THE KING AND THE CONSUL A British Tragedyin Old Siam (เลือกซื้อได้ทั้งภาษาไทย และอังกฤษ)

THE KING AND THE CONSUL
A British Tragedyin Old Siam

Description

In 1856, just months after Britain and Siam had finalised the historic Bowring trade treaty that would prevent the countrys colonisation, the violent death of a Siamese official at the new British consulate threatened to scuttle the deal and lead to war. The King and the Consul explores UK and Thai archives to reveal the twists, turns and tensions of this little-known episode that pitted Thailands renowned King Mongkut, Rama IV, against the first British consul, Charles Hillier. The crisis was resolved without war, but not without cost for the participants who suffered unintended tragic outcomes. The book also reveals how this incident has continued to shape official Thai attitudes to foreign ownership of land up to today.

The fabulous tale of the Bowring missions trials and tribulations, and its ultimate success, leaves an indelible image. It reads like a classic novel [Dickens?], with only footnote citations to the contemporary record as a reminder that all this really happened.
Edward Van Roy, author of Siamese Melting Pot: Ethnic Minorities in the Making of Bangkok

Only a writer with Simon Landys deep understanding of Thai and British culture, diplomacy and business over nearly two centuries could transform a little-known episode in Anglo-Thai relations into this fascinatingly quirky tale of legal wrangles, death and royal repentance in old Siam.
Gwen Robinson, Editor of the Nikkei online and former President of the FCCT Thailand

This intriguing book could only be written by someone with long residence in Bangkok, thorough knowledge of Thailands property law, and enthusiasm for history. Simon Landy gives us a slice of legal and diplomatic history with close attention to its human dimensions. An unusual and lovely read. Chris Baker, author of A History of Thailand and political commentator

Author                            Simon Landy
ISBN                               978 616 451 059 3
Size                                 h210 x w142 mm
No. of pages                 248 pages  32 b/w illustrations
Specification                Hardback