Index
- Art and Art-Industry in Siam, Charles Doehring
- As Mother Told Me, HRH Princess Galyani
- Connection Phuket, Penang and Adelaide, Ian Morson
- Cultural Representation in Transition: New Vietnamese Painting 1997
- Customs of Cambodia, Zhou Daguan
- Dedications to Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana
- Early Accounts of Phetchaburi, Michael Smithies
- Environment and Culture with Emphasis on Urban Issues
- Footprints of The Buddhas of This Era in Thailand, Virginia Di Crocco
- Gardening in Bangkok, William Warren and Ping Amranand
- History of Wat Phra Chetuphon and its Buddha Images, Kathleen I. Matics
- Mons: A Civilization of Southeast Asia, Emmanuel Guillon
- Ramkhamhaeng Controversy: Selected Papers, James F. Chamberlain
- Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya, Richard D. Cushman
- Siam Society: A Century, William Warren
- Singing Ape: a Journey to the Jungle of Thailand, Jeremy and Patricia Raemaekers
- Society of Siam: Selected Articles for The Siam Society's Centenary, Chris Baker
- Witnesses to a Revolution: Siam 1688, Michael Smithies
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As Mother Told Me
by HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Baht 990/US$35
As Mother Told Me is the personal story of the late Princess Mother (1900-1995) from her humble origins from a commoner family in Thonburi, to her eventual rank as mother to two Thai kings. Recorded as a memoir by her only daughter, HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra (1923-2008), it was originally published in Thai in 1980 as Mae Lao Hai Fang, becoming one of the most widely-read royal biographies.
The Customs of Cambodia
by Zhou Daguan
With an additional text on The Temple of Angkor Wat by Louis Finot (1929)
Edited and newly translated from the French by Michael Smithies. Baht 1,295/US$40
Zhou Daguan (Chon Ta-Kuan) spent a year in Cambodia from 1297 as part of a Chinese diplomatic mission sent by Timur Khan, the grandson and successor of Kublai Khan, to the court of Indravarman III (reigned 1295 – 1308). The Khmer empire, though under attack, was still powerful and wealthy. Zhou wrote his account some time before 1312.
The text was translated from Chinese into French by Paul Pelliot and published in 1902. It is here edited and newly translated from the French by Michael Smithies.
As Pelliot pointed out in his translation of the text in 1902, Zhou Daguan’s is the only account to come down to us describing daily life in the Khmer empire. True, the empire had passed its zenith, and a fundamental shift to Theravada Buddhism was occurring, but that does not diminish its value. Seen in conjunction with the bas-reliefs at Angkor, particularly the Bapuon, the Bayon, and Angkor Wat, the text tells us a good deal about how people lived then and how society was organized. Although it is undoubtedly occasionally inaccurate or incomplete — Zhou seems to have depended on members of the Chinese community in Angkor for some of his information, and many of his views were typical of those of a Chinese male chauvinist — it is, as a record of daily life, considerably more informative than the numerous stele erected in temples by kings pompously proclaiming their greatness.
This new edition is greatly expanded on previous editions, with far more illustrations, and the whole text has been revised to take account of recent scholarship. It also has the very important additional text of Louis Finot on Angkor Wat, which has been brought up to date by Jacques Dumarçay, and a series of remarkable EFEO photographs from the 1920s illustrating the Churning of the Sea of Milk.
The Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya
A Synoptic Translation by Richard D. Cushman. Introduced and Edited by David K. Wyatt.
Baht 1,400/US$50
In the sack of Ayutthaya in 1767, most of the historical records of the Siamese Kingdom were destroyed. The early Bangkok kings collected what little could be found of the old chronicles. But even most of these collections later disappeared from view. Only later were seven major versions and several smaller fragments rediscovered and published in the original Thai.
In the early 1970s, a young American scholar in Texas, Richard D. Cushman, decided to translate all the known versions of the Ayutthaya chronicles into English, creating a master translation showing all the variations. He worked on this enormous task for almost 20 years. In 1991, when he had virtually reached the end, he tragically died.
His work was painstaking. He photocopied the different versions, laid them side-by-side, and tracked word-by-word differences between eight different versions. The result is an epic of 375,000 words.
Richard Cushman was not only a talented linguist, but also an outstanding writer. His translation is meticulous, exceptionally faithful to the original, and often beautifully poetic.
