Siam Society Fire Damage – Update
Dear Members,
As you undoubtedly know, the Society was badly affected by a fire on 20 November 2009. Discussions with the insurance company are still going on. The offices remain scattered in different parts of the Chalerm Phra Kiat Building, which itself was affected by smoke, water and dust from the fire and which came in through the air-conditioning ducts.
We are doing our best to keep the usual activities of the Society going: lectures, study tours, book sales and launches, and the like, but there are many difficulties. All the books in the library have to be individually wiped clean, and we cannot open the library until it has some study facilities; at present it is not air-conditioned, and so is hot and noisy.
We receive visits from overseas members who like to be brought up on developments, but cannot give them the attention we would like and which they deserve.
It is going to be some time before we can offer our usual service, but we are trying to reach that point as soon as possible. We ask you to be patient and forgiving if we are not providing the same service as before. We are still suffering from the effects of events on 20 November, and ask for your indulgence.
The Staff of the Siam Society
The Siam Society under Royal Patronage was founded in 1904 in cooperation with Thai and foreign scholars to promote knowledge of Thailand and its surrounding region.
The Society premises on Asoke Montri Road in Bangkok house a library that has a unique collection including manuscripts and rare books. The Kamthieng House, a precious example of northern Thai architecture, houses a folk museum. Study trips are made to historical sites, cultural events, and nature sites in all corners of Thailand and overseas. Lectures are organized several times a month on a wide range of topics. The Journal of the Siam Society and the Natural History Bulletin are published annually and distributed free to members. The Society also publishes scholarly books; stages performances of music, dance, and drama; hosts exhibitions and conferences; and is involved in projects of cultural preservation.
Today, the Siam Society has a membership drawn from a broad spectrum of Thais and foreigners, and continues to operate as a non-profit organization dedicated to its founding cause.
What's New
"The Siam Society for Rebuilding Fund" Download Payment Form>>>
HOLA! (Spanish edition of the magazine HELLO!) reported on The Siam Society’s Textile Exhibition at CASA ASIA, Barcelona. More>>>
The Society recently held a very successful exhibition of Thai textiles in Spain, in cooperation with CASA Asia. Watch the video>>>.
THE LIBRARY has acquired more new books. See the list of October acquisitions>>>.
MUSIC
View pictures of the tenth concert>>>
LECTURES (all lectures are in English unless otherwise stated)
There are no lectures currently scheduled.
STUDY TRIPS
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6 - 10 April 2010 Hiking in Hong Kong Leader: Mr. Peter Laverick, Council Member Most flat land in Hong Kong is built on, so these paths are quite hilly, but on the plus side this means that you get some stunning views; the sea is never far away. Quite a few local people use the trails at the weekend, but during the week they’re deserted. On this trip we will explore some of these trails. More>>> |
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10 – 16 April 2010 The Monuments of Central Java Leader: Prof. Michael Smithies, Honorary Member, the Siam Society; Author of Yogyakarta, Cultural Heart of Indonesia; Former Director of Studies, Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta Yogyakarta (Jogjakarta, Yogya) in Indonesia constitutes a special administrative region of which the sultan is governor. With the neighbouring province of Central Java it boasts the oldest (8th-9th c) and most spectacular Hindu and Buddhist monuments in Indonesia, the best known of which are Borobudur and Prambanan. More>>> |
| More study trips>>> |