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pre-release info New Civ Game Guide: Siam

pre-release info
Chang Beun - A Ranged unit with Increased Movement . . . that can move after attacking!?!

Wouldn't that be the ultimate Kiting unit? Fire and run away . . . repeat until enemies are dead?

That seems like a highly exploitable unit . . . the AI isn't going to stand any chance! 🤪
A bit dissapointment. This unit should have better line of sight (+1 hex further) instead. you can see better on any elevated point of view (such as a top of an elephant) can't you?
There should be tradeoffs to balance this. an elephant has weight limit too, I think the biggest gun mounted on elephant's back (or at least carried as pack guns) were 6 pounders. it should have slightly reduced attacks by minus two. (And I don't think elephants accept antitank guns really well, anything 47mm or bigger will ruin elephant balance so it can only be mountain variants. but I don't know if mountainious Antitank Guns ever exists in real life and is there any use if there's one? it could be anything as weak (and later useless) as 37mm.
 
Quick googling indicates that elephants can reach 40mph:

EDIT: I think that's a typo on the website, though - everything else I've seen says ~40 kph or ~25 mph

EDITEDIT: Facing down an elephant charge is terrifying enough...can you imagine the bowel-emptying madness of experiencing a wall of enraged elephants sprinting at you at 40 f-ing miles per hour
Metrics is a standard measurement system here. and it spawns derivatives as it mixed into traditional measurement systems, particularly of landmass which will discuss bit later.
referrence speed unit used here is 'Kilometers per hour'. which is a mile x 1.6
 
Ha, I was just about to say that. The agile nimble Voi Chien made it back to Civ7. I guess when Vietnam is (maybe) added later, they will have to come up with something else, hopefully not another elephant.
That's another thread entirely since that civ stood for Three Ages. (or at TWO if they began as Han).
 
Especially when the debate is over speed in miles or kiloneters per hour when the game measures speed in Years per Turn.

Other animals in the 'slower than a horse, faster than a human' category are:

Western North American Brown Bears (that's Grizzily and their cousins)
Asian Tigers
African Lions
American Bison

All of whom also fall into the category, along with Elephants, of 'animals you lose a race to only Once.'
In this game. Cavalry has a speed of 3 hexes rather than 4.
so Gun Elephants should have better sight range instead. because these men riding this big imposing beasts ride on a literally mobile gun tower that moves on four legs and not wheels. thus they see things farther.
and they should be constrained. well is it possible to mount 12 pounders (standard field artillery, equivalent to 12 cm caliber) on elephants mountings of any kind and shoot from there? if not then there should be a slight minus in attack strengh
 
The most accurate illustrations of Bangkok during the first days as Seat of Power (or many years before, I think during Ayutthaya Period), and Chao Phraya (once called Menam) is often imagined as being wide there, with focal point being Wat Arun (Should be assocaited wonder instead of Doi Suthep which I posted abit frequently here and there that it belongs to Lanna (and even adopted Burmese archetecture, if not every aspects of Burmese Cheti is adpted, such as upper tier walkways for round walking sacraments), which only annexed in a past 150 years).
This 'Suphannahong' (The Golden Phoenix) was one of the two 'Royal' barges actually rode by kings. or his representatives. And it has been an iconic royal barge since Ayutthaya Period.
There's a good reason to draw as this so not to clutter the whole picture, and to have Wat Arun fulfills its meaning as 'The Temple of Dawn'. Because a boat trip originated from Ayutthaya into Menam Estuary takes 1 day and 1 night, and when it reaches Bangkok, it dawns.

The temple itself, as well as 'The Golden Mountain' (Wat Saket) are older than Two Capitols of Siam (After Ayutthaya) by a couple of centuries.
Originally Bangkok began as riverine caravansarai (one of many functions of 'Bang'.) and later as naval fortress. (There's a vauban fort located by the west side, built by French and later became a site of Royal Palace during Thonburi period (which lasted only 15 years), and now Royal Thai Navy Headquarters.)
 
What passes for "modern" in Siam? Remember this isn't our "Modern day" but the "modern" of the 1700s/1800s. Do we need to see electricity? Cars?