David K. Wyatt, the John Stambaugh Professor of History at Cornell University, and translator of several Thai chronicles, edited Cushman’s work for publication. Both Professor Wyatt and the Siam Society have ensured that the manuscript is unchanged from Richard Cushman’s monumental efforts.
The Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya are a unique record of 400 years of Thai history. The task of making them available in English has taken quarter of a century. The Cushman translation will undoubtedly become a classic, valued by historians for its extraordinary scholarship.
The Siam Society: A Century
By William Warren
One hundred years ago, on February 26, 1904 a group of Thais and Western residents of Bangkok gathered at the Oriental Hotel. Their purpose was to establish an organization that would meet to exchange and disseminate reliable information about the kingdom’s history, archaeology, anthropology, languages, natural history, and other subjects.
The Siam Society was the result of the meeting. Over the century since, despite wars and other difficult periods, it has adhered steadfastly to its original aims. It has published an annual Journal as well as a Natural History Bulletin which together cover a wide range of learned studies. In addition it has held regular meetings, offered countless lectures by experts in their field of study, arranged field trips for members to places of interest in Thailand and abroad, and sponsored numerous projects to advance causes as varied as the restoration of temple murals and the importance of environmental conservation.
The centenary book, written by William Warren, not only tells the story of an institution respected worldwide for its learning but also elaborates on some of the remarkable men and women who have been responsible for its achievements.
Footprints of The Buddhas of This Era in Thailand
By Virginia McKeen Di Crocco Baht 990/US$35
This book traces the evolution of Buddha Footprints from early origins in India to the creation of magnificent gold version in honor of Queen Sirikit’s Fifth Cycle in 1992.
Early Footprints were natural impressions in rock. Later the Footprint became an important medium for illustrating Buddhist cosmology.
Virginia Di Crocco’s deeply researched text explains how the iconography changed in Buddha Footprints in Thailand and adjacent areas according to developments in beliefs about the world. The book is a landmark record of the practice of making Buddha Footprints, as well as a contribution to the religious and artistic history of Southeast Asia.
Virginia McKeen Di Crocco is a long-time resident of Bangkok and an honorary member of the Siam Society under Royal Patronage. She has published widely on the ceramics, design, and art history of Southeast Asia.
Witnesses to a Revolution: Siam 1688
Edited and translated by Michael Smithies Baht 600/US$20
Intrigue, mystery, murder, double-dealing, corruption, and deception are all found in the accounts of the twelve persons (three of whom are anonymous and hitherto unpublished) who describe here their roles in the dramatic events of 1688 in Siam surrounding the coup d’état of Phetracha and the death of King Narai.
The succession was complicated by the role of Constantine Phaulkon, a Greek adventurer who acted, without the title, as minister of foreign affairs and trade, and who cultivated the French presence in the country to support his own position. The French had stationed troops in Bangkok, “the key to the Kingdom” and Mergui, on the Bay of Bengal, and became hopelessly embroiled in events beyond their comprehension, leading to their retreat in November that year.
Professor Michael Smithies, Honorary Member of the Siam Society, has studied this period for several years. He has done a great service in bringing together and translating these texts. They give fascinating insights into the conspiracies, self-interest and betrayal that characterized so many of the participants. His book is a serious work of scholarship, but can also be read as an adventure.
The Society of Siam: Selected Articles for The Siam Society's Centenary
Edited by Chris Baker. Bangkok, Siam Society, 2004 Baht 950/US$35
These articles from the last 50 years of the Journal of the Siam Society show why Thailand is such a fun place to live and to study. The pregnancy of the rice goddess. Cremating an abbot with a tug-or-war. Sexy scenes on wat walls. How to court a northern girl. Karen riddles. Spirit doctors who remove calamity. The varieties of hell. The beauty of rice. Spirit cults. The structure of the monkhood. The marquis de Sade and Bangkok traffic. The guardians of the city. The cult of the King’s Spirit. The door to the underworld. How to sing in Isan. Shadow puppets. Love poetry. Political novels. Historical movies. All this in 409 pages.
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Dedications to Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana on her 80th birthday
Baht 699/US$25
Dedications is a collection of fourteen articles written by the President of the Privy Council and Statesman, and noted scholars working in various fields of Thai studies. As the title shows, the collection is offered to HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra on the auspicious occasion of her eightieth birthday. Her Royal Highness has been Honorary President of the Siam Society since 1984. She is a tireless supporter of the Society’s cultural activities, attending many lectures, including those given by some of the contributors to this volume. Her broad interests are reflected in the wide scope of articles, which range from prehistoric excavations to the sets produced for a Thai opera first performed in Bangkok in 2003.
