The Armchair Traveler's Club discussion

This is a place to discuss non-print discoveries about Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos. Tell us about Movies, Music, TV, Food, and anything else you find interesting!

Uber famous Thai rock band song and video about King Taksin:

https://youtu.be/6bfjCwUqpm4

Photos of the band and fans at a show at the Hard Rock Hotel in Pattaya:

http://www.pattayamail.com/arts-enter...

a dedicated fan has translated many of their lyrics into English:

http://carabaoinenglish.com/welcome

Royal Ballet of Cambodia dancing at the Festival of World Sacred Music.

https://youtu.be/6IF9OrqHwJU

This is beautiful, though slow! You can certainly note the hours and years of training in order to attain this level of control, flexibility and grace. Sumptuous costumes.

Noted an interesting disagreement in the comments - the Thai viewers state this originated in Thailand while the Cambodians argue that they started it! Wikipedia substantiates both points of view, explaining that while the artform may be as old as Angkor Wat, some scholars state that the form viewed today was heavily influenced by Siamese dancers in Cambodian courts in the 19th century.


12th century Angkor Wat dancers

Fascinating article asking "Who were the women carved on Angkor Wat?" Some people believe some may have been queens or women of import since the Khmer culture was matriarchal.

http://www.sott.net/article/214757-Th...

More info:

http://www.devata.org/about-devata-or...

Don't Think I've Forgotten: Cambodia's Lost Rock and Roll

I watched this movie on Hulu. An interesting take on Cambodia. I traveled to Cambodia around 2000 and had no idea how 'westernized' they were before the takeover by the Khmer Rouge tried to eliminate western influence. The persecution of intellectuals and artists seems par for course for a dictatorship. Can't have people around who are smart or brave enough to challenge authority.

I kind of hate the term 'westernized' because I feel like it is used sometimes in an imperial way to accuse people of having less integrity or less cultural identity of their own. In my opinion we should all share culture so a Cambodian who plays rock & roll may have found something from the US that he likes but that doesn't make him less Cambodian any more than my eating sushi makes me any less American. We should all be able to explore and play with parts of different cultures that we enjoy without being accused of not having our own identity.

When I was in Cambodia it sure did not look trendy and hip like in the 1960s in the movie. It sure impressed upon me how much a few years and a military regime can change the culture. Has anyone been to Cambodia more recently? I wonder how it has changed now?

Has rock & roll returned? I wonder if the musicians' experiences in the movie will echo those in Music Through the Dark: A Tale of Survival in Cambodia?

Trailer:
https://youtu.be/uWUClhqQkVo

Sinn Sisamouth : MD, musician - killed by the Khmer Rouge

https://youtu.be/hpamPGrZMvQ

Found A River Changes Course on Hulu.

It's a wonderful documentary on families in Cambodia. The filming style is as though you are a fly on the wall. The filmmakers do ask questions, but much of the time is devoted to watching the families go about their day to day lives. Feels like you are there visiting. Those kids sure do know how to handle a knife from a young age! I'm going to have to try that method of gutting fish - looks easy and fast. The film certainly illustrates different attitudes towards child/parent relationships. There is more devotion to helping and obeying parents.

Enjoyed a Globe Riders episode in which they traveled through Southern Thailand and Malaysia. I like the style of the travelogue - a couple of average looking guys riding their bikes through countries and showing us what they see. I enjoy the low key style and the real gritty feel of it. No flashing lights or EXTREME anything - just real life. They have an affinity for seeing how things are made and done - we visit a rubber factory and another place that manufactures charcoal. The chief at the charcoal factory is certainly proud of his product. It was a treat to see someone so in love with their work.

Had a read about Globe Riders. This fellow has traveled through 100 countries on his motorcycle and now leads tours for others who want to travel by bike. Pretty inspiring!