DOCSLIB.ORG

The Eclipse of the Astrologers: King Mongkut, His Successors, and the Reformation of Law in Thailand

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Eclipse of the Astrologers: King Mongkut, His Successors, and the Reformation of Law in Thailand 10 The Eclipse of the Astrologers: King Mongkut, His Successors, and the Reformation of Law in Thailand ANDREW J. HARDING You will do your best endeavour for knowledge of English language, science and literature, and not conversion to Christianity; as the followers of Buddha are mostly aware of the powerfulness of truth and virtue, as well as the followers of Christ, and are desirous to have facility of English language and literature more than new religions. King Mongkut’s Letter to Anna Leonowens, 1862 IKING MONGKUT’ S H OBBY I don’t believe in astrology; I’m a Sagittarius and we’re skeptical. Arthur C. Clarke In this chapter I wish to explore in a speculative vein a few notions arising from a long view of the development of law in Thailand from the time of King Mongkut through the reform period under his successors, which I hope would have implica- tions for approaches to comparative legal studies in Asia generally: there are certainly some resonances, but also a considerable measure of unique experience, which continues to be relevant to any appraisal of law in contemporary Thailand. What I hope to show, without expressly arguing the case, but perhaps by means of the example discussed, is that a legal historical approach is very fruitful as an exercise in comparative law, and also as instruction in the processes of law and development. More particularly, a longer view of legal change informs our under- standing of ‘other’ legal systems; at times challenging the immediacy and minutiae of contemporary studies. Further, while transplantation is so exhaustively debated today, this analysis demonstrates the longevity of the debates and suggests how relatively little has changed in the practice of legal borrowing. Let me state first that the title is derived from an incident concerning King Mong- kut’s astrologers, which we could see as a paradigm of the kind of modernisation that Asian comparative legal scholarship has to confront. This incident occurred in The author is very grateful for many helpful observations on earlier drafts by Kanaphon Chanhom, Mary Kilcline Cody, Andrew Huxley, William Neilson, Sarah Biddulph, Amanda Whiting, Pip Nicholson, Simon Pitt and participants at seminars/lectures at Melbourne and Leiden Universities and SOAS in September and November 2007. He is particularly grateful to Kanaphon Chanhom for drawing attention to a number of factual errors and important evidence omitted in the earlier drafts. Examining Practice, Interrogating Theory Siam in 1868 and is known as the Wako incident.1 In this chapter Wako is seen as a pivotal event in the modernisation process generally, having very strong implica- tions for legal development up to the present time. The central character in the story is King Mongkut (Rama IV, 1851–1868) him- self, a man who spent 27 years as a monk before becoming King of Siam in 1851 at the age of 47.2 The accession of King Mongkut is reckoned by many to represent a turning point in the history, and one might say particularly the legal history, of Siam, law reform being both symbolically and practically the cornerstone of modernisa- tion. Mongkut was an intellectual and a religious man, and even if he had never become King or featured in the absurdly exotic representations in celluloid of his employment of the somewhat irritating but idealistic Anna Leonowens as his children’s governess,3 he would probably have gone down in history as a reformer of the Buddhist sangha, and the leader of a modernising movement that reconciled a return to Buddhist orthodoxy with a general acceptance of western science and rationality.4 As Preedee Kasemsup correctly states “there were conflicting desires to preserve the national cultural tradition and at the same time to achieve an enormous progress. The most important personage representing both desires was King Mongkut.”5 Mongkut therefore appears as a complex but key personality in the history of Siam, no less than a truly great king. In many respects, despite huge changes since his death, it is the world of Mongkut that Thai people still, psychologically, inhabit. Although he did not engage in the extensive law reform that characterised the reign of his son and successor King Chulalongkorn (Rama V, 1868–1910) and was later completed by Chulalongkorn’s sons King Vajiravudh (Rama VI, 1910–1927) and King Prajadhipok (Rama VII, 1927–1935), Mongkut laid the groundwork in many ways, not least by the enactment of hundreds of Royal Ordinances, for the emergence of his country as the progressive, successful, culturally rich, yet also politically unstable and in many ways deeply puzzling one we now know as Thailand. 1 Thongchai ‘Winichakul, Siam Mapped: A History of the Geo-Body of a Nation (University of Hawai‘i Press, Honolulu, 1994), pp. 37–61. 2 See, further, O. Frankfurter, ‘King Mongkut’ in The Siam Society Fiftieth Anniversary Commem- orative Publication: Selected Articles from the Siam Society Journal (Siam Society, Bangkok, 1954), vol. 1, pp. 191–207; P.W. Thornely, History of a Transition (Observer Press, Bangkok, 1923). 