This fascinating 255-page volume, with many illustrations in colour, is at a bargain price of 699 baht. It is certain to became a collector’s item.
Art and Art-Industry in Siam
By Charles Doehring Baht 30,000/US$860
19" x 25", 2 vols. 1999, ill. (First published in 1915)
Baht 30,000 (or equivalent in foreign currency)
This new special limited edition commemorates His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej's Sixth Cycle Anniversary. This extremely rare book, the new edition in a beautiful two-volume set with the brass emblem of the Sixth Cycle symbol on the cover, was one of the first books published in English about Thai art. It is, to this day, considered the most exquisite and the best ever compiled book on Siamese lacquer work in black and gold. The drawings include significant lacquer works of the Kingdom at the beginning of the twentieth century, most of which have since disappeared, deteriorated, been repainted, or now reside in private collections. Proceeds will go to the Centennial Endowment Fund to ensure continuity of the Society's mission and programs for the next 100 years.
Cultural Representation in Transition: New Vietnamese Painting 1997
Baht 300/US$10
The arts are flourishing in Vietnam today. Hundreds of painters are at work in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and other Vietnamese cities. They work in a broad range of styles and themes, building on techniques developed in French colonial times, but related to the issues that concern Vietnamese people today. This full color trilingual catalogue (English, Vietnamese and Thai) includes essays by Mr. Chatvichai Promadhattavedi, Mr. Nguyen Quan and Mr. Neil Jamieson that make scholarly contributions to the understanding of Vietnamese art.
The Mons: A Civilization of Southeast Asia
By Emmanuel Guillon Baht 990/US$35
Translated and edited by James V. Di Crocco, 1999
349 + xiv pp.; ill,
The Mon people produced one of the most brilliant civilizations of mainland Southeast Asia. It goes back well over a thousand years and can be divided into seven periods, ranging from protohistoric states to the contemporary world. Mon civilization profoundly interacted with at least three present-day countries, in which Mon communities still play an important role.
The Connection Phuket, Penang and Adelaide
By Ian Morson, 1993. 126 pp., ill.
Baht 290/US$10
An account of Francis Light's 15 years in Phuket before he founded Penang, portraying the peoples of the islands between 1770 and 1794, with an intriguing connection between Phuket, Penang and the city of Adelaide.
Early Accounts of Phetchaburi
Introduction by Michael Smithies, 1987. 90 pp., ill.
Baht 210/US$8
Ten essays give a feeling for the enduring attraction of this 19th century point of excursion-popular even before King Mongkut built his palace there on the "Mountain of the Highest Heaven."
Environment and Culture with Emphasis on Urban Issues
1993, 461 pp., ill.
Baht 100/US$5
Proceedings of the Siam Society symposium in Chiang Mai in February 1992, where 30 distinguished authorities from Thailand, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines presented their views on how to achieve sustainable growth in this urban age, while protecting our fragile environment.
Gardening in Bangkok
By William Warren and Ping Amranand, 1996, 240 pp., ill.
Baht 500/US$15
A new printing of M.R. Pimsai's pioneering work, designed "to assist Bangkok gardeners in a practical way." William Warren has brought this classic up-to-date, while retaining M.R. Pimsai's unique voice, described by John Blofeld as "vivid, natural, and compelling-a style based on the principle that people should write very much as they talk" (from the Preface). Ping Amranand's 136 photographs have been re-edited and integrated with the text.
A History of Wat Phra Chetuphon and its Buddha Images
By Kathleen I. Matics, 1979. 71 pp., ill.
Baht 50/US$2
Comprehensive introduction to the fascinating-and historically and artistically important-Bangkok temple popularly known as Wat Po.
The Ramkhamhaeng Controversy: Selected Papers
Edited by James F. Chamberlain; foreword by H.R.H. Princess Galyani Vadhana, 1991. 592 pp., ill.
Baht 500/US$15
The history of Thailand relies principally on evidence from Sukhothai where King Ram Khamhaeng's writing system was found on the stone known as "Inscription No.1." The authenticity of this inscription has been questioned, with some even branding it a fake. This illustrated volume presents the arguments and counter-arguments.
The Singing Ape: a Journey to the Jungle of Thailand
By Jeremy and Patricia Raemaekers, 1990. 142 pp., ill.
Baht 20/US$1
A light-hearted account of the two years the authors spent studying gibbons in Thailand's tropical rain forests.