Publications

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

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.

The Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya

A Synoptic Translation by Richard D. Cushman
Introduced and Edited by David K. Wyatt

 
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. 

The Siam Society: A Century

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.

Footprints of The Buddhas of This Era in Thailand

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. 

Witnesses to a Revolution: Siam 1688
 

Edited and translated by Michael Smithies 

  
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.

The Society of Siam: Selected Articles for The Siam Society's Centenary

Edited by Chris Baker

Bangkok, Siam Society, 2004

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.

• Alec Gordon
• Anan Ganjanapan
• Andrew Turton
• Benjamin A. Batson
• Charles F. Keyes
• Euayporn Kerdchouay 
• Frank E. Reynolds
• Gehan Wijeyewardene
• Grant A. Olson
• Hjorleifur Jonsson
• Jane Bunnag
• Jarernchai Chonpairot
• Jeremy H. Kemp

• John P. Ferguson
• K.I. Matics
• Kraisri Nimmanhaeminda
• Manas Chitakasem
• Michael Smithies
• Napat Sirisambhand
• Phya Anuman Rajadhon
• Puey Ungphakorn
• Richard A. O'Connor
• Shalardehai Ramitanondh
• Sunait Chutintharanon
• Suriya Ratanakul
• Terry B. Miller

Art and Art-Industry in Siam

 
By Charles Doehring
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.

The Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya

By Emmanuel Guillon
Translated and edited by James V. Di Crocco, 1999
349 + xiv pp.; ill,

Baht 990/US$ 40.00
 
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.

Thai Culture in Transition

By William J. Klausner.
4th edition, 2002. Baht 350/US$15.00
 
This book is mainly concerned with cultural transition and transformation and is thus a logical extension of the author's Reflections on Thai Culture, which focused on traditional patterns of Thai culture. William J. Klausner arrived in Thailand in 1955 and, after undertaking a year of intensive field work in a Northeastern Thai Village, has served in staff, advisory, consultative, and other capacities in the Thai government and in numerous Thai and foreign foundations. He has taught at Thammasat and Chulalongkorn Universities and has been active in the World Fellowship of Buddhists.