Van Vliet's Siam

Includes all four of Van Vliet's writings in English translation

An account of old Siam written by the Dutch merchant Jeremias Van Vliet. It features his writings in English translation including, a chronicle of Siam's history and a description of the kingdom's geography, economy, society, politics, and religion. It includes details on Van Vliet's life, the Dutch community, and, the city of Ayutthaya.

The 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.