymous star is taking regular afternoon lessons with Alain in a local restaurant and a small fund is being established which, it is hoped, will get her out of the flower trade and into proper education. More as we know it!

A supreme sacrifice which brought lasting freedom

100 years ago, did this brave young Dane save Northern Thailand?

Remembering countless other casualties

David Hardy

Boat racing on the mighty Mekong

Riverbank Stone

Chiangmai and the North

My Chiangmai

David Hardy

Chiangmai Pool League

Night Fowl

Reasons to Relax

Ric Klein

Ric Klein learned more about his own city by guiding visitors.

The Drinks Page

Night Fowl

Letters

ALASKAN CAN JOB SCAM

If you hear someone promoting work in an Alaskan fish canning factory, tell them to can it! Scammers are "recruiting" Thais to work a 2 year contract at US$7 per hour. (...).

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