Siam in Trade and War
Catalogue of the exhibition of five maps and 80 related artefacts displayed at the Jim Thompson House, Center for Arts, in 2005. The catalogue gives a fascinating picture of Siamese history and geopolitics during the first three reigns of the Chakri dynasty.
Historical maps are much more than geographical records. Often they provide insights into a country's politics, trade and war. In 1996, 17 large, hand-drawn and hand-coloured maps were discovered in the Princes Abhantri Paja Mansion in the Grand Palaces, Bangkok. This magnificent collection is today in the care of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.
Now, for the first time, Her Royal Highness has graciously allowed five of these precious maps to go on show at the Jim Thomson House, Center for Arts. Together with 80 other related items, the exhibition Siam in Trade War – Royal Maps of the Nineteenth Century gives a fascinating picture of Siamese history and geopolitics during the first three reigns of the Chakri dynasty.