[22CreessGah]

Yep, Cristopher Colombus discovered only the Caraibes islands and not the real american continent. It's Amerigo Vespucci who put the first feet on Honduras after Colombus. But the first people who discovered America where the Viking there is 800 years. They called the country Vineland

[rhiniddibiarmr]

The reason that this topic came up is because the conflict in the south.
Thailand means land of Thai.
Which represent to the race of Thai only.
While nowadays Thailand has many ethnicities besides Thai.
There are Chinese, Khmer, Melayu, etc.
The name "Siam" in the past conclude all races in the kingdom. (Mon, Laos, Khmer, Melayu, etc.)
So if it is changed back to be Siam then it would represent all races and ethnics in the country.

My own opinion as Thai people ( Thai race), it does not matter to me which name to use. It does not change anything.
Because in my idea the conflict in the south is deeper than just solve by changing the name.

[trettegeani]

Stacker, I understand your viewpoint about the influence of Kmer culture in Thai history. However, I think when we try to understand what happened several hundred years ago, applying a geographical view of history is too one-dimensional. An added dimension of linguistics shows a much more complex picture. I hope this link: "What is Linguistics?" might interest you. Scroll down the page a bit and you will find a classification of language groups and you will discover that Mon-Kmer is classified in a different linguistic group from Tai-Kadai. Looking at the visual of a written script can be deceiving. It makes one think that certain languages are similar because they have the same look. Does Vietnamese which use Romanized script have any relation with Roman languages? Clearly not!

The other thing that bothers me about history and nationstate is that it is a western, and modern invention. It's inception served a purpose, part of which was to claim mental as well as geographical domination of the territories. I question everything I read, its sources, its method, its intentions, I even question why I chose the things I chose to read. Hehe, I'm not paranoic, just very, very curious.

About what's in a name, Siam or Thailand? I find it interesting that questions about identity are being raised. It reveals the radical change we are going through as a society... What was the English term, "rattling the bones in the closet"? I am happy that there is a discussion about identity going on because identity needs to be redefined and expanded with changing times if we want to survive. And sometimes when identity changes, names might have to be changed. And since it could be the name used by so many different groups of people, the more that discuss it the merrier! BTW, do you know the origin of the name "America"?

[Avgustslim]

Would a rose, by any other name, Smell as sweet? Yes. What's in a name? I'm not sure. Will the name change anything? My thoughts point to "No."

I highly doubt that changing the name back to Siam will have any impact on the recent violence in the south. I'm not opposed to changing the name of the country; It will always be the same ol' country to me. What do they hope to accomplish by doing this? I still do not fully understand their motives.

[Ggskbpbz]

And how many Thai people refer to Thailand as »ÃÐà·Èä·Â ?

[Galsteinbok]

really?! well but i prefer Thailand cuz people especially chinese living here in Singapore like to read it wrongly. They somehow will read it like "siam" but not "sir-am".. and read as "siam" in hokkien mean go away. Kinda insulting the country and everytime i heard that i will piss off by them.

[heennaRaf]

What is even more interesting is if I remember correctly he discovered South America long before he discovered North America. The funnier thing is he did not discover anything, both continents already had people living on them!

[heennaRaf]

Sorry about getting a bit carried away, I am not arguing that the history of the language exactly, I am familiar with the fact the Thai People's Language is in part from the Tai family of languages. I meant not to incinuate the language is Khmer. The only reason we apply the geographical histories is because that is the rock solid information we have to apply, and that is usally the way a countrie's origin's are defined. I too think it is far to one dimensional. But if someone were to ask what the American roots were what would your response be? Likely European. If one were to ask the Malaysian Origins what would the response be ? How about Canadian? In the world we live in wether we like it or not it all goes back to geography

As for the names Siam vs. Thailand..... I agree full-heartedly with the name being Siam. The name Thailand only represents beauty to those who alread know of the place. Rattling bones in the closet, yes possibly. Why rattle bones when the people wanted a fresh start and outlook though? My main point though is this is what the people less than a century ago why the sudden change back? I mean it has only been Thailand for less than 80 years. Or are you trying to say that this vote to change the name 70+ years ago was not a public opinion thing? Was it simply a political statement? I thought the people have seemed to become endeared to their name. Possibly even grown to feel honored by it?

No I do not remember the origins of the name America. Was it not named after the man who "discovered" South America? Enlighten me please

[Almolfuncomma]

LOL "Sending $500 to my mother-in-law". That was so funny!! I just burst laughing and laughing. Some things remain the same all over the world!!!

[whimpykid]

Out of the two choices, I prefer Thailand, I don't believe in all this political propaganda about the old name. It does not represents the people, the animals and the land of Thailand.
How about we give Thailand a complete new name.
How about "The Democratic Kingdom of Paul"
any other suggestions.

[ReneCM]

Siam is a very beauitful name and it reflects the long history.. but to work into the techology in the future.. "Thailand" seems more suitable