The websites of Asger Mollerup (อ.ทอง)
archaeoastronomy

Village life in Isan

Short introductions:

Thai-Isan-Lao Phrasebook
with MP3 sound tracks on CD-ROM.

The Thai-Isan-Lao Phrasebook with MP3 sound tracks on CD-ROM is the first and only book of its kind describing three Tai-Kadai languages comparatively using IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet).
Part I: Phrases.
Part II: Word lists.
Part III: Grammar by samples.
Part IV: Manuals in reading, writing, and tonal determination.
Appendixes: Alphabets compared, linguistic history etc.
Sound-tracks in 3 languages on CD-ROM read by local residents from Bangkok (Thai), Maha Sarakham (Isan), and Vientiane (Laos P.D.R) covering all texts in the book. Format: MP3. Duration: 6 hours.
www.phrasebook.thai-isan-lao.com

Astro-archaeology: A sundial experiment in NE-Thailand (Isan) and solar orientation of ancient Khmer temples

     Astro-archaeology is astronomy applied on archaeology. Solar observations are used in the final determining the orientation of ancient Khmer temples. The emphasis is on Phanom Rung, where annually 2 sunrises and 2 sunsets are visible through all 15 doorways. Other temples on mountains as Phu Phek, Wat Phu, and Preah Vihear are described too.
     Sundial: An experiment in getting insight in how pre-historic man could have determined the cardinal directions only by using a gnomon (vertical stick) and a water levelled surface. The sundial tells the annual movements of the sun, which between the tropics are characterized by that the sun passes zenith twice a' year.
www.thai-isan-lao.com/sundial.html

Reforestation in NE-Thailand (Isan)

     An experiment in reforestation in the water catchment area of the Phu Phan mountain ridge at the border of Phu Sri Than National Park - Mukdahan province, Isan (NE-Thailand).
     Aim: High grade of biodiversity and wildlife.
     How many years does it take to re-establish degraded forest? And at what price and with which effort? Can man and forest co-exist in community forestation?
www.forest.thai-isan-lao.com

Phutai language, culture and history (ภาษาภูไท)

     The Phutai language belong to the Tai-Kadai language stock, but to another branch than Thai and Lao, the speakers of which have difficulties understanding Phutai language. This website contain wordlists, phrases, and writing manual in Phutai compared with Thai, Lao, and English. IPA (International Phonetic System) is used as phonetics.
     Emphasis is put on Phutai language, but culture and history is described as well.
Phutai Language / ภาษาภูไท

Tourism and astro-tourism

     This website describes the author's attitudes towards and involvement in tourism (Eco-tourism, cultural-tourism and astro-tourism) and is aimed at potential partners, tour-agencies and guests.
www.thai-isan-lao.com/tourism.html

Village life in Isan

     Ceremonies and events from Kaeng Nang Village: Ordination to monkshood, New Year and offering to our female village spirit, Chao Mae, wedding, cock fighting, Songkran Water Festival, jok sau eek: Rising the first columns of a house, second year celebration of a new house, family and friends.
http://www.thai-isan-lao.com/villagelife.html