Thai Kreis? Thai forum Members?

[Laowang]

I'm neither Thai nor Malay, but I'll provide some information, as I understand it.

Southern Thailand is ethnically Malay; the Malay sultanate of Pattani was annexed by Thailand as part of the Anglo-Saimese Treaty of 1909. The Thai provinces of Yala and Narathiwat were originally part of Pattani, but were made separate provinces by the Thai government. The semi-independent Malay states of Satun and Songkhla were also annexed. This has repurcussions to this day, as there is much civil unrest in Southern Thailand.

As David has noted, some of the keris in the thread are from other parts of the Malay archipelago. However, keris tajong and keris coteng were prominently featured; tajong are considered to have originated in Pattani, and coteng from Songkhla. In particular, the sheer number of coteng in the first thread is impressive. I noticed that a number of the keris in the thread are from members of this site (and presumably originally posted on this site).

I've included a map of southern Thailand, along with representative examples of a tajong (with apologies to Kai Wee, although I did 'borrow' the .jpeg from the Thai thread) and a coteng.

I don't know anything about the policeman, but I wonder if he's not ethnically Malay? Nakhon Si Thammarat is in the south, less than 100 miles from Songkhla. To the best of my knowledge, ethnic Thais do not have a keris culture. Ethnic Malays living in Thailand, however, do very much have a keris culture.

[Laowang]

Keris tajong

[Laowang]

Keris coteng

[Nathaniel]

Originally Posted by Laowang

I don't know anything about the policeman, but I wonder if he's not ethnically Malay? Nakhon Si Thammarat is in the south, less than 100 miles from Songkhla. To the best of my knowledge, ethnic Thais do not have a keris culture. Ethnic Malays living in Thailand, however, do very much have a keris culture.

Laowang,

Thank you for the great information.

To answer your question regarding Aj. K. Phan, here is what I found on a website: http://wichaiwos.blogspot.com/2007/0...-rajjadej.html


"Khun Phan or known to the buddhists as Ajahn Khun Phan was a well known police officer in Nakhon Si Thammarat. He passed away peacefully on Wenesday, 5th July 2006 at the ripe age of 103. The installation of the famous city pillar at the province was done on his advise.

Police Major General Khun Phan's real name is Butr Phantharak. He was born on 18 Feb 1903 in Tha Sala district of Nakhon Si Thammarat. He graduated from the Huay Chorakae Police Academy in Nakhon Pathom in 1929. He was feared by many criminals even if they have 'supernatural' power. Khun Phan single handedly rooted out all the criminal organisations especially in the southern provinces such as Phatthalung and central provinces, Suphan Buri. It was said that during that period, guns were easily accessible to the criminals, however Khun Phan chased after the criminals with nothing except his trusty long sword. With such accomplishment, the title 'Khun' was bestowed on him. He was the last Thai to have such title.

In 1960, Khun Phan received the appointment to be the Police Chief of Region 8 and promoted to the rank of Major General. After serving the force for 40 odd years, Khun Phan retired in 1964 and joined the Democrat Party and elected as a Nakhon Si Thammarat MP in 1973.

He was survived by 12 children. 8 with the first wife who passed away and 4 with the second wife. His funeral was held at Wat Mahathat Waoramahawiharn at his birthplace. it will be preside by HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn.

He was well loved by the people for his honesty and integrity. Khun Phan practised white magic and consecrate amulets for the people."