3 The King and I (1956), based on the 1951 Rogers and Hammerstein musical of the same name; Anna and the King (1999). For an historical account, see Leslie Smith Dow, Anna Leonowens: A Life Beyond the King and I (Pottersfield Press, Lawrencetown Beach, 1991). 4 Peter A. Jackson, Buddhism, Legitimation, and Conflict: The Political Functions of Urban Thai Buddhism (Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore, 1989). 5 Preedee Kasemsup, ‘Reception of Law in Thailand — a Buddhist Society’ in Masaji Chiba, Asian Indigenous Law: In Interaction with Received Law (KPI, London and New York, 1986), pp. 267– 300. See also Seni Pramoj, ‘King Mongkut as a Legislator’ in Selected Articles from the Siam Society Journal (Siam Society, Bangkok, 1959), vol. 4, pp. 203–237. R. Lingat, ‘Evolution of the Conception of Law in Burma and Siam’ (1950) 38 Journal of Siamese Society pp. 9–31, at p. 10; Prince Dani Nivat, ‘The Old Siamese Conception of the Monarchy’ in The Siam Society Fiftieth Anniversary Commemorative Publication: Selected Articles from the Siam Society Journal (Siam Society, Bang- kok, 1954), vol. 2, pp. 160–175, at p. 163. 308.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 1 MEMORY of the WORLD REGISTER Archival Documents Of
    1 MEMORY OF THE WORLD REGISTER Archival Documents of King Chulalongkorn’s Transformation of Siam (1868-1910) Ref N° 2008-34 PART A- ESSENTIAL INFORMATION 1. SUMMARY Present-day Thailand is in many aspects a legacy of the policies and practices carried out by King Chulalongkorn the Great of Siam (A.D.1868-1910) within the context of western colonialism and modernization. This includes the setting up of a national bureaucracy, a centralized government with territorial integrity and sovereignty, professional armed forces and police, an independent judiciary with a modern legal code, and diplomatic relations with foreign powers. The documents are also the records of social policies such as the successful emancipation of slaves by peaceful and legal means, the abolition of gambling, the establishment of a public school system and the reform of the Buddhist Sangha, as well as the promotion of agricultural production, the market economy, financial and fiscal institutions. These measures contributed to the maintenance of Siam independence, a rare feat in the world at the time. The nominated documents in the Thai language are records of all these accomplishments. They were either hand-written texts on local papers made from the mulberry and khoi trees, or typed on imported papers. They consist of official and private correspondence and memoranda between King Chulalongkorn and his ministers, memoranda between officials, reports of meetings, and drafts of royal decrees and proclamations that took place during his reign. These documents are the basic source of information on the revolutionary measures adopted, the reasons for them, the strategies, process of execution and outcomes.
    [Show full text]
  • Mon Buddhist Architecture in Pakkret District, Nonthaburi Province, Thailand During Thonburi and Rattanakosin Periods (1767-1932)
    MON BUDDHIST ARCHITECTURE IN PAKKRET DISTRICT, NONTHABURI PROVINCE, THAILAND DURING THONBURI AND RATTANAKOSIN PERIODS (1767-1932) Jirada Praebaisri* and Koompong Noobanjong Department of Industrial Education, Faculty of Industrial Education and Technology, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Bangkok 10520, Thailand *Corresponding author: [email protected] Received: October 3, 2018; Revised: February 22, 2019; Accepted: April 17, 2019 Abstract This research examines the characteristics of Mon Buddhist architecture during Thonburi and Rattanakosin periods (1767-1932) in Pakkret district. In conjunction with the oral histories acquired from the local residents, the study incorporates inquiries on historical narratives and documents, together with photographic and illustrative materials obtained from physical surveys of thirty religious structures for data collection. The textual investigations indicate that Mon people migrated to the Siamese kingdom of Ayutthaya in large number during the 18th century, and established their settlements in and around Pakkret area. Located northwest of the present day Bangkok in Nonthaburi province, Pakkret developed into an important community of the Mon diasporas, possessing a well-organized local administration that contributed to its economic prosperity. Although the Mons was assimilated into the Siamese political structure, they were able to preserve most of their traditions and customs. At the same time, the productions of their cultural artifacts encompassed many Thai elements as well, as evident from Mon Buddhist temples and monasteries in Pakkret. The stylistic analyses of these structures further reveal the following findings. First, their designs were determined by four groups of patrons: Mon laypersons, elite Mons, Thai Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences Studies Vol.19(1): 30-58, 2019 Mon Buddhist Architecture in Pakkret District Praebaisri, J.