Thailand back in the 19th century wasn't that "modern" technologically wise.
1750 was the final years of Ayutthaya.
And originally Rattanakosin had walls, by the reign of King Chulalongkorn. these walls (as well as some riverine casemates built during King Rama II or III) were demolished since it became useless against rifled artillery. Modern army garrisons (located by the place that by 1890s or 1900s were considered 'Edge of Capitol City', such as 'Bang Khaen' (บางเขน) Where 11th Foot Guards Regiment is stationed from the beginning to present day.), and a new style naval fort armed with rifled fortress guns replaced the walls.
And there's no land-based ring fortress protecting Bangkok either. this was due to budget constrains. so instead temporary fortifications were built 'when needed'.
(and this predates WW1 by few decades).
But it doesn't means there's no such land fortress built during Early Rattanakosin era at all. In fact some outlying cities (before King Chulalongkorn) got gun fortress. there's one in Chantaburi that's gun heavy.
 
Off topic, but I want to tell that I studied massage in Bangkok at Wat Po school, amazing energetic city, made Helsinki look like a tiny town.

I saw a night moth as big as a fist which was pretty cool.

Last few civilizations have been amazing, Siam, Russia, France.
And who's your mentor?, A man, Woman, or Androgyne? (it became a national symbol here.)
Well I caught a wild butterfly which is very as big as my palm when I was a kid, some 25 years ago!

Bangkok only became Metropolis (or Megalopolis) in 80s. due to influx of Japanese FDI that came here. and this is what modern Thais love alot. (Numerous locally owned suppliers and subcontractors founded here and learned Industrial Manufacturing techniques from Japanese industrialists who came here some 40 years ago, and they ain't leaving easily (they might leave, but often returns with newer industry when investers friendly (and scrupulous) government came to office.
Before that, it was the least (or one of the least) developed capitol city in Southeast Asia (or even the entirety of Asia).40 years ago, Rangsit was a countryside, Today it is part of Bangkok-Burapha Megalopolis. heavily urbanized (and some Japanese urban culture also came here, including queue lineups that follows the same practice, it came with Japanese investors and supervisors, and also Thai tourists who visit Japan (particularly Tokyo and Osaka as well as Kyoto)).
 
Some Bear Facts:

Bears in speed fall almost mid-way between horses and people: in the Kentucky Derby, the horse would finish in about 2 minutes, the man in 5 minutes, the bear in a little over 3 minutes.

Worse, the brown bear of eastern Europe and western North America (as shown above) has been observed running for hours faster than a man can. You cannot outrun him, and you cannot outlast him. All you can do is hope he isn't hungry when he spots you.

And, contrary to popular belief, a bear can run downhill almost as fast as on the flat - unlike a horse or man, both of whom can over-balance and tumble down a slope if they aren't careful. Bears run with mofre of their body weight closer to the ground than either the human or equid.

But the picture is inaccurate: in the middle of winter as shown, the bears would be hibernating rather than running anywhere, and waking up a hibernating bear is 1) very, very difficult, and 2) usually suicidal - see first two Bear Facts above.
And a bear cannot be tamed to ride this easy. They ain't docile enough (though can be trained and domesticated just like an elephant). sometimes not even cute pandas can be easily tamed.
Anything that useful as war beast has to be battle ready all year round. or at the campaigning seasons.
 
Lantern ballons came from China. locally stylized.
'Hot Air Ballons' exists here (and not the same Montgolfiers, these were unmanned and were released as part of Winter Festivals).
I did notice the wonder completion/perhaps celebration animation for Siam is also the lantern balloons from Qing, anyone know if that is accurate?
 
I did notice the wonder completion/perhaps celebration animation for Siam is also the lantern balloons from Qing, anyone know if that is accurate?
Qing ballons also came here when Lanna was not yet annexed. styles were altered, and adapted for locally available materials.
In fact, many of Qing era things also came here, and copied. this including attires. If you ever visit Wat Phumin. At the eastern murals there were pics of LATE Pike and Shotte with soldiers wore shirts similiar to Qing Chinese. even using the same butterfly buttons.

And I've yet to photograph a pre-modern shirt with Chinese Influence because I have some in my closet.
 
Civ 6 Pericles Greece: Guess I am now Siam

I really like the approach of using a list of unique Great Persons to offer a glimpse into a civ's history and cover more interesting historical figures besides leaders. It is also a new angle for refining the design and gameplay of a civ.
 
Civ 6 Pericles Greece: Guess I am now Siam

I really like the approach of using a list of unique Great Persons to offer a glimpse into a civ's history and cover more interesting historical figures besides leaders. It is also a new angle for refining the design and gameplay of a civ.
Pericles was a perennial favourite of mine so I'm not complaining.

