Description
Book SynopsisThe most detailed, fascinating, and lively account of old Siam was written by the Dutch merchant Jeremias Van Vliet between 1636 and 1640. This volume includes all four of his writings in English translation: the earliest surviving chronicle of Siam's history; a wide-ranging description of the kingdom's geography, economy, society, politics, and religion; a blow-by-blow account of a bloody power struggle over the crown; and the Dutchman's diary during a crisis -- the Picnic Incident -- published here for the first time. The editors add new details on Van Vliet's life, the Dutch community, the city of Ayutthaya, and the court of King Prasat Thong, which set this ordinary merchant's extraordinary literary work into its context of time and place.
Table of ContentsPreface and Acknowledgments
Abbreviations
Introduction: Ayutthaya, King Prasat Thong, the Dutch and Jeremias van Vliet
The Written Works of Jeremias van Vliet
--Diary of the Picnic Incident (1636-37) / Translated and edited by Alfons van der Kraan
--Description of the Kingdom of Siam (1638) / Translated by L. F. van Ravenswaay, edited by Chris Baker
--The Short History of the Kings of Siam (1640) / Translated by Leonard Andaya, edited by David K. Wyatt
--Historical Account of King Prasat Thong (1640) / Translated by Alfons van der Kraan, edited by Dhiravat na Pombejra and Chris Baker
Appendices
I. Structure of Government
II. Table of Kings
III. Dynastic Tree
IV. Yamada Nagamasa
Glossary
Bibliography
Index
