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Bangkokrecorder Magazine -
Bangkok Life
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Saturday, 27 September 2003 |
The Bangkok Recorder was originally issued in Thai and published by Dr. Bradley, an American missionary in 1856. After appearing for one year and three months the newspaper was degraded and then republished in 1865, intended for the foreign community and consequently published in English. The first editorial, from on January 16th 1865, stated:
“The present Journal, although in a somewhat different form, we think may justly claim to be continuation of that (first) one, and consequently the first newspaper published in Bangkok. Supposing the proper time to have come for such and event, we now take pleasure in offering to the citizens of Bangkok and other, this revised edition of the recorder.
We have not undertaken this, with any malicious designs upon any similar enterprise, which may have started up in the mean time. Far from it; we wish all well. One newspaper however creates a necessity for another. Of all monopolies that of newspapers is the worst. Whether there was a necessity for a paper here at all at present, of course is not for us to say; but the existence of one implies the necessity for another There are always two sides to any question, and it is well to hear both.
One purpose of the Bangkok Recorder was to inform the Western world about the Kingdom of Siam and to clear up misconceptions:
“After all that has been written, however, about this country, it is astonishing how little is known concerning it abroad. We were amused not long since in reading the following in the Youths Department of the New York Observer, a paper as ably conducted and having as large a circulation as any in the United States, “In Siam, a kingdom in Asia, lying is punished by having the month sewed up.” During a season like the present when rice is scarce and dear, such a punishment might be in some degree beneficial, for in such an event, the home consumption of the great staple of the country would soon materially decrease. We suppose there is scarcely any other place to be found where lying is so nearly systematized as here.”
The Recorders intention was to help the development of the Country and influence the local authorities through reporting and commenting on issues concerning “Politics, Literary, Scientific, Commercial, and Local intelligence”. Its publisher and editor were undoubtedly convinced by Western superiority and “high state of development”, and conveyed this opinion quite openly. Its main target audience was the foreign community, which was then living comfortably in a quasi-colonial style:
“Among ourselves too, the press, if rightly conducted, may become highly beneficial. It acts as a monitor in any community. It rubs off asperities, and corrects errors. It matters not how small a community may be, there will be occasion for controversy. Of course such should not be encouraged but when it does arise, it should be conducted to the best advantage. Through each one can vindicate his own cause, and expose the errors of his opponent sharply if necessary, but do it gentlemanly. The English language is ample, surpassed by none except the French, in delicate expression. There is no necessity then to descend to vulgarisms.
But a truce to this, for the present. We offer the Recorder, to the citizens of Bangkok and others. We shall try to merit a liberal share of patronage. We shall try to do justice to all, but will flatter none.”
Through republishing parts of the past issues of the Bangkok Recorder, we want to give our readers the opportunity to look and understand the development and events of Bangkok 173 years ago. That does not mean that we always agree with the expressed opinions, especially on issues concerning Thai and Western culture, colonial politics or the rulings of the Royal Family in this time.
This new Recorder will stand in the tradition of offering honest information about Bangkok – one of the most provocative places to be nowadays. The monthly magazine reveals interesting and controversial topics, which will help to give our readers a different perspective on Bangkok. Every issue will focus on one topic, which we are going to highlight from different angles. We will do our best to gather the information needed to present to most comprehensive listing of important addresses in and around Bangkok.
We are always open to comments or suggestions and hope you will enjoy this new Bangkok Recorder.
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