Sabaydii,
I came to know Som-Ock for about some time (maybe 6 or 7 years ago).
First, he approached me by sending me a number of cassette tapes
featuring many anti-communist songs. Then, we exchanged some emails. He
told me that his lineage could be traced back to Chao Anou (Not Chao
Saysettha). At that time, I took it with a grain of salt. After all, he
were one, I would be glad to know about his ancestry since I myself am
quite interested in Chao Anou.
1. He might be one of Chao Anou descendants or somehow related though
how remote I am not sure. As casalao stated that Chao Anou (like other
nobilities at that time) had many wives. One of his wives or minor
wives could be the great great grandmother of Som-Ock. Only if he could
produce something of value directly linking him to Chao Anou, I would
take him seriously. By the way, he told me that his lineage hid
something of value namely Buddha statue of that time in PhuKhaoQuai
ພູເຂົາຄວາຍ when the Siamese ransacked LanXang in
the war of 1827-28.
2. At first, his account was quite credible. He himself was more
reasonable than now though something didn't jar well with me. Though he
spoke of the Siamese ransacking of LanXang, there was no animosity
towards Siam or Thailand at all. On the contrary, he was quite fond of
Thailand.
3. Now, 6 or 7 years later, he approached me again by first sending me
his 'PhaKeo' Mohlum CD. This time, I know that something is not right.
The history account of LanXang and PhaKeo in the Mohlum is mainly
wrong. Then, with his audacity to call his wife the 'Queen' is more
than I can take. Yes, it is one thing to be related to the lineage of
Chao Anou (something he should be proud of if he is really one). It is
completely another thing to propagandize oneself as he is currently
doing now.
4. From what I come of make of him, he must have someone to advise him
to take this path. That person might be a Thai, an Isan person or even
a Lao. It is too bad that the advisor isn't that well-equipped with the
Lao history. Som-Ock himself, to me, is quite politically naive.
5. What I am mainly interested in this saga is how Isan people
especially in Ubol perceive of him. I know for fact that, in that
region, LaoViang of Chao Anou followers are heavily concentrated over
there. About one hundred years ago, one of Chao Anou descendants was
even appointed to be the governor of that province. That shows you how
strong and how numerous LaoViang have been in that province. I am not
so sure if that sentiment still lingers with those LaoViang
descendants. I guess some remnants are still there. And that's why his
advisor (I assume) chose Ubol.
6. From what I know of, Som-Ock has some connections with the Isan
parliament representatives. It is interesting to find out who benefits
from who and what benefits each side can reap of.
Hopefully, Som-Ock won't ruin the good image the LaoViang of Ubol have
towards Chao Anou lineage and, ultimately, of Muang Lao and Quon Lao.
Again, it is one thing to consider oneself the proud heritage of Chao
Anou line but it is another thing to exploit it to one's benefit -
whoever that person is.
- ລາວເກົ່າ
http://angelfire.com/folk/panya
Post by àºàº²àºªàº²àº¥àº²àº§folks,
don't shoot the messenger. i don't know Som-Ok aka chao anouvong
setthathirath, IV. the source that gave me the info is as upset and
confused as anybody else. he called Som-Ok a few times to confront him
but he stood firm in his belief.
looks like some of us like LOONG-THONGVANH and SEEKHOD knows him well
too. yes, the source told me that the name was steve forrester or some
american name. he was not sure.
i don't know why the thai authorities haven't done anything to stop him
from doing his princely work in ubol. after all them thai had erased
the anouvong dynasty from the face of the earth more than two
centuries
Post by àºàº²àºªàº²àº¥àº²àº§ago why would they tolerate another wannabe chao anouvong descendant in
their own land?
the benefit of the doubt is that perhaps because chao anouvong like
other nobility of his time had many wives. could it be that one had
escaped the unslaught after chao anouvong's defeat and managed to hide
in the eesan region? it is a possibility but a remote one of course.
anbody wants to talk to him can always email me to get his cell phone
number. he welcomes all inquiries either via emails or phone calls. you
have to pay for your own beer of course.
--
casalao...probably a descendant of khoonloh the great.