Honestly, so far Siam might be my go-to Civ for Modern. I like almost everything about the design...
 
Siamese Uniques!
ItsaraphabAbilityอิสรภาพ "Freedom; Independence"; earlier meaning of "supreme power" and kingship?Perhaps a reference to Siam's avoidance of European colonization? Also written as Itsaraphap
Nine GemsCivicThe Order of the Nine Gems, the highest order granted to Thai citizens. Originally, referred to a gold ring given to successful generals and part of the royal coronation insignia.
MandalaCivic"circle" [Sanskrit]A political model for understanding power distribution in Southeast Asian history encompassing the overlapping, non-exclusive authority that radiated out from political centers.
SriwilaiCivicศิวิไลซ์ siwilai "civilized?""The name given to the foreign idea of 'civilization' as a strategy of rule... It was under Chulalongkorn that the policy of refashioning Siamese institutions and practices along Western lines was lines was labelled as siwilai."
State RailwayTraditionThe State Railway of Thailand (SRT), established in 1890 by King Chulalongkorn.
SakdinaTraditionศักดินา "social class; rank" lit. "field prestige"A system of social hierarchy that "assigned a numerical rank to each person depending on their status."
PrathetsaratTraditionประเทศราช "tributary state; vassal state"Term for a tributary state to the Rattanakosin Kingdom (and for vassal states in general?)
MueangTraditionเมือง "city-state; polity; urban area"Term for pre-modern city-states in mainland Southeast Asia, which served as the actors in the Mandala model.
BangInfrastructureบาง "small watercourse; community or polity located near such a watercourse"A community located near a watercourse, which describes many cities in Siam and Southeast Asia. Related to the informal name for the capital of modern-day Thailand, Bangkok.
UparatCivilianอุปราช "viceroy; a high royal title given to the person second in rank to the monarch" See Uparaja for more info.A title given to the person second in rank to the monarch, usually a son or brother of the current king. Also known as the Front Palace (วังหน้า) after their residence. Known to Europeans in the Rattanakosin period as the "Second King," they controlled their own private and army. Abolished during the Front Palace Crisis of 1874
Chang BeunMilitaryช้าง ปืน? Chang Puen "Gun elephant"A gun-toting war elephant. Siam used "war elephants armed with jingals up until the Franco-Siamese conflict of 1893."

Uparats
Chakrabongse1908-1963Grandson of King Chulalongkorn/Rama V. Was passed over in the line of succession. Married an English woman.
Itsarasunthon1767-1824Ruled as King Rama II; served as Uparat for his father, Rama I. His reign was known as the "Golden Age of Rattanakosin Literature."
Phibun1897-1964Thai politician, revolutionary, and military officer. Served as Prime Minister for Thailand from 1938-1944 and 1948-1957. Established a military dictatorship that allied Thailand with Japan during World War II and instituted the Thai Cultural mandates, which among other things switched the name of the country from Siam to Thailand.
Pinklao1808-1866Uparat for his brother, King Mongkut/Rama IV. Played a great role in the negotiation of the Bowring Treaty between the British Empire and Siam.
Pridi1900-1983Thai lawyer, activist, and statesman who served as Regent of Thailand from 1941-1945 and Prime Minister of Thailand briefly in 1946. He was one of the leaders of the 1932 pro-democracy coup.
Dara Rasmi1873-1933Princess of Chiang Mai and one of the princess consorts of King Chulalongkorn/Rama V.
Sakdiphonlasep1785-1832Uparat for King Rama III. Led Siamese armies during the Lao Rebellion from 1826-1828 and ordered the construction of the Bowonniwet Temple.
Senanurak1773-1817Uparat for King Rama II. Notable for his leadership during the Burmese-Siamese War from 1809-1812.
Vajravudh1881-1925Ruled as King Rama VI. Was Crown Prince from 1895 to 1910. Notable for military reforms as well as reforms to the monthon system of administrative subdivisions.
Wichaichan1838-1885Eldest son of Pinklao and nephew of King Mongkut/Rama IV; Uparat for Chulalongkorn/Rama V. His power as Uparat was great, culminating in the Front Palace crisis, which abolished the office.

Hopefully I did Andrew Johnson justice this time around!
Explainations .
Well this 'Gun Elephant' entry is where you got from my speculation thread or previous posts of Modern Age Preview? I've coined the term 'ช้างปืน' even before you wrote this table.