    [Show full text]
  • THE POLITICS of INCOME DISTRIBUTION in THAILAND by Brewster Grace August 1977
    SOUTHEAST ASIA SERIES Vol. XXV No. 7 (Thailand) THE POLITICS OF INCOME DISTRIBUTION IN THAILAND by Brewster Grace August 1977 Introduction Diverse economic, cultural, and political forces the country. We can then describe how it is dis- have coalesced and clashed in Thailand since Field tributed, how the need for redistribution further Marshall Thanom Kittikachorn and General Pra- broadened demands for more economic and polit- pass Charusathien established their absolute dic- ical participation and opportunity, and how, as tatorship in 1971. Their rule by decree virtually these demands resulted in increased instability, eliminated popular political participation at a time reaction to them also increased. when corruption and economic decline began to severely restrict economic participation and oppor- Basic Wealth tunity by low and middle income groups-the majority of the population of Thailand. Thailand's 1976 Gross Domestic Product (GDP), at current prices was an estimated US16 billion. Conflict first appeared in 1973 when students Agriculture, the largest single contributor and em- organized and rebelled against the rule by decree of ployer, accounted for nearly 27 percent or $4.3 Thanom and Prapass. It grew rapidly during the billion. following three years of civilian, representative government when activist efforts to reform basic Historically, rice made up the principal part of distribution patterns within the economy led to this production. And still today land on which it is increasing confrontation with politicized estab- grown, the product itself, its trade and its milling- lished economic interests. The latter included all provide production opportunities for most much of the military and newly mobilized rural Thais.
    [Show full text]
  • The King's Nation: a Study of the Emergence and Development of Nation and Nationalism in Thailand
    THE KING’S NATION: A STUDY OF THE EMERGENCE AND DEVELOPMENT OF NATION AND NATIONALISM IN THAILAND Andreas Sturm Presented for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy of the University of London (London School of Economics and Political Science) 2006 UMI Number: U215429 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Dissertation Publishing UMI U215429 Published by ProQuest LLC 2014. Copyright in the Dissertation held by the Author. Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest LLC 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 I Declaration I hereby declare that the thesis, submitted in partial fulfillment o f the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and entitled ‘The King’s Nation: A Study of the Emergence and Development of Nation and Nationalism in Thailand’, represents my own work and has not been previously submitted to this or any other institution for any degree, diploma or other qualification. Andreas Sturm 2 VV Abstract This thesis presents an overview over the history of the concepts ofnation and nationalism in Thailand. Based on the ethno-symbolist approach to the study of nationalism, this thesis proposes to see the Thai nation as a result of a long process, reflecting the three-phases-model (ethnie , pre-modem and modem nation) for the potential development of a nation as outlined by Anthony Smith.
