Berlin-Bangkok: German Traces in Bangkok, Thai Traces in Berlin
A recently published book by the German author Martin Schacht with photos by the two photographers Ralf Tooten and Wolfgang Bellwinkel testifies to how closely the two cities are connected. The idea for this exciting project came from Maren Niemeyer, Director of the Goethe-Institut Thailand, who has lived in Bangkok for six years.
The Goethe-Institut Thailand, the German-Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Thai-German Society celebrate their 60th anniversary, the Thai Embassy in Berlin and the German Embassy in Bangkok look back on 160 years of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Germany. It’s a fascinating story that connects the two cities, whose names begin with a B. All started in the KaDeWe – Department Store of the West.
The opening of KaDeWe took place on March 27, 1907, but the hoped-for boost from the visit of a high member of the German imperial family was not forthcoming. On the other hand, a two-day visit by the Siamese King Rama V and his entourage to KaDeWe in August 1907 made the desired impression on the nobility and the bourgeoisie. The king’s shopping trip dominated the headlines and gave KaDeWe the higher consecration that was still missing to make it the first house on the square. The king dined in the Fürstenzimmer and spent 250,000 marks during his visit. Rama V subsequently awarded Adolf Jandorf, the owner of the new luxury department store at the time, the Order of the White Elephant.
The Siamese king, an ally
The Thai monarch, who had already visited Germany and Europe for the first time in 1887, was considered a friend of Kaiser Wilhelm II and Thailand, then still Siam, an important economic partner in Asia, which was otherwise dominated by the colonial powers of England and France. The Siamese king was seen as an ally who both supported the German economy and accommodated the German need for influence in the world. In fact, German companies in Thailand were involved in the development of the infrastructure as well as the postal system and the telegraph network. King Rama V (Chulalongkorn) was so popular with the German population that the Berlin operetta king Paul Lincke, who knew better than anyone how to package the mood of the Wilhelmine bourgeoisie in marching music, dedicated a piece of music to him: The Siamese Guard Parade is still popular today at New Year’s concerts of brass bands.
The KaDeWe: an eventful history
Even when it opened, the department store exceeded all expectations and offered a wide range of products that were rare and often unknown to German customers.… weiterlesen
CultureAndCream Author from Munich
To travel during my profession as a beauty journalist was never enough for my. Also my six month on a world trip didn’t do it. It always attracts me to other cities, foreign countries, on roadtrips and places I don’t know yet. But I am not only interested in “culture” and “cream”, I am also fascinated by people who have stories to tell . Such unique experiences I want to share with you.