Much of Siamese Uniqueness names came from Pali-Sanskrit language, in a local variations. Note that original pronounciations became much a lost since many characters exists in a Table of Siamese Scripts once voiced with SIMILIAR voices and not SAME, and aimed to use original Pali-Sanskrit pronounciations. These were not easily pronounced by local folks without Native language speaker mentorings or supervisings. Not even Buddhist Seminaries teaches 'correct' pronounciations of a very ancient language now since teachers, lecturers and instructors were all same Siamese/Thais, and Buddhism was only re-introduced to India through various missionaries from Bhuddist nations going there, so reintroducing original Pali-Sanskrit pronounciations into this national Seminary education systems are 'An Elephant's Job' (งานช้าง)- a Thai slang that means 'Difficult'.

1. Nine Jewels (Nopparat) (นพรัตน์) = The Nine most valuable gemstones, many of these were found outside Siam. (Diamond, Amethyst) while some is (or was) domestically found (Ruby). These were easily distinguishible in origins for what's domestic and what's imports was name origins. Anything with rather 'native' names (Either ones of Tai, Old Khmer, or Melayu origins, such as 'Ploy' (Sapphire) 'Thabthim' (Ruby) ) are what can be (or once was) mined here. Many with Pali-Sanskrit (Such as Petch (Diamond, The Most valuable gemstone in all cultures, and also a genderless given person's name saw used here), Morakot (Emerald, which usually green but it is said that 'red' one exists, stronger than ruby and often has square cuts), Gomen (Amerthyst) ... and more (I've forgot the rest. but in my youth I can recite these). In addition to beauty, each has its own 'powers' (beliefs). In a rite of City Founding, Nine Gemstones of different kinds adorned the pillars, and four different ones were chosen to represent different 'Four Elements', and each were gently dropped into a pillar foundation hole before the pillar itself is put in place.

There's a big details in this rite I've yet to read it through. and even so it is not really easy to translate into readable (and easily understandable) English here since there's so much culture specific terms that's not really exists in the Western World. or exists differently

2. Mandala. The original Sanskrit pronounciation is used here. the localized pronounciation is expressed as 'Monthon' (มณฑล). This is regional geopolitics of Continental Southeast Asia. which I already discussd.
Later the term 'Monthon' was used to refer to administrative divisions after Siam annexed many smaller states (Lanna, and many Laotian cities which now became Isaan region.) Conveniently became 'Colony' supervised by centrally appointed governor. The Monthon system however was abolished as a reform to downsize bureaucracy (or to reshape, with focus on total access public serviecs particularly after 1932 Revolution). It however saw a successor, as Pronvincial Cluster systems introduced by Ministry of Interior roughtly follows the geographical territory of each historical Monthons.

3. Sriwilai.. What is the name of the game... again?

The term was also 1932 Revolution associated. also other terms like 'Wattana Tham' is coined to describe 'Cultures' as there were influxes of foreign knowledges and ideas.
Again, Pali-Sanskrit is a favorite 'High Languages' to name wisdoms here. if Greeks and Latins were Whitemen's preferred language.

4. State Railways. The english 'Railway' is used here instead of american 'Railroads'. This because Europeans started Railroads here. First were privately owned railroads (by Dutch businessmen, the first was Paknam), and shortly later in 1898 the Royal State Railways of Siam was founded. originally administered separately as 'North' and 'South'. The North was supervised by Germans, the South by British (Connects to British Malaya. even into Singapore! but there's no through trains there as per agreements between two state owned railroads, SRT and KTM (Malaysia) which changes from time to time.)
Both has different goals.
The Northern Line was built with Standard Gauge, and has much less curves than average American railroads, this was made as Colonial Railroads to carry government servants (either civil or military) Up North. There were stinging rebellions by the mid and late days of King Chulalongkorn, and these rebellions did return during Communist Insurgency in the Cold Wars. The latter however, spawned Highways expansions with the same reasons.
The Southern line built with a metric gauge as per agreement with British Empire (not really a good one, Three City States were ceded to British Empire in exchange of this rail line being built. though it can, and SHOULD be built with standard gauge). Built with economy in mind--
And this compelled regaugings in the next 20 years, particularly with Northern Line began to ship exporting freights from inland. and more imprtantly, the foundings of Siam Cement Company in 1912 (Half of the company shares owned by the King of Siam, the other half by Danish investors). intended for exports (too few domestic demands).
The other interesting historyr is that the lack of domestic good coal originally compelled all railroads here to run on firewoods, which was inefficient. Alternatives were sought also in the first 20 years of RSR. The first was electrification, However before Long Distance Power Electricity did not come to exists yet, electricity of 1920-30s were short distances generated by city owned power generators. The other alternatives were Diesel tractions. This contributed to the very early dieselizations despite that Diesel Fuel (at the time) was also imports. (Today petroleum was still import goods, but only crude oils, this because there are so many refineries here located by the Port Cities. First of which being Thai Oil Company, which I visited a refinery some 15-16 years ago. Diesels and Gasolines are now domestically distilled, and even exported to neighbouring countries). But these refineries were Post WW2 things here.). And all were done JUST BEFORE Streamliner hypes began in Germany and the US of A.
This resulted in SRT's 'Lack of Taste' when it comes to passenger train shapes, No history of beautiful streamliner expresses here AT ALL. something that should be in the future