    [Show full text]
  • JSS 102 0A Front
    The Journal of the Siam Society Volume 102 2014 Cover: Thai Chakri, Chong Kraben Variation, 1982. Pierre Balmain, Paris. Silk and metal-thread brocade (phaa yok) and silk satin; bead and sequin embroidery. Collection of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit. Photographer: Mr. Nat Prakobsantisuk. Photo courtesy of the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles. Honorary editor: Chris Baker Editor: Paul Bromberg Advisors: Tej Bunnag, Michael Smithies, Kim W. Atkinson © The Siam Society, 2014 ISSN 0857-7099 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electrical or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system without prior permission from the Siam Society. The Journal of the Siam Society is a forum for original research and analysis. Opinions expressed in the Journal are those of the authors. They do not represent the views or policies of the Siam Society. Printed by Amarin Printing and Publishing Public Company Limited 65/16 Chaiyapruk Rod, Taling Chan, Bangkok 10170, Thailand Tel. (662) 422-9000 • Fax (662) 433-2742, 434-1385 E-mail: [email protected] • http://www.amarin.com Journal of the Siam Society Volume 102 2014 Contents The Minute Books of the Council of the Siam Society Inscribed in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register ..........................................................vii Articles Symbolism in the Design of Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimonmangkhalaram (Wat Pho) Chatri Prakitnonthakan ...................................................................................... 1 On the Trail of King Taksin’s Samutphāp Traiphūm Barend Jan Terwiel .......................................................................................... 41 Archaeological Identification of the Majapahit Royal Palace: Prapañca’s 1365 Description Projected onto Satellite Imagery Amrit Gomperts, Arnoud Haag, and Peter Carey in collaboration with Djoko Umbaran ..............................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Report of the Official Parliamentary Delegation to Singapore and Indonesia 28 October—8 November 2008
    The Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia Report of the Official Parliamentary Delegation to Singapore and Indonesia 28 October—8 November 2008 March 2009 Canberra © Commonwealth of Australia 2009 ISBN 978-0-642-79153-5 Contents FRONTPAGES Membership of the Delegation.............................................................................................................vi Objectives .........................................................................................................................................viii Singapore..................................................................................................................................viii Indonesia ..................................................................................................................................viii List of abbreviations ............................................................................................................................ix REPORT 1 Introduction ...........................................................................................................1 Singapore—Background Information...................................................................................... 1 Geography and Population ......................................................................................................... 1 Political Structure ........................................................................................................................ 2 Economic Overview ...................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Sports in Pre-Modern and Early Modern Siam: Aggressive and Civilised Masculinities