Originally something Siamese was once proud of,

Padang Besar SRT Orange Tommy and KTM ETS Streamlined.jpg

But not today. an ugly Alsthom Diesel Electric locomotive (hauling freight train, but this one is multipurpose unit), photographed side by side with futuristic streamlined KTM ETS. This picture was photographed about a year before 50 CRRC CDA5 were delivered to SRT. (Still not a good looking Diesel Electric Locomotives either.)
5. Sakdina. This term is a hybrid compound word consisted of a Sanskrit 'Shakti' and Tai 'Na'. A feudal system that measures a person's prestige by a number of land owned (Measured in Rai. which is 400 Square Meters size. the only few traditioanl measurements that stood here--metricated. But conversion is still a headache even for civil servants working for Department of Land Administrations, and Revenue Service of Local Administrative Authorities (to calculate Property Taxes))
Even a person being as low as slave has a Sakdina (of 1 Rai), In truth however, only promoted 'Knights' (which may be promoted peasant) owns the land. and those lordships owns peasants under their supervisions. Under this systems, there weren't much of rights to own property. or even to collect cashes.
This system was abolished in King Chulalongkorn's era, along with slavery. as discussed earlier, as a consolidation scheme that also modernizes the Kingdom.
6. Prathetsarat (Sanskrit 'Pradeshraj'). This is a manifestation of Galaxy Systems. it means 'Vassal'. Already discussed.
7. Mueang (sometimes romanized as Muang) 'เมือง'... Town. and this term also means 'City' as well. since the term was so often used interchangebly. In modern sense as per definitions given by Ministry of Interior. 'Mueang' means a generic provincial seat. (which fits the definitions of City). Any settlement that meets a criterion of population can become 'Nakorn' (loaned sanskrit 'Nagr' which is 'City' ) which generally accepted as bigger than 'Mueang'.
Alternate words used. Wiang, Chiang (Walled, as most cities once were), Buri (Sanskrit 'Pur', which I think any settlement built on top of a hill, it came from Arabian or Phoenician 'Burj' which means 'hills'. But that's another discussion when it comes to Dido and City of Carthage someday).

8. Bang, Uparat and Chang Buen are all discussed.
 
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I wonder who leads Siam in the screenshots. Maybe the leader jerseys have changed (if the screenshot is old it's unlikely, right?), but it seems that the awnings and other colored details don't match any leader we know.

Is the dream of Jose Rizal alive?
 

Uparats
Chakrabongse1908-1963Grandson of King Chulalongkorn/Rama V. Was passed over in the line of succession. Married an English woman.
Itsarasunthon1767-1824Ruled as King Rama II; served as Uparat for his father, Rama I. His reign was known as the "Golden Age of Rattanakosin Literature."
Phibun1897-1964Thai politician, revolutionary, and military officer. Served as Prime Minister for Thailand from 1938-1944 and 1948-1957. Established a military dictatorship that allied Thailand with Japan during World War II and instituted the Thai Cultural mandates, which among other things switched the name of the country from Siam to Thailand.
Pinklao1808-1866Uparat for his brother, King Mongkut/Rama IV. Played a great role in the negotiation of the Bowring Treaty between the British Empire and Siam.
Pridi1900-1983Thai lawyer, activist, and statesman who served as Regent of Thailand from 1941-1945 and Prime Minister of Thailand briefly in 1946. He was one of the leaders of the 1932 pro-democracy coup.
Dara Rasmi1873-1933Princess of Chiang Mai and one of the princess consorts of King Chulalongkorn/Rama V.
Sakdiphonlasep1785-1832Uparat for King Rama III. Led Siamese armies during the Lao Rebellion from 1826-1828 and ordered the construction of the Bowonniwet Temple.
Senanurak1773-1817Uparat for King Rama II. Notable for his leadership during the Burmese-Siamese War from 1809-1812.
Vajravudh1881-1925Ruled as King Rama VI. Was Crown Prince from 1895 to 1910. Notable for military reforms as well as reforms to the monthon system of administrative subdivisions.
Wichaichan1838-1885Eldest son of Pinklao and nephew of King Mongkut/Rama IV; Uparat for Chulalongkorn/Rama V. His power as Uparat was great, culminating in the Front Palace crisis, which abolished the office.