    Sports in Pre-Modern and Early Modern Siam: Aggressive and Civilised Masculinities Charn Panarut A thesis submitted in fulfilment of The requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of Sociology and Social Policy Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences The University of Sydney 2018 Statement of Authorship This dissertation is the copyrighted work of the author, Charn Panarut, and the University of Sydney. This thesis has not been previously submitted for any degree or other objectives. I certify that this thesis contains no documents previously written or published by anyone except where due reference is referenced in the dissertation itself. i Abstract This thesis is a contribution to two bodies of scholarship: first, the historical understanding of the modernisation process in Siam, and in particular the role of sport in the gradual pacification of violent forms of behaviour; second, one of the central bodies of scholarship used to analyse sport sociologically, the work of Norbert Elias and Eric Dunning on sport and the civilising process. Previous studies of the emergence of a more civilised form of behaviour in modern Siam highlight the imitation of Western civilised conducts in political and sporting contexts, largely overlooking the continued role of violence in this change in Siamese behaviour from the pre- modern to modern periods. This thesis examines the historical evidence which shows that, from around the 1900s, Siamese elites engaged in deliberate projects to civilise prevalent non-elites’ aggressive conducts. This in turn has implications for the Eliasian understanding of sports and civilising process, which emphasises their unplanned development alongside political and economic changes in Europe, at the expense of grasping the deliberate interventions of the Siamese elites.
    [Show full text]
  • Mining for Gold
    !"#"#$%&'(%)'*+% !"#$%&'(")%*%+,"-,."/012+$-(%+,"%,(+"('3"/**3,(%-2"4-(5$3"-,."65$1+*3"+7"('3"#'%88'5,%" 9-,&'-"%,"('3"!,:%3,(";30(*"-,."<%=3*"+7"('3"4+>23"?,3*"-,."#$+5&'("(+"<%73"" ('$+5&'"<%=%,&"('3"65$3"-,."63$73:(3."@+2A"<%73"%,"('3"B+.3$,"C+$2." ,-%.--/%0/12//*'3/%42"3325#"% % % % 6#1('+571"'#% % C'3,"D3.%(-(%,&"+,"('%*"1-13$">37+$3">3&%,,%,&"%(E"F"*3("DA"%,(3,(%+,*"7+$"('3"7527%22D3,("+7" WKHSXUSRVHRIWKH%XGGKD·V6DVDQD³+5$"7$33.+D"7$+D"*5773$%,&"-,."('3"G327-$3"+7"-22" 2%=%,&">3%,&*H"";'3!"#$#%%&E"+$"%D-&3E"('-(":-D3"(+"D%,."G-*"+7"'&(&³('3"'3-$(G++.E"+$" 3**3,:3H""" " F"$3D3D>3$3."DA"+G,"%,*1%$-(%+,"(+"5,.3$(-83">'%88'5,%"2%73":-D3"G'3,"$3-.%,&"('%*" SKUDVHLQWKH3DOL7H[W6RFLHW\·V"($-,*2-(%+,"+7"('3")*#++*,"#!-#.*&"/&I"´$EKLNNKXQLLV 8998#1"/*:µ%;"";'3"#5..'D·VWHDFKLQJDQDORJLHVRIKHDUWZRRGJ"-,."$37%,%,&"&+2.K"-$3"2-D1*" ('-("%225*($-(3"('3"D3-,%,&"-,."&+-2"-*"G322"-*"('3"D3-,*"+7"('3"1$-:(%:3H""L+,*52(%,&"G%('"-," 32.3$"B-'-('3$-"D3,(+$"+7"D%,3"%,"('3"#'%88'5"9-,&'-"+,"G'-("G+52.">3"5*3752"(+"1$3*3,(" (+"('3"M%$*("N2+>-2"L+,&$3**"+,"#5..'%*("C+PHQKHUHSHDWHGWKUHHWLPHV´PLQLQJIRU &+2.µO";'5*E"('3"(%(23"-,."('3D3"+7"('%*"1-13$"-113-$3.H" " ,QODWHUUHIOHFWLRQ,UHDOL]HGWKDW´6DUDµ"P-8-";3**-$-"+$"Q3=-*-$-R"G-*"-2*+"('3",-D3"+7"('3" 9$%"<-,8-,">'%88'5,%"=3,3$->23"G'+*3"*3$=%:3"(+"('3"9-,&'-"%,"'3$"7%7('":3,(5$A"L/"($%1"(+" L'%,-"G%('"'3$"133$*E"$3:+$.3.">+('"%,"L'%,-"-,."9$%"<-,8-E"'-*">33,"*+D3'+G"3,3$&3(%:-22A" 83A"%,">$%,&%,&"('3"G'+23"%**53"+7"('3"=%->%2%(A"+7"('3"+$%&%,-2">'%88'5,%"2%,3-&3"(+"2%73H"";'%*" 1-13$"('5*"-2*+"*3$=3*"-*"-"($%>5(3"(+"!AA-"9-$-E"(+"9-,&'-D%((-E"-,."(+"-22"('3"&$3-(">3%,&*"
    [Show full text]
  • JSS 093 0I Back
    Notes for Contributors 343 FIVE PUBLICATIONS TO MARK THE SOCIETY’S CENTENARY The Society of Siam Selected articles for the Siam Society’s centenary Edited by Chris Baker Bangkok, The Siam Society, 2004 pp. 409 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 John P. Ferguson Anan Ganjanapan K.I. Matics Andrew Turton Kraisri Nimmanhaeminda Benjamin A. Batson Manas Chitakasem Charles F. Keyes Michael Smithies Euayporn Kerdchouay Napat Sirisambhand Frank E. Reynolds Phya Anuman Rajadhon Gehan Wijeyewardene Puey Ungphakorn Grant A. Olson Richard A. O’Connor Hjorleifur Jonsson Shalardehai Ramitanondh Jane Bunnag Sunait Chutintharanon Jarernchai Chonpairot Suriya Ratanakul Jeremy H. Kemp Terry B. Miller Prices: Overseas Members US$30, Non-Members US$35 Shipping and handling charge per copy US$10 In Thailand Members Bt.800, Non-Members Bt.990 Shipping and handling charge per copy Bt.50 Journal of the Siam Society Vol. 93 2005 343 JSS 2005-P338-350 343 6/8/05, 16:13 344 Recent Siam Society Publications The Siam Society: A Century by William Warren Bangkok, The Siam Society, 2004 pp.v + 181, illustrations One hundred years ago, on February 26, 1904 a group of Thais and Western residents of Bangkok gathered at the Oriental Hotel.
    [Show full text]
  • The Search for Order: Constitutions and Human Rights in Thai Political History
    The Search for Order: Constitutions and Human Rights in Thai Political History Thanet Aphornsuvan, Ph.D Faculty of Liberal Arts, Thammasat University, Bangkok Thailand. In 1997 Parliament passed the new Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2540(AD.1997). The new Constitution reflected the crystallization of 67 years of Thai democracy. In this sense, the promulgation of the latest constitution was not simply another amendment to the previous constitutions, but it was a political reform that involved the majority of the people from the very beginning of its drafting. The whole process of constitution writing was also unprecedented in the history of modern Thai politics. Unlike most of the previous constitutions that came into being because those in power needed legitimacy, the Constitution of 1997 was initiated and called for by the citizens who wanted a true and democratic regime transplanted on to Thai soil. This popular demand, fueled by the latest uprising in May 1992 against the military- controlled government, led to the election of the Constitution Drafting Assembly to rewrite the new constitution according to the wishes of the people. To make this Constitution closer to the wishes and aspirations of the people, the Constitution Drafting Assembly organized public hearings to enable concerned citizens and groups to air their opinions on a variety of topics and subjects crucial to the working and efficiency of the Constitution. Finally the new and first popular Constitution was submitted to Parliament with strong support from people of all walks. Its submission was followed by long debates and objections from certain leading members of the House who feared it was overly liberal in its strong support of human rights and liberties of the people.
    [Show full text]
  • The Siamese Government's Responses to Western Forces at the Time of King Mongkut
    UNIWERSYTET ZIELONOGÓRSKI IN GREMIUM 11/2017 Studia nad Historią, Kulturą i Polityką ISSN 1899-2722 ■ s. 67-92 Nguyen Tien Dung* THE SIAMESE GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSES TO WESTERN FORCES AT THE TIME OF KING MONGKUT (1851-1868) Amidst the strong wave of Western colonialist invasion in the East in the second half the 19th century, Siam was the only political entity in Southeast Asia which managed to avoid colonization. It is noteworthy that most Vietnamese and international scholars, while accounting for the success of Siam in the protection of its security and independ- ence, believe that Siam was able to maintain its sovereignty because it was located in a “buffer zone” between British and French forces and took advantage of conflicts and fights for influence between imperialist countries on the Sino-Indian peninsula1. * The author is now a Lecturer at Faculty of Cultural Studies, Hanoi University of Culture (HUC) and also a Doctoral candidate at Faculty of History, University of Social Sciences and Humanities (USSH), Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU). The author would like to give deeply thank to Advisors: Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Kim, Prof. Vu Duong Ninh and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Khac Nam at Vietnam National University, Hanoi and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bruce Lockhart at Department of History, National University of Singapore (NUS). His email contact is [email protected] or [email protected]. 1 On Siam’s foreign policies for Western colonialist forces in the second half of the 19th century in general and analyses of the “buffer zone” location of this country, please see: D.
    [Show full text]
  • JSS 097 0B Front
    The Journal of the Siam Society Patrons of the Siam Society Patron His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej Vice-Patrons Her Majesty Queen Sirikit His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn Vice-Patron & Honorary President Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Honorary Vice-Presidents Her Majesty Ashi Kesang Choeden Wangchuck, The Royal Grandmother of Bhutan His Imperial Highness Prince Akishino of Japan His Royal Highness Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark Council of the Siam Society, 2008 - 2010 President Mr Athueck Asvanund Vice-President Mrs Bilaibhan Sampatisiri Leader, Natural History Section Dr Weerachai Nanakorn Honorary Secretary Mr Barent Springsted Honorary Treasurer Mr Suraya Supanwanich Honorary Librarian Ms Anne Sutherland Honorary Editor, JSS Dr Chris Baker Honorary Editor, NHB Dr William Schaedla Members of Council Mrs Eileen Deeley Ms Raksaswan Chrongchitpracharon Dr Nirun Jivasantikarn Mr Peter Laverick Mrs Beatrix Latham Mr James D Lehman H.E. Mr Juan Manuel Lopez Nadal Mr Paul Russell The Journal of the Siam Society Volume 97 2009 As this volume was in press, in May 2009, the Society received the information that Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn had graciously accepted to become Honorary President of the Society, in addition to being a Vice-Patron. The President, Council, and Society members wish to express their gratitude to Her Royal Highness for honouring the Society in this way. Editorial Board Tej Bunnag advisor Chris Baker advisor and honorary editor Michael Smithies editor Kanitha Kasina-Ubol coordinator Euayporn Kerdchouay production assistant © The Siam Society 2009 ISSN 0857-7099 Cover: A tinted lithograph by Delaporte, showing the Lao weights in use in the market in Luang Prabang, in François Garnier, Voyage d’exploration en Indo-Chine effectué pendant les années 1688, 1867, et 1868.
    [Show full text]