Hopefully I did Andrew Johnson justice this time around!

Uparaj in details. ...
1. Prince Chakraphongse. He married to an Ukranian, not British. and this was a ground he lost his crown prince status because AMWF was (and stil is) not social elites like. Alternatively Whitemen servants and advisors can have Siamese wife, some even found a 'New Noble Families'. Like Sawetsila. a family that ancestor was Henry Alabaster. who died quite young but not before raising his son...
The crown prince title was given to Prince Vajiravudh. who was once an element of of Durham Light Infantry (and he's Anglophille, Joining Anglo-French ally in WW1 was one thing he wanted to do from the beginning, but Germanophille overlords and princes (who could join forces to oust him at every turn) disapproved, this delayed his decisions until the United States joined the war in 1917
2. Prince Itsarasunthon. i really knew his princely name very little. Actually he should be Number one in this order. He was also a military general but that's not what he likes. He loves poetry more. and likes to surround himself with poets and musicians of all backgrounds.
He began a tradition that a king does NOT need to lead armies personally. much of his works is to restore what was lost along with the Fall of Ayutthaya. One such imporant works (out of many) was a translated Romance of Three Kingdoms, written as military and political treatise through Siamese lens, and translated by 'the best educated Chinese nobleman' (This because well educated Chinese will not venture elsewhere outside Sinic countries, these men. if not take Imperial Examinations in China, can leave for either Japan, Korea, Ryukyu, or Vietnam to find jobs there. which Cunfucian phillosophy is well pursued. but not anywhere within Indosphere including Siam, to this end. 'The Best Educated' Chinese is not 'fully educated' at all.
And Dynastic Cycle was not fully understood here until much later with Sinology became modern field of study. And this is when a Siamese Sinologist shown up (such as Kukrit Pramos, who his knowledge of China was far surpassed Chao Phraya Phra Klang 'Hon')). The other of his best known works was Ramakian (Ramayana written also by Siamese point of view), which a great undertakings where best poets of all backgrounds were recruited and gathered to co-write. This is when a peasant named 'Phu' earned fame as 'The King's favored Poet' after King Rama II 'went into writing dead end' and Phu propsed a different rhyme of the same story arc, which gives out the same meanings.
3. Luang Phibunsongkram (Born Plaek Khitsankha). He's not even Uparaj at all. his title was Prime Minister, and 'Modern Thai' was his (and also his intellectual aides) thinkings. The Last Siamese Warlord who wage the Last Imperial War. Also a father of Military Dictatorship that characterized Thai politics since 1932 revolutions.
'Prime Ministry' is now one of equivalent title of Uparaj.
Order of appearance should be last. he's very much miltiary in nature. a free army full of tanks mabye? and about Siamese 'tank' designs. Either British or Japanese are acceptable. Shermans, Panzer IV or T34 are not.
it could be random though, to represent Siamese reliant on imports. which technically 'any qualified bidder' earns tank production contracts.
4. Somdej Phra Pinklao. Co-reign as 'King of Siam' under an agreement terms with King Mongkut (The Priest King). He commanded army, and with it. Modernizations.
His eldest son (also Uparaj) was named after George Washington.
Note that King Mongkut didn't have much noble supports there due to him spent much of his life as a monk (after losing a political wranglings against his half brother, Prince Jessadabordin, who became King Rama III) and all of supporters during King Rama II were all purged--either executed, or incarcerated (Sunthon Phu was jailed for several years.) during King Rama III's reign.
To this end. King Mongkut agreed with PrincePinklao to permit him to 'run things' while recognize him as a 'Legitimate King'. The King himself spent some resources building a mountain palace in Prajuab Kiri Khan (Phra Nakorn Kiri. 'The Mountain City'.) as his resident where he studied astrology, something he loved alot to the point of calculating an eclipse. even determined date, time and place of occurences. and proved it at a village of Wa Kor, located by the same province, with envoys and ambassadors from many countries observing the same eclipse there.
5. Pridi Banomyong. Also a promoted noble under the title 'Luang Pradit Manutham'. One of the key members of Ghana Rasdr. (People's Party) revolutionary. A person who drafted the First Constitiution of Siam (one that's officially enacted, not two copes of rejected ones written to back the King's rule). and a regent of two kings of Mahidol family. he was jinxed in the end, had to flee to China, and later France. where he lived in Paris for the rest of his life.
His legacy was Thammasart University. which he intentionally founded as 'Science Po du Siam', all students were expected to become Francophones.
And much of Thai democracy was his works. though it was refined (and struggled) over time and eventually gained a final, present form, basically the 'most acceptable was in the late 90s. but ... jinxed in the end due to Successon Crisis that lasted 17 years (only ended few years ago).
6. Princess Consort Dara Rasami. I don't think she should be included. one of so many royal concubines of King Chulalongkorn. reviled by Left Wing movements (who infiltrate 'Redshirts' movements some decade ago).
There's other person worthy of this title which I will propose later in this post.
7. Sakdipholasep. I don't know much about him but he's involved with War against Dai Viet.
I have to dig into him alot.
8. Senanurak. A Great Genereal who spill bloods in the reign of King Rama II. While the King was busy working with papers, poets, and musicians restoring all piecs of cultural heritage lost during the Fall of Ayutthaya.
His role was very much forgotten. but legend of Maenak Phra Khanong is said to be based on a life of a soldier he commanded. (the other source said the 'Northern Campaigns' during King Rama III and IV. with him often portrayed carrying brown bess musket at war.).
9. Prince Vajiravudh (Who later reigned as King Rama VI.) . Royalist often contributed him with a role of 'Father of Modern Nationalism'. The Third crown prince (The first was Prince Vajirunahit, who died young, the second was an AMWF legend Prince Chakraphongse), and one of the two who eventually became king through royal succession. (The other is the now reigning king, Rama X). He was once serving in Durham Light Infantry regiment. and this gave him an idea of Scout organization (it is said he might even meet Lord Baden personally).
He became founder of Siamese chapter of Boys Scout organization. effectively the Third country in the world that join this organization.
His youth in Britain made him Anglophille. he's not really liked by Pro-German princes here. there were even regicide attempts. To this end, in addition to Boys Scouts, he founded Wild Tigers as his personal guard equipped entirely with British weapons (even use the same .303 Enfield, and not existing 8mm Mannlicher). And even more so, joined WW1 with Allies Entent (he wanted to join as early as 1915 but other princes did not approve, and those 'Pro Germans' ran the Army.
10. Wichaichan. Yes he was named after George Washington. son of Viceroy Pinklao. His enemy was Chuang Bunnag, a person he wrangled with.
The Crisis stemmed from the King Chulalongkon's bad health during his youth (and later in his life), he even wrote to British Ambassador saying that 'I might not live long enough to be consecrated.'. Guess what happens?

It is pity that some choices were ill chosen. while I don't mind others. (Prince Chakraphongse, though order was very off). Some should be replaced
- Princess Consort Dara Rasami shoudn't be here. Replace with Henry Alabaster (Not technically an Uparaj. also a foreigner but he served his Siamese Master well. prevented Colonizations to his last breath.).
- George Washington II, he lost his politial wrangling. (he wanted the throne himself, a wannabe George Washington). replace with Chuang Bunnag who won (and Bunnag family is still big here.)
well unless he's chosen as PC. which I want him to be as well. The other choice could be Chao Phraya Bordindecha. Hero of War aginst Dai Viet.
The other good candidate of Uparaj can be Prince Paribatra. regardless that he was despised by the revolutionary. (though Luang Phibunsongkram welcomed his possible return to Siam), he's no less competent prince. before revolution he was even placed as Hier to the Throne (Uparaj equivalent).
 
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I wonder who leads Siam in the screenshots. Maybe the leader jerseys have changed (if the screenshot is old it's unlikely, right?), but it seems that the awnings and other colored details don't match any leader we know.

Is the dream of Jose Rizal alive?
in vanilla. default leaders are
- King Asoke.
- Queen Zheng Ce.